Every small aluminum boat leaves the factory as a hull. The good news is that a 12–16 ft jon or utility boat needs very little to be safe, legal and pleasant to fish from — and most of it costs less than a tank of truck fuel. Here is the list we hand new owners, in the order to buy it.
Before the first launch (required or close to it)
- Life jackets — one per person, sized to fit. Coast Guard–approved, worn not stowed. Budget $30–$80 each. The whole legal checklist is here.
- Whistle or air horn. $5–$20. Clip the whistle to a life jacket and forget about it.
- Transom tie-down straps and a bow safety chain. $20–$40. The winch strap is not a tie-down; these are.
- Drain plug — plus a spare. $5. Keep the spare in the truck's glovebox.
- Anchor and 50–100 ft of line. A 5–8 lb fluke anchor holds a 12–16 ft hull on most lake bottoms. $40–$80.
- Bailer or hand bilge pump. $10–$30. An open hull collects rain.
- Paddle or oars. $30–$100. Backup propulsion is required in many states and useful everywhere.
Comfort and fishing (first month)
- Swivel seat clamps for the bench. $40–$120 a pair. The single biggest comfort upgrade on a bench-seat boat.
- Bow-mount or transom-mount trolling motor and a deep-cycle battery. $300–$1,200 all-in. Quiet approach to fish; also the only motor some ponds allow.
- Portable fish finder with a transducer bracket. $150–$400. No drilling needed on an aluminum transom with a clamp mount.
- Rod holders. Clamp-on styles avoid drilling the hull. $20–$60.
- Dock lines and two fenders. $40–$60, and you will be glad of them the first busy ramp day.
Protecting the boat (first season)
- A fitted cover. $80–$250. Keeps rain, leaves and sun out; make sure it vents. Our storage guide explains why airflow matters.
- Sacrificial anodes if you run salt or brackish water. $15–$40. See the corrosion guide.
- Trailer spares: a spare tire, a bearing grease gun, and a set of LED lights if yours are incandescent. Details in the trailer maintenance guide.
Skip these at first
- A casting deck or floor kit — fish the boat for a season first, then decide what layout you actually want.
- A big outboard — buy to the capacity plate, and start smaller than you think. See the outboard guide.
- Marine carpet — it traps water against aluminum. Anti-slip decking, which our hulls already have, is better.
The budget
The required list runs $150–$350. Comfort and fishing gear adds $200–$500 without the trolling motor, or up to $1,500 with one. Protection is another $100–$300. Realistically, plan on $500–$800 of accessories in year one for a hull that costs $1,899–$3,499 delivered — and almost all of it moves to your next boat.
Choosing the hull first? Compare every boat and trailer side by side, or call (833) 822-6737.
