Boating and Marine

A boat is a system, and most of what goes wrong on the water traces back to something small that was overlooked on the trailer. Batteries, bilge pumps, navigation lights, safety gear and the fittings that hold it all together are unglamorous until the day one of them decides the trip is over.

What to think about

Safety equipment comes first, and it is the one area where the requirements are not up to you. Carry what your state requires for the waters you are in, and check the expiry dates on flares and the servicing on lifejackets rather than assuming. Your state's maritime authority publishes the current list.

Electrical is where most reliability problems start. Salt finds every connection eventually, so marine-grade terminals, proper fusing and a battery that is actually up to the load are worth the extra outlay.

Then the working gear — anchors and rope matched to your bottom type, rod holders positioned for how you actually fish, and enough lighting to launch and retrieve in the dark at either end of the day.

See also boat accessories and fish finders.

Frequently asked questions

What safety gear do I need on a boat in Australia?

It varies by state and by how far offshore you go. Lifejackets, flares, an EPIRB and signalling equipment are common requirements — check your state maritime authority for the current list.

Why do boat batteries fail so quickly?

Usually because a starting battery is being used to run electronics and pumps. A deep-cycle battery is built for sustained draw; a starting battery is not.

What anchor should I use?

It depends on the bottom. Sand, mud, reef and weed each hold different anchor types, which is why many boats carry more than one.