Have you ever been in that annoying situation when you’ve been planning your next boating trip for days, weeks, perhaps even months, and then it comes to the day and disaster strikes? I certainly know the feeling, as last year had a fishing trip planned with some old college buddies. They got to mine at 7am, we trailered up, and set off to the lakes.
The excitement was palpable that day. We’d been planning this trip for almost a year, as we rarely saw each other. But that excitement soon ended once we got my pontoon into the water, heard the engine cough, and realized we were about as close to the water as we were going to get that day.
What it boiled down was a lack of preparation and checks. The old adage about if you fail to prepare then you prepare to fail was very true that day. Boats are a complex vehicle, and the nature of them being out on the water can store up a whole load of problems if not carefully checked and managed properly.
Most of the time it’s possible to fix things on the fly, but from time to time, problems to do with pontoon boat maintenance will need more than a quick fix.
No matter what the problem, it’s best to be fully prepared at all times, and I have learned those lessons a lot over the last 24 months or so.
Pontoon Boat Essentials: What Are They?
Having spoken to other pontooners, as well as lessons from my own mistakes, I’ve now got a list of things that I carry or own, that I know will solve almost every potential common problem I could get with my boat.
And this is what they are; my 13 pontoon boat essentials that are all items you need when boating. I hope that you find them helpful, so you don’t have a wasted day like we did last year.
1: Water… and Even More Water
It sounds basic, and probably obvious – at least I hope so, but water is probably the number one most important thing that you should have on your pontoon boat at all times.
Being out in the sun all day when fishing (click here for pontoon fishing accessories) or having family time can pose a very serious risk.
Whether the sun is beating down on you whilst you cast a line, or you’re spending the day swimming or being pulled on a tube, you’re going to get dehydrated. And the thing is, you might not necessarily realise it at the time due to the way in which the lake or river water is cooler than your body temperature.
It’s simple science, as essentially your body gets tricked into thinking you don’t need a drink due to the cooling nature of the water lapping around you. It’s so dangerous.
Doctors and health professionals advise that you drink plenty of water, even if you don’t think that you need to or don’t feel thirsty.
So, with that in mind, make sure you have plenty of water on board. I always take twice as much as I would ever need in order to mitigate for any potential problems. It might seem overkill, but it could be a life-saver. Make sure you change the water every few weeks too so that it doesn’t go stale.
In my pontoon boat owner gift ideas page, I’ve recommended a great portable cooling bag which can hold plenty of cans and bottles so you can keep your water cool for hours on end.
2: Portable Utility Battery
If you’re like me and have plenty of gadgets that you like to use whilst out on your boat, then a portable utility battery will be one of the most useful items you could ever wish to own.
It lets you re-charge items such as GPS devices, fish finders, and smartphones. Again, it might seem like it’s not that important, but if you’re stuck with a dead phone battery and need to contact someone in an emergency, you can use a portable battery to get some juice for a call.
The one I own is the PowerAll portable power bank (available on Amazon). It has dual USB charging capability, a flashlight, and can even jump start your car. That could be invaluable once you go to leave for home after a day on water.
If it’s just your phone you think you might want to charge whilst on your boat, then you could pick up something cheaper which doesn’t have as much power. The Anker portable is great for this – and it can fit in your pocket it’s that small. Take a look at this portable battery charger on Amazon if you don’t want to spend too much money.
3: Extra Toiletries
We all have those calls of nature, which can strike at the most inopportune or moments. I always take extra toiletries on-board. That can include the obvious things like toilet paper and paper towels, but also a small first aid kit, sunblock and hand sanitizer.
My guests are always very glad I bought these items, and especially when my kids and our friend’s kids come out for a pontooning trip.
4: Energy Snacks
I love my food. No matter how hard I try, I always seem to have eaten my packed lunch before midday and spend the rest of my day on the water wishing I had brought more along to eat.
That was until I started packing energy snacks as a permanent fixture on my pontoon boat. The ones I like, and recommend, are those granola bars, and sugary snacks (which say they are healthy on the packet, but I am not so sure!).
I always have them in a watertight plastic box on my boat and can bring them out if my boat trip takes longer than expected. I tell my wife that they are on the boat for emergencies, but me being me, I’ve usually eaten them all after one trip, and have to stock up on more.
The sentiment behind them though is a very serious one, and I would recommend that you have a supply on your pontoon boat as you never know when you might need an emergency snack or two.
5: An Extra Propeller & Prop Wrench
Thankfully this has never happened to me, and I’ve never had to use my extra prop. But it does happen to people where their prop gets damaged and their left on the water needing assistance back to shore. That’s going really ruin your day if you have to cut things short.
Even if you don’t have to completely replace the prop, you might need a prop wrench to fix up any smaller issues, such as tightening or adjustments. My prop wrench even comes in handy to hook off tangled weeds that tend to get in really tight.
Buy an extra prop, or at the very least a prop wrench so you can fix up any problems hopefully yourself if and when they happen – they easy to store too.
Take a look on Amazon to find a prop wrench compatible with your model.
6: Duct Tape or Electrical Tape
Duct tape can fix anything… well, almost!
You might not know, or even care for that matter, but duct tape was invented for the US military during the Second World War when the army needed something that was strong and waterproof.
It’s exactly the type of thing that can get pontoon boat owners out of various different pickls and problems – I swear by the stuff!
I’ve used mine in the past to fix tears on inflatables, life jackets, my pontoon seating, and various other things I don’t care to even mention. It’s magic stuff, so make sure you have a couple of rolls on your boat before you set out for the day.
7: Assorted Tools
I’ve already mentioned a trusty prop wrench, but you might need more than that depending on what problems occurs with your pontoon boat.
I carry a small tool box (see on Amazon) which I load with a screwdriver, wrench, and pair of mini pliers. I’ve not had to use it that often, but it does give me the peace of mind in knowing I can tighten up any loose screws or do some small tune-up as and when they occur.
8: Trash & Disposal Bags
I hate a messy boat.
I also hate people who pollute the lakes and rivers with their garbage and trash.
Please don’t be that person, and take trash bags with you, and educate your passengers as to the protocol of never leaving a trace behind once you end your boating trip.
They aren’t just essential for garbage, but can also hold any wet clothing if you have any accidents, and before that, are a great place to carry a dry change of clothes should you need it at any point.
9: Blanket or Extra Jacket
Have you ever set off fishing on a warm morning, only for the weather to suddenly turn later in the day, or get colder once night falls? I know I have, which is why I always pack a blanket and take an extra jacket, no matter how hot it is.
The type of blanket you take can also make quite a difference. For example, a cotton one will soak through very quickly and will make you colder. Wool isn’t much better in the wet, but it will keep you warmer.
The trick is to perhaps invest in a waterproof spray like Scotchguard (see on Amazon). Spray that stuff on your blanket and it’s like an extra layer of protection from the elements – an essential improvement for any blanket you take out on a boat.
10: A Spotlight
Many of my fishing trips tend to go on after night fall; I love fishing at night. But that does present some problems from time to time. Whilst my pontoon boat has some very good LED navigational lights, I have found having a spotlight helps me get back to shore easier.Â
The one I own is really powerful and lights the shore up like the 4th of July. It’s called the FatMax by Stanley (see prices on Amazon) and has a run-time of up to 7 hours once charged, so I very rarely need to re-charge it. Go check it out, it’s truly awesome.
11: Navigational Maps
Obvious. Isn’t it?
Not to everyone who owns a pontoon boat unfortunately.
I am not one of those guys who thinks he will never need a map, I’ve been lost far too many times to make that mistake again. I do have a Garmin chart plotter, but also like the security that good old-fashioned paper maps give me, as technology can occasionally fail.
I carry maps to help me navigate, but also to help me stick to speed limit zones and figure out where the best fishing spots will be.Â
Whether you use paper maps, a chart plotter, or the GPS on your phone, make sure you have at least something if you are going to be boating into unfamiliar territory.
12: Floats on Your Keys
Don’t take any risks with your keys. Drop them in the water and you’re done for, unless of course you have a spare set – which I really do advise – or use floats on your keys.
You can buy some very cheap key-ring floats on Amazon which you simply attach to you keys to keep them afloat should you accidentally drop them in the water.
13: Extra Gas & Fuel
I don’t know about your pontoon boat, but the fuel meter on mine isn’t always 100% accurate. The last thing I want is to be stuck far from shore with no power left to get back.
That’s why I always take a small gas caddy with a few gallons of fuel in it. I also fill it up from the gas station near my house, as it’s far cheaper than using the marina fuel – they seem to hike their prices up for boaters!
I have written a guide to what the best gas caddies are for pontoon boats, but if you don’t have the time to read that guide, take a look at this on Amazon. It can save you hassle, and will save you money if you fill up at a road-side gas station.
Are There Any More Must-Have Items?
This list is intended to be a real quick primer for the most obvious items that I believe are essential when out boating, whether on a pontoon boat, or any other boat for that matter. You are bound to have your own views, and I would love to hear them – send those over to me so I can update the list of essential items.
Whilst the list above is essential items that I never forget to pack. I’ve also put together a list of another 37 must-have items which include my own recommendations, plus those of other pontooners I have spoken to online or at the water. If you do send anything to me, I would love to update both guides.
Some of the must-have items in that list I link to above won’t just save your life, and that of your passengers, but are also required by law, so please do check that list too.
