by Capt. Dean
If you ever ask an experienced boater what they keep in their boat bag, they will most likely come up with many items unique to the body of water they use. In our case, we can skip most deep sea emergency gear (such as a cold-water immersion suit) and tailor our tote for a lighter, more agile near-shore daytime cruise. Some of these items will be obvious while others have been gleaned through years of experience. This list has been selected to optimize safety and usefulness versus the weight and space the items consume. Can you pack heavier? Of course. But everyone has a limit. These are the items I keep in my bag for day-boating here in West Central Florida:
- Cell Phone– Information and communication is of utmost importance and, these days, our cell phones do more than call the dock or 911. A smartphone can provide us with navigation, tide, weather, video tutorials, and even our cruisin’ music. Here’s what you need to stay safe and prepared…
- Navigation
- Tide Chart
- Wind Prediction
- Weather Radar
- USCG App for Emergencies
- FWC App for Boating/Fishing Info
- Power Inverter– With all the heavy lifting our smart devices get, have a small 12V inverter in for the diversity of electronics you and your passengers may have aboard (the same as you could in a car). Also, check the power source before leaving the dock so you know what you have to work with. The outlet at the helm of an open day boat can short out at any time due to water intrusion (either salt or fresh water).
- Battery Backup– Just in case the 12-volt power outlet does go out…
- First Aid Kit– This could literally make the difference between life and death in an emergency situation aboard your vessel. Small kits are not expensive and should always be with you.
- Tool Kit– A small tool kit or multi-tool such as a Leatherman can provide you with so many solutions to issues that can arise on any given day at sea. Four things you will need to consider when packing tools:
- At least one flat-head and one Philips-head screwdriver
- Pliers
- Knife
- All in stainless steel to prevent corrosion
- External Speakers– Once again, nothing that takes electricity can be 100% trusted on a boat due to the potential for water intrusion and/or corrosion somewhere along the line. There are plenty that are waterproof and will float for under $100.
- Foul Weather Gear– Even if the day starts at a sweltering temp, when the rain drenches everyone and the wind kicks up to 20 knots, there WILL be uncontrollable shivering. Pack several ponchos in your boat bag to keep you and your crew relatively dry. It makes all the difference.
- Hydration– Even if you stay near the bustling beaches and back-bay tiki-bars, if you have engine trouble, getting to resources may take a bit of time. With an average summer heat index right around 110° in the Tampa Bay area, pack water!
- All the Usual Sun Protection– Sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, hat, etc.
- Water Shoes– If you’re going to an island or beach, you’ll want some protection from rocks and oyster beds (may not guarantee stingray protection so don’t forget “the shuffle”).
- PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)– For those who spend lots of time offshore, you may want to invest in a personal locating beacon. If you are in need of immediate assistance and have no other means of communication, just drop one of these in the water and the U.S. Coast Guard will come to your aid.
- Inflatable Life Jacket– For those who go boating alone or are prone to black-outs, these small, comfortable, self-inflating life jackets can save your life if you fall overboard.
Once again, can I include more in my pack? Absolutely. There are hundreds of gadgets and new products one could include. However, I keep the essentials at the ready, in my boat bag, so they aren’t forgotten. With a heavy bias toward safety, pack whatever you think will be most useful to you for the environment you’ll be in and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’re prepared.
See you on the water!
