Departments | Sportsman’s Corner
Rick Clunn, like all professional anglers, understands that boat maintenance is the first step in fishing success. Photo courtesy Bass Pro Shops.
Get Ship-Shape
A hazy morning mist hung above the water as dozens of brightly clad, professional bass fishermen idled their engines in preparation for launch.
In minutes, rooster tails would shower the placid lake as anglers raced for their favorite destination. Cameras in hand, I stepped into the media boat, anxious to catch the action, but quickly got stonewalled. “%@&#!!!,” said the captain. “This boat has been in storage all winter and there’s no reason it shouldn’t start.” The gentleman was kind to volunteer his craft, however, he violated one of the basic rules of boat maintenance.
courtesy Yamaha Motors
“Even sitting idle, things can go wrong,” says Jaysen Baker, general manager of Tracker Boat Center. An avid bass fisherman, Baker sees the full gamut of boat maintenance from both a professional and an active enthusiast’s standpoint. “Many people think if a boat was winterized, they can just dump it in the water and go,” Baker says. “We recommend servicing your boat twice a year—when it’s winterized and a spring checkup, which can be as small or as extensive as you want. Many boaters bring their rig to have us start the engine, make sure everything works, and then go on their way.”
If you are mechanically inclined or a dealer is not close by, Baker gives these six steps to make sure your ride is ready to rumble when it’s time to hit the water:
Joe Byers
Engine—If you have a two-stroke engine, check your carburetor. Any leftover gasoline or oil in the carburetor will gunk up and cause the engine to run rough. Four-stroke carburetors aren’t so touchy, and fuel injected engines, of course, do not have carburetors, so the spark plugs should be your point of focus. Clean, gap or change the plugs as needed. Newer powerplants have computer diagnostics that give a complete read of the engine and its components.
Batteries—Baker recommends removing the battery and storing it in your garage on a block of wood. If you left the unit in the boat, double-check that it was completely disconnected. If not, the battery will require recharging. A battery charger with a maintenance, or trickle, mode is often recommended for maintaining battery charge during long periods of downtime.
Electronics—Baker suggests that head units be stored in a warm, dry area away from the elements, even though most are waterproof. The sensor on the bottom of the boat is usually maintenance-free.
Plumbing—Give your plumbing a thorough examination. Make sure all the livewell connections are secure and that nothing has cracked or frozen.
Trolling Motor—The main failure of a trolling motor is power…or lack thereof. If the battery is charged, the unit will usually be fine.
Trailers—Advances in lubrication technology have greatly changed trailer maintenance, and the age of your rig will determine what is needed. Older models will need to have the wheels removed in order to repack the wheel bearings with a quality bearing grease. Those with the newer “easy lube” bearings can be greased with the wheels on. The newest technology uses an oil-based grease that keeps the bearings constantly lubricated. Trailer miles are a factor. If you travel extensively, you may want to check your wheels more often. Tires and lights need your attention as well. Worn tires are risky business. Imagine your rig doing fishtails at 70 mph on the interstate. Bad news.
Rob Reaser
“Once your boat is mechanically ready for summer, there’s not much else to do,” says Baker in a testimony to today’s advanced watercraft technology. To keep it looking sharp all summer, he recommends wiping down the boat with a chamois each time you leave the water, and keep some sort of sun protectant handy to spray the upholstery. This will help prevent UV damage and color deterioration. Make a habit of doing this as you crawl through no-wake zones to make time go a little faster.
Fall and spring maintenance are critical to boat performance and your peace of mind. “The effort,” Baker says, “will greatly increase boating enjoyment and save a lot of headache and aggravation.”
—Joe Byers