Traveling with a bass boat

[Roden.drew99]

Hello, 

I recently bought my first bass boat and I am new to the world of fishing off a bass boat. I have always just had a kayak so the places i could fish were limited. Now that I have a boat I want to make a trip to Lake Okeechobee. Im planning on making it about a 4 day trip and staying at a near by hotel. The only thing im worried about is leaving my boat at the hotel over night where i would be in my room and not able to watch the boat. Even if i did have a 1st floor room with a window next to the boat that wont help any when i am sleeping. Do you guys have any advice? I can of course lock my storage but im worried about my fish finders, trolling motors, or even someone just trying to vandalize the boat. 

 

Thanks

[68camaro]

I don't own a boat, but I hired guide two years ago to fish northern end of Lake Okeechobie. That morning guide was late because motor and electronics stolen off boat in "secure" stogarage area. He showed up in friends boat.

 

Moral of story.....you're good to be cautious.

 

 

[ohboyitsrobby]

If your fish finders are newer you should be able to remove them pretty quickly and keep them inside with you. You can also take all your gear inside. Kind of a pain but better than donating it to some p.o.s. There's still the potential of vandalism but I'm fairly sure that's possible anyway you go about it. 

[Dwight Hottle]

Somebody mentioned in a previous thread that a baby monitor left in the boat works well as a security device to alert you if someone is messing with your boat. I would definately take my electronics into the room with me. We have taken rods & reels in too.  

[Gundog]

My opinion is to try to find a motel/hotel that has good security. Not many places to stay have fenced in parking lots but security cameras and security guards will deter criminal activity. Also ask around this forum for places to stay that have good security. Places others have felt safe parking their boats at. 

[WRB]

I believe Glenn has a video on this topic and you can search for similar thread.

Keeping the batteries charged at hotels when get where your going and security is always an issue. There is a list of things to prepare your rig for long distance towing, search the site for prior threads. Lock everything including the trailer to the vehicle, all storage areas including battery as if someone wants to steal whatever they can get into quickly, unfortunitly it's a fact of traveling these days. Take out the drain plug and have a spare plug. I don't cover my boat when towing because loose fitting cover material can flap and wear the gel coat on glass boats, aluminum it doesn't matter.

Tom

[Jig Man]

One option would be to look for a storage unit close to the hotel that has inside storage large enough for your boat and electricity to charge your batteries.  I have done that and been about to rent for about $10 per night.  

[moguy1973]

50 minutes ago, WRB said:

I believe Glenn has a video on this topic and you can search for similar thread.

Keeping the batteries charged at hotels when get where your going and security is always an issue. There is a list of things to prepare your rig for long distance towing, search the site for prior threads. Lock everything including the trailer to the vehicle, all storage areas including battery as if someone wants to steal whatever they can get into quickly, unfortunitly it's a fact of traveling these days. Take out the drain plug and have a spare plug. I don't cover my boat when towing because loose fitting cover material can flap and wear the gel coat on glass boats, aluminum it doesn't matter.

Tom

Here is the YouTube video for that. 

 

 

[Roden.drew99]

23 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

Here is the YouTube video for that. 

 

 

Thank you! Very helpful

39 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

One option would be to look for a storage unit close to the hotel that has inside storage large enough for your boat and electricity to charge your batteries.  I have done that and been about to rent for about $10 per night.  

This is a great idea never thought about that. Thank you

[DINK WHISPERER]

I simply remove everything that I can and rely on insurance for the rest. I have tamper proof nuts on my motor, trolling motor, batteries and power poles. All my gear and electronics come inside with me. Nothing else to really worry about. Thankfully, I've never had an issue. 

[Sam]

5 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

Somebody mentioned in a previous thread that a baby monitor left in the boat works well as a security device to alert you if someone is messing with your boat. I would definately take my electronics into the room with me. We have taken rods & reels in too.  

Ed Zachery. You need a good baby monitor with an intercom system.

 

And what Dwight penned above, too.

 

You need to discuss the need for a prop lock. Props are easy to steal and they bring a nice payday to the perks.

 

Consider a Master bicycle lock when attaching the trailer to your hitch. Keep extra key in a safe place.

 

If possible, carry your boat cover with you. Major problem is that it is bulky and takes up a lot of storage space inside of your truck or SUV when you lock it up.

 

While at your destination, use motels that allow you to plug in your battery recharging device. These motels cater to the bass fishing industry and many have night watchmen to guard your boat. And you can keep the trailer locked to your truck when parked overnight.

 

Have a safe trip and tell us all about it when you get home.

[gim]

Sometimes there's just not a lot you can do at a public setting like a hotel parking lot.  Parking in more secure area (lights, more traffic, close to your room) helps as does removing your electronics and gear.  Simply putting the cover on the boat deters a lot of people.  Parking your boat at a public location has risk, regardless.

[Oregon Native]

The only thing I could add ....(lot's of good info above) is maybe think twice about the cover.  When I used to travel and fish a lot out west....lower life forms would travel in twos.  One would walk by boat with cover with a sharp blade.  The second guy would go under the cover through the slit.  Now he could take his time as he couldn't be seen!!  Anyway...may your trip be blessed.  When I travel...if it's loose...it goes in the room.  

[TOXIC]

I travel every year (been doing it for 20 years) to Wisconsin from Virginia.  It requires a 1 night stay in a Hotel on the way up and on the way back.  Call me lucky but in the 20 years I have never had anything stolen out of the boat and I have had to stay at some places that made me very uncomfortable due to where I had to park the truck/boat.  First, don't stay in a cheap shady hotel.  2nd, get a Lok-R-Bar.  My electronics are removed and locked in the bed of the truck (hard cover and alarmed).  All of my baits and reds/reels go in the front compartments covered by the  Lok-R-Bar which has an alarmed padlock.  The rest of my compartments are left unlocked.  I don't want a thief to break into a compartment that has nothing in it anyway.  I do lock my battery compartment.  I lived in Florida for a few years and there's a special kinda thief there.  Since there are so many fishermen who travel there, they are very proficient at stealing and believe me, they know what is valuable.  I had a dock/lift on the St Johns and for a while there was some serious prop stealing going on from boats on lifts on the river.  Finally caught the guy and it was a local tournament fisherman and guide.  

 

My best advice is to pony up the cash and stay at Roland Martins marina.  Totally safe and geared to fishermen.  

[fishballer06]

Always remove electronics and rods/reels from the boat. Leaving minimal tackle in the boat is a good idea too. 

 

Talk to the hotel you're staying at prior to booking. Ask if they have parking for trucks/boats and if they have an area you can plug your boat in so you can charge your batteries.

[frogflogger]

On 11/20/2017 at 6:36 AM, TOXIC said:

I travel every year (been doing it for 20 years) to Wisconsin from Virginia.  It requires a 1 night stay in a Hotel on the way up and on the way back.  Call me lucky but in the 20 years I have never had anything stolen out of the boat and I have had to stay at some places that made me very uncomfortable due to where I had to park the truck/boat.  First, don't stay in a cheap shady hotel.  2nd, get a Lok-R-Bar.  My electronics are removed and locked in the bed of the truck (hard cover and alarmed).  All of my baits and reds/reels go in the front compartments covered by the  Lok-R-Bar which has an alarmed padlock.  The rest of my compartments are left unlocked.  I don't want a thief to break into a compartment that has nothing in it anyway.  I do lock my battery compartment.  I lived in Florida for a few years and there's a special kinda thief there.  Since there are so many fishermen who travel there, they are very proficient at stealing and believe me, they know what is valuable.  I had a dock/lift on the St Johns and for a while there was some serious prop stealing going on from boats on lifts on the river.  Finally caught the guy and it was a local tournament fisherman and guide.  

 

My best advice is to pony up the cash and stay at Roland Martins marina.  Totally safe and geared to fishermen.  

Travel every year - stay at motels with camera security - and we ALWAYS stay at Roland Martins never had any issue..