Ima Bass Ninja Posted March 24, 2011 Posted March 24, 2011 Is it just me or does it seems like it takes forever to get the boat ready for a day on the water? Every time i go out i spend at least 2 hrs getting stuff ready to go, kicking tires, cleaning up etc,etc and that deosn't include the 8 hrs to charge batteries..Just wondering how long y'all spend getting the boat ready to go out? Quote
Super User Fishing Rhino Posted March 25, 2011 Super User Posted March 25, 2011 What are you doing to get the boat ready that takes two hours? Other than charging the batteries, my boat is ready to go when it is backed into its spot in the garage. I check the trailer lights when I hook it up again. Turn on the four ways and the running lights. Get out and take a look. Takes all of a couple of minutes. The boat is one of the few things that I keep well organized. Before I get back to the ramp after fishing, all the gear is stowed in its place and buttoned up, ready for the next excursion. When the boat is backed in, I open the back hatch, and plug in the chargers, one for the trolling motor, and the other for the starting/electronics battery. I always feel the hubs when I arrive at the ramp, and again when I return to make sure they aren't running hot. At least once a month I'll pull the cap and check the wheel bearings. Plenty of grease, no water, put the cap back. When I do that, I also check the air pressure in the tires. I run them at 50 psi. I'll also check the wiring where it passes through the frame for chaffing. If I want to change line or whatever regarding the rods and reels, I'll do it at the first chance. Same with replacing any gear. I also wipe down the boat with a damp towel just before loading it at the ramp. If blood gets on the boat, I'll clean it as soon as I get done taking care of the fish. When I get up in the wee hours, I want to get on the road as quickly as possible. On average from the time I walk out the door of our home, 'til I hit the road takes an average of 15 minutes. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted March 25, 2011 Super User Posted March 25, 2011 Not long at all. I take time putting the boat away after an outing. I fuel it up, fill up the oil, clean out the garbage, unload the tackle(boat stays in a storage yard), and charge the batteries. When it's time to go out all I have to do is take off the cover, put in my gear, plug in the electronics, and check the trailer lights. Quote
bass or bass ? Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 Not long at all. I take time putting the boat away after an outing. I fuel it up, fill up the oil, clean out the garbage, unload the tackle(boat stays in a storage yard), and charge the batteries. When it's time to go out all I have to do is take off the cover, put in my gear, plug in the electronics, and check the trailer lights. X2 Quote
Sfritr Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 X3 Dont forget to wipe it down and check for loose items that may blow out during the trip home. (i.e. life jackets, wallet, phone, towels, etc.) Yep, lost em all at one point or another Quote
Ima Bass Ninja Posted March 25, 2011 Author Posted March 25, 2011 Sounds like most take care of stuff after the trip instead of before(like fueling etc). When i go to get ready i do all the normal checks(tires, lights, etc) that take about 15 min. Then i'll clean off any leftover line or debris from the decks and cockpit area thats about another 15 min. Next is loading the batteries (i have to remove them in order to charge them) and strapping them in place another 15 min. On to the gear, getting lures on i want to use to start the day probably 30 min. Then if its summer time and the wife goes i load the cooler, towels , etc, 15 more min. Last stop off for gas( don't like to leave gas sitting in the tank, not sure why maybe just a quirk or years of unclogging lawnmower carburetors cause people left untreated gas sitting in them over the winter,and yes i always treat the gas with sea foam or marine sta-bil) so there's another 15 min.All totaled about 2 hrs give or take a few min. Maybe i need to refine my "routine" ;D ;D ;D ;D Quote
hootersdoug Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 X4. Do all of that other stuff when you wrap up your day of fishing. Grab a cold one, wipe down the rig with a quick spray wax, clean out the livewell of any chunks that have been spit up, empty the cooler and park the boat ready to hook up, check the lights and go fishing. Why do you have to take the batteries out of the boat?? Quote
NBR Posted March 25, 2011 Posted March 25, 2011 Before I leave the lake my boat is ready for the next trip wexcepr for fuel. If fuel is needed I stop on the way home. As soon as I back the boat into it's garage spot I plug in my on board and take my small cooler in for a refill if I'm going the ner morning or a cleaning if I'm no. Quote
atrocity123 Posted March 26, 2011 Posted March 26, 2011 Have the wife do it, problem solved. ;D Quote
scrutch Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 I do almost everything after an outing, including wiping the boat down. (It's MUCH easier to get all the gunk off when it's wet, than waiting till it dries.) Back it in the garage, clean off trash, put all the lures away that got thrown on the bottom of the boat, plug in the charger and sit out there tinkering until my wife comes out and barks at me to come in the house. It usually takes me 20 minutes if I hurry, 2 hours if my wife's angry at me. ;D I like to get all the tackle ready in the garage on an evening before on outing. That's usually when I know the where and how for the next trip. Quote
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