Prep your boat before you hit the water

While it might be exciting to simply launch your boat into the water for its first voyage of the season, there are a few things to check before you hit the water.
Knowing what to do helps you save time and avoid unpleasant surprises, which makes for a smooth journey. Let’s get you started with some golden tips for your boating trips.

1. Examine the Propellers & the Hull of Your Boat

Carefully look for blisters, cracks, holes, or misshapen areas on your boat to avoid any leaks. Check your propeller for any dents, dings, cracks, pitting, or damage as it can effect your fuel economy, top speed as well as damage your motor.

Tip: Remember to put the drain plug in place before launching your boat.

2. Check Your Boat's System: Electrical, Fuel & Fluid

Check for fittings, clamps, cables, engine oil, coolant, and power steering fluid. If there is any need for replacements, change and test them. Change cables, hoses, and belts that are either cracked or softened. Tighten the belts, pulleys, fittings, and clamps.

Charge your batteries and check for software updates. Verify fuel pressure, operating temperature, and oil pressure. Clean off any corrosion using a wire brush. Spray the reel cases with WD-40 and wipe them clean with a microfiber cloth.

3. Inventory Checks

Look for any lures that are unfit for the duty: a twisted spinnerbait arm, cracked lip on a crankbait or any other defects that can prevent the lure from running well. Upgrade your baits from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Canada– for bigger and better catches for the season.

4. Safety Precautions

Always do a well-examined safety check before you put your boat in the water. Boat Planet suggests restocking your first aid kit and ensuring you have the right sizes of life jackets or PFDs. Inspect fire extinguishers and if necessary, replace them.

Test smoke, fume, bilge alarms and carbon monoxide.

It is recommended to take up Canada Boating Safety Course and obtain your official Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

Choosing the right boat

-->

Find your Dream Boat

With so many boats to choose from, deciding the right kind for you can be a hard decision. Whether you’re looking for a cozy pontoon from Sun Tracker to spend a relaxed weekend gateway with friends & family, fishing boats from Tracker to reel in the catch, or a sleek Nitro powerboat to race across the waves, we have got the tools to help you navigate.

Visit Bass Pro Boating Centre

Visit Bass Pro Boating Centre

Jon Boats These flat-bottomed boats are forever favorites among hunters and anglers for their rugged nature. They are typically made of aluminum and are 14–16 feet long. These boats can be operated in shallow waters, small lakes and slow moving rivers.

These boats have an open deck and a bench for the anglers to sit and they can be manned by one or two people. Jon boats are specially designed for fishing, hunting, and cruising.

High-Performance Fibreglass Fishing Boats If you love speed, these high-performance fibreglass boats from Nitro are the right choice.

Nitro boats are pure fishing machines, perfect for racing to your favorite fishing spot or beating the competition in a tournament.

Whether you are water skiing or chasing a big bass, these boats will set you up for success.

Recreational Pontoon Boats Pontoon boats provide excellent buoyancy and stability. Sun Tracker and Regency pontoons are comfortable and luxurious, which makes them perfect for relaxing with your loved ones on freshwater lakes.

Additionally, since they are less prone to tip and have plenty of storage space, they are some of the best boats for families with children.

Sport Boats Sport boats are best for water skiing, tubing, wakesurfing and wakeboarding.

Tahoe sport boats have a V-hull and high-performing engines that can generate high speed. They come with GPS, ballast systems and other advanced features.

These have ample seating space, which makes them a perfect choice for fun in the sun.

Deck Boats Tahoe deck boats are versatile, which makes them best for fishing and watersports. They are designed with V-hulls and high-horsepower engines for smooth rides in rough waters.

If you are someone who likes watersports, fishing, and experiencing the thrill of boating, this champ is for you.

Kayaks Kayaks are some of the most popular recreational watercrafts. Ascend kayaks are available in sit-in, sit-on, hybrid, and fishing models.

They are best for calm and slow-moving waters. They have various features: varying levels of speed, stability, and maneuverability.

If you like to fish, tour, or enjoy paddling, there’s nothing better than a kayak!

V-Hull Fishing Boat The V-shaped hull is the most commonly used hull type for powerboats. It is designed to cut through large waves at high speeds, providing a smoother ride even on choppy waters.

V-shaped hulls come equipped with larger engines and comfortable cockpits for safety and stability in rough waters.

Find Your Perfect Boat

What activities are you interested in?

Fishing
Recreation

How many people do you want in your boat?

1
2
3
4
5
6

Where is your adventure taking you?

Large body of water
River/Lake

What’s your budget?

Below $55K
Above $55K

Fishing & below $55K
Tracker, Sun Tracker, Triton, Mako

restart

Fishing & above $55K
Nitro Boats, Triton, Ranger Boats

Restart

Recreation
Ranger, Sun Tracker, Tahoe, Regency

Restart

Kayaks
Ascend Kayaks

Restart

Handy Guide to Boat Care at Home

Like any other vehicle, boats need regular maintenance to run smoothly and safely. Essential boat maintenance starts from your home and goes further than visual inspection. Here’s a boat care guide for every boater to get started.

Basic Boat Maintenance Task Checklist


Ventilation is your
Boat’s Best Friend

Provide air circulation to your boat with open air, vents, and fans to speed up the drying-out process. It helps prevent mould. You can further dry vacuum to pick up water from porous surfaces like carpets.


Battery Care

Check your batteries before every outing. Ensure the battery box is mounted firmly to the boat and the cables are tight.

Always Keep Your Gear Dry

After using life jackets, ski gloves and other wet gear, allow them to air outside the boat before storing them inside a compartment to prevent the growth of mould and mildew. You can use mildew or mould removers to create a protective shield on the surfaces.


Pro tip: To remove fish blood and slime, use a washdown hose before it dries. For stubborn and dried stains, use a high quality boat cleaner.

Clean the Exterior

A clean exterior helps hinder the spread of invasive species. It protects the structure intact and prevents your boat from eroding. Use a 50/50 mix of water and white vinegar to remove stains.

According to Boating for Beginners, a dirty hull can increase fuel costs by as much as 30%.

Storing Your Boat

Protect your boat with a quality boat cover to avoid any dirt, mould, and bird feces damage. Ensure the boat cover is dry and use a marine-grade mildew protectant before installing.

Aluminum Care

Over time, the shiny aluminum fades from exposure to water and sun. Use a stain remover to clean and restore the finish, followed by a polish for the shine and protection. Always test the product in a small, discreet area before using it across the boat.


Pro tip: Use soap and water cleanup to remove dirt or light stains on powder-coated aluminum boats. Follow up with a marine wax to avoid future buildup.

Fuel

The best fuel choice for your boat is the fuel with no ethanol. Ethanol creates running problems if too much water gets into the outboard. Further, it can create corrosive substances in the fuel tank. It can be harmful to engines as it dissolves debris in fuel tanks, which can cause damage to rubber and plastic parts, leading to costly repairs.

Stabilizers and Engine Oil

Always use a marine-specific fuel stabilizer in the correct ratio to prevent phase separation and oxidation. Check engine oil before your outing and look at the owner’s manual for engine instructions and other details. Use a marine engine oil and never an automotive oil.

Propeller and Prop Shaft Checks

During the season, often remove the propeller to check the prop shaft for fishing lines. The fishing line gets tangled in the prop and can enter the gap the between propeller hub and the gearcase. It can get wrapped around the prop shaft and reach the prop shaft seal. If the seal fails, the water can enter the gearcase and cause damage. Check the owner’s manual for instructions on removing the propeller.

If you need additional assistance with your boat, visit the nearest Bass Pro Shops/
Cabela’s Boat Center near you.

Find Boating Center

Find Boating Center

Nothing’s better than spending a sunny day out on the water with friends and family. When you are on a boat, every day is a beautiful adventure.

Happy Boating!