Hello Folks,
The wife and I are going to take advantage of the 2.99% interest rate at Bass Pro to jump into a new boat. I'm not new to boating but I will be new to boat ownership. What tips, check lists or mandatory gear do you think I should be aware of? We will be using it to fish and occasionally pull a tube. Thanks.

Info
Tow Vehicle: 2004 Land Rover Discovery
Boat: 2013 Bass Buggy 18ft DLX
Motor: 60hp Mercury FourStroke BigFoot
Trailer: Single axle with brake.

Best tip I can give to a 1st time boat buyer is make sure your purchase fits your budget. All too often I see people buying boats that really can't afford them. It really sucks to have a nice boat you can't afford to enjoy. Budget monthly for gas (auto and boat), insurance, storage, repairs and maintenance, fishing supplies - tackle and bait, registration, and long-distance trips. Pull the OB manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule and estimate the cost. If its your first boat you will likely need life jackets, fire extenguisher (should come with boat), dock rope, two anchors, padel, fish finder, throw cushions.

All that really matters is being on the water with family. It doesn't matter what kind of boat you have. I went from a 28ft Apache with twin 502's to a 16ft Wahoo with 65hp suzuki OB and couldn't be happier because for $20 I can boat all weekend and can afford to boat every single weekend. Its small enough to fit in my standard garage and I can take it just about anywhere.

Good advice above. Its going to cost a little more than you think to own one but you will like it. It took me a while to figure out the essentials but now that got them in good. I keep a spare trolling motor prop and pins along with spark plugs( usually an old set I cleaned) and zip ties, with a few tools for whatever comes up. Believe a broke pin on the trolling motor can ruin a good trip. I check the boat every other trip or so for anything obvious that needs fixing. As far as anything else, just get all of your required coast guard stuff and good life jackets. Also, learn to do the annual maintenance yourself and it will save you a lot of money.

good advice.

Just remember

BOAT stands for

Bust Out Another Thousand

one thing my father taught me to do as a boat owner is that anytime you work on your boat, be it repair or maintenance, leave the tool(s) you use in the boat...

I realize most people won't carry as much as I do but with my old 80' 150 Johnson and 78' Ranger, I can do anything to it that needs to be done except maybe tear into the engine itself...

In my experience over the past 50 years a must for the boat is an assortment of electrical stuff...wire, connectors, wire nuts, pliers...etc....

I bought a full set of open end/box end wrenches and a full set of phillip's and standard screwdrivers...allen wrenches come in handy for set screws (TM and sometimes shifting mechanisms)...

I realize the boat is new which is a good thing...your tool box can start right now and in the future you will be glad you took this advice...I promise...

What Jack said. I have a 76 ranger with a 75 Johnson. I always have tools.

My best advise would be to make sure you actually have time to enjoy it. There is nothing harder on a outboard than just sitting there

+1

I'm learning this myself unfortunately.... Just make sure to maintnence regularly, and do all you can to avoid problems, becuse it seems like there is ALWAYS something going wrong with boats.

It is just too hard to give you this info. in writing. If your are serious about buying I will do better than give you a list.

I have bought 12 new boats over the years and will be glad to guide you through the process. We have to have hands on knowledge of everything on that boat in order to make the right decisions.

Let me know when you would like to meet me at BPS in Grapevine to go over this boat and make suggestions on everything that will make this purchase the right buy for you and the wife.

Thanks I look forward to meeting you.

put a set of jumper cables in your boat and a tow rope. you'll be happy you did.

awesome lol

Another stand up post by Mr. Harper. TAP TAP!!!

if single axle trailer. have a small scissor to get under axle. the truck bottle jacks are some time to big.

OP, You just won the "new boat owner's" lottery! Having ANY experienced boater offer to help you, in person, is worth its weight in gold. Someone with a lifetime of experience on the subject is almost unheard of. Mr. Harper is that "someone." DH, you are one first-class gentleman in my book