Sneakbox safety!

J

Jay H

Active member
With coastal zone opening here in jersey in a couple days, i am more than excited to hunt out of my sneakbox for the first time, i have hunted out of my garvey and skiff for as long as i can remember but just wondering wat everyone carries in their sneakboxes for the season, i know we cant bring the whole kitchen sink with us due to space so what are everyones bare essentials?
 
Keep a small dry box with tools, flares ect. Also found it crucial to always have either water bottles or a jug of water, for when you have to push the boats through the mud! Alnother thing is to keep extra gas line fittings, which came in handy when we were out on the bay last year and one cracked
 
Everything I need to spend the night, including food and water.
Superglue as well as bandages in the first aid kit.

If you have it and don't need it, all is good.
If you need it and don't have it, all is bad.

R.C.
 
Spare/emergency pull cord in case yours breaks in sub zero temps. Spare spark plugs and spark plug wrench. Spare cotter pin for prop.

Basically figure out the essentials you need to have with you in addition to the safety gear and it will help you cut down on how much gear to bring with you.

I've been hunting out of a sneakbox or similar for over 20 years now so I've always been used to having limited storage space but with that being said I never feel like I don't have enough room to bring everything I need with me. It's all about packing efficiently.
 
If you run a boat with a Tohatsu/Nissan/Mercury 3.5 HP with the soft brass shear pin, include several extra shear pins, a punch and hammer to pound out the broken pieces, and needlenose pliers or a Leatherman to pull the cotter pin.

I've broken these simply shifting from neutral into forward at anything above a low idle, and on one fine day broke three, all on rice tangles.

There is supposedly a stainless pin not quite so easy to break, but I've never found one. I HAVE found several that were advertised and priced as stainless, but when they arrive they always turn out to be brass.

Haven't broken one yet this year, knock on a wood boat.

Don't forget a bailer, an extra plug for the drain hole, and something long you can use to break ice. Oars or a paddle in case you forgot the extra shear pin or gas line--and practice rowing or paddling your boat some time so you'll be sure you can do it.
 
This year I added a battery jumper with cigarette plug. I wired up a set of lights to mount to boat in oar lock sockets if I want or need light to set up or take down and also a small bilge pump. I know it will not last a long time but better than nothing and if I do not need it and get back to ramp to find dead battery-I got a jump! In case you are wondering the lights are on a switch while pump is not-backwards I agree.

Also include a cheap ratchet set from Harbor Freight, small fist aid kit, knife, other small tools and spare flash light.
 
John Livoti had a good list of things... John is a captain, diver, guide and runs boats all over. I carry a basic tool kit, flares. flash light, lighter, VHF, Cell Phone, small tarp, extra shirt in vacuum bag, knife, extra gloves, first aid kit, shear pins etc...
 
If you're tight on space, one thing I always keep in a boat with me is a thin synthetic base layer both the shirt and pants. They take up almost no space tightly packed in something waterproof, and if you get completely soaked, you may not be warm enough to be comfortable in only those dry clothes, but they could be the difference between life and death depending on the temps. (or just minor vs. major discomfort on the ride back to safety if the boat is ok and you're just wet and cold)
 
Jay, everyone has offered great suggestions on what to have on board...but I would caution you to consider how the sneakbox might be different than whatever other crafts you have piloted before? When I run my BBSB, I typically stand in all but the worse conditions. I run a tiller extension, and always have my kill switch tethered to my lifejacket, that I am wearing! I have a firm grab handle installed on the dodger frame for my right hand. I have little freeboard in the BBSB, total depth of the hull is maybe 16 inches, the hull is only 5ft wide. If I fall over, there is a good chance I might fall out! I carry alot of decoys in and on the decks, but keep the area I am standing in clear so I am less likely to trip. I feel very safe and stable in my BBSB, but when I started running it, I felt like was running a motorized surfboard. Just somethings to keep in mind....
 
Jay~

Two thoughts:

re spending the night: My cockpit cover is canvas (i.e., not rigid) so I always have it with me. I have spent a couple of planned overnights with the cover closed over me - warm and dry!

I use stakes (aka bank spikes, staubs) to hold my Sneakbox in place while gunning but I always have my anchor with plenty of rode - lashed on chocks in the cockpit.

All the best,

SJS
 
Make sure to take it out when it's still nice and warm out (though that seems to be changing this weekend) and get used to running it and how it reacts. I've seen plenty of people run a sneakbox for the first time and almost get thrown out when the boat reacts differently than they expect.

Also just because you see a lot of pictures, videos, etc. of guys standing while they run (myself included) that doesn't mean you have to do it. I hardly ever stand when it's super rough or sub zero just for safety reasons. Good luck this weekend!
 
I keep a change of clothes (warm stuff) in zip lock bags just in case, along with a couple of bottles of water and some peanut butter crackers. I also keep a compass and a magnesium fire starter.
 
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