Aluminum Boat Add-ons

[elway1983]

What manufacture add-ons should I add to a new aluminum boat? Give 3 in the order of importance and most used. Thanks  

[MN Fisher]

SI sonar with maps - 9" or bigger for bow, 7" for console

Foot-controlled Trolling Motor with spot-lock

Anchoring system (MinnKota Talon or Blade)

[Junk Fisherman]

1) Trolling motor w/spot lock.

2) 7”+ helm sonar with GPS

3) 7”+ forward facing sonar on the bow

4) shallow water anchor

 

[Scott F]

What add-ons should you get are totally dependent on what you are going to use the boat for, the type of fishing you do and your budget. 

[elway1983]

Bass fishing

[Fishes in trees]

I bought my Lowe WF 180 new in 2002.  I should have made them find a way to mount a 36 volt trolling motor - and made them find a place for the extra battery.   There just isn't any substitute for electric power.  If you're buying new, spend the money and get all the trolling motor that is available.

Next - had Power Poles or Talons been available in 2002 - I would have spent the money to get them.   If you have a choice - go 4 stroke instead of 2 stroke and get as close to max horse power as the boat is rated for.

 

Next - there isn't any substitute for boat storage.   Storage in my Lowe kinda sucks, but I didn't know any better at the time.   If I would have had the choice, I'd like to think that I would have bought the more easily cleanable vinyl flooring rather than carpet - but carpet is a little quieter.

 

I wish trailer brakes would have been an option when I bought my boat.  Ultimately, in 2002 the final choice in my boat came down to which dealer was closer and which dealer I thought would work with me better, and I think I made the correct choice there.

 

[InfantryMP]

43 minutes ago, elway1983 said:

What manufacture add-ons should I add to a new aluminum boat? Give 3 in the order of importance and most used. Thanks  

A bit more specs on the boat may be a better start. For example length. This will help determine if a 24v or 36v trolling motor would be needed. 

 

Additionally what do you have on it now? Do you need a 9" graph if you have 7s already that are good?

[elway1983]

I will be a new boater. So I figured I would ask experience boat fisherman where they made mistakes on options or what they would have done differently. Haven't purchased a boat yet.

[jbmaine]

Boarding ladder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elway1983]

For a Bass Boat

[Catt]

Extended front deck

Enclosed back deck 

Aluminum welded in floor

 

[gim]

32 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

1) Trolling motor w/spot lock.

2) 7”+ helm sonar with GPS

3) 7”+ forward facing sonar on the bow

4) shallow water anchor

 

 

Technically that is 4 items and the OP asked for 3, but I would have listed it similarly anyways.  Number 1 item kind of reduces the need for number 4 anyways.

[InfantryMP]

44 minutes ago, elway1983 said:

I will be a new boater. So I figured I would ask experience boat fisherman where they made mistakes on options or what they would have done differently. Haven't purchased a boat yet.

 

Buy right, buy once is my opinion on things.

 

1. Trolling motor with spot lock / anchor is a game changer

2. Good batteries and onboard charging system

3. If you want a graph, get one that has Side Imaging, Down Imaging and 2D. 

24 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Technically that is 4 items and the OP asked for 3, but I would have listed it similarly anyways.  Number 1 item kind of reduces the need for number 4 anyways.

You would be surprised how having spot lock does not always reduce the need for shallow water anchors. 

 

Spot lock is phenomenal dont get me wrong, but it does not always fair well in shallow water as it can kick up the bottom easily. That is where the poles or talons come in. I love fishing shallow but you can muck up an area real quick with the TM if you are not careful.

[gim]

10 minutes ago, InfantryMP said:

Spot lock is phenomenal dont get me wrong, but it does not always fair well in shallow water as it can kick up the bottom easily. That is where the poles or talons come in. I love fishing shallow but you can muck up an area real quick with the TM if you are not careful.

 

Oh I definitely agree with that.

[Junk Fisherman]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

Technically that is 4 items and the OP asked for 3, but I would have listed it similarly anyways.  Number 1 item kind of reduces the need for number 4 anyways.

lol- The OP can figure it out.  

[Munkin]

According to a lot of co-anglers I have had in the boat a dual console with coffee cup holder is a must.

 

Allen

[NoShoes]

1)trolling motor - baddest you can afford/fit

2) big front deck

3) fish finder 

 

[NHBull]

I am sure you see the theme here, but most assume you have a good casting platform.

If you don't that's a must.

Assuming you have it covered

1. graph at console 

2. TM/SL

3. I would add bow electronics before shallow water anchor if you have SL

4. talon 

*****Drotto clamp for the trailer

[elway1983]

What about transom riser?

 

[gunsinger]

I bought my Lowe Stinger 175c a year ago Memorial Day as a first time boater.  What I would have done differently is insisted on a minimum of 24v 70lb thrust TM, ideally with spot lock. 

 

The boat came with a Lowrance Hook2 4" in the console ... which for what I fish was fine but totally useless at the front of the boat.  So, I would look at some quality electronics at the bow, the best you can afford.  Livescope is the bomb....I wish i had it.  But, at a minimum, get a 7" or 9" graph with DI and sonar up front.

 

I replaced the aft rachet straps with boat buckles.  Talk about a major difference in the load and unload.

[GaryH]

1 - Best trolling motor you can afford with Spot lock. My choice Ultrex

2 - 9” or larger bow mounted graph with DI matched with your trolling motor for communication 

3 - depending on the type of water you fish. Shallow water anchors if you fish under 8’ a lot. If you fish deep then skip the power poles / talons.

Good luck on your choice and make sure you post pics. ?

[InfantryMP]

6 hours ago, elway1983 said:

What about transom riser?

 

Do you mean a jack plate?