What Are The Best Add-Ons/customizations You've Added To Your Boat And Trailer?

[tcbass]

So most people have added at least something to their boat or trailer to make it better.


What are the best add-ons/customizations that you've added to your boat and trailer?



Here are the things that I've added and am very happy with.



1.) Minn Kota Terrova

This thing is awesome. My used 2000 Crestliner Fish Hawk came with an older cable Minn Kota. I couldn't work it because the foot pedal was too high and hard to use. I wouldn't be able to use the Terrova either but they have some awesome toe controls at the base of the foot pedal that I am able to use, rather than using the pedal. If I could just get a pedal that had the toe controls I would buy that. They are great. The trolling motor's "spot lock", "autopilot" and "constant speed" are truly amazing. It makes my entire boating experience fun and enjoyable. I love this thing. It's a 80lbs version with Ipilot but I didn't get the sonar to match with it. If I had gotten that combo it would be almost as expensive as my boat!



2.) Boat Buckles



I didn't get these last year because I was low on funds. The original standard buckles were a pain and always needed adjusting, they also were always undone by the time I got home from the lake. At about $9 a pair they aren't too expensive to replace every 5 years or so, but the boat buckles are so much better, efficient, and easier to use.

I was able to find them at etrailer.com where I get most of my trailer stuff because they have great customer service and prices. I think they were like $48 when I bought them on sale.

There is a reason boat buckles come standard with some high end boats.



3.) Cabelas Casting Seat


I love this thing. It allows me to sit at the perfect height but also stand and take some weight off of my feet. It is 13-1/2" to 20". It's great.


4.) Bullseye Loading System Trailer Guide-Ons


I added the Bullseye Quickload boat guides because when load the boat by myself and there is a wind or I'm on a river it can be a pain to get this nearly 18' foot boat loaded correctly, especially if there is a line of people waiting to also load or unload their boats. These are a little more expensive at $199 a pair but I am really happy with them. They are guaranteed to keep your boat within 1/4" from center. The guides are pointed in for a centered loading and then move outward away from the boat afterward so that you don't have a chance of rubbing up against your hull and damaging it or marking it up


Honorable Mention:


Dual Pro 3 Bank Battery Charger:

I've always charged my boat battery with the standard plug in battery charger. But I never had 3 batteries that needed to be charged at the same time. I looked at Pro Marine (which is the brand that Cabelas puts their name on), Minn Kota, and other chargers. My friend has had 3 of the Pro Marine chargers go bad on him, luckily Cabelas exchanged them with no problem. I saw that all of them had issues except the Dual Pro. I bought the more expensive Dual Pro and am happy I did. I've never had a problem and it chargers my batteries quickly, every time. The Dual Pro is larger than most chargers, but it's purposely made that way.


M-y Wedge Transom Saver:


I think today's newer boats have strong enough transoms, even my older boat, but a little extra insurance and piece of mind doesn't hurt. I don't like the transom savers that go from the trailer to the boats lower unit. Your boat and trailer can move separately. If you hit a large bump the transom saver will transfer all of that energy from the trailer backward into your lower unit while your boat is attempting to move forward still. That can't be good for the lower unit. My 115 horse Mercury used to bounce around a ton, it doesn't bounce around nearly as much anymore. I always leave the boat ramp with my motor as straight as possible and normally by the time I got home the motor would be severely tilted to one side or the other, a testament to the bouncing I believe. Now with the M-Y Wedge, I haven't had that problem again which makes me think it really is bouncing around less, which can't be bad for the transom and outboard. For $39, it's a cheap piece of insurance. I use it because I can't trailer my boat with my motor 100% down, because if I did I would tear my skag off because the boat and motor sit so low.



These are just things that I've added to my boat and trailer to make it more enjoyable and efficient to use. What have you added to your boat or trailer that other people might be interested in?

[Brian Needham]

I would have a lengthy list......... but an USB charger to keep the phone and GoPro charger is tough to beat.

[tcbass]

I would have a lengthy list......... but an USB charger to keep the phone and GoPro charger is tough to beat.

So did you cut a whole for the USB charger?

Where is your GoPro mounted?

[Brian Needham]

So did you cut a whole for the USB charger?

Where is your GoPro mounted?

yes I cut a hole.

GoPro is on suction mount on the windshield.

I will get you some pictures this weekend (I store boat at lake)

[Wayne P.]

I have many--the latest is trailer steps:

 

[jhoffman]

Im not sure id go for that wedge, that seems like its still keeping weight bouncing on the transom and or wearing your trim/tilt

 

New hubs/wheels

Bigger Motor

LED under the console

Livewell timer

[Long Mike]

For the boat:

New carpet throughout

New seats

Terrova 80# TM with iPilot

Lowrance HDS-8 with side-scan

NMEA network, with all fuel and pressure sensors

Hotfoot throttle pedal

Tilt and trim control on the steering column

LED lighting under all hatches, including the live well

Alarm system

Dual-Pro 3-bank charger with external plug

Six Inch jack plate (the only thing I didn't install myself)

 

For the trailer:

LED lighting

Boat Buckles

Guide Ons

An electric trailer trolly (one of my best investments)

[tcbass]

Im not sure id go for that wedge, that seems like its still keeping weight bouncing on the transom and or wearing your trim/tilt

 

New hubs/wheels

Bigger Motor

LED under the console

Livewell timer

 

 

Yes, it can't take 100% of the weight off.

 

 

 

If I could keep my motor 100% down I would, but I can't because the trailer sits too low. If I did my skag would get ripped off driving down the road. So I have to have my motor up.

[BuckMaxx]

5050 LED lights off Ebay. wired up in all compartments. Especially the livewells is a must have! Also put them around the deck of my boat with a remote control dimmer switch. a seriously easy upgrade for about $60 total. I would agree the USB port is good you can get one at walmart in the auto sections that is USB and a cirgarette lighter. a 12v PowerBubbles installed in my livewells I wouldn't be without either. It keeps the fish even more lively then they are in the lake. CD player to play the hickhop stuff that gets the girls in bikinis dancing.

[tcbass]

5050 LED lights off Ebay. wired up in all compartments. Especially the livewells is a must have! Also put them around the deck of my boat with a remote control dimmer switch. a seriously easy upgrade for about $60 total. I would agree the USB port is good you can get one at walmart in the auto sections that is USB and a cirgarette lighter. a 12v PowerBubbles installed in my livewells I wouldn't be without either. It keeps the fish even more lively then they are in the lake. CD player to play the hickhop stuff that gets the girls in bikinis dancing.

CD player??? That's like putting in an 8 track. lol. Everyone uses storable media now like iPods or their Iphone.

[tntitans21399]

I have the normal transom saver that hooks to the lower unit and back roller on trailer. You don't want the motor bouncing at all on the road. A little bounce 10,000 times will add up.

Of course a fish/depth finder to know if you are to shallow.

For me and piece of mind I always add a automatic float switch for the bilge when I leave it over night.

[BrianSnat]

1. Built in cigar ashtray

2. I installed bottle openers for me and the front passenger
 

[200racing]

 bluewater LEDs on deck in compartments and on my trailer. i have white lights under the frame beside the fenders. i can clearly see my tires at night. i could change a tire with no need for a flashlight.

[Fishes in trees]

I put a step on my trailer to make it easier to get into  & out of my boat.  I also clamped a 5' piece of 2" pcv pipe next to the step to give me something to grab on to and push off of when I'm getting into and out of my boat.