What on your boat makes your life easier?

[SRQAlex]

I am rebuilding my 1980 bass tracker from the bottom up. What are the things on your boat that aren’t obvious but make your life easier? It can be anything big or small. 

[InfantryMP]

Padded carpet, cup holders, and tool holders built in to the bow. Also, recessed trolling motor pedal. 

[A-Jay]

I have a few 'modifications' that I've made that have helped improve my rig.

Some are sort of specific to my boat I guess.

However, something that is not but has been a huge help,

is I replaced my carpeted Trailer bunks with composite units. 

https://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/

Boat is Super Easy both on & off the trailer.

Sort of a big deal as I am fishing solo most all the time. 

https://youtu.be/h3kMaYvtQOE

A-Jay

 

[GaryH]

Best trolling motor and batteries and onboard charger.

[Born 2 fish]

Power poles and/or spot lock. 

[Bird]

Something I did that helped the ole posture, went to lithium batteries for trolling motor and fish finder......cheaper in the long run do to longevity. 

[mrpao]

What size bass tracker?

I ask that because if its a smaller boat then the deck size would be my main issue. I know some of the older boats didn't have the biggest decks. 

Not sure how feasible it would be to make the deck bigger if needed.

[gim]

NO carpet!  The polymer-vinyl surface that requires no maintenance, isn't warm in the sun, isn't slippery when wet, and never wears out or needs replacing is the way to go.

 

As @InfantryMP stated, the dedicated tool slots/holders are pretty nice.  The pliers, scissors, and jaw spreaders are always there when I need them.

 

 

[Trox]

This is a super small thing that makes a HUGE difference imo... AC Plug Holder...

 

 

[VolFan]

Repetitive but:

tool magnet 

lithium battery and spot lock

cup holders

Ultimate bunks

[jbsoonerfan]

Trailer mounted bow ladder

[K1500]

Trolling motor with spot lock/anchor mode. 

[InfantryMP]

Another non obvious one is the latching mechanisms for your compartments. If you are building from scratch, they have self latching latches. Meaning you do not have to twist etc to unlock or lock...I would like those on my brand new boat if I could do it over again.

[MN Fisher]

2 hours ago, TroxBox said:

This is a super small thing that makes a HUGE difference imo... AC Plug Holder...

I'm putting similar in the F-9 - my NOCO on-board charger will plug into this

 

Other things I'm putting in - combined circuit breaker/disconnect for the batteries and USB ports fore and aft

[TnRiver46]

What makes life easier? Less stuff 

[Vilas15]

Trailer mounted boat buckles

[Jig Man]

My Ulterra trolling motor is the best thing on the boat for me  With Ipilot link it has more features than I will ever use.  I can control it from  anywhere in the boat using 6 different devices and the self stow and deploy are what is keeping me being able to continue fishing.

[GreenPig]

Under deck lighting and a red interior light or two for rigging if you play in the dark.

[MickD]

My boat came with non-folding/receding cleats that had the potential of breaking rods if one got under the end of one of them.  I also tore a couple shirts on them when working on the boat while it was on the trailer.  Tearing my arm open was the last straw and I replaced the open cleats with a set of folding ones.  Many problems solved.

 

Folding cleats, unlike receding or dropping cleats, can be installed on any surface and they work just fine.

[Junk Fisherman]

11 hours ago, gimruis said:

NO carpet!  The polymer-vinyl surface that requires no maintenance, isn't warm in the sun, isn't slippery when wet, and never wears out or needs replacing is the way to go.

 

 

 

 

 

How soft is that flooring?

[gim]

42 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

 

How soft is that flooring?

 

I'll be perfectly honest with you.  I have always been a marine carpet guy with boats until I bought this boat in 2015.  We had carpet in our fishing boats growing up.  The carpet stained, ripped, and wore out eventually.  Marine carpet was simply the standard for most boats at the time.

 

I think that trend is changing.  The boat I bought had this hard surface from the Ranger factory.  Normally you pay extra for it.  I really did not want it at the time, but the salesman talked me into it.  It is so much easier to clean and maintain.

 

As for how soft it is, well its not like concrete but its not a "soft" surface either.  I would call it similar to the rust-oleom epoxy shield flake stuff you can put on your garage or basement floor.  Carpet is obviously softer, if that its what you're getting after.

[tander]

16 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I have a few 'modifications' that I've made that have helped improve my rig.

Some are sort of specific to my boat I guess.

However, something that is not but has been a huge help,

is I replaced my carpeted Trailer bunks with composite units. 

https://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/

Boat is Super Easy both on & off the trailer.

Sort of a big deal as I am fishing solo most all the time. 

https://youtu.be/h3kMaYvtQOE

A-Jay

 

I am thinking of getting the Ultimate Bunks. I know you got the reinforced ones, have you had any issue of sagging in the middle. Like yours, my trailer supports are 8-9 feet apart.

[Junk Fisherman]

47 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

I'll be perfectly honest with you.  I have always been a marine carpet guy with boats until I bought this boat in 2015.  We had carpet in our fishing boats growing up.  The carpet stained, ripped, and wore out eventually.  Marine carpet was simply the standard for most boats at the time.

 

I think that trend is changing.  The boat I bought had this hard surface from the Ranger factory.  Normally you pay extra for it.  I really did not want it at the time, but the salesman talked me into it.  It is so much easier to clean and maintain.

 

As for how soft it is, well its not like concrete but its not a "soft" surface either.  I would call it similar to the rust-oleom epoxy shield flake stuff you can put on your garage or basement floor.  Carpet is obviously softer, if that its what you're getting after.

 

Thanks for the reply.  It would seem like a soft mat flooring could be used like wrestling mats to provide the best of both worlds.  While the ease of cleaning is definitely an advantage with the surface you have, comfort for me legs is more important.  LOL- just wait 10 years or so and you'll know what I mean.   

[A-Jay]

28 minutes ago, tander said:

I am thinking of getting the Ultimate Bunks. I know you got the reinforced ones, have you had any issue of sagging in the middle. Like yours, my trailer supports are 8-9 feet apart.

None.

I am certain that the distance between the trailer bunk support mounts on the trailer plays a huge role right there.

If you're trailer is supporting your rigs weight effectively now,

there's no reason to believe that will be different with the bunk change. 

Mine did not. 

All Good.

Helpful tip - I 'wipe off' the bunks before I load the boat on the trailer every time.

Always surprised how much grit & grime collect on them just sitting in the parking lot. 

Happens with carpeted bunks as well.

Difference is all that mess 'hides' in the carpet fibers.

You'll find out if & when you change them out.

It's really quite extensive.

A-Jay

[king fisher]