Tips and tricks

[bobeast]

Speaking of rods, fashion a leash and attach one end to your rod holder, and clip the other end to your rod or reel. This prevents that big fish from stealing your equipment, or twinkle-toes from dropping it in the water. Not that I've ever experienced either (or both)...

 

[bobeast]

Always keep a small trash receptacle near your bait station.

 

[bobeast]

When fishing always have a pre-wet rag nearby. Use it to cleanup bait and blood (before it dries), and doubles as a great fish-gripper.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Never approach anything faster than you are willing to hit it...

 

[bobeast]

Never approach anything faster than you are willing to hit it...

prolly the best advise in this thread

 

[ZZ13]

For diesel folks, suck your racors dry from the top with one of those fluid suckers. You can put the suction hose all the way to bottom and get any black goo out quickly an easily. Then you don't have to mess with open buckets under the bowl and removing the drain plugs or glass bowl.

 

[Gofirstclass]

To keep your outflow fittings from dripping down the side of the hull, fit some pieces of clear PVC tubing into the holes.

 

[b_arrington]

Replace the drain bolt on your Racor turbine filter with a 1/4 turn locking Fumoto drain valve. Secure a length of clear tubing to the valve and insert the old plug in the other end. Now you can easily drain any water or old fuel from your Racor into a container and plug the end when finished.

 

[The Bill Collector]

For diesel folks, suck your racors dry from the top with one of those fluid suckers. You can put the suction hose all the way to bottom and get any black goo out quickly an easily. Then you don't have to mess with open buckets under the bowl and removing the drain plugs or glass bowl.

I installed petcocks on all of my racors

 

[bobeast]

Coil up a paper plate to use as a temporary funnel.

 

[JVM225]

Hang a squeegee in your wet-head for quick cleanup after a shower

I do this in the showers at home too!

 

[JVM225]

Leave pre-measured mooring lines tied to your dock, and carry a separate travel set on the boat. Ditto for your power cable.

Been doing that forever!

 

[JVM225]

Coil up a paper plate to use as a temporary funnel.

cutting the bottom out of a plastic bottle and turning it upside down works great too

 

[Blueone]

This is a battery powered rechargeable blower BGA45. I bought it a few years ago to blow off fish flys when we were in a covered slip. Three years later it is a permanent tool on the boat and used all the time. The black nozzle is a quick disconnect and the two pieces fit any where
We blow out the cockpit and dash instead of vacuuming
Blow bugs leaves off the boat in the morning
Dry swim platform and deck after a wash

 

[b_arrington]

This is a battery powered rechargeable blower BGA45. I bought it a few years ago to blow off fish flys when we were in a covered slip. Three years later it is a permanent tool on the boat and used all the time. The black nozzle is a quick disconnect and the two pieces fit any where
We blow out the cockpit and dash instead of vacuuming
Blow bugs leaves off the boat in the morning
Dry swim platform and deck after a wash

View attachment 80315

Where are you that you have so many bugs you need a blower??? I do not want to visit!

 

[Blueone]

Where are you that you have so many bugs you need a blower??? I do not want to visit!

Where are you that you don’t have bugs.... I am coming to stay

The car is extreme... the fish flys show up around mid late June and last a couple of weeks..they are attracted to light at night... keep everything dark you have few problems....our price you pay for paradise... everybody has their price for admission.

 

[Gofirstclass]

I remember the fish flies from when I lived in MI. If you look at that first photo of the cars that are covered, then look at the two cars in the background with no bugs. Guess which ones were parked under the street light in the parking lot!

 

[Stee6043]

What about the ole CSR trick - if browsing this forum on your phone hold the phone in landscape mode and you get the full profile details. Nearly as useful as the ole “only approach as fast as you’re willing to hit it” tip I’d say!!

And on bugs...I thought we called those May Flies here in MI? Hmm.

 

[rlynch03]

Install Line Hangars or Clips on the underside of your Bow Lockers for quick access to Bow Lines. Hang your Water Hose from them as well so it isn’t laying in you anchor locker.

 

[rlynch03]

Add the plastic square 1’x1’ connectable grates to the floor of your anchor locker. It will help to keep your chain or line out of any water laying in the there and should allow the water to dry up faster.