Bought a boat today

[rdinatal]

As said by @phideux good idea to be sure the boat will start.

DO NOT start the engine without water at the drive intake ports!! Use muffs or a "55gal ocean" cut to size. If you do might as well save up for a new fresh water impeller change as you just cut the life of it in half, or more (no lubrication).

 

[Mirac]

Am I really the first? In all these responses... Dang.

RAISE THE LOWER UNIT before leaving the ramp.

I can't tell you how many times I've watched an outboard/stern drive boat bounce up the boat ramp, lower unit down, destroying the skeg.

Usually due to a female loading the boat that didn't know any better but I've seen guys do it too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I covered that with the ‘Boat Fails’

 

[Jp8819]

West marine is usually higher in my experience for items you listed but will have it quickly. Overtons is another one worth checking but high for somethings as well. Best deals we have found for life jackets and items is walmart or sporting goods stores toward end of season they mark all the stock down to clear it out for winter sport items if you can wait another month or so, you just have to keep check when they do it. We try to pick up a couple new jackets that time of the year to replace the ones that are getting age on them to cycle them and not have a big hit at once or have to rush out and get one.


Fyi you will learn this in your boating class but if label gets worn off a jacket the man won’t accept it to count toward one for passengers. Hence reason we end up cycling a couple out. Don’t forget a throwable cushion as well.