maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

[alexr254]

I am sure there are many posts like this already. But i did not really attempt to search them out, i wanted one of my own with my own situation and location.

I recently rebuilt the twin engines in my boat and next weekend were going out for our first test run in the water. The boat is a 26' family cruiser with a 10' beam. The engines are mercruiser 3.7 ltr with alpha 1 outdrives.

I will be dropping the boat in at the intercoatsal waterways in St Augustine FL, for a very brief test run, to test engines on load and begin the 30hr break in process at low rpms.

The boat is basically empty with no equipment. I am not rich and cant afford to buy everything at once, so what i want to do is get everything i need from top priority to lower at pace.

So my main question is, what is essential for a test run like this safety wise? What is something that i need in the boat before it even gets wet, even if its not going far at all, for my size vessel? IE coast guard stuff....

 

[shrew]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

What is 'required' is dictated by the state the boat is registered in. Each state will then vary requirements by the type and length of the vessel.

http://myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/boat-safety-equipment/

http://myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/boat-safety-equipment/vessels-26-to-40-feet/

http://myfwc.com/boating/boating-regulations

I did a search on Google for the following: "Boat Safety Equipment/Florida"

The links above are a few hits that turned up. This should be the information you're looking for. Good luck with the sea trial and breakin.

 

[robert graham]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

Charts and Coast Guard advisories regarding the shifting sand bars in and around St. Augustine Harbor and entrance, radio/telephone, weather reports, etc., etc. Good Luck!

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

A tool box and spare parts.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

I say this with no ill intent.

The first thing you need is a boaters education course.
Depending on your age (under ~32), in most states, It is required by Law.

And a very good idea otherwise.
It would answer all the "What do I need" Questions.

 

[Philster]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

So my main question is, what is essential for a test run like this safety wise? What is something that i need in the boat before it even gets wet, even if its not going far at all, for my size vessel? IE coast guard stuff....

1) Google this: Coast guard package. Buy that or have the equivalent.

2) Add a cell phone and maybe VHF radio.

3) Towing insurance (one tow could end your boating for years. Short to medium tows are measured in the thousands of dollars). A $2000 tow is like a Happy Meal to Sea Tow and BoatsUS. It's chump change.

4) Bring someone experienced

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

Yup, make sure you have all of the USCG stuff for your state. (flares, PFD's, throwables, etc) An anchor and sufficient rode. Tool box with as many tools as you can see needing. Perhaps some hose clamps/misc parts that you think could be handy. SeaTow is probably a good investment, but I would think you could get someone to tow you if you stay within a 1/2 mile of your drop-in point.

 

[62 ROYAL SCOTT]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

hello first thing a life jacket #2 make sure the plug is in #3 what eveybody else will think of. ENJOY

 

[shrew]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

I say this with no ill intent.

The first thing you need is a boaters education course.
Depending on your age (under ~32), in most states, It is required by Law.

And a very good idea otherwise.
It would answer all the "What do I need" Questions.

I had the same thought. A boaters safety course would have covered ALL of this AND included the state safety packet and concluded the course with a test on the regulations for the state. I didn't want to give that as an answer, but the more I think about it......take a boaters safety course.

 

[alexr254]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

No ill intent taken.

I am nearly 40 years old (not a child), and have boated in the past for a few years. Just not in this state or this size boat.
I am one of those type of people who research EVERYTHING, which is why i started this thread.

Those safety packages are expensive and not something i beleive i would need for test runs in the calm waters of the intracoastal waterway, unless otherwise stated by law.
Also a boaters safely course while is a good idea, is not something i beleive i need. I do use common sense.

What i actually was looking for is something like: Make sure you have life vests for so and so people (as many) on board, a boat that size you need by law so and so number of fire extinguishers at a certain size?, a VHF radio?, tow rope? compass? In that area you need _____. etc etc.

No ill intent but an answer saying i need spare parts and a boaters course is not really very informative. While an answer saying having charts for the area to watch out for sand bars is. Although i will have someone on board with me who knows this area well, thats something i would like to have. After time i will collect many safety items, but what i want now are what is only essential for legal purposes. I am not worried about anything at this moment but the law. The boat itself is in perfect condition and the engines are newly rebuild with brand new drives.

http://myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/boat-safety-equipment/
is a very informative link. Thanks for it.

 

[smclear]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

Just to keep things light-hearted.......

Don't forget the maidens.

 

[JoLin]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

Alex, most of us take the view that what's needed on the boat for a test run, is no different than what's needed for a day on the water. Emergencies can happen whether you're out there for a half hour or an entire weekend. YOU can choose to draw the line anywhere you want to, but it isn't right to complain when folks here tell you the right way to go about it.

We're big on education, too. Most of us have had close calls with people who have common sense but no knowledge of the law/rules of the road.

My .02

 

[alexr254]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

I'm not complaining. Maybe it was taken out of context but i definately was not complaining.

I get whats politically correct to say to bring... everything. I was hopingto get a more personal response as per my situation.

Its now clear to me what i should and shouldnt do, thanks for all your input.

cyas

 

[Rockmere1]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

I read the above link,

http://myfwc.com/boating/safety-educ...ety-equipment/

Very good info, Seems to state everything needed by USCG regulations, I am PA swift water/Ice rescue cert... along with this USCG "stuff" we carry spare parts for our boat....

I wish you only the best for your maiden voyage!!

 

[Philster]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

Alex, if you are trying to talk us down, well then good luck.

Coast Guard package is required by law (and if not down to each item, we're splitting hairs between states). Generally, a CG package includes things like paddle, anchor w/rode, throwables, life vests, extinguishers, lines, etc. Flares and flare guns are required sometimes, too.

So, you're talking to people who put more prep into their trailer for hitting the launch ramp one day than most people do for a year's worth of boating. I agree with them all.

The first time out should start the good habits, not skip 'em.

 

[ricohman]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

Fire extinguisher.
I had a fire on my second outing last year and it could have ended in a disaster.
I will never go out on the water without one on my boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

The engines are mercruiser 3.7 ltr with alpha 1 outdrives.

+

I am one of those type of people who research EVERYTHING

Does not compute.......


(sorry, I'm THAT guy)

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

I DID a little research in Florida and it seems like they're not requiring people born before 1988 to take the course at all. Here in Virginia they've set yearly dates for age groups and sizes of boats but within the next 5 years EVERYONE will be required to have taken the course regardless of how much boat experience you have or how old you are.
Looks like Florida didn't want to force the issue with older boaters, they're just going after people born after 1988. Strange they would do that, you don't think some 40 year old will get a mid-life crisis going on and purchase a boat to solve it and not know the first thing about boating! They can be as dangerous as an 18 year old operating a boat.

 

[robert graham]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

I am sure there are many posts like this already. But i did not really attempt to search them out, i wanted one of my own with my own situation and location.

I recently rebuilt the twin engines in my boat and next weekend were going out for our first test run in the water. The boat is a 26' family cruiser with a 10' beam. The engines are mercruiser 3.7 ltr with alpha 1 outdrives.

I will be dropping the boat in at the intercoatsal waterways in St Augustine FL, for a very brief test run, to test engines on load and begin the 30hr break in process at low rpms.

The boat is basically empty with no equipment. I am not rich and cant afford to buy everything at once, so what i want to do is get everything i need from top priority to lower at pace.

So my main question is, what is essential for a test run like this safety wise? What is something that i need in the boat before it even gets wet, even if its not going far at all, for my size vessel? IE coast guard stuff....

Your original question would be reason enough for concern....better study up on this and get it right! Good luck and take care!

 

[Water logged]

Re: maiden voyage-- What do i need onboard?

Be sure to take a big smile along, you will probably need it.

Glenn