Best Mods You've Done
Submitted by elliotbirch on Wed, 2014-08-06 13:37
Hey guys,
I've had the chance now to take my recently (6 months ago) purchased boat out for a few day trips and a couple of trips up North too and am compiling a list of mods/accessories that will make it into a fishing/boating machine. It's a 4.7m Ally Centre Console and already got a fair bit of kit with it; dual batteries, casting deck, salt water deck wash, UHF etc etc but missing a few of the basics like a built in bait board and bimini. Going to Chivers today to get a quote of the bait board and a few other things - just chasing a few ideas on things that you guys really value in your boat and would consider a must(want haha)-have mod? I'm sure plenty of people on here will be interested in your responses!!
Cheers in Advance.
elliotbirch
Posts: 123
Date Joined: 29/05/12
Cheap n Nasty
Often the little/cheap mods are sometimes the best! My favourite would have to be the little clips on the sides of my boat to hold the nets and gaff - really helpful!
scotto
Posts: 2470
Date Joined: 21/04/08
Gunnels
Gunnels are a must on any boat. I had some welded on to my dinghy, best money ever spent.
I got Bimini for sale if you're interested.
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/fs-iphone4-bimini-beach-rod
Griffo84
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 28/05/10
A decent sound system. If you
A decent sound system. If you have good tunes the chicks will flock. ;-)
Do the right thing and there will be fish tomorrow.
Lastchance
Posts: 1272
Date Joined: 02/02/09
As many rod holders as the
As many rod holders as the roof can fit.
Also try this fella for your bait board
http://www.baitmate.com.au/
flexn
Posts: 232
Date Joined: 19/03/12
drink/beer holders
drink/beer holders
crasny1
Posts: 6986
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Modified the cabin lights
Now have 3 LED floods that light the cabin and also the boat surround. Excellent for Prawning etc at night.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
stevebw23
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 12/11/11
When i first took my ally
When i first took my ally boat out, the jarring in my ankles was killing me. I bought some 40mm blue foam sheeting from clark rubber and put it under the carpet up front. Happy days now, cost about 80$
Symes Plumbing & Gas. No job too small, servicing all northern suburbs
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
Speakers and lots of rod
Speakers and lots of rod holders at various angles
Jason P
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 16/02/13
Two best mods on my boat
Two best mods on my boat would be adding a anchor winch and the other was making suspension seats out of standard office chair gas struts, which also allows for height adjustment, (suspension seats cost under $100 as picked up some old chairs for free)
DM306
seaswirl
Posts: 268
Date Joined: 29/08/10
seats
Would like to see detailed photos of your seats. ...sounds like a great idea !!
Jason P
Posts: 521
Date Joined: 16/02/13
I'll load some pics up.
I'll load some pics up.
http://fishwrecked.com/forum/suspension-seats-diyer
DM306
seaswirl
Posts: 268
Date Joined: 29/08/10
mods
We all spend a lot on the boat and gear. Put some thought into having the best safety gear. I would start with a small personal epirb that you keep on your self and a stormy seas self inflating vest. I would also put additional floatation in the boat so it can't sink if it doesn't already have it. ...just my thoughts. ....
Hutch
Posts: 2221
Date Joined: 21/04/13
For the additional
For the additional floatation we stuff the hull with empty 2L soft drink bottles, sometimes superglue the lids on. I theres a leak or similar at least you'll stay above water long enough to get to relative safety
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
With either ally or
With either ally or fibreglass hulls you need to be careful with this as anything you put inside the hull can potentially cause problems with corrosion with ally or delaminating with glass as it can trap moisture against the hull. Drink bottles would be better than foam blocks as the contact would be less/minimal and it would allow air to circulate around them better. Other options such as separate sealed compartments also have downsides (once water gets in you have to get it out).
If putting anything inside the hull for floatation or anything else may pay to make sure its sealed properly on the inside and/or check it now and then/take access hatches off the allow it to air between trips.
Don't recommend pool noodles as they will soak up and hold water eventually (they did when left in our pool).
That being said if your boat is sinking you'll be glad for any extra floatation. :-)
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
bushbeaver
Posts: 159
Date Joined: 08/07/13
Hydraulic steering (what a
Hydraulic steering (what a difference!), adjustable helm seat, biggest bait board I could find, and ditto on the drinks holders. All I need now is a bigger boat....
Paul H
Posts: 2104
Date Joined: 18/01/07
LED lighting. never can have
LED lighting.
never can have enough storage or rod holders.
Got a car boot cargo net doubled over like a hammock, hangs on hooks under the side cupboard in the cabin, great for stuffing things into, put the camera and other bits n pieces such as soft tackle pouches, tops/jackets etc. in here as its easy to grab when needed and the net stops it coming out when bouncing over waves.
New four stroke great too!! :-)
Youtube Channel - FishOnLine Productions
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos
fishabloke
Posts: 31
Date Joined: 24/12/10
A Kapten Boat
A Kapten Boat Collar...though I haven't fitted it yet.
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
live bait tank and a deck
live bait tank and a deck wash system, i didn't install them but a great addition from what i had. cabin lights are great things. my best one though would be my stubby holders that clip onto vertical and horizontal bars and so i have 4 stategically placed for all my angles, no more split beer
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
Gman66
Posts: 55
Date Joined: 15/02/12
Knife and pliers holder for side of the baitboard
The knife and fishing pliers holder (white poly) available from most boating shops and screws onto the side of the bait board is An inexpensive and handy attachment to keeps things accessable, tidy and safe (store knives with the blade inwards).
Acceptance is the key