What have you done for your boat lately?

[Eastside]

It is narrow between the garage and a block wall fence on the property line. My 16 ft Smokercraft is easier than my wife’s Mastercraft ski boat which is wider. Key is to line it up straight and don’t overcorrect when backing up. There is a jog to get the boats into and out of the boat shed in the back yard, so I do that part by hand. Someday I’m going to get a motorized dolly to complete that step because the concrete has a slight slope. Fortunately, I only have to retrieve the Mastercraft in the early summer and return it in the fall once it is winterized.

 

[Tallguy]

Skills not enough skills is stopping me from backing it all the way in.

It’s tight though, there is about 6 inches of clearance on both sides between the side rollers and garage door sides. I would have to line it perfectly since there are two rollers on each side to not hit anything.

Just need to paint a stripe on your driveway. Find the exact perfect line into the garage with whatever tire is on the inside of the curve, and stripe it. Then you just have to put your tire on the stripe and keep it there.

 

[Draketake]

So just an idea if interested. My father in law taught me this. If you install another hitch, onto the front of your vehicle, it makes it much easier to pull/push trailers, into and out of, tight areas. With this modification, there is no need to turn around in your seat or to keep checking both mirrors. It has saved me a few times, in some bad spots.

I installed an "Easy Hitch", hitch, onto my front Bumper. When not in use, the 2 inch stinger mount, allows one to install a removable folding step/stinger cover. I use that product to step up into the engine compartment area, which allows for easier routine care/ maintenance. I installed this about 18 years ago. Not sure if "Easy Hitch" is still in business. " Easy Hitch " had pre drilled Bumper Hitches, manufactured to your specific vehicle. In other words, the bumpers they made, fit the existing bumper holes, manufactured on your specific vehicle. It was very easy to install, even for me.

Have a good weekend.

Bob

 

[Kfish]

Just need to paint a stripe on your driveway. Find the exact perfect line into the garage with whatever tire is on the inside of the curve, and stripe it. Then you just have to put your tire on the stripe and keep it there.

That’s a great idea but I’m not about to paint a stripe on my driveway HOA won’t let that fly for one.
I do actually put a piece of orange duct tape inside of my garage for that purpose. Put the big boats right trailer wheel on it to leave enough space to walk around it and for the smaller aluminum boat, both are opposite facing and slanted to fit one one space.

 

[_WW_]

Boat is ready.

 

[skyriver]

Finally took it out on it's maiden voyage! It started right up, warmed up pretty quick and was doing 32 mph on a glass lake in no time. Steering is a bit stiff, but I think that's probably a good thing while I get used to an actual steering wheel.
Newly installed Scotty anchor mount did it's job even with the 25 pounder at 17'.
I threw a balanced leech and a mid out there under a bobber mostly just to try casting from the different parts of the boat. And sitting in a chair.

Beautiful evening to be out. The PNW in the spring is really hard to beat.





And this was pretty cool!

 

[SurfnFish]

So just an idea if interested. My father in law taught me this. If you install another hitch, onto the front of your vehicle, it makes it much easier to pull/push trailers, into and out of, tight areas. With this modification, there is no need to turn around in your seat or to keep checking both mirrors. It has saved me a few times, in some bad spots.

I installed an "Easy Hitch", hitch, onto my front Bumper. When not in use, the 2 inch stinger mount, allows one to install a removable folding step/stinger cover. I use that product to step up into the engine compartment area, which allows for easier routine care/ maintenance. I installed this about 18 years ago. Not sure if "Easy Hitch" is still in business. " Easy Hitch " had pre drilled Bumper Hitches, manufactured to your specific vehicle. In other words, the bumpers they made, fit the existing bumper holes, manufactured on your specific vehicle. It was very easy to install, even for me.

Have a good weekend.

Bob

I used one of these to park my various skiffs up to a 21' Valco Bayrunner CC in tight quarters over the years, very effective.

 

[M_D]

Added a smile…

 

[Nick Clayton]

I used one of these to park my various skiffs up to a 21' Valco Bayrunner CC in tight quarters over the years, very effective.

I've been meaning to pick one of these up for quite a while now. I typically have to muscle my boat four or five feet in or out of my carport. Never been a huge deal, but the front wheel tends to dig into the gravel and make the process more difficult than it needs to be. One of those trailer dolly units is the obvious solution. I've looked them up and they're not terribly expensive....yet I still haven't actually just bought one lol.

At 46 years old I'm having to come to terms with the fact that I'm not getting any younger, and I need to be aware of some of the physical demands I put on my body. Hopefully I don't wait till I tweak my back before I start working smarter lol

 

[iggie]

I've been meaning to pick one of these up for quite a while now. I typically have to muscle my boat four or five feet in or out of my carport. Never been a huge deal, but the front wheel tends to dig into the gravel and make the process more difficult than it needs to be. One of those trailer dolly units is the obvious solution. I've looked them up and they're not terribly expensive....yet I still haven't actually just bought one lol.

At 46 years old I'm having to come to terms with the fact that I'm not getting any younger, and I need to be aware of some of the physical demands I put on my body. Hopefully I don't wait till I tweak my back before I start working smarter lol

Make sure it is made of quality steel. I bought an inexpensive one and it bent where the hitch ball was mounted.

 

[skyriver]

I moved the jack up the tongue so there is now ample room to mount the spare without it getting in the way of the jack, the winch or the swing tongue.
And it's no longer bouncing around the back of the truck taking up space and being a potential hazard.

Evidently the average boat trailer maker (Yacht Club in this case) doesn't put much thought into these things.

I see so many boat trailers, just like this one was, with terrible setups. It ain't that hard Jerry.

Also had to raise the winch a bit higher since the roller was colliding with the strap u-bolt on the boat. I'll give Jerry a break on that one since different boats might have different mounting spots, but the former owner must have had more patience than me. So annoying.



And no, the winch and jack spindles don't hit even tho they are on the same side. I've seen that before too!

 

[SurfnFish]

I've been meaning to pick one of these up for quite a while now. I typically have to muscle my boat four or five feet in or out of my carport. Never been a huge deal, but the front wheel tends to dig into the gravel and make the process more difficult than it needs to be. One of those trailer dolly units is the obvious solution. I've looked them up and they're not terribly expensive....yet I still haven't actually just bought one lol.

At 46 years old I'm having to come to terms with the fact that I'm not getting any younger, and I need to be aware of some of the physical demands I put on my body. Hopefully I don't wait till I tweak my back before I start working smarter lol

the units with the oversize pneumatic tires are the best....roll and pivot easy, make that last 5' easy

 

[mark wlker]

Shoveled the snow off it!

 

[Evan B]

Now for the most exciting post of the thread....

My 30yr old fuel lines have officially been replaced


Feeding things though the gunnel then 90deg turn under the floor to the tank was quite an adventure.

 

[Fourbtgait]

Finally took it down from the winter ceiling hanger. Test fitted into the new canopy with the built in boxes to verify fit.
Somebody was ready to go out.

 

[SilverFly]

Actually did something for my (half-built) boat this week. Hired a local flatbed to haul it from a buddies place where it has been collecting leaves for the last 3+ years.



With so many projects at the new place, I was half hoping it wasn't salvageable. No such luck. Other than a couple interior spots where the epoxy blistered, it appears to be in good shape. Just need to get it dried out and properly covered. Maaaybe finish it next year.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

Actually did something for my (half-built) boat this week. Hired a local flatbed to haul it from a buddies place where it has been collecting leaves for the last 3+ years.

View attachment 146290

With so many projects at the new place, I was half hoping it wasn't salvageable. No such luck. Other than a couple interior spots where the epoxy blistered, it appears to be in good shape. Just need to get it dried out and properly covered. Maaaybe finish it next year.

Want any help? Looks like a cool project.

 

[SurfnFish]

Actually did something for my (half-built) boat this week. Hired a local flatbed to haul it from a buddies place where it has been collecting leaves for the last 3+ years.

View attachment 146290

With so many projects at the new place, I was half hoping it wasn't salvageable. No such luck. Other than a couple interior spots where the epoxy blistered, it appears to be in good shape. Just need to get it dried out and properly covered. Maaaybe finish it next year.

very nice, don't see too many full V boats anymore. Being an old boat addict, curious about the length and design?
Okuma ply and West System?

 

[SilverFly]

1Want any help? Looks like a cool project.

Sure! Probably won't get to it this year though.

very nice, don't see too many full V boats anymore. Being an old boat addict, curious about the length and design?
Okuma ply and West System?

Thanks. It's just shy of 18' and don't remember the exact beam, but the design is mine based on some skiffs my Dad designed and built in the 50's thru 80's. I drew this up in the early 90's. Built the hull in 96 - then life had other plans since. It's a mix of fir and lauan plywood with West System.

I'd probably do a lot different if starting from scratch now, but still think it's worth finishing.

I posted some info on it a while back:

https://pnwflyfishing.com/forum/ind...ou-done-for-your-boat-lately.2324/post-191467

 

[tombraider]

Got my G3 1448 spring of 2021. Wanted to put the Yamaha on the back but $$$$ was to much.
Looked at Tohatsu but didn't like the look. So a long wait is over.

Suzuki 9.9 is detuned from the 20 hp. Hope to start the brake in Tuesday, weather looks good. Added a hr/tach meter. Coffee Pot and others I'm coming. YouTube is our friend.