A Boat Rigged Right Is A Joy Forever

Taking care of old line, bits of plastic baits, cans and food wrappers, and other items that accumulate rapidly in the boat is another task. In-Fisherman Co-founder Ron Lindner, a master of the custom-rigging trade, keeps a small plastic trash can mounted around his front pedestal seat. For those preferring the out-of-sight, out-of-mind concept, Coverlay offer a plastic 24-inch Trash Tube that keeps junk compacted in a storage compartment.

Damage Control

As bits of flotsam in a raging sea, boats are subject to severe damage when seas get rough or when docking situations are poor, or when you try to drive over extreme shallows. As long as bassers pursue their quarry to the ends of the water, they’ll continue to get into trouble, usually making their boat pay for their mistakes. To protect the keel when you must beach the boat, try Hamby’s Protector Beaching Bumpers, an 8-inch urethane strip epoxied onto the hull and that covers the keel for about 6 feet. Less expensive but long-lasting models are available from Keel Shield and MegaWave.

To prevent prop damage in rocky rivers, Mac’s Prop Savers offers a ring-style guard and also a plate device that guards the prop and skeg. These additions usually reduce boat performance. The Skeggard, however, is a stainless steel skeg protector that doesn’t affect performance.

If you’re prone to forgetting the drain plug, the Drain Plug Alarm from B-4-PLAY Boat Safety Innovations is designed to jar your memory. I know more than one angler who could use this item, though they’ll all deny it. Marine Priority Start is another electronic check that monitors battery drain and shuts off auxiliary power if your main power source is approaching discharge, to avoid losing cranking ability.

Water Safety

Features that make your boat run better also can be considered safety features. But other add-ons provide purely an extra dose of the boater’s motto, “Be Prepared.” By the way, for a book that brings boating safety to life, check Heavy Weather Boating Emergencies by Chuck and Jean Luttrell, published by Marlor Press. Chuck Luttrell is a search and rescue specialist and certified instructor in motorboat operation with over 14 years of experience as a boat patrol ranger in Kentucky, Texas, and Lake Mead, Nevada. His tales are harrowing but instructive.

GPS units are nifty and the infamous Selective Availability rarely foils navigation enough to matter. But if you suffer power failure, the satellites do you no good, and it’s back to the good old compass. Make sure you have a unit mounted securely. Ritchie and Johnson Worldwide Associates offer many models.

Again, a foot throttle is a safety item that works almost like a kill switch. If an older boat lacks a kill switch, install an after-market model like T-H Marine’s Saf-T-Stop with lanyard, which mounts in a 11⁄2-inch-diameter hole.

Boat preparation involves stocking a first-aid kit. Signaling devices such as flares and mirrors also can be important on large waters. Orion and Skyblazer offer a broad line of flares and other survival equipment, including first-aid kits, lights, fire-starting aids, signals, and thermal blankets. Aero Company offers a variety of first-aid kits. And if you’re stranded, a water purifier like PUR’s Scout ensures potable water.

Particularly on big waters like the Great Lakes, a VHF radio helps keep you in touch with potential rescuers. Contact Raytheon for a large selection of models. Cell phones also work for this purpose, and 12-volt plug-ins allow them to run off the boat’s electrical system.

CB radios, like models from Cobra have fans, too. Increasingly popular are walkie-talkie units that allow communication over a mile or more, enough power on smaller waters when two or more parties want to keep in touch. Motorola and Cobra offer several models for recreational use. For closer-range communication, don’t forget a whistle and air horn.

Dual bilge pumps provide a margin of safety. Consider installing high-capacity units in larger bass boats. They don’t draw any extra power when not in use and can prevent swamping in high seas. Attwood and Rule offer a large line of pumps and accessories. some anglers like automatic bilge pumps, particularly if the boat may be left in the water uncovered.

In case of electrical failure, though, carry a bailing can. Beckson Marine offers the Thirsty Mate, a hand bilge that pumps over 13 gallons per minute. And find room for a tool box with wrenches, screw drivers, extra nuts and bolts, fuses, shear pins, and other sometimes essential items.

A fire extinguisher is mandatory on midsize and larger boats, and should be mounted on all motorized craft. Ensure that it’s in working condition. Fiberglass and gasoline make a mighty flammable package. A random spark from an electrical connection can create quick disaster.