A reply from Matt in another thread got me to thinking…what suggestions does anyone have about boating safety?
Here’s a few of mine
1. Have a basic first aid kit (stocked with usable stuff)
2. Know your weather forecast (and keep some rain gear stowed somewhere, just in case)
3. Have an extra anchor (I use a front and rear anchor, but at times even kept a 3rd in the boat)
4. Keep full size oars and locks in the boat
I’ll stop here, and let everyone else chime in…
Shawn
GPS…. no matter the body of water, when the fog rolls in, it’s nice to have.
big G
Get off the water when (before) lightning bolts are coming down!
If you fish the main channel of the Mississippi, and similar circumstances, keep a sharp knife handy in case you need to cut your anchors and get the heck out of there. I know this should never come up, but barges get off course and you don’t want to be tugging at your anchor on a wingdam if that’s going on…
On that same note, make sure your running lights are working – I don’t fish with them on, but put them on whenever there’s another boat in operation anywhere nearby.
If you hand land your flatheads, be sure to have a good boatside light and make sure you locate the hook BEFORE you put your hand in there!
Hold snapping turtles by the tail and as far away from your body as possible! 
Get comfortable life jackets and wear them. This is something I’m terrible about but I’m looking to change this year. I fish too many places with deep water, swirling undertow, and nasty timber in the water. May kid myself that I’m a good swimmer, but those are not swimming conditions!
Number one rule is make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you will returning
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Get comfortable life jackets and wear them. This is something I’m terrible about but I’m looking to change this year. I fish too many places with deep water, swirling undertow, and nasty timber in the water. May kid myself that I’m a good swimmer, but those are not swimming conditions!
100% Agree, especially for you river rats. This off season I picked up a auto inflatable vest. Wore it on Saturday out on the water. Got in the truck and drove a few miles before I even noticed it was still on. This is the way to go.
I really didn’t see it yet, so I’ll say it. Especially this time of year when the river is high and current is flowing, watch out for deadheads. Most of the time, they’re bigger than they seem, and can be very dangerous. When boating at night, don’t boat any faster than you can see.
How about a waterproof bag for your phone? I’ve toasted one phone that way. Also something to cut off hooks with. Would you believe that a treble can hold three fingers together?
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How about a waterproof bag for your phone? I’ve toasted one phone that way. Also something to cut off hooks with. Would you believe that a treble can hold three fingers together?
That would have been a sight…. 
It’s amazing how fast things can go sideways.
A small tool kit with…umm duct tape. 
I keep two of everything.
Extra spot light
H20 in case my main gps goes out
Night flairs (3)
75 foot of rope (other than anchor) when a tree plugs my route out…and it’s come in handy for towing a stranded boater a time or two also.
Depending on where you fish, the old Marine Radio is a must have in many areas.
I have a spare aluminum prop…but I don’t know if that will do me any good if my stainless gets whacked bad enough that I need to change it.
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A small tool kit with…umm duct tape.
I keep two of everything.
Extra spot light
H20 in case my main gps goes out
Night flairs (3)
75 foot of rope (other than anchor) when a tree plugs my route out…and it’s come in handy for towing a stranded boater a time or two also.
Depending on where you fish, the old Marine Radio is a must have in many areas.
I have a spare aluminum prop…but I don’t know if that will do me any good if my stainless gets whacked bad enough that I need to change it.
I keep all of these on hand also……. we’ll except the duct tape,
These are great spare items to have on hand. I would be wiling to bet, that most of the night river guys have some of this gear in preparation for when things take a turn.
redundancy in anything that could fail. I’ve fixed my mooring light quite a few times by taping my led Flashlight to the post and then taping the cover off the busted or burned out on on there. Matt is dead on with the knife handy. I had a barge come pretty close to me once and i was way out of the channel. Scared the bejesus out of me. Don’t be afraid to shine a light at them. It saved my [censored].
I have a strong tendency to be heavy on the throttle, no matter the size of waves or trees, or horsepower. I try to AWLAYS wear my tether switch regardless if its a 20hp or 60hp tiller. I could go into details about near-death experiences, but I will spare your eyes from reading the several page list!
Oh, and as mentioned before, keep a knife handy to cut those anchor ropes. I had a long-line tangled in my 20hp prop on an outgoing tide and wicked winds, <1mile from the Atlantic Ocean. The small pocked knife in my sweatpants saved my butt.
I like to keep a tube of lipstick handy. In case something goes horribly wrong, it is nice to put some on, pucker up, put my head between my legs, and kiss my heinie goodbye 
Wouldn’t Monkey Butt powder do the same thing?
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I like to keep a tube of lipstick handy.
I thought you kept that for those “Deliverance” moments.
“You got a purdy mouth” 
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I like to keep a tube of lipstick handy.
I thought you kept that for those “Deliverance” moments.
“You got a purdy mouth”
Why, Wanna go fishing with me
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I like to keep a tube of lipstick handy.
Bareback mountain………… boat style.
I understand he keeps a couple spring dresses in his tackle box for special occaisions.
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I understand he keeps a couple spring dresses in his tackle box for special occaisions.
Quick note to everyone…….. Don’t 
in his boat!
Talking about boating safety…Where is the safest place to be in a moving boat?
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Talking about boating safety…Where is the safest place to be in a moving boat?
Is it standing on the front deck mooning people?
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Talking about boating safety…Where is the safest place to be in a moving boat?
Is it standing on the front deck mooning people?
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Talking about boating safety…Where is the safest place to be in a moving boat?
Is it standing on the front deck mooning people?
That’s hilarious!
You can just wear the speedo and get 90% of the effect from anywhere on the boat 
Thank goodness for Costa Del Mars!!
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Thank goodness for Costa Del Mars!!
And the cloak of darkness YEEEEEEUUUUU
Safest place in a moving boat… depends on how fast, and who’s driving. Somtimes there is no safe place – at least when I’m driving. Like when my prop was damaged and then lost last year…
What’s that sound 
You mean the sound of metal grinding Yes. I don’t know, I think we can fish one more spot and still make it back to the launch 
say, how come we’re not moving, and where did the propeller go
an unfortunately true story…
Shawn
Sorry for bringing up bad memories!
The safest place in a boat moving or not is in your seat. 
There are no seats in my boat. 
I’m not much for sitting either!
Nice rigs!
I think I sense a new thread coming up…
Shawn
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