"To Do's" Designed To Protect Your "Toy"

Many things that go wrong with a boat can be avoided very easily, but for some reason, a lot of fishermen tend to neglect simple routine maintenance and end up with major problems. Big bass boats are a huge investment and should be worth a little time and money for upkeep, whether you plan to sell the boat later or keep it until it falls apart. Why anyone in their right mind would want to ruin a $70,000 to more than $100,000 investment is hard to figure. Instead, why not consider these suggestions of experts?

Visually inspect. The best tools to understand whether something is wrong--or about to go wrong--are your eyes. Take a quick visual inspection of everything before you get on the highway, and you'll be surprised at how often you see a potential problem and stop it before it occurs.

Clear the deck. Before you get on the road, make sure there's nothing on the deck of your boat that could fly out. This could include stray tungsten weights, which, if launched properly, could go through the windshield of the vehicle behind you. Keep your rods in the rod locker until you get to the water, or put them back in for the ride home. The water, grit and road debris is terrible for them.

Check trailer connections. The best bet is to use some kind of locking device on your trailer to keep would-be vandals at bay. Even without people messing with your stuff, wires can rattle loose on bumpy roads.

Tow with a cover? Some feel that a cover inhibits visibility, reduces gas mileage, and may scratch the cap of the boat if not secured perfectly, so they often tow "topless." As a result, they usually reserve using the cover for times when headed through major storms, construction sites, or down roads that are likely to kick up a lot of debris. If you decide to use a cover, make sure it's secured properly and that it can't activate any electrical switches.

Tote your motor. Some folks use PVC pipe, a block of wood, or perhaps no motor toter at all. The smart person buys a good toter and uses it religiously. Some also use steering locks to keep the outboard from tilting sideways in transit.

Wipe the boat down. If you fish in stained or dirty water but can't wipe it down after every use, be sure to do it after every second or third trip. Water is fine, but a spray like Bass Boat Saver or Lucas Slick Mist is easier. If you wait 'til the end of the year, the scum line may take hours to remove.

Remove electronics. As marine electronics get more advanced and more expensive, they also seem to get more fickle about performing correctly. It takes only a minute to unhook and put them in the back seat of your vehicle or in protective cases. Beside protecting them from dirt, grime and vibrations, it'll make them less likely to get stolen at a gas and/or dinner stop.

Lock compartments. While boat-compartment locks are notoriously easy to get into, an unlocked compartment is the most tempting for a thief. Don't give them such an easy opportunity. Also don't leave your keys laying around within easy access.

In between trips, do the following: Check tire pressure, check the spare, check lug nuts, check behind the outboard and trolling-motor props, clean and wax the boat, flush the engine (especially after running in shallow or muddy water).

During longer gaps, do the following: Check your insurance and make sure it's up-to-date and covers everything that's likely to happen...towing coverage is a good idea, too. Also check and make sure your boat and trailer registrations are current; you still have a license plate; and that, if required in your state, a trailer inspection has been done. Finally, check your trailer bearings...if not every winter, then every two to four years.