Essentials/Tips for First Bass Boat

[revelation_04]

I just got my first full size bass boat and was wondering if anyone had any tips or essential info they learned since their first bass boat. The boat I got is a 2003 Champion 196. I'd like to save myself or anyone else with a new boat some headaches. I figured u guys that have been running your boats for awhile would have some good advise. I'll be out on the Delta quite a bit this year hopefully!!!

[WackySenko]

Congratulations.
Here are just a few, I am sure you will get more on this.
After each outing: strap the boat down to the trailer (front and rear), wipe the boat and motor down, pull the bilge drain plug, drain the livewells, unplug the trolling motor before heading away from the water, fill fuel and oil, charge the batteries, pull the prop on both the big and trolling motor and remove weeds and fishing line, clean and dry the livewells.
Check trailer tire air pressure each time you fill the tanks.
Inspect the trailer bushings for wear. Easier to replace at home than on the side of the road. Lube the trailer jack.
Go on line and get the maintenance schedule for the boat and motor.
Will you be storing the boat in a garage or outside, in the weather, with a good cover. Remember to have a fan, on a timer, under the cover to move the air around so that it helps stay dry and you do not get mold. I prop all of the compartments open for air flow.
I remove ALL my gear after every outing or tournament so that I can clean the boat. With the boat empty of gear it makes getting my gear ready for the next outing quicker.
Get into a routine, and keep it the same every time.

[Richard - Sonora]

You can't fish! Any used trailer has built-in possibilities for problems. Specifically, I would closely inspect all the tires. When I bought my Ranger, the previous owner had installed retreads on all wheels. I lost several to blow-outs on the first long trip. Also, it is worthwhile to go ahead an install new bearings on the axle(s) and, if it does not already have them, some time of grease or oil bath equipment for keeping the bearings lubricated. If your trailer has brakes have them inspected by a pro. I have stories to tell about all of the above! Good Luck. Richard - Sonora

[Schneider Fishing]

Congrats.
Get a tool kit to carry on the boat for any on the water or in the parking lot repairs. BPS has some marine tool kits.
Make sure you have the correct size lug wrench for the boat tires.
Rope to tie up to the dock and or to be towed in case of a break down.
Best of luck.

[mark poulson]

Develop a prelaunch check list.
Gas level
Oil level
Drain plug
All straps unhooked
Winch unhooked, unless you're launching alone, then just in the deploy position
Bumpers, or tieoff rope ready
Kill switch on

Take it slow and easy when you launch and put it back on the trailer, until you get used to it.

Have an putting it on the trailer check list.
Trolling motor up and strapped
Big motor off and up
Electronics off
Winch connected before you drive back up the ramp

Wipe it down with a good boat cleaner like Peregrin 250 after every trip.
Make sure all straps are connected, and the trailer lights work, before you hit the road.

I, and most everyone here, has skipped one of these steps at one time or another, and it's usually costly.

[eagle123777]

take the coast guard water safety/boat operators course online and get a discount on ur insurance at least state farm gives one...buy a new exingusher and throw floatation device and make sure they are readily assecible or could lead to a ticket.....jack

[eagle123777]

take the coast guard water safety/boat operators course online and get a discount on ur insurance at least state farm gives one...buy a new exingusher and throw floatation device and make sure they are readily assecible or could lead to a ticket.....jack

[Andy Giannini]

Get into a routine, for your trailering checklist, and launch checklist.

Don't let your buddy "help" by disrupting your routine, things can be forgotten or you or your buddy may assume the other took care of that. (Like if the plug is in the boat before launch.)

Remember, one last walk around check before you trailer is worth at least 1000 bucks.

A.G.

[backseatfishergirl]

this "seems" like a no brainer... but the plug is totally important thing to remember in the routine... only forgot to put it in once (so far)...but when it was forgotten it wasnt the best fishing trip ever and come to think of it ... oddly enough it wasnt the shortest trip ever, either

[backseatfishergirl]

this "seems" like a no brainer... but the plug is totally important thing to remember in the routine... only forgot to put it in once (so far)...but when it was forgotten it wasnt the best fishing trip ever and come to think of it ... oddly enough it wasnt the shortest trip ever, either

[civicrr]

Before the trip, make sure trailer tires have air, boat has gas & oil. Since you just purchased the boat, make sure the trailer is roadworthy. Lights work. Tires good. Have a spare! Bearings in good shape. Actually remove the wheels to make sure nothing is frozen. Suspension in good shape. Grease trailer ball. Carry tool kit & long rope just in case. Have a paddle or something to keep boat off rocks.

Prep boat before actually getting on launch ramp. removed straps, install plug, turn batteries on. I wouldn't recommend having winch in freespool at least until you get used to launching. I actually unhook on the ramp right before water contact. Make sure kill switch is in correct run position. Use running lights on ramp not headlights please. If you have a helper, make sure you on the same page as to what the launch procedure is. Have rope ready to tie up to dock. Do you have waterproof lights?

When pulling out, make sure you both know procedure. Saw a guy drag his lower unit on the ramp the other day. His friend driving the truck backed it back in immediately - that made the boat hop as it lurched down the ramp!!! Make sure winch is in locked position. Pull plug. Livewells to 'drain'. battery switches to off.

[Brian D.]

that will save your arse..

Lug wrench that fits your trailer wheel lugs
inexpensive floor jack.

[5bass4cking]

Congratulation.
First make sure the kill switch works and is hook to your life jacket and you wear it every time you run the big motor. On the the Delta there are a lot of blind turns, so always slow and trim the motor down around them. There are a lot of people on the Delta that don't know much about boating so speed is a bad thing. Most of all just expect the unexpected and watch for other boats, and if you get on some go fish, don't forget all of us that helped you out. (just kidding)
Good luck and safe fishing!!

[Jeff Antenucci]

As well as what everybody else said, get out and drive it. The first 3 times I took my boat out I took no rods, no tackle, no nothing, only what the law required.

Get a feel for what the boat rides like in rough water and glass water. The best angle to hit larger waves at. The perfect trim when you turn and when you go straight. Learn everything about how the boat rides and acts under every condition.

[Wolfeman]

Spare set of keys stashed in something (backpack, tow vehicle, whatever) that you absolutely take with you every time.

Post a check list on the wall in the garage to make sure you have everything before you leave the house.

Start your launch prep from one end of the rig (I always started in the front and worked to toward the back) and do everything in order. Then double check everything before you launch. And then check the bilge plug again.

Get a spare set of all the bearings for the trailer.

Find a good mechanic.

Take your time. all the time.
And get a second job or marry a rich woman.
- Wolfeman

[scott h]

What jeff said! Nothing more important than getting to know your boat and it's characteristics.These boats are rockets and can get you in trouble real quick(Yes even the rangers are fast ) The most important thing is the safety of you or your passengers and everyone else on the water.Especially on the delta it can be crazy out there.Kill switches and lifejackets.After that have fun fishing! tight lines, Scott h.

[Marty]

A lot of good information already posted!

Let me add a few and reemphasized a few more!

- In the tool kits you buy or make up, put a small little batter tester – it comes in handy.
- Know how your batters are connected (even draw a picture of it) for reference when something happen and you can’t think straight.
- Also some tie strips – good for tying up cables in the boat (and they do brake).
- When loading your boat, drive your trailer into the water where the rail boards get wet, then pull up, then load boat. This wets the carpet when the boat slides better on the rail boards.
- I unplug my trailer lights before unloading my boat but at the end of the day you have to add it to your routine to re-hook them.
- Get in the habit of wiping your boat down each and every time you get out of the water – it will always look like new!
- I use one of those soft folding worm binders, the one will all of the zip-tie bags and put all of my boat paper work into it.
- There are time when the ramp get real busy and everyone seem to be in a hurry and you don’t want to look foolish and you start hurrying to make room for someone else. This is when you have to do a double check because if something is going to go wrong it is then. Keep to your routine.

- Keeping to your routine. One of the best advices above was “Don't let your buddy "help" by disrupting your routine.â€

[sgvangler]

buy a spare plug.

[CN]

If this is your first Bass Boat take it easy at first and learn how they handle. You dont have alot of bow in the water on these things so your not really cutting through the water dispersing it your more or less riding on top of it.

The worst thing is boat chop or big wakes from other boats. Always,and I mean always,unplug your trolling motor as soon as you stop fishing. I've seen a few ugly things happen back at the ramp when the motor is up.

And the best tip is dont try and out run the other guy

[swordfish]

First of all make sure your crankin batt.is hot depends on your chargin system always top up the crank batt then troll batts, weak crankin batterys are HARD on your outboards elect. system. Always carry a spare trolling motor prop pins and nuts. If you break a prop or lose it to the bottom of the lake you are done for the day with a spare a quick fix...watch your water pressure when you trim up, keep your rooster tail around motor hight, if its too high you are blowin smoke but always trim up when running to reduce drag on hull ( when not in rough water) and back off on the rpms 3500 to 4000 when cruzin, and save 30% fuel, use good oil. Best wishes and good times.