Let's Say You Bought a Boat...

[M_ray]

Now that most seem to have the gear sorted how bout other things like 1bugman mentioned ...

Life vests and seat cushions, fire extinguisher, extra plug, First aide kit, a towel, pliers and a few tools to do quick repairs, electrical tape. a little wire, a dry box to put some of these items in, landing ropes (can be used as back up anchor rope) net (I prefer knotless for wild fish release) fish box or bag, kicker motor (if big enough for one), Scotty rod holders, good drift boat oars

And get one of these cause you'll be surprised when you get in and out a couple times or even a slight rain will add a foot of water to the bottom of your boat in a hurry! I added a length of old vacume hose to the end of mine to get it over the side better but I think they can be ordered in different lengths too.
http://versatilemarine.co.uk/product/whale-easy-bailer-35-with-1-hose/

I will add advise ... always run upstream after launching to make sure the motor is running good! if you are going to have a problem many times its right after you get underway the first 5-10min or so this way if you do have a problem you get on the oars and drift right back to the ramp, if you run down stream your hosed and you'll be drifting to the next take out and hitch hiking back to your truck! Dont get cheesy oars cause if your motor fails your life could depend on it, trust me I've drifted down in a sled with a couple guys and all that weight of the gear and motor before and you'll be glad you spent the extra for two strong oars!     besides anything over 14 you'll need 9-10 ft oars anyway. You'll find that unless your boat is over 20' you'll be happier with just one other guy!

Good luck

We either have or have on our list everything here, except the bailer, it has a bilge pump. Great idea about heading up river first though.

It is  20ft too so  3-4 could fish comfortably I think.

 

[Brad Harshman]

Safety gear! Life vests,  throwable, fire extinguisher. And a back up power supply, like a reliable trolling motor.  Remember the rule of thirds.  1/3 of tank of your fuel for getting to your destinstion, 1/3 of tank of fuel to play around with, and 1/3 of tank of fuel to get you back.  If this is a new boat, fish upstream of your boat launch. If the motor fails you can at least drift back to the launch and get home safely.  And most important have fun!

[M_ray]

[quoteIt is  20ft too so  3-4 could fish comfortably I think][/quote]

I would say three max ... you will be surprised how much room 3 guys will take up! 

[PolarBear]

Safety gear! Life vests,  throwable, fire extinguisher. And a back up power supply, like a reliable trolling motor.  Remember the rule of thirds.  1/3 of tank of your fuel for getting to your destinstion, 1/3 of tank of fuel to play around with, and 1/3 of tank of fuel to get you back.  If this is a new boat, fish upstream of your boat launch. If the motor fails you can at least drift back to the launch and get home safely.  And most important have fun!

I would have to add a tool kit.  In all of my boats I have a cheap socket set along with an old, large mayo jar filled with zip ties, rescue tape, electrical tape, adjustable wrench, needlenose pliers, standard adjustable pliers, a 10 in one driver, misc stainless screws, bolts, nuts and washers, corks, dental pics, utility knife & blades and a few more misc items.  I also keep a couple of silica gel packets in the jar and socket set to keep them from rusting.  everything is sealed in zip-lock bags.  You would se surprise how much you can fix on the fly with just a few minor tools.  It has saved me many a potentially ruined trip.

[chrisb]

All great advice guys keep them coming

[mallard79]

Don't forget the Dick nites!

[chrisb]

Don't forget the Dick nites!

Never go to the river without them. Learned a new trick this year to use a diver instead of lead before the leader. Caught a couple silvers that way.

[KFhunter]

bilges get goobered up and quit after so many years,  test or replace as necessary and I'd get a float switch for it so it comes on automatically,  if you do a noobie mistake and forget to put the drain plug in you'll notice water pouring out the side of the boat   

[lokidog]

bilges get goobered up and quit after so many years,  test or replace as necessary and I'd get a float switch for it so it comes on automatically,  if you do a noobie mistake and forget to put the drain plug in you'll notice water pouring out the side of the boat   

A hand operated bilge pump works well if something happens to the electric one.  Something like this:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Siphon-King-36-in-Utility-Hand-Pump-with-36-in-Hose-48036/205346978

[steeleywhopper]

Must have tackle would be:
Wiggle warts in fire tiger, metallic purple, red with black stripes
Wee dick-nite's in 50/50, green frog, pink, and all silver
3/8 oz and 1/2 oz jigs in pink, white, black n purple, blue n black, white.
Size 3 chartreuse and Orange blue fox spinners, red, orange. Sometimes the real small ones work better.
Some brads bait divers to get those dick-nites down when on anchor or on troll.
Definitely some Wicked willies in pink, green, orange. Sometimes the small ones and in dirty water the bigger ones.
This is what I always have in the boat when the humpies and or the silvers are in. Don't forget wing bobbers and sandshrimp as well.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Have you ever operated a boat? How about a sled in a river? Can you read water?
You mention first boat ever.

Just seeing what your level of experience is. Jet boats and rivers are a bit trickier to learn. Like planning ahead going downstream vs up. Up is easy,
and I always recommend learning a piece of water going up. Down is a different beast if your new to it.

Most newbies beach boats going downstream cause stuff happens much faster going with the current.

Deffinately get this boat on bigger water to learn how it handles before running skinny water.

[lokidog]

   Good idea.

You could also invite someone with boat handling experience along to show you the ropes. 

[BigGoonTuna]

definitely practice on a lake first, then a big river(like the cowlitz) before you try anything skinny.  jets handle a bit weird if you're used to a prop, gotta give it throttle to turn.  they sure are fun though!

[chrisb]

We were the only idiots on Lake Stevens one day during  thanksgiving week trying it out. Then in December put it in the Snohomish river for a quick jaunt. Is a little weird not being able to steer without throttle, especially trying to get it back on the trailer.