I officially bought my first boat today!I don't take possession of it for a couple of days because it's being delivered but I was looking for some advice. A lot of you are boat owner vets and I need advice on some things. I have taken the boater safety course and have purchased all the legal requirements by TPWD.

What I am looking for in advice is the "Should have gotten that before" advice. Maybe stuff that's not required by TPWD like an extra battery and trolling motor prop for the trolling motor.

It's my first boat so I didn't go crazy, I got a Tracker Pro 160 with a 40 hp motor and a Minn Kota edge 45 trolling motor.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

Any boat can get you close to the fish. I would recommend a depth finder that will show you show you the bottom contours and the depth on the same screen. Fish the ledges and edges. I don't like anchors and would recommend an I-pilot trolling motor. Find the fish and stay on them with the push of a button. Like most people I wish I had more money to get better toys.

Welcome to the world of new boat owners. You will never have everything you might think you'll need. If you do it won't all fit on your boat.
Spare ignition, hitch lock, and storage/rod box keys
Spare plug for bilge
Funnel for adding oil
At least 2 dock lines
Anchor, 6 ft rode, and 100 ft min. anchor rope. Don't skimp here.
Dry storage box for truck keys, wallet, cell phone, etc.
Rain gear/ extra clothes (just in case)
Separate grease gun with marine grease for trailer bearings and outboard fittings.
My thumbs tired. Maybe someone else will chime in with more.
Good luck and enjoy your new ride!

I bought a sonar/gps unit (just had sonar) last year and I wish I had done this years ago. Made a huge difference in the amount of fish I caught.

Dennis's map of Cedar Creek
Fish length ruler
Fish Net (not a throw net)
Make sure you have a lug wrench that fits your boat tires

Get a good radio in case of emergency, a good sonar unit with a gps in case you have fog or need to run at night, always carry tools, our boat is rigged with two cranking batteries, can't hurt, and always buy the biggest cold cranking amp battery money can buy, an extra prop doesn't hurt, always think safety!

Safety is first and foremost.

Install a boarding ladder if the boat does not already have one. It is only a matter of time before someone needs to use it.

Get in the habit of always wearing the kill switch whenever the motor is running.

Wear a PFD, and absolutely wear a PFD if you are boating solo. Auto-inflatable PFDs are a good compromise between safety and comfort IMHO.

I think you should return the boat and start using heroine. It's cheaper!
Just kidding🙃
Personal safety is important but also think about safety for the entire crew and the boat. A couple of things that are dual porpose is a drift sock and anchor. You can use both to fish but there more important if your boat stalls in rough weather. A drift dock turns into a sea anchor in deep water keeping your bow into the wind .An anchor is also used for fishing but can also stop a dead boat from being beached or grounded in shallow water.

Another thing I should've added is feel the rims at stops while towing to make sure they aren't too hot, could need bearings. Nothing worse than blowing a bearing, especially on a single axle trailer, and if you don't have a spare trailer tire get one. Make sure you have the best bilge pump you can afford and check it to see if it runs before every trip. It may sound silly, but especially for a beginner, double check if the plug is in before it goes in the water. A good first aid kit is a must, of course working flares, a whistle, an even an air horn, all are essential.

Thanks everyone! Good stuff here. Guess it's tone to go shopping.

Just remember that a boat is nothing more than a hole in the water that you throw money into.

go slow until you learn the water. Dont go blasting across the lake when you know know the water there.

Great advice!

set depth alarm higher than normal when on a new lake . Had a close call on cedar creek but with my alarm set at 5' , it saved my a$$.

Put an extra truck key in your boat console so when your brother in law backs the boat in for you and accidentally locks the key in the truck, you have a spare one.

+1 to all this

As to your original question, having a spare prop for the trolling motor sure can come in handy some days. Also wise to have a dedicated battery for the TM (i.e. one battery for starting the outboard, and the other for the TM). Not sure if this is what you mean by "spare".