End of year clean up
- Thread starter justin boucher
- Start date
Justin,
An uncluttered cockpit is much safer so I am making a few minor modifications like adding decoy curtains such as the ones Eric Patterson installed on his boat.
RM
justin boucher
New member
Usually its more organized, i just started putting the decoys away that have thawed out from the 6" of snow covered in 3" of ice, unfortunatly the strings froze to the bottom of the boat. Ill look for the picture from last season of how i set up for when the boat is in motion
justin boucher
New member
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Love pics like that, seeing the everyday messes. I'm all cleaned up, myself and only have minimal repairs on the near horizon. Trailer light mount that lost in a battle with ice, that short of stuff.
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
Justin~
I adopted a different approach long ago. Someday I will tell the tale of breaking through the ice - up to my shoulders - of Great South Bay, about a quarter-mile offshore in 2 degree temps. Oh, and it was still pre-dawn... The theme of that story will be the lesson I learned about pre-season prep, avoiding problems through "extra steps", and repairing something (anything!) as soon as it fails.
When I was on Long Island, I hunted everyday (mostly parts of). So, upon returning from a hunt, I did the following (after draining the bilge at the ramp and replacing the transom plug):
1) If freezing temps, all decoys were carried downstairs to dry near the oil burner. (Outside cellar entrance was one of the first things I built when we bought our first house.) My burlap motor cover came downstairs with the decoys. Gun and shells were brought in - with the former being oiled once it had warmed to room temp.
2) Gas can was topped off. (Always kept a 1-gal emergency spare in the boat - but never needed it.)
3) Cockpit cover - whether canvas or wood - was secured.
4) Anything broken on boat or trailer was repaired - even if the next day's hunt had to be postponed. I did not have a heated garage or shop as I do now. So, one epoxy job required a 100-watt light bulb and some shrouding overnight. Wounded decoys were put on the IR and replaced with a ready-to-hunt second stringer. And, one trailer "fix" was a brand new trailer mid-season!
So, the pre-hunt routine included bringing the decoys, motor cover (and gun and shells) upstairs and into the boat. That step required just a few extra minutes - which I budgeted the time for. And, I slept well in anticipation of a trouble-free hunt the next day.
Having said all that, if you could see the out-of-control mess in my shop right now you would not believe a word of what I say!
All the best,
SJS
Justin
I'm glad you posted this because it reminded me the ground wire on my truck trailer wiring is missing. When I plug the trailer lights in there is no ground which means the only source of ground is the ball which makes the trailer lights flicker. I need to fix that but it will probably wait until the fall when I get the boats ready for the season. I typically clean my rigs and get everything out of them and push the repairs to October which is about the time grass quits growing and my thoughts turn to hunting season.
I'm glad you posted this because it reminded me the ground wire on my truck trailer wiring is missing. When I plug the trailer lights in there is no ground which means the only source of ground is the ball which makes the trailer lights flicker. I need to fix that but it will probably wait until the fall when I get the boats ready for the season. I typically clean my rigs and get everything out of them and push the repairs to October which is about the time grass quits growing and my thoughts turn to hunting season.
On the trailer lights... I'm not big into tech in trucks, but DAMN I do like that my truck tells me when there is a trailer light issue. So nice to not have to check any of our trailers and just go with it and then fix them when there is a problem.
In this case the bumper was replaced on my old work/hunting Tacoma and the body shop guy rewired the socket but for some reason didn't wire in the ground. I am like you in that I'm not into tech trucks either. I've come to the conclusion it is better, at least for me, to buy a base model and add after market items of my choosing rather than the expensive stuff from the factory that I don't even like.
Annoying on the ground.
I like some of the tech, mostly for long distance travel and towing, but in general more simple the better.
justin boucher
New member
I love all the feed back im getting from you guys that have been hunting alot longer than i have, i started waterfowl about 5 years ago so im still learning all of this. I use my boat year round not just for hunting. The only break my equiptment gets is this next couple months before striper season. Lots of work this year tho, new bearings, wiring, bunks and guides on trailer. I gotta get a new impeller for the waterpump ( no big deal, motor has 5 year warranty lol) looking like a new prop and gotta rebuild my front storage area and new bench seat that gets removed for hunting season. It may not look it but hunting on a budget is harder than it looks lol
justin boucher
New member
Buffleheads are the most common bird we get on the river, so when i put out the diver rig i make sure to include a couple dozen. The couple kids i take out love shooting at them. The decoys take most of the shots tho lol.BUFFLEHEAD DOMINATION RIG right there! You could pull them for one state over with that rig.