what else am i gonna need?

[MikeyBob365]

tomorrow is the big day! i'm buying a jon boat!

after talking to my dad awhile, and getting *edit*very upset with*edit* off about the *edit*fellow citizens who do not treat me as a human being but as somebody they can make a few bucks off of with a scam or play mind games with*edit* on craigslist who don't want to reply, don't mention to tell me there is a crack, who agrees to meet up with me certain place certain time, whom i call right before leaving and sure enough the boat is gone! my dad and i decided it would be best to just buy new!

i'm buying from the bass pro shop's boat store(i forget what its called, and no its not the actual Bass Pro Shop.)

I'm getting a jon boat, and 3.5 HP mercury... and a trailer from academy. Will i need a battery for motor? i know i need life vests... but what else should i be prepared to buy... cause the guy who helped me kind of assumed i knew what was up.

thanks in advance guys!

 

[Thad]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

First, you may want to edit the language on your craigslist comment.
Second, congrats on getting a new boat. You will not need a battery for the motor. You will need one if you plan on putting running lights on it, or electric anchor, radio, etc.
I am not farmiliar with the 3.5 but I have two small outboards, one has a built in tank, the does not. So most likely you will need a tank, hose, and fittings.
You will also need a fire extinguiser and a whistle. A throwable life ring or cushion is a MUST also. You are going to need to shell out for at least one anchor and line appropriate to where you are boating. Get an oar for emergencies too. While your at it, go ahead and get you some rod holders also, mine ar invaluble for keeping my poles stowed while trailering. If it does not come with ine, you should also get a tie down strap so the boat does not bounce off of the trailer.

Good luck and happy boating.

 

[MikeyBob365]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

First, you may want to edit the language on your craigslist comment.
Second, congrats on getting a new boat. You will not need a battery for the motor. You will need one if you plan on putting running lights on it, or electric anchor, radio, etc.
I am not farmiliar with the 3.5 but I have two small outboards, one has a built in tank, the does not. So most likely you will need a tank, hose, and fittings.
You will also need a fire extinguiser and a whistle. A throwable life ring or cushion is a MUST also. You are going to need to shell out for at least one anchor and line appropriate to where you are boating. Get an oar for emergencies too. While your at it, go ahead and get you some rod holders also, mine ar invaluble for keeping my poles stowed while trailering. If it does not come with ine, you should also get a tie down strap so the boat does not bounce off of the trailer.

Good luck and happy boating.

sorry bout the language, i thought all forums by vBulletin auto-blocked!

and i looked up the fuel tank on the 3.5 it holds 1.5 qt... as i am new, i am also clueless, is that going to be enough?

i dont think my jon boat has cleats... can you buy them?

and also can you haggle the price for boats like you can at car dealorships?

 

[Thad]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

It would be worth your time and effort to unhook the built in tank and run a line and adaptor to accept an external fuel tank. My buddy did it on an older motor. Works great.

You can buy regular cleats or anchor cleats. In fact, my local Wallyworld has cleats on clearance sale right now.

You might put a cleat on the bow for launchin/retrieving and to hold to boat at the dock. I would recommend the anchor cleats for, well, anchoring. Thay allow you to let out what line you want and then hold it there with out any hassle. You could also just get a hand cranked anchor mate.

As far as haggling, I would! You never know what you might get knocked off or thrown in on the deal. Especially if you plan to buy everything from them. Shop around though. Know what prices are on things before you even go back in the store. They might make it look good, but in reality...

On a side not, and you don't have to buy this, take a gallon or half gallon milk jug, cut the bottom off and carry at all times. It serves as a bailing bucket and a bathroom.

 

[MikeyBob365]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

i guess i could just carry a gallon of gas with me... not too big of a deal, just be very careful with letting it drip into the water?

and thanks for all the tips thad!

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

My freind----
You've only just begun
Seats
Paddle
Depth Finder
Trolling Motor
Battery
Fishing Gear (Given)
Anchor
Rope
Of course you have to registor the boat & motor
(Buy a set of sticker numbers/letters for the boat
Might need a bildge pump
Some sort of livewell
Get tags for the trailor
Insurance

Thats the short list of course

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

You might also consider bumpers too at least 2 of them, when your on the side of the dock tied off you don't want your NEW boat beating and banging because some a@@hole isn't considerate or bigger boats are cruising by, the wake can beat the h3ll out of the side of your boat while lauching, loading, at the marina Etc......extra rope for tying off your boat at the dock "stern line/bow line"

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: what else am i gonna need?

don't get too many toys at first. For a jon boat you don't need a trolling motor, battery, fixed lights, anchor cranker (you need an anchor and line) depth finder or bilge pump. Depending on your fishing you can probably use a troller-type minnow keeper.
Get your coolers at yard sales. Also boat stuff if you live near the coast.
If you might be out after dark get battery-powered running lights. Keep them in a waterproof container with the batteries OUT. Whether you are going out at dark or not, two flashlights and maybe some glow sticks. These are for non-emergencies as well as emergencies; flares are only for distress. No moer than a 3 gallon gas tank, I'd think.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

How about a boating safety course? I would look into that first.

If your going to start using a boat ...... you really want to take the course.

 

[jdlough]

Re: what else am i gonna need?

For a Jon boat? Or any other low-sided boat?

A bailing bucket. Not kidding.

Easy to get swamped by big-boat-knucklehead-wakes.

The traditional cheap bucket is a big bleach bottle. (If you have access to Sam's Club, then a REALLY big bleach bottle.) Leave the handle on, but cut away the spout and a bit of the bottle in front of the handle. So you can still hold the thing by the handle but scoop water out.

Even just a bucket. There were times in my life when I would have gladly paid $100 for a $1 bucket.

If these ideas are too low tech, but battery-operated bilge pumps are too high tech, do some Google searches on what kayakers do.

There are some clever kayak hand pumps or giant sponges that might interest you.

If you don't have a bucket, there will be a day when you dump all your fishing stuff out of your tackle box, rip off the lid and any shelves, and frantically use the box for a bucket. It will happen.

Oh, another thing. Bungee cords. Get lots of them too. Many sizes. And scissors, and knives.

As as safety thing, a serrated knife may actually at times be the most important thing in your pocket. Any boating involves lines, straps, cords, etc. If/when bad things happen, you may need to cut these things quick. A crappy serrated knife cuts all lines better than any straight blade. Stash a bunch of cheap serrated steak knives all over the boat.