Gear & Accessories Checklist
Every boat type has different must-haves — this list is built from real USCG requirements and what actually matters on the water, not a generic gear dump.
Boat type: Trawler
Safety
9 itemsBuy these first — most are legally required, and a Coast Guard inspection can cite you on the spot without them.
🦺 Adult life jackets
The U.S. Coast Guard requires one wearable life jacket per person on board, officers can cite you on the spot without it.
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🦺 Child life jacket
Most states require children under 13 to wear a properly fitted life jacket at all times underway.
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🛟 Throwable flotation cushion
Required on boats 16ft and longer, it must be immediately accessible, not stowed away in a compartment.
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🧯 Marine fire extinguisher
Required on boats with enclosed engine or fuel compartments. The number required depends on your boat's size: https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/fire-extinguisher-faq.php
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📯 Air horn or whistle
Required for signaling in emergencies or low-visibility conditions on nearly every vessel.
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🚨 Visual distress signal kit
Required on coastal waters and larger inland waters — rules vary by state, so check yours.
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🩹 Marine first aid kit
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🔦 Waterproof flashlight
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📻 Handheld VHF marine radio
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Docking
2 itemsThese prevent expensive scratches and dings, and make tying up at a marina or dock far less stressful.
🪢 Dock lines
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🛡️ Boat fenders
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Anchoring
1 itemsThe right anchor depends on your bottom type and boat size — the picks below work for most first-time owners.
⚓ Medium boat anchor kit
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Comfort
2 itemsNot required, but these make longer days on the water noticeably more pleasant.
🧊 Marine cooler
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🎒 Waterproof dry bag
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Maintenance
1 itemsA little upkeep goes a long way toward keeping your boat looking good and running well between trips.
🧽 Boat cleaning kit
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Electronics
1 itemsHelps you navigate, find fish, and stay powered up — worth budgeting for once you've got the basics covered.
⚡ Portable jump starter
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Tenders & Dinghies
4 items🛶 Inflatable dinghy (tender)
If you anchor out overnight, you need a way to get from the boat to shore — a roll-up or soft-floor inflatable dinghy is the budget-friendly way to do it. See our full guide: https://myboatguru.com/guides/do-you-need-a-dinghy
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🛟 Sportboat dinghy
A step up from a roll-up: a removable rigid floor lets it plane and carry more gear, without the stowage commitment of a full RIB — West Marine's own buying guide recommends this level (or better) over a roll-up if the boat won't just be a tender. See our full guide: https://myboatguru.com/guides/do-you-need-a-dinghy
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🚤 Rigid inflatable boat (RIB) dinghy
A rigid-hull inflatable (RIB) tows and rows better than a roll-up, and can usually take a bigger outboard — worth it if you'll use the dinghy often. See our full guide: https://myboatguru.com/guides/do-you-need-a-dinghy
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🚣 Rigid boat
A rigid boat (fiberglass, poly, or aluminum) never needs inflating and shrugs off rough use — the trade-off is it doesn't deflate, so it needs real stowage space just like a RIB. See our full guide: https://myboatguru.com/guides/do-you-need-a-dinghy
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Estimated cost to fully outfit this boat
Covers required, conditional, and recommended gear — estimated ranges, not live prices.
$7,175–$14,435
Required to legally get on the water
$6,757–$13,700
Recommended, not required
$418–$735
💰 of checked items have a price logged — add one next to an item as you buy it.
I've spent $ so far
⚖️ Requirements shown reflect U.S. Coast Guard rules. Boating in Canada or elsewhere? Your local regulations may differ — check with your local authority before you head out.
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