For new boaters-Cost of "Stuff" you need

I thought I would put together a post for new boaters who may know the accessories you need when you first get into boating but may not truly think about the costs associated with those items…….or may not want to. You think a hundred here and there but you don’t add it up mentally. I also realize that my list may not be the same as someone else’s, I am just sharing mine.

I shopped for 9 months before I pulled the trigger on a New leftoever Sea Hunt 26′ Gamefish with twin F150′s I negotiated with the dealer to buy the electronics with the boat already installed (Lowrance GPS and Icom radio). I also got the standard coast guard package along with bumpers and dock lines included in the price. Here is a rough idea of things I have “had” to buy to date. I use the term loosely because many people do it with a lot less gear but these are the things I felt added to either my safety or me and my families comfort on the boat.

These are approximates and may not be in the right order.

1)New ball and reciever, different than my other trailers $125
2)Thetford porta potty, extra chemical and the fancy toilet paper-$250
3)boat came with life vests but the wrong kind, new vests and throwable $100
4)noticed trailer not set up correctly from Venture, wouldnt load right, redo with new bunks $600
5)Epirb before first day out $700
6)handheld VHF-$260
7)6 mos of storage for boat, inland on trailer $630
8)First service for twins $350
9)stuff to wash boat, brushes, woody wax, soap etc $150
10) cheap trickle chargers which work great (2) $50
11)SS outrodders that I found a deal on $100
12)binoculars $180
13)Navionics chip for GPS (detail is not good without it) $300
14)got the boat this past sept, so…cold weather gear $200
15)paper maps $20
16)extra ropes and buckets, misc items $200
17)ship boat from PA to TX $2400
18)Insurance roughly $600
19)had an expert in the field tune and adjust my sounder and also show me how to truly understand it and work it $300
20)Book of all coordinates of bottom structure along TX coast $60
21)fishing gear to date rods, reels, tackle, clippers, needle nose, filet knife etc. $1800

All added up to roughly $9400…YES,NINETY-FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sure I am forgetting plenty of stuff that I already bought, but it has been 6 months that I have owned the boat and still have a list of stuff I need that I have either been borrowing from other fishing buddies or just going without. The weather around here has sucked this winter so I still don’t truly know what I am missing because I haven’t been out that much but here is a short list

heavier offshore rods/reels I estimate $1000-1200 for two good setups
coolers, to transport catch in bed of truck $200
satellite phone, would like for my wife to be able to contact me in an emergency $1500
….and who knows what else.

And remember, this doesn’t include the ramp fees, bait if you use live, sandwiches, beer, or fuel.

Hope someone found this helpful

CRAP-I almost forgot…the amount of money it has cost me during the day to be on THT instead of working!!!