www.iFourWinns.com

Every year, we go on a "big boat trip". Last year was from our seawall to Lexington. Round trip was probably 120+ miles.

This year, its time for a Put-In-Bay trip to southern Lake Erie. Its 80 miles each way.

So naturally, I always panic a little before leaving on a trip like this.

I already have an extensive tool kit on board, extra v-belts, spare low & high pressure fuel pumps, extra sections of various hoses and worm clamps, extra wiring and connectors, 1 extra thermostat kit, 2 emergency impellers, 1 spare prop and wrenches to change. I switched all of my navigation lights to LED's and saved all the incandescent originals as spares and bring those too. I bought extra toilet paper, more waste tank treatment and a brand new water hose, should we hook up the boat to city water. I also bring a shorepower cord and just in case, a 50' regular extension cord with a shorepower adapter (you never know!)

I dont have any extra fuel/water separators but will buy a spare tomorrow ($8, big deal).

Am I forgetting anything that you feel is important? What do you bring on the bigger trips? I'd like people to add to the list so this is easier for the next person

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Great post and it sounds like you're pretty prepared. Assume your tool kit has a full set of wrenches, sockets, screwdrivers, hex keys, possibly a snap ring tool? Good electrical tape? A tube of some sort of grease? I like to keep a small green Scotchbrite pad in the bag too - one of those "what the hell would I need that for but you never know" kind of things.

Spare bilge pump, or maybe you already have redundancy?
Spare fresh water pump?
Phone chargers/cables/adapters?
Credit card?

Oh. And the monkeys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw7KmYjnHYs

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

A couple of spare spark plugs and leads might be an idea?
WD40.

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

Dont forget an extra impeller for the genny. Also a good part to have on hand is extra oil pressure censors (if your boat has them). We went on a 1000 mile trip this year and these are the only parts I didn't have and tuns out they are the only ones we needed. Good luck and happy boating.

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Current Boat - '04 328 Vista "Be As You Are"

Previous Boats
'04 268 Vista
'97 238 Vista
'94 210 Marada
'88 175 Sunbird

Do you have portable jump pack in case you do something out of the ordinary that might kill a starting battery?

_________________
Paul
2007 Four Winns Horizon 220
Mercruiser 350 Mag MPI w/ Bravo III Drive
2004 Ford Explorer Limited (V8-AWD)
Pomme de Terre Lake (Southwest Missouri)

What about safty equipment. For trips like that I bought a PLB http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?pa ... id=1280601

I plan my routes at home, than down load the to my GPS when going to new places. Besides the fixed VHF, I carry a portable one too.

As to a jump box. Why bother, a dual battery set up is better and both can be charging at the same time.

If your planing to do a lot of over nighters. You may want to install a 2nd house battery too with a charging relay to combine them to double your house amps. I installed a battery guage so when the 2 batteries reach 50%, I can start the engine to bring them back up.

I think a jumper pack is a great idea. I have dual batteries, only boat on inland lakes, and still take one with me on every trip. It can also allow you to help out another boater with minimal fuss.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

To each there own! If I am going to carry the extra wight, I am going to use it. That could be a 2nd house battery. I have enough to carry and than I have to remember to charge it too. A set of good jumpers wires is lighter. But thats me.

Yep, plus my jump pack has an air pump, dc outlet, and USB ports for charging phones and such. I've used it more for its add-on features than as a "jump" starter.

But back to OP original question, ummmm...I see no one has mentioned beer. Or cigars....tsk tsk, and y'all call yourselfs boaters. Just kidding, sounds like everyone has a pretty comprehensive list, not much to add except for the "fun" stuff.

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1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

I couldn't find beer on your list.....i would cancel the trip immediately.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

Reservations


The next couple of weeks will be very busy in that area with the bicentenial of the Battle of Lake Erie events going on.

http://battleoflakeerie-bicentennial.com/

Don't forget the gas card!

Yeah, thats one of the reasons we are going
Unfortunately, no reservations are granted during holidays or events. Its first come first serve.

_________________
1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

First-aid kit?

_________________
Seth




2005 210 Horizon
5.0L GXi
"Don't Think Twice"

I have now made about 11 trips where I was more than 75 miles each way. The first 1 or 2 gave me that feeling "this is a long way from home", but after that I just take along my usual tools and spare parts and don't sweat it.

It sounds like you have your bases covered already. Everything else can be fixed with a credit card.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings