Bought a new boat, lots of questions

[USMC22]

Good evening Guys,

 

First off thank you to everyone who had responded to my initial thread and provided advice on purchasing a used boat. I ended up getting a new boat from a dealer within my price range that I felt would fit well for what I want to do which is primarily spending time on the water with my wife and daughter fishing.

 

The boat is a 2018 Lund Rebel SS 1600 with a 50hp Mercury ELPT EFI and trailer.

 

I recently took the required New Hampshire Boaters Safetry Course online and passed the proctored exam. While this was insightful about the “rules of the water” I’m feeling a bit lost with the new boat, which I’ll pick up this coming Thursday.

 

I plan on reading the manuals which come with the boat and motor and am hoping they will be insightful on the outboard break in process along with maintenance requirements.

 

For now I only have a Garmin EchoMAP Plus 63cv for electronics which the dealer is installing and will be running off the only battery the boat will have for now which will also be used for cranking the engine. I’m hoping this will not cause issues in depleting the battery where the outboard will be running off the same battery?

 

I have also purchased the following equipment:

- Paddles x2

- Fortress FX7 Anchor w/ 6’ SS Chain and 150’ anchor rope

- Fenders with Line x4

- Trailer and Hitch Locks

- Type III Life Jackets x3

- Type IV Throwable Cushions x2

- Retractable Transom Boat Buckle Tiedowns with Trailer Mounting Kit

- Z-Launch 10’ Watercraft Launch Cord

 

I know I need Signaling Devices. I have whistles attached to the life jackets but would like to purchase a kit which would make me compliant for any saltwater fishing I may do from time to time in Maine. I’m also looking into Weego Jump Starters. What else am I forgetting or should I know / do? What do you wish you knew when starting out?

 

Thanks all, tight lines.

[sorethumb]

I always have a tool kit somewhere in the boat.  Never know when you will need some tools.  <>< del

[fishnkamp]

Boating is a constant learning experience. I recommend learning to tow and turn it around in an empty parking lot. The first time you go to launch try going to the local ramp on a weekday when you can learn to back the boat down a ramp without the usual manic weekend crowd.  The job of getting a boat on and off the trailer is different for every boat I have owned. 

As for a signal kit check the kits West Marine (and so does Bass Pro and Cabelas and many others). I got mine checked all the items included added a few extra items and now have a kit that makes me legal regardless if I am on any US fresh water lake or river as well as Coast Guard requirements for tidal water.

Here is a picture of one possibility.

 

I might add a couple of hand held smoke signal flares and a signal flag as well.  My kit included some of these and came in a plastic floating kit.  Check out all the kits from Orion.  Check you local requirements.

 

[Slade House]

6 hours ago, sorethumb said:

I always have a tool kit somewhere in the boat.  Never know when you will need some tools.  <>< del

I wrote in black sharpie on the inner door of my battery compartment the socket sizes for all of the bolts and nuts for my battery terminal connections. I also gorilla taped an extra set of tools for such

 

[Arcs&sparks]

Spare fuses

First aid kit

Spare tire if it didn’t come with one

Flood light 

 

I have a cheapo trailer and carry a spare hub assembly on long trips.   Shouldn’t be a big concern for your new one though

 

 

[Gundog]

I would make a checklist of all the things needed to be done before you leave your house. Include things like checking battery water levels and charges, checking trailer lights and plug, making sure you have rain gear onboard and make sure you have water or some way of hydrating yourself. Next thing is to make a checklist for when you prepare to launch your boat. Include removing bow strap and rear straps, attaching launch cord, PUT IN DRAIN PLUG, and plugging in trolling motor. A friend of mine is a checklist freak and he never forgets a thing when he goes out with his boat. 

More good advice I got from him is to set aside a small area in your garage/shed/basement to put all the things you take out of your boat. Things like rods and reels, tackle, and any accessories you need. That way you know where things are at instead of being scattered around. 

[Log Catcher]

I would like to know why the boat only has one battery. Does the boat not have a trolling motor on it? You won't have a problem with the electronics running down the battery especially if you start the motor to make a run every once in a while. The motor should have a charging system on it to charge the battery when running.

[USMC22]

21 minutes ago, Log Catcher said:

I would like to know why the boat only has one battery. Does the boat not have a trolling motor on it? You won't have a problem with the electronics running down the battery especially if you start the motor to make a run every once in a while. The motor should have a charging system on it to charge the battery when running.

Hi Greg,

 

No trolling motor yet. Will add later and have much to learn about them. Previous boating experience only included a Jon boat and kayaking.

[Tlauz]

My first boat was a  2000 Lund Rebel SS with a 50 HP Mercury motor.  I loved that boat.  Was a great fishing boat. Easy to tow and load and unload.  You should have no problems running electronics off of cranking battery. Enjoy!!

[Further North]

@USMC22Did you go with the tiller version or the console version?

 

That might help folks give you some other guidance.

 

Question for Mods: Why is "g-u-i-d-a-n-c-e" getting rplaced with "***".  Makes it look like I'm swearing about something.

 

 

[Further North]

7 hours ago, USMC22 said:

No trolling motor yet. Will add later and have much to learn about them. Previous boating experience only included a Jon boat and kayaking.

Good choice.  I just looked at the options from the manufacturer...and they are all 12 volt models and under powered.

[WCWV]

I've been boating for 35 years and still add more stuff, just a few things that I carry. 

 

First aid 

Tools 

Tape & rope

Spare prop

Fuel filter 

Oil 

Flash Light 

Jumper cables or starting pack

Fuses 

Spare bilege plug

Spare bulbs for navigational lights 

These are a few things that I carry and all have gotten me out of a pickle a time or two.

Enjoy your new boat with your family. ?

 

[USMC22]

3 hours ago, Further North said:

@USMC22Did you go with the tiller version or the console version?

 

That might help folks give you some other guidance.

 

Question for Mods: Why is "g-u-i-d-a-n-c-e" getting rplaced with "***".  Makes it look like I'm swearing about something.

 

 

The SS is the side steer, I am EXTREMELY happy to have a steering wheel vs when I had a smaller tiller handle on a Jon boat.

[Further North]

4 minutes ago, USMC22 said:

The SS is the side steer, I am EXTREMELY happy to have a steering wheel vs when I had a smaller tiller handle on a Jon boat.

Ah, thanks for the clarification.  I'm an old guy, grew up when "SS" usually meant some kind of Chevy with a hot motor...

 

You're really gonna like that rig.

 

[USMC22]

36 minutes ago, Further North said:

Ah, thanks for the clarification.  I'm an old guy, grew up when "SS" usually meant some kind of Chevy with a hot motor...

 

You're really gonna like that rig.

 

Thanks, 

 

When I hear SS it makes me think of a nova, chevelle and camaro. Unfortunately those classic cars were way out of my price range when I got my license.

[Further North]

5 minutes ago, USMC22 said:

Thanks, 

 

When I hear SS it makes me think of a nova, chevelle and camaro. Unfortunately those classic cars were way out of my price range when I got my license.

Yeah...they were sub $10,000 when I was a kid...

To put things in perspective, I bought a 1968 Ford Galaxy 500 Police Police Interceptor for $300 in 1977...

 

I think it got 6 MPG, downhill, with the engine off....

 

Might have done a little better if we'd dropped it out of a C130...

[MickD]

If your boat is equipped like mine,  1650, it will have on-board chargers for the trolling batteries, but not for the starting battery which also runs the electronics.  I did have trouble with the starting motor going down in charge, probably because my electronics are such hi amperage devices compared to the old days.  I bought a starting pack (the trolling motor batteries are hard to reach under the center rod locker, so being able to jump it at the battery comparatment is much handier.) I also added a single bank on-board charger which fits into the batter compartment, so required no wiring changes or cobbling.  Both can be bought for about $150.

 

If your boat has exposed (non-retracting) rope cleats watch out for tearing your clothes on them when leaning over the boat from the outside.  They also can trap rods that are leaned on the rail, easy to break the rods. 

 

If your live well makes noise but doesn't pump, the pump valve is closed-either at the live well or at the pump.  The pump is accessible through the circular hatch right by the engine.

 

Start right away keeping the engine and hull clean of the white deposits that always form.  I wax mine with Lucas liquid spray wax each time I use it-it takes the new stuff off easily, takes only about 10 minutes since it doesn't have any old stubborn stuff on it.   

[Frisbie385]

Pack some toilet paper in a zip lock and stash it away in one of your lockers. Trust me at some point you will be glad you had it with you.

[looking45]

Does the boat also have a live well? If so, that will be running off the one battery also and in the warmer months you will be recirculating the water during the day. I would be reluctant to run everything off of one battery. Yes, your outboard has a generator but it isn't strong enough to charge the battery when you're running. That said, if your battery runs down. you should be able to pull start a 50 hp with no problem