What do you think is mandatory to have on a boat for a weekend adventure with Dad, G/F and a 10 year old girl?

Question

Hi! My b/f and I are about to buy a project boat and plan on fixing it up over the next couple of months. I'm trying to figure out what we need to stock it up to make sure everyone has a fantastic time for weekend excursions. The boat is older, but we're just planning on updating the cabin, it's a 24' boat with two bed spaces (plenty of room for us) and we'll be on a fresh water lake. My b/f has a ton of boating experience, I have very little and am just trying to find out as much as I possibly can. Thanks!

Answer 1

Manners and a level head - The rest will be easy - good luck and enjoy.

Answer 2

Contact your state department of natural resources or parks and recreation, they will have a brochure (probably online also) that will list all the reqwuired equipment for your boat and suggested equipment also. You can also go online to the USCGAUX.ORG or USPOWER SQUADRONS.ORG and get the federal requirements. All of these sources tell you what you need.

For entertainment bring some board games, or whatever it is that you do at home that can be taken on the boat. A pair of binnoculars for checking out nature is good. A tube to float in, fishing gear, books?

Answer 3

geez... you get a ton of lectures on safety, first of all just be smart, people act like you are going to cross the Atlantic, also for the peoepl talking about the 10 yr old she doesn't need to wear a life jacket just have one on the boat for everyone. Now to your question, bring easy food pre-made helps alot and good music and what ever game you loke to play or cards

Answer 4

PFDs for each, plenty of grub, and tunes. Works for me.

Answer 5

Bring along a portable DVD player to entertain the 10 yr old. Some books to read, wild life reference books for the area you will be at. Kids love looking for birds etc from books.

Answer 6

First of all Life jackets. Snacks, flares, lots of water, first aid kit. Inflatable raft, extra gas, sun screen, change of clothes, toilet paper, radio, and if he has the experience, he'll know what else to bring. Have fun and relax.

Answer 7

buy a nice life jacket that fits the 10 yr old well.

avoid those cheap orange square ones.

if the jacket fits right she will be more likely to wear it.

they have some with themes snoopy or little mermaid.

Step 1:

Apply sunscreen and bring the bottle so that you can re-apply when necessary. It is easy to get sunburned on the water, so make sure you don't forget this essential item.

Step 2:

Take Dramamine before your trip if you are prone to getting sea sick. If you have never been on a boat before, assume you get seasick and take some Dramamine to ensure a pleasurable trip.

Step 3:

Get a fishing license. Check to see what kind of fishing license is required and where you can purchase one.

Step 4:

Wear a hat and sunglasses. The sun's reflection off the water can be very intense, so protecting your face and eyes is very important.

Step 5:

Bring a windbreaker or rain jacket in case of inclement weather.

Step 6:

Pack plenty of water bottles and food

A surprising number of accidents happen to people while they are getting on- or off- the boat.  Boats can list from the weight of people boarding.  It’s very easy to fall overboard, hit your head on the dock or smash a limb between the boat and the dock.

  Follow your captain’s lead when it comes to boarding.  NEVER CARRY LARGE OR HEAVY ITEMS ON WITH YOU (such as an ice chest.)  Place all cargo on the dock. Board the boat, and then bring the cargo aboard standing on the boat.

  Only grab points on the boat that are solid.  Do not steady yourself with support poles, antennas or windshields.  Grab onto the actual boat or a handrail.

Answer 8

Make sure you bring extra clothing (especially swim suits!) and a lot to drink -- I mean the soft stuff, mind. And the hard stuff, as well, of course! For the clothes, make sure they're of the type you can wear comfortably out there coz it's more important to be able to move about than it is to look stylish. You may prefer to go barefoot but if not, get some proper deck shoes. Fishing gear, masks and fins, and if the boat is of the suitable sort for it, waterskiis or similar items. And your iPod with headphones, or have a good stereo installed.

Answer 9

pardon me for being abrupt, but all you need to have fun on the water is a boat and the only think you'll need to have fun with a boat is plenty of water.

Chuck the dvd players overboard your daughter can watch enough of these at home. Go swimming and make sure you're all good and active during the day, all you'll be capable of at night is eating and sleeping.

If you wanted something fun to make with your daughter you could try and make an underwater periscope type thing. Basicaly a tube with pyrspex or glass or something on the bottom, which you can put in the water and see much deeper, and perhaps some life...

Use your imagination and stay away from technology! Books are always good.

Answer 10

Other than more food and water than you think you'll need,  Extra clothes, some of it wool because wool will keep you warm even when wet.  Rain clothes.  Most important, lifejackets for everyone, and a throwable lifesaving device.

lanterns, (electric with led's are bright, last a fantastic timee without using a lot of batteries).  We always took a radio cassett or cd player and audio books, something like James Herriot and cat sories or dog stories, and others.  We also took games.  I always had a weather alert radio, a backup compass and maps, let the kids steeer the boat, etc.  We had a portapotti, a sheet to hang up for privacy, a solar shower, a first aid kit, SUNTAN LOTION, EVEN IF IT IS COOL OUT , two anchors, a book on knots, (My kids liked that, and with a couple pieces of their own rope, they spent a lot of time quietly learning knots.  We oftentimes camped on shore or anchored a few feet from shore and hiked trails.  We often fished.  We would build a small fire on shore and cook or make smores or hotdogs.  We would precook meals and use a seal-a meal bags, which are also boiling bags. We would save leftovers, and that way you can cook several things in one pot without having to clean anything else.  We used good quality paper plates, which we could either burn or put in garbage bags for home, Again, no cleanup.A coloring book for your daughter.  Toilet paper.  A good book.  An extra pair of fast drying shoes.sunglasses, a long billed hat for each.  Tie a glow stick to each lifejacket (unactivated) so that if someone falls overboard they can activate the cyclume lightstick and you can find them at night.  A book of jokes.  Lastly, a boat repair kit.  Thread and needles, duct tape.  Extra bulbs for running lights.  Paper and pen to make a list of things you wish you had brought (for next trip) and a list of things you brought that you realize you will never use.  Be sure to make your daughter a part of the crew, not just a passenger.  This will build self confidence and great memories.  Perhaps a cell phone for emergency use only.  Personally, I hate those things, but take them anyway.   The last  two pieces of equipment: a small book on sailing, that lists the parts of the sailboat, and a good, positive attitude.  You will do fine.  Have fun and STAY SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 11

All the stuff mentioned...DVDs, maybe a Game Console...seasickness stuff like dramamine or ginger/ginger ale/ginger snaps...water...hats...tube or raft with a tow line...stuff...have fun and think about what everyone would enjoy.