Small Upgrades, Big Difference: Get More from Your Boat This Season
As we are nearing the end of the year, it is a good time to talk about our boats and the maintenance that comes with them. Every boat owner knows the old saying, “ You know what B.O.A.T. stands for? Break Out Another Thousand!”. This hurtful saying is unfortunately true for many of us, but routine maintenance and investing in major improvements can cut out a lot of headaches. When I am not fishing tournaments, I work as the Sales Manager of Stateline Marine in East Alabama. I am fortunate enough to be on the front lines of technology trends and am able to see firsthand what works and what is a waste of time/money. I would love to get every angler in a new Phoenix each year, but I understand that most of us need to make the most of the boats we have. Today I want to talk about a few things to work on over the offseason.
Start with the heart of every modern bass boat: the electrical system. Weak power delivery is one of the most common (and overlooked) issues in aging rigs. If your trolling motor feels underpowered or your electronics occasionally flicker, your wiring and connectors may be the culprits. Before investing in expensive lithium batteries, try refreshing your wiring harness with heavier-gauge cable, replacing corroded terminals, and installing a quality onboard charger. Many older boats were built well at the time, but modern electronics are bigger, heavier, and more voltage finicky than the boats were designed for. If you are running multiple 12-16” screens with live sonar, you will age your batteries a lot quicker than you would think. Upgrading to a good-quality AGM battery or, preferably, a lithium battery will allow your electronics to function at their highest capacity.
Your engine deserves the same level of attention. Regular maintenance can extend its life dramatically and save you from costly breakdowns on tournament day. Changing lower unit oil, inspecting spark plugs, replacing fuel filters, and keeping a clean prop hub are simple but crucial steps. Even an annual impeller replacement can prevent overheating and catastrophic damage. Keeping your outboard clean and serviced doesn’t just protect your investment; it ensures you get every ounce of performance when it counts.
Lastly, tackle organization is an often-overlooked upgrade that can pay huge dividends. A cluttered deck wastes time and costs fish. Installing tackle drawer systems or crate dividers, labeling waterproof boxes, and adding magnetic tool holders near the console can streamline your workflow and make every trip feel more intentional. When everything has its place, you spend more time fishing and less time searching. This is the best time of year to unload your boat, go through the piles of baits in your garage, and take inventory. We carry a lot of unnecessary things in our boats and often so much so that we forget some of the necessities. We can get carried away during peak season and let disorganization hold us back.
Although maintenance and organization may be painfully boring, it ultimately helps maximize our time on the water when it counts. Next time you get some downtime, go to your boat and see what needs attention. Tighten loose screws, grease your fittings, and get your boat back in tip-top shape!