Choosing The Right Boat Trailer Accessories

There are many boat trailer accessories available. These accessories can help make it easier to transport your boat from place to place, as well as help protect your boat better during the trip. While some are optional, there are certain tools and boat trailer accessories that you'll need to accomplish your tasks.

If you want to get your boat to wherever you're going in one piece, there are several boat accessories that you should consider a mandatory part of your boating inventory. This includes such things as ti downs, such as ratcheting hook and latch tie downs.

In order to make sure you boat stays on the trailer, these tie downs are used to stretch behind and across your boat to keep it secure in case any of your other security devices for keeping your boat in place break during the trip. Consider it an essential backup for securing your boat during travel.

Of course, you'll also want a winch that is designed to hoist your boat out of the water and on to your trailer. The next trailer accessory you'll need is a hitch. The hitch secures the trailer to the towing vehicle itself. You'll want a hitch that doesn't have any parts that can easily be detached and stolen. You'll also want to make sure all the part are compatible so that it's easy to secure and unsecure the hitch from the trailer to the towing vehicle.

Don't forget to grab the proper jack in case your trailer gets a flat tire and you have to replace it. You'll also want the necessary tools to keep things in working order, such as your taillights.

Other boat trailer accessories you may want to consider are the proper chains for securing the boat, a tarp to protect the boat during transit, so that it is shielded from flying debris such as rocks kicked up by truck tires, not to mention the weather itself.

To Buy a New or Used Boat?

The majority of boats sold in the U.S. each year are pre-owned boats. In fact, it is estimated that used boat sales dollars are more than 4 times those of new boat sales. The average boat owner that buys a new boat will keep his/her boat for only 3.4 years before selling it. (It's been suggested that boat owners come down with a rare disease called 'foot and foot' disease. When you have that malady, you must buy a boat that is a foot longer or a foot wider to cure the disease and, therefore, it can be an expensive illness to cure!) In any event, there are always many quite good used boats in the market, if you know how to seek them out and to evaluate them.

In selecting a pre-owned boat, it is very helpful if you are familiar with the various boat brands and their respective reputations for quality, length of time in business, and market share. If you know, for example, that boat is manufactured by a tried and proven boat builder who has a reputation for quality, you will have fewer worries than if the manufacturer has only been in existence for a year or two! Naturally, better made boats are going to hold their price somewhat better than lesser known boats. You should also be aware of the various engines, whether inboard/outboard, straight inboard, or outboard as well as their respective drive units. If there is a certain drive or engine that is known for problems, it would probably be good to avoid. If you are the least bit unsure of this, it will pay to do your research or make contact with a knowledgeable friend in the industry.

Of course, there are certain advantages to buying a new boat versus a pre-owned boat. New boats and engines always come with a manufacturer's warranty so that you can be certain of your maintenance and repair costs for some period of time, at least. Financing is generally easier on a new boat and the length of the financing period is usually longer on a new boat. Down payments are smaller or non-existent on many new boats. Of course, having that brand new feel and smell and knowing that you are the only family to use it – also has considerable appeal. That appeal can be expensive, however! Boats depreciate more than 20% in their first year, on average. Many times, if you can find a year old boat in good condition, it may likely be just like a new one and at a much better price. Also, you may find a dealer with prior year models in inventory that can be bought at a discount and still have the new boat warranty, etc. It really pays to shop and to keep your options open.

Your search for a used boat should begin at the dealership of the brand of boat in which you are interested to check out their inventory or new and used boats. From there, it will pay to check out newspaper ads (Sunday editions seem to be more complete), and the local edition of "Boat Trader" magazine as well as their online version called Boattrader Online - BoattrraderOnline.com One nice feature of the online search tool is the ability to specify a brand, year, and/or price category and then narrow the search to boats in you part of the country.

There are lots of considerations in shopping for a pre-owned boat. Mechanically, you need to ensure that the boat has been maintained and not abused. You can evaluate the number of hours on the engine if it has an hourmeter. The average boat is only run about 60 hours per year of service. An engine with more than 350-400 hours can be expected to require some repair expense in the next year or two. It would pay to have the engine looked at by a qualified technician to get a professional opinion on the engine and it may be worthwhile to pay for a compression check and hookup to a diagnostic computer. Most of today's engines employ an Electronic Control Module (ECM) computer which keeps track of many metrics on an engine. For example, by hooking up a diagnostic tool to the ECM, a technician can learn the actual engine hours, RPM's that it has been run at, any electrical, fuel, or mechanical problems that the engine is having. All of this is quite good to know and can usually be had for less and $100. That may be a fee well spent.

It is always a good idea to test drive any boat you are considering before you purchase it, whether it is new or used. All boats tend to look seaworthy when sitting on a trailer or boat rack, and you can only really tell about the adequacy for the engine's power by driving under a load.

You also need to observe the upholstery and canvas for rips, tears, and worn areas. If the boat is more than a couple of years old and has a wooden floor under carpet, be sure to check for soft spots that may indicate rotting. They should resist the probe of an ice pick; if they don't, there likely is a problem. The fiberglass gelcoat surface should be free from 'dock rash'. A few minor scrapes may be acceptable, but if they are deep enough to go through the colored gelcoat, they may require some expensive fiberglass repair. Be sure to inspect the boat thoroughly.

With a little homework, the decision about whether to buy a new or a pre-owned boat will be easier and, in any event, you will be more confident in making your purchase! Have a great voyage!

Boat Parts Wish List

Whether your boat is old or new, it's always fun to make improvements, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to boat parts. Boat parts and accessories can range from a new propeller to a spiffy boat cover and everything in between.

Boat parts can be broken down into categories so that wish list will be easier to create. Many boat owners start from the bottom of their boat and work their way up. For example, many start with anchor and docking needs. Is your anchor big enough, or too big? Do you have adequate rope for your docking needs? Moving right along, the cabin is usually the next part of the boat to be addressed. What kind of condition is it in?

Do you need a new coat of paint or varnish? Perhaps new seats, bunks or carpeting are in order, or perhaps a window treatment or two. Pillows, bedding and curtains add a splash of color to cabin interiors, as do carpeting or hardwood floors. The bathroom in the cabin is also a necessary item, but functional can also be attractive, to those with an eye to color and design.

Many boat owners don't like to leave their boat uncovered for long periods of time, as sunshine and harsher weather can cause damage to your boat upholstery. One of the most popular items on any boat parts wish list is a boat cover that will protect boat finishes and wood against inclement weather while dry-docked or floating in a marine slip.

Boat parts wish lists almost always contain engine parts or electronics. How about that new navigating system that's just become the hottest gadget on the market, or that GPS system that you've been eyeballing for so long? Seats, cushions, even a new steering wheel are boat parts that are always available in local boating parts supply stores. So is safety equipment, an absolute must on any boat, whether it's an aluminum dingy or a sixty-foot yacht.

Life vests, flotation devices and ropes should always be on board when you set out, and within visible and handy reach. Flares are also on the list of necessary boat parts that most captain's have handy, as well as spare engine parts like spark plugs, filters, gaskets, water pumps, alternators and screens. Boat parts can be anything from the starter to the trim and tilt system, and it's the boat owner's responsibility to make sure that all boat parts are maintained in good working order.

Depending on where you take your boat and whether or not it's used for fresh water or sea water recreation or sports, make sure that you have other necessary items that many people wouldn't consider a boat part on board. These items consist of extra clothing, rain gear and foul weather gear, in addition to a good supply of water when away from land more than a few hours. Boat parts such as navigation devices and electronics can make boating trips safer, and always, but always, let someone know where you're going and when you plan to be back.

Inflatable Boats Are The Best To Fish A River

If you fish rivers as I do, aren't you always interested in the most efficient way to do it? I am, and have recently found the most efficient way that I've ever found. My favorite river is in the wilderness and walking along it can be just like walking through the woods. That's probably because that's exactly what is happening. I'm walking through the woods to get to the next good stretch of river. Then I stumbled on the most efficient way that I've ever seen to fish wilderness rivers such as the one I like.

It called an inflatable boat. But not the kind of inflatable boat that you may be thinking of. The kinds I like are basically personal pontoon boats. There are different companies that make them, but personal pontoon boats are basically a seat mounted on top of a couple of inflatable pontoons. They are literally a personal boat! And on rivers that are difficult to walk along because of overgrown brush, these "personal boats" are the way to go.

In the past you may have only been able to cover 2-3 miles of river in a trip, with the aid of an inflatable pontoon boat, you can fish three times that amount of water. You'll be able to access areas of the river that you never thought possible. And you'll be able to fish these areas in a way you never thought possible. On the river I prefer to fish, there are a ton of fallen trees that can block an angler's path, especially in the spring. In a boat such as a canoe, traversing fallen tree's is a major pain in the butt. But with my personal pontoon, I simply carry it over any fallen trees. It can easily be picked up with two hands.

The fact that this boat is inflatable is amazingly convenient as well. It can be pulled out of my vehicle and inflated in a matter of minutes! It enables me to spend much more time actually fishing, whereas I used to spend half of my time walking to my fishing area's, rather fishing. Now I spend that time fishing, the way God intended.

It's also quite relaxing to float down your favorite river without a care in the world. And if you feel like stopping to fish an area, you simply stop, pull the boat onto the bank,. And fish the area. I wear my waders the entire time, just as I would if I were walking along the bank. It's a beautiful thing and not only a great and efficient way to fish a river, an inflatable pontoon boat is a wonderful way to enjoy nature as well. You'll be amazed at the amount of water that can be covered in a single fishing trip, and you'll agree that this is the most efficient way to fish a river. Give it a shot and see if you don't agree.