Essentials for a tinnie when starting out

Here is the boatsales.com.au guide to all the gear you should think about before heading out on the water for the first time.

Just bought a tinnie for yourself or your kids to venture out in and wondering what you need to add onboard?

First, and most important is your safety gear. If you're buying a new tinnie, they will usually come with a basic safety starter kit to get you on the water.

If your tinnie is pre-loved, be sure to ask if it comes with any safety gear such as oars, life jackets and a fire extinguisher. If flares are included, check they're still in date and have not expired.

For around $200, some boating equipment retailers will have a complete safety pack that includes everything you need to get you on the water.

You may also need to source an anchor with a rope attached. If buying a preloved tinnie, anchors and ropes will generally come with the boat.

Before you head out, check the condition of the anchor rope as they become worn and frail over time. Check, too, that the anchor is the right size for the boat, particularly if the areas in which you want to fish have a lot of tidal movement.

A fast improvement to a basic tinnie is adding some seats. If your boat has built in acrossthwart benches, you can typically add a long bench-style cushion to suit for less than $70.

More deluxe versions of tinnie cushions can include side pockets that are handy for storing items throughout the day - fiddly things you may need in a hurry such as fishing pliers and lip grips.

If you have a bad back like me and prefer the support of a more traditional seat, an entry-level fisherman’s padded boat seat with a back that folds down for transport can cost less than $90.

A seat with more padding, and therefore more comfort, will see the price jump up to around the $150 mark. You can often pick up a pair of seats on sale for around $150 for both.

Port and starboard navigation lights and all-around anchor lights are essential if you are planning to fish at night.

All three can generally be bought as a kit from your local tackle or marine supply shop.

Look around and you should be able to pick up all three for less than $60.

If you are handy with a drill and/or screwdriver you may be able to install the lights, otherwise, allow for the cost of having them professionally installed, which could cost you more than the lights themselves.

Most marine shops will sell and fit your navigation lights.

Fishfinders vary considerably in price and functionality. If you are just starting out, you may not think it is necessary to have one on such a small boat.

However, I'd recommend getting an entry-level model, if for no other reason than to see your water depth.

I owned my first tinnie at just 12 years of age, and I certainly would have bottomed out on a sandbank if it wasn’t for my trusty old sounder that came with it.

Technology has come a long way and we now have the ability to see fish and track their movements beneath us, making it far easier to locate them.

You can pick up an entry-level sounder for around the $160 mark. I have often seen preloved sounders selling for around $80 - they also would do the job.

Set aside some extra money to have the fishfinder or sounder mounted on your boat.

Other accessories

If you still have some money to burn and would like to add some extra features to your new rig, look at rod holders, drink holders, bait boards, live bait tanks and burley buckets.

One thing that gives a tinnie a big lift is marine carpet. It's a very popular method of improving your boat aesthetically and again, something that you can install yourself.

Not sure how to do it? There are plenty of online videos on this topic that will help you navigate through the installation process.