What if your engine fails ?

messing about in small boats can be a dangerous activity, you should
definately begin with some trips with someone who knows what they are doing,
and do the two day course as well

What's this 2 day course ?

he National Powerboat Cert (This is the Irish Version of the RYA level 2)
and VHF SRC 1 & 2

Going on the fact that when you've just purchased a boat, you'll use what little cash is left wisely I'd reccoment the following.
You'll already have a phone I expect, so thats free. Get a zip lock bag from the kitchen to keep it dry.
A rubber or heavyduty plastic bucket can be used as a drogue to slow drift and perform additional duties such as bailer and (ahem) toilet!
An anchor, chain and enough rope for the depth of the areas you'll frequent get my next vote followed closely by a pair oars.
All the above should set you back no more than 150 euro. They will buy you time to hopefully sort out your engine problems yourself and failing that call for help.
Learn how to drain the engine carbs in the event to getting fuel in the water and you should be good to go in the water.

To be honest, I think a small aux is much more use the closer you are to shore. 10/20 miles offshore they are about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike, it would take days to get home if conditions were against you. I have had the misfortune to have to reach for the Auxiliary in the past, my distance offshore was about 6 feet..... Fishing in close to cliffs and main engine refused to kick (early days, learning the hard way), had it not been for the aux, the boat would have been wrecked, strong breeze pushing us on. Also a couple of miles away from land your little aux is going to have no trouble bringing you home. Keep your eyes open and you will pick one up S/H for peanuts. If you wanted to buy new I think Mercury do a 3.5 that comes in relatively cheaply. So, if I were you, a handheld VHF (60/70 euro) obviously an anchor and a little Aux will see you right. It may sound like overkill but I tell you, If it was me in a 16 footer heading for rocks, I wouldnt want to be relying on oars!

Well it's all academic now guys because my purchase just fell through

Oh well. All of the info' has been very useful and it will help me get my act together for next season.

Thanks again for all of your help.

Sorry to hear that.

well unless you know your engine inside out and seeing as you bought it second hand i would always have a small back up,the more safety minded you are the better,all of the above items are important but soon when you get comfortable with your boat you will be looking for new places to fish.went i got my boat first the main engine let me down a few times up the river suck the 3hp malta saved the day.ive changed the engine to 4 stroke honda 40 hp never had ant bother since but still bring the 3hp all the time.it depends on your budget but dont risk going any further if you havent d right gear.good luck

Just my tuppence worth (and maybe for the next purchase) but I would be inclined to err on the side of caution when setting out to sea. I've had engine failure on western lakes and that was manageable enough with oars but I wouldn't like to be fighting tides or any height of seas on a pair of oars.
Better luck with the next boat flynnboy and like you say there some good info and advice on this thread in terms of what anyone should carry when setting out to sea...