BoatThe Boat Gear Buying Guide
Outfitting a boat in the right order — what to buy first, what actually matters, and where you can save without regretting it.
It's easy to spend money on a boat in the wrong order. This guide walks through the gear that matters in priority sequence — safety first, then the things that make the boat work, then the things that make it fun.
1. Safety gear comes first
Before anything fun, get the legally-required and life-saving basics aboard. The U.S. Coast Guard requires a properly-fitting, wearable life jacket (PFD) for every person on the boat, and a throwable device on most boats 16 feet and longer. Add a sound-signaling whistle or horn and visual distress signals, and check your state's specific requirements.
Buy the PFD you'll actually wear — comfort and fit beat a high rating that lives in a locker. See our safety gear picks →
Non-negotiable: in most fatal boating accidents involving drowning, the victim wasn't wearing a life jacket. It only works if it's on.
2. Anchoring and docking
An anchor keeps you where you want to be — for lunch, for fishing, or in an emergency if the engine quits. Size the anchor to your boat's length and windage, match it to the bottom you anchor over, and carry enough rode to pay out a 7:1 scope. A couple of dock lines and fenders make tying up painless. Compare anchors →
3. Propulsion for control: trolling motors
A trolling motor gives quiet, precise control for fishing and tight maneuvering. Match thrust to your boat's loaded weight (roughly 2 lb per 100 lb), choose 12V, 24V, or 36V for the thrust you need, and get the shaft length right for your bow. GPS models with Spot-Lock hold position automatically — the single biggest upgrade for anglers. See trolling motors →
4. Electronics: navigate and find fish
For most boats, that means a GPS chartplotter (often combined with sonar) and a VHF radio. A combo chartplotter/fishfinder is the best value — one screen for navigation and what's under the boat. A fixed-mount VHF with DSC and GPS is the most important safety electronic you can add, sending an automated distress call with your position at the push of a button. Compare electronics →
5. Protect your investment: covers and bimini tops
UV and weather age a boat fast. A cover sized to your boat (trailerable if you tow with it on) protects upholstery, gelcoat, and electronics for a fraction of what they cost to replace. A bimini top adds shade on the water. See covers & bimini tops →
6. The fun stuff: watersports and towables
Once the boat is safe and rigged, add the lake-day gear. Choose a towable by rider count and deck-versus-cockpit style, and always tow with a rope rated for at least the tube's maximum riders. Every rider wears a PFD, and a spotter watches the tube so the driver can watch the water. See towables & ropes →
Where to save, where to spend
- Spend on: PFDs that fit and get worn, a VHF radio, an anchor that's sized right, and a cover that actually fits your boat.
- Save on: a budget transom trolling motor for a small boat, a universal cover if your hull is a common shape, and a starter towable tube.
- Buy once: ground tackle, safety gear, and electronics reward buying quality the first time. Fit and rating matter more than the logo.
Every recommendation on this site is researched against manufacturer specifications and long-standing owner consensus. We don't publish invented test data or fake star ratings — just straight comparisons to help you buy once.