By Bradley Sallee
A Primer On What To Take With You On Board
oating should be fun and relaxing. The last thing you want is to get out on the water and realize you’re missing something you need. While your pontoon’s hardware—anchors, lights, etc.—are hard to forget, sometimes boaters find themselves lacking the basic necessities. Rather than return to the dock and waste hours of prime boating time, it’s best to just take what you need with you the first time. Easier said than done, right?
But what do you bring? While there are checklists for everything, you’ll find experience is the best teacher. Instead of worrying over bullet points, consider this article an overview, covering the basics and getting you started with some key recommendations.
Accidents happen while boating. Cuts, bites, and bruises can come out of nowhere and slow your day. The solution? A brightly colored bag filled with over 100 expert-selected medical essentials. The MyFAK first aid kit by MyMedic is a compact satchel filled with life-saving equipment. The full kit features everything from cold packs to gauze and bandages, to lip balm and medical-grade scissors. It’s a crucial tool that every pontoon owner should have on board.
Communication
Thanks to the cell phone, help is usually a few buttons away. But while boating, your phone may die, you may have poor signal coverage, or your phone may fall overboard and sink to the bottom of the lake. This is why you need other ways to communicate. The go-to option for boaters is a VHF FM-DSC radio. West Marine offers the powerful GX1400GB Eclipse 25W Fixed Mount VHF/GPS Radio, an easily-installed and reliable piece of gear that meets all Class D digital selective calling requirements, including DSC distress calling, individual calling, group calling, and position sharing for first responders.
A successful outing needs a planned route and that means research, maps, compasses, and most importantly, a long-lived GPS that can track your course over the water. Luckily, boaters have a wide range of hybrid fishfinder-GPS devices to choose from. The Lowrance HOOK Reveal is an affordable, entry-level device with some powerful features. The built-in GPS Plotter lets you set and save waypoints, follow trails, and record favorite spots. The dynamic tool comes with an easy-to-use bracket mounting installation to fit on any make or model of pontoon.
Sun Protection
Sun exposure is a significant hazard boaters deal with. Too much sun can cause sunburns, heat stroke, eye damage, and a host of other problems, so gear up. Everyone on board should have hats, sunglasses, and a generous supply of sunblock. Remember, as you swim and sweat during a long day, sunblock loses its effectiveness. So be sure to pack extra sunblock and reapply every two hours or so.
As for sunglasses, we recommend Costa Del Mar’s line of polarized lenses, which are durable shades with distinct style and excellent performance. For women, the Maya model of sunglasses is a solid option with a beautiful design. For men, the sleek and rugged Saltbreak line makes a great accessory for a day on the water.
Nothing is better than a cooler stuffed full of fresh food and cool drinks. Even if you’re only planning on being out a couple of hours, you’re bound to get hungry during your outing. The best cooler for your pontoon is one that’s sturdy, waterproof, and economic in size. There’s a variety of makes and models that can suit your needs, but the Igloo BMX 52-quart cooler comes highly recommended. It’s perfectly sized for a pontoon or a deck boat with plenty of room to keep your crew covered.
Odd Recommendations
Now, a wise boater knows to learn from others, and the advice of the community can give some interesting ideas for uncommon items.
For example, one interviewed hobbyist says that he never leaves shore without a fishing net, and he doesn’t even fish. Turns out the humble fishing net is a great option for saving items that have fallen overboard, such as blown away hats or garbage. Another boater recommended that you set up a mobile bathroom with a portable toilet and camping shower curtain if you’ve got the space. Definitely keep your mind open to practical invention when it comes to boating gear.
Starting Point
If this article did its job, you now have a head start on gearing up. Even better, you understand the reasons basic essentials are so helpful in planning a successful outing. With time, you’ll be able to find new additions to your own toolkit, but this will come with experience. Maybe you’ll find better options, or discover off-the-wall pieces of gear such as the fishing net and portable toilet. But now you’ve got a sense of direction, and hopefully, these recommendations will suit you well.