My first Boat Targa V18

[Hot Runr Guy]

Originally Posted by Rich B

Congrats as well on your new rig....other guys will give you great suggestions on the boating,
though I'd STRONGLY recommend putting together a very good tire changing kit.

Your kit should have a "4 way" wrench, small hydraulic lift/pump, warning flares, gloves,
cheap rain parka, tire blocks, extra trailer light bulbs, first aid kit with band aids, good large flash light and maybe an extra bearing kit for your trailer.

You can buy a Rubbermaid tub with cover to throw in the back of your tow vehicle. The kit is cheap insurance and hopefully you'll never need it...if you do you will be thankful to have those items. As well, when you regularily check your trailer tire air pressure, be sure to do the same for your spare tire.

Good luck with your new Targa.

Rich B

To add to what Rich mentioned, with your new rig in the driveway, close the garage door and try to change one of your trailer tires. This way you'll figure out if your jack & lugnut wrench work. No fair getting the floor jack and impact wrench out!

HRG

[rnnonmt]

Originally Posted by Hot Runr Guy

To add to what Rich mentioned, with your new rig in the driveway, close the garage door and try to change one of your trailer tires. This way you'll figure out if your jack & lugnut wrench work. No fair getting the floor jack and impact wrench out!

HRG

**** HRG! How did you know I had a floor jack and impact wrench?? I was going to bring my aircompressor along too. All kidding aside thanks for the good suggestions. Leaving necessary things behind is like being a pilot with plenty runway behind you and plently altitude above. Just doesn't do you any good.

Originally Posted by REW

Old school,
I have a folding 4-way wrench that fits all of the different SAE as well as Metric sockets typically found on trailers. It folds up into a narrow package. I keep that, along with a bottle jack in a storage compartment in the boat. That way, I never forget to take it along with me.

I had one of those. The first time I went to use it, it snapped, causing me to do a faceplant on the side of the highway. Either I'm stronger than I thought, or that mechanism is a bigger POS than I figured it was. I'm thinking the latter.

[rnnonmt]

First off thanks for all of the suggestions on must haves. As a new boat owner I want to try to be prepared for the most common problems that boat owners experience while away from the comfort of their lazy boy.

I'm sure this list can go on and on until there is no room for people in the boat but I have compiled a list of items from your suggestions and much research. KEEP IN MIND that this list is assuming your vehicle, boat AND trailer are in good working order so don't yell at me if your boat sinks and you don't have a MUSTANG SURVIVAL suit. If I am missing any item of importance please feel free to copy my list into a new post and add your items. Remember we are not preparing for Dooms-Day. Keep it real! Thanks!

Not in importance of order:

Jumper cables
Small tool kit (make sure it fits what you have prior to departing)
Jack for trailer
Dry box for storing wallets/passports/etc (best if tethered to a floating rope)
Cheapy throw-away parkas
Fire making devices ( matches/lighter/magnesium stick)
First Aid kit (you decide what is in it) could be booze, could be ibuprofen
Spare fuses and bulbs for boat/trailer and vehicle
Tire guage, Fix-A-Flat, tire plug kit
Spare tire for trailer and proper tools for chaging said spare
Extra Prop/nut and spacer washers
Spark plugs for your boat engine
Extra boat drain plug
Spare rope
Snack bars
Flares/whistle,mirror,horn (some sort of signaling device)
Spare keys.

[Duckjunkie194]

Dont forget your tackle box and bait! I only mention this because I took the family out last week, and guess what I forgot? The jig box, and hook box that I took out of my boat when I fished out of a buddy's boat the weekend before. We still were able to fish, just not the area/way that I knew would catch us fish. After a few trips, you will get a routine down of how you do things for your boat (unhooking the transom saver and tie down straps etc) and it will become second nature....until you deviate from the plan! And get some dings and dock rash out of the way early. It hurts a little more on a brand new boat, but then you wont be as anal when a little scratch shows up or you get a little burr in the carpet. Best of luck with the new boat.

[rnnonmt]

Thanks Duckjunkie!

[jmiko]

I'm thinking/planning on buying a Targa early spring. It would be cool if you could let me know what you think about it after you have had the chance to fish in it for a while. As for safety stuff, I have seen a lot of good advice listed in this thread, the best advice I can think of is, make sure you have at least 2 ways to get your boat to shore if something fails. I couldn't tell you how many times I have had to toss the anchor as far out as I could pull it in repeat, or use a life jacket as a paddle, etc. I tell you its not fun. Hope it helps and enjoy your new boat.

I was just on there site and it says it has 20 degrees of dead rise
Thats more than a Starcraft superfishermen
That means that should be a big water dream

Ps I've never looked at them before but thats got a nice interior layout

Congrats on your new boat

[McLoki]

Congrats on the new boat. Just picked up my 175 a couple of weeks ago. (a model lower \ smaller than yours) These are the add-ons that I added to my boat.

On Board charger. -I added a Minn Kota dual bank (5 amps per bank) - with your 24volt trolling motor, I would add a 3 bank charger to yours (5 amp per bank should be fine for what you are describing).

Spare Tire. My V-175 did not come with one. I had the dealer add it prior to pick up.

I upgraded my trolling motor to I-Pilot. (I know you already did yours as well - but thought I would let you know it is so worth it.. )

I picked up 100 feet of 3/8" rope from Menards. (total cost - $7) I cut it into 3 equal lengths (should have done 2 40' lengths and 1 20' length). anyway - connect one length to the front of the boat and one to the rear cleat. Makes launching the boat by yourself much easier. (assuming you are not just driving it off the trailer)

I also got a couple of bumpers. These are the ones I purchased...

This is on the front of the boat (8" bumper)

I also got a couple of the thin flat fenders (one for the back of the boat - one for closer to the middle)

Anyway - thats what we have ended up with so far...

Hope you really enjoy it.

Michael

[Manxfishing]

Congratulations on the new boat

Looks like you have things covered
I also keep a couple spare hats in the boat
Seems any hat that I pay for will fly off and sink. The free ones stick around forever. LOL
And a hoodie and spare socks in a zip lock bag. those 2 items bug me if there wet