When you put your boat in at the access; my advice would be to take it out in the lake away from everything and make sure all things work properly; it could save you some anguish and some bucks! We put my neighbor's boat in the water and he came around to pick me up. Unknowingly, the throttle was stuck wide open. He went flying over the rocks and back into the lake! Fortunately only the prop was damaged; but that still is $50--$100. Also, when you are manually lowering the anchor; inspect the rope frequently. I had lowered it several times; but it was deeper and all of a sudden the anchor came to a halt; because there was a dull rusty (with worm remnants) in my index finger and the rope. I couldn't back it out for the barb. I had to shove and shove to get it through the skin (dull) so I could clip the shank off and pull the point out. It didn't feel real good and was bleeding profusely. Then when I went to throw the tip in the lake; the pliers slipped out of my good hand and went to the bottom. I had those pliers for years. Needless to say, my magnet wasn't on board. The good news is: we caught some fish.

Some good advice, lovetwofish.  Also, I carry a pair of side cutters to cut the end of the hook off after pushing it through the skin.  Another thing is to check your bilge pump.  Run some water from the hose at home into the boat and make sure the pump is working and will shut off.  Nothing worse to get a leak in your boat the the bilge pump not work and you watch your boat sink! 

Gary

Life Member, Retired WV State Police, Retired SFC US Army. Poca, West Virginia

Carry spare fuses...you never know when you need to work on some electrical and then...short circuit a fuse goes out.