Boat & Boater Equipment Checklist
LOGO
powerboats 26-40 feet
Confident and safe boating relies upon the boat and each person aboard being properly equipped. This checklist will help ensure you have what you need, and it offers suggestions for better or upgraded equipment that will
further enhance your enjoyment afloat.
ADDRESS
PHONE
WEB SITE
Required by
Federal
State
Basic
Essentia Should Nice to
l Gear
Have
Have
Suggested Upgrade Level Suggested Upgrade Level Suggested Upgrade Level
1
2
3
The Boat
o
o
whistle or greater*
o
o
Cushion
yes
1
o
Sound producing device
yes
Visual Distress Signals
yes
Throwable floatation
yes
Fire extinguishers
Spare Life Jackets
per
o
o
handheld air horn
o
o
Ring or horseshoe
Inherently Bouyant
Type 2
o
(3) day/night
handheld flares
(1) Type B-II, or
(2) Type B-I
*over 12m (39.4ft) must
be audible 1/2mi, 4-6
seconds
o
o
electric horn
o
o
Lifesling®
Inherently Bouyant
Type 3
o
Inflatable
life jacket
manual
o
Inflatable
automatic
including harness
o
Delta Anchor (22lb)
all chain rode
+ Fortress Anchor
combo chain/line
Kit including:
(3) handheld
day/night flares +
(3) meteor flares +
(1) orange smoke
(2+) Type BC-II, or
(4+) Type BC-I
person
SOLAS flares or
Kit plus
parachute flares
signal mirror
day distress flag
(2+) Type BC-II +
engine compart
fire suppressor
Anchor and line
some
o
Danforth clone (16lb)
+ anchor line
o
Danforth clone (25lb)
+ combination
chain/line
o
Danforth clone (25lb)
all chain rode
+ Fortress Anchor
combo chain/line
Bailer or pump
some
o
hand bailer
o
electric bailer
o
multiple
electric bailers
o
o
o
(4) basic laid line
o
(6+) Braided Lines
o
(6-8)Braided Lines
3" fixed
front-reading
o
3" fixed +
handheld compass
o
4" fixed flat card +
handheld compass
o
4+" fixed +
handheld compass
Dock lines
yes
Boat fenders
yes
Compass
yes
VHF radio
yes
o
Handheld
o
Fixed VHF
incl DSC
o
Fixed VHF/DSC +
Handheld
o
VHF/GPS combo
GPS
yes
o
Handheld
o
Fixed 3-4"
Chartplotter
o
Fixed 5-7"
Chartplotter
o
Fixed 10+"
Chartplotter +
External GPS
Charts
yes
Chartbook
o
o
NOAA Charts
o
Charts on Demand
yes
o
o
yes
o
Navigation Rules
Boat hook
yes*
prepared by the National Safe Boating Council
USCG book
Wing
One-Minute Guide
* on vessels > 12 meters (39.4 feet) in length
Boat & Boater Equipment Checklist
LOGO
powerboats 26-40 feet
Confident and safe boating relies upon the boat and each person aboard being properly equipped. This checklist will help ensure you have what you need, and it offers suggestions for better or upgraded equipment that will
further enhance your enjoyment afloat.
ADDRESS
PHONE
WEB SITE
Required by
Federal
State
Essential Should
Gear
Have
Basic
Nice to
Have
Suggested Upgrade
Level 1
Suggested Upgrade
Level 2
Suggested Upgrade Level
3
The Boat (continued)
First Aid kit
o Basic
o Basic
yes
Boarding ladder
some
yes
o
Local Cruising
o
o
o
o sounder
o
chart sounder
fishfinder
o
o
2kw, 24" radome
o
Distance Cruising
o
Offshore
o
o
4kw, 24" radome
o
o
4kw, 4'open array
Spare parts
Engine
yes
Propeller
yes
Batteries (VHF, GPS)
yes
Depth sounder
yes
Radar
yes
AIS
yes
o 2kw, 18" radome
o AIS Receiver
yes
o
EPIRB
Required by
Federal
State
Essential Should
Gear
Have
Basic
Nice to
Have
AIS Reciever +
Display
Suggested Upgrade
Level 1
Class B AIS
Suggested Upgrade
Level 2
Class A AIS
Suggested Upgrade Level
3
The Boater
Life Jacket Adult (>16)
o Inherently bouyant
yes
o
Inshore
Inflatable Re-Arming Kit
Life Jacket Child (<16)
o
o Inherently bouyant
yes
yes
o
Inshore - proper size
Inherently bouyant
Offshore
Inherently bouyant
Offshore - proper size
o Inherently bouyant
Life Jacket - waterskiing,
etc
Impact rated
Boat shoes
yes
Whistle (for life jacket)
yes
Light (for life jacket)
yes
Handheld VHF
yes
Personal Locator Beacon
yes
o Basic
o
o Waterproof flashlight o
o Basic handheld VHF o
Waterproof strobe
DSC Handheld
VHF with GPS
Protective clothing
yes
Sunglasses
prepared by the National Safe Boating Council
yes
o
o
o
o Inflatable Offshore
Automatic
o
Inflatable Offshore
Including harness