A new bass boat can cost over a hundred thousand dollars, and I'd guess that most anglers can't afford to drop that kind of cash. Even if you can afford it, who wants to spend that kind of money? A "good deal" on a new fiberglass boat nowadays can be anywhere in the 70K range. That's nuts. Luckily, you don't need to take out a second mortgage to outfit yourself with a great bass boat. You just need some tips and tricks to take your older boat to the next level.
I own a 2001 Triton TR 20. She’s got over 1600 hours on the motor and is still going strong. The boat is something that I am extremely grateful for. You see, my old buddy Neal (who was basically another granddaddy to me) passed away a few years ago at the age of 83. Up until just a few weeks before his passing, he was still taking out his old Triton and fishing by himself. Knowing none of his family really fished, I asked if I could have Neal’s boat, and they graciously agreed that he’d have had it no other way.
In the last three years since I’ve taken ownership of this vessel, I’ve really appreciated a few of the things Neal did to spruce up the old boat. And I’ve modified a some accessories to make it a more capable and comfortable ride. All of these improvements and additions have made a huge difference. So, if you’re in a similar boat, quite literally, and trying to figure out how to improve it, use these five tips.
1. Add a Recessed Foot Pedal
Most boats built in the early 2000s or earlier don't have recessed foot trays for the trolling motor foot pedal. This is one of the most impactful features that is standard on new boats. Having the foot pedal flush with the floor makes operating the trolling motor more comfortable. You can add one of these aftermarket items to your boat for less than $250. Neal had already installed one, but it was falling apart. So I swapped it out for a Baldwin Iron Works Recessed Trolling Motor Foot Pedal Pan Tray last year and have been very pleased.
2. Install Lithium Batteries
Adding lithium batteries to an older boat makes it that much closer to the newer models. I've been running a 24-volt Millertech Lithium battery for my trolling motor for a little over a year, and it’s phenomenal. Most older boats don’t have the big 36-volt trolling motors that newer boats have. And, if you try to cover water all day with a standard 24-volt battery system, you’ll run them dead. Adding a lithium battery to my boat has made it so that I can fish hard all day and still have battery left to spare at the end of the day, whereas a hard day of fishing with my traditional batteries in the past would leave me stranded by early afternoon.
3. Switch to a Foot Throttle
A Hot Foot is another standard feature on new boats, and another great way to update an older boat. Using the normal throttle control is perfectly fine, but once you get used to a Hot Foot, you’ll find it feels way more natural. It essentially gives you a car-style gas pedal in your boat; When you push down, the boat takes off. When you take your foot off, the boat coasts to a stop. It's also an added safety feature in the unlikely scenario that you were to go overboard. The throttle would disengage, and the boat would come to a stop.
4. Lay Padding Deck
Most boats that are at least 20 years old don’t have padding on the front deck. When it comes to fatigue, standing on a hard surface all day wears your legs out. While Neal was still using the Triton, my dad helped him glue some soft tiles to the front deck. These are like the ones you’d expect to see in a kid’s playroom, and you’d be surprised how helpful they are. This isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing solution, and the material can get slick when wet, but it works wonders in cutting down on fatigue.
5. Add Steps to Your Trailer
Adding a set of steps to the trailer is also super helpful. These steps come standard with some new trailers or are available as add-ons. For an older boat that wasn’t designed for entry from the ground to begin with, a set of steps is a game-changer. I’m not sure what the exact brand of the ones below, but Trick Steps is a great choice.
Find New Ways to Upgrade Your Boat
Several other accessories can be added to an old boat to breathe new life into it. From cheap fixes like lifter pistons to keep compartment lids to high-dollar items like trolling motors and electronics. There are many ways to make an old boat feel like new—and none of them require going into $100,000 worth of debt to do it.
Now I’m not saying I’ll never own a new boat again. I’ve financed a couple of brand-new ones in the past. And I’ve owned one even older than the 25-year-old TR-20 I’m in right now. But I do know one thing: for some reason, when I’ve been in those older boats that I didn’t owe a dime on, I seemed to fish a little lighter. If you’ve got an older boat, especially one that’s paid off, at least give these modifications some serious thought before biting the bullet on a new boat. You might be surprised how big a difference they can make.
