got a New Boat?
Before you head out toward the horizon, it’s wise to take an inventory of what boat essentials you'll need on board.
A good place to start when figuring out what you need is to take a look at the Coast Guard's Safety Checklist which includes many items that are required and many that are recommended i.e. registration numbers and documentation, PFDs, visual distress signals, fire extinguishers, sound producing devices, navigation lights and more).
Additional recommended equipment can include a VHF radio with a digital selective calling system.
Next, think about life jackets. You need to consider not only how many people will be on board your boat at any given time, but also about what size those people are. If kids are part of the cruising plans, then children’s life jackets are a must. Some manufacturers also make “big and tall” life jackets for adults who tend to shop in sizes larger than XL
After the life jackets are addressed, think about adding a basic first aid kit to your onboard gear. Multiple manufacturers make these kits specifically for use on boats, with things like hydration tablets for people who get dehydrated, and survival blankets for people who endure extreme heat or cold (say, by falling overboard into cold water, or by overexerting themselves and staying in the water too long during water sports).
Finally, depending on how you use your boat, you may want to get specialty fenders in addition to the basic ones that many skippers typically use to port and starboard. A specialty fender can be shaped to protect a pontoon boat, a swim platform, a boat’s corner or other specific areas. Not to mention, make sure you have a properly sized anchor and line will also come in handy.