After spending hours helping to rescue boats (all be it jet boats) on two separate occasions several years ago, I went and bought a come-a-long(rope puller) and 100' of rope, along with some pullies, webbing and a foldable shovel.

I got it mainly for use in my jet boat as I fish alone alot and want to at least have chance of getting it unstuck by myself. But I also carry it in my raft as well. Doesn't take up that much room and is a good saftey net for both me and anybody else in trouble I might run into.

Of course since I started bringing it along every trip I've never had a case to use it again, but boy would it have helped out in both those instances years ago.

On a related note. In the second instance a jet boat with an older gentleman and his wife had sucked some gravel, floated back and gotten wedged against a log just below a hole with 5-6 other boats (all with multiple people on board) and were yelling for help. I was by myself and was the only boat to quit fishing and go down and help them get off the log, no small feat. The other boats just kept fishing and watched me and the old man struggle to get the boat free.

Sometimes I wonder what the hell is wrong with people.