First boat - returning to NJ.com

[seadog]

Matt good luck with your new boat.Someone already suggested a portable vhf radio.I would go with one that floats.That way if you drop it in the drink you have a chance or recovering it.I also use a lifebelt.Life jackets are to bulky.The life belt is about the size of a fanny pack and is activated by pulling the cord.Once this is none it will inflate instantly.The radio I've seen for $149,best price on the lifebelt was on line at kodiack outfitters $58.$200. is a pretty good chunk of change but if saves you life its priceless.Better to have and not need then to need and not have.

[Capt. Debbie]

Speaking of PFD's inflatable supenders are about as comfortable as they come. You can wear them under your exterior jacket. Some have hydrostatic release besides the pull cord.

If you can fit it put in a full size VHF radio. 25 watts vs. 5 watts and a real antenna gives you great range( about 10x the transmit distance) and never dead batteries. Even a handheld with a manufacturer's adapted hooked up the a real(not whip antenna) VHF antenna will give you much more range than that crappy unity-gain rubber duck antenna. Mine's hooked up to the GPS to do automated DSC distress calls( w/ my MMSI # when USCG starts to monitor).

Don't forget effective sound making device & flares too?

Got all this? By the time you get done loading it up, you'll need a bigger boat to carry all this crap.

Capt. Frank