Do you have any tips or tricks for making ownership of a larger (trailered) boat more convenient? My boat isn’t exactly huge, but it seems like taking even a simple trip is a relatively large ordeal. I’m trying to decide if I want to keep the boat or downsize, and I feel like there are probably several things that I’m not thinking of that could make this boat a little more manageable.
First off, the boat is very tall. Loading and unloading coolers and gear, fueling up at gas stations, and washing the boat are all pretty time consuming. I know there isn’t much I can do (maybe have some nice stairs at the house?) to fix this, but it makes taking the boat out a little more of a hassle.
Also, having twin engines is a bit of a pain. Does anyone rinse their twin engines at the same time? I was thinking of making a hose with a T that ran to two sets of muffs. Should I be concerned about adequate water flow for both engines at idle?
Just rinsing the boat after taking it out takes me close to an hour. I guess that having a pressure washer set up would cut that time down, and maybe I could do the “T” thing with the hoses to run both engines at once…
Anyway, what are some other things that you guys with bigger boats do? I find myself not even wanting to take my boat out to fish inshore unless I have at least one or two other people with me. If I want to take a sunset cruise with my fiancee, I feel like I have to plan way in advance because I have to dedicate at least 30 min to get the boat ready and another hour and a half to get it out of the water and rinsed down.
Is this just the nature of owning a slightly larger boat, or can I do things to make ownership more enjoyable? I’m starting to lean towards selling it and buying a bay boat (then catching rides offshore), but every time I get out in some snotty conditions this boat puts a huge smile on my face.
Thanks!
Bryson
2000 Sportcraft Sport Cat 255
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160
30 min to get ready and 90 min to clean up wont change with a bay boat.
Neighbor has stairs to his boat and it is a good idea - remember when you build them that you are going for 500lbs (grown man or two + ice chest)
Only thing faster maintenance-wise in my opinion is going to be either a beater 15ft or a jon boat, both of which you will sacrifice other things for (like smiling in chop)
Welcome to the club. You just have to love it. Cleaning that baby is just like waxing a cherry 55 Chevy, labor of love. Since you mention a bride to be, I assume you are not past middle age. On the other hand, I am 63 years old and can deal with mine by myself. Granted, yours is somewhat larger, but mine is big enough to be a pain. Put the coolers in the boat empty and then load them, 5 gallon buckets work great for this. I wouldn’t recommend a pressure washer, just work top to bottom, forward to aft.
The secret is to have an old, ugly boat. My old 35 year old 21 ft. converted workboat ain’t pretty. So, during the “hot season” she rarely gets a proper wash job. I just put all gear than can’t get wet in the bow locker or truck, put the rods in rod holders, and soap her and trailer down by squirting dawn dishwashing liquid into the hose spray stream, then rinse = 15 min. Then, flush the motor, throw the rods in the back of the truck, and back her in the shed. This gets the stink and most of the dirt out. If I had a new boat, I’d work myself to death keeping her “perfect”.
It is a labor of love for sure. I feel like I’m always cleaning my boat. It’s just part of the deal.
If you don’t go offshore that much then you might want to downsize. Sure don’t need twins for inshore fishing and booze cruises.
Being superstitious is bad luck.
Time and tide wait for no man.
Thanks for all the advice, guys! I should have mentioned that the reason I got the boat in the first place was for offshore fishing. When I go offshore, I don’t mind the prep or the cleanup. I usually dedicate a full day (and the afternoon/evening before) to it.
Realistically, though, I can’t justify having a boat that I only use to go offshore. I am hoping that I might get a few pointers on how to enjoy my bigger boat in situations that would honestly be more ideal for a bay boat.
I think that building stairs and having a dedicated “boat hose reel” and stuff at the ready will go a long way to reducing the effort required to take the boat out. I also think that having a shed would make a big difference, or maybe having a nice, custom made cover that wasn’t a tremendous pain to take on and off.
2000 Sportcraft Sport Cat 255
Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160
As far as flushing both motors at the same time, you will need to find out, from someone more knowledgable than me, how much flow you need coming to the motors. Then you can check how much flow your flushing hose has. A 1" hose will generally allow for more flow than a 3/4".
I would highly recommend dry stack storage. I used mine twice as much knowing it would be ready when I got there and someone else was going to do the clean up. It’s easy to call on you way home from work to meet friends or your soon to be wife and take the boat to dinner or just around the harbor. After you are done just drop it off.
X2 on the dry stack, especially with larger boats. Takes care of shed, cover, stairs, cleaning, flushing, AND maintenance is a breeze, with ready access.
Plus, I just leave a list of things to check during the week for the mechanic at his time, works great.
The secret to owning a large boat is have some small ones also! My wife is not happy but I own a 28’ Bertram sporty a 23’ CC a 20’striper Glasmaster a 17’ whaler and a 16’ carolina skiff plus a john boat and a kayak! All are over 30 years old but have good running motors. I am now retired and spend more time fixing than fishing. If I had it to do over again I would have a 23’ bay boat and charter every thing else!!!
I battle with tarps and crap but it is just a menace. I spends lots of time cleaning and waxing and prepping only to leave my boat uncovered for the weather, dirt, leaves and crap to mess it all up again. I’m finally getting off my a$$ to get a good custom fit cover. They are expensive but so is my time. I have 2 boats and it seems that when I use one the other gets neglected. Just the way it goes. I’ve accepted it. A custom cover for my CC will save many hours of cleaning.
Being superstitious is bad luck.
Time and tide wait for no man.
Boat trailer steps are the way to go…myself and a couple of buddies got these and they are safe and super…he custom makes each set for the boat height. Had mine for about 4 years now and they still look new. The one time I fell out of the boat at the ramp made up my mind…although a little pricey but in my opinion well worth it… http://www.onemaneasyloader.com/copy_of_steps.html
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Key West Sportsman 1720
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200 “Kemosabe”
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Also x2 on what boatpoor said. I am also retired and been through ‘the grind’ of large boat ownership. My cousin, whose husband sold boat insurance in the old days, told me quote " you can charter the rest of your life for the cost of ONE boat, AND catch more fish, have FAR more fun, and no cleaning boat or fish.
Best advice I could give ANY young ‘whipper-snapper’ with the large boat ownership fever. Get over it, and call the captains on this site…