Preparing Your Boat for Long-Distance Travel

With proper boat travel preparation, traveling by boat or with a boat can be a great experience.  It is a good idea to carry everything you think you will need, plus a backup of any critical items that may not be easily acquired at your destination. If you plan to trailer a center console long distance, you’ll need items for the boat, plus plenty of spare parts for the trailer as well.  Ensuring that you have a plan for breakdowns and maintenance is crucial and can be the difference between minimal down time or waiting on a spare part to get back up and running. Equally important are all the basic items for the boat, such as dock lines, hoses, power cords and other things that may be taken for granted at your home marina. These items may not be waiting for you at your destination.  

Essential Spare Parts and Tools for Your Boat Trailer

Often, a trailer is going to be involved with center console related travel. Boat trailers are inherently problematic, as the fight against corrosion is constant, and hub and tire issues may not always make themselves known until the worst possible time. Depending on the number of axles on your trailer, you should keep at least two fully assembled spare hubs ready to go. In addition to the hubs, keeping at least two spare tires on hand will ensure that with either a blown hub, tire blowout, or both, you will be back on the road in no time.  A breakdown in a remote area could be a trip killer if you don’t have the proper spare parts and tools on hand to remedy the problem. Keeping a breaker bar, a four-way lug wrench, a tool kit, a grease gun, and a floor jack on hand will also be necessary to quickly fix any roadside trailer issues. 

Must-Have Items for Marina Stays

If your travel plans involve keeping the boat in the water at a marina, there are some other items that are much easier to pack and travel with rather than trying to source them locally upon arrival.  Scrub brushes, boat soap, cleaning solutions, five-gallon buckets, microfiber cloths, and other items needed for maintaining a clean boat are always a good idea. Of course, it’s always possible to borrow a forgotten item from another boat at the marina, however the old saying “Beggars can’t be choosers” comes to mind, so don’t expect to find exactly what you are looking for if you forget to pack it for the trip.

Key Maintenance Supplies to Keep On Hand

Additionally, in case of a faulty bilge pump or float switch, it is a good idea to keep spares on board.  This will allow for an easy fix without having to spend time searching for the correct replacement locally or waiting for it to be shipped in. It’s also a good idea to keep basic maintenance supplies such as oil, filters, fuel/water separators and spare steering fluid on hand for basic upkeep and to rectify any mishaps. Small issues can become time-consuming problems due to lack of the correct part or supplies, so having these things on hand could prevent extended downtime. 

Fishing Gear and Supplies for Boat Travel Preparation

If your travel plans involve fishing, then a whole plethora of items may be needed. The fishing packing list will likely be extensive and will vary based on your intentions. But there are some items that are a good idea to have on hand no matter what the target species and location might be. If live bait fishing is on the agenda, a spare livewell pump or two should always be on board in the event a pump goes down. Checking into the availability of basic tackle items near your destination, such as fluorocarbon leader material, hooks and frozen baits like ballyhoo is also a good idea, as more remote areas are likely to have little if any support for such items. Spare outrigger rigging, extra dredge parts and pulleys, and any other items that are prone to occasional failures are always nice to have on hand in the event something breaks or needs to be re-rigged.  

Planning for Support and Assistance During Your Trip

Self-sufficiency is key when traveling with a boat and fishing out of remote locations, but sometimes you may need help no matter how prepared you might be. If you are going to be out of the country, make sure to research ahead of time what kind of support network is in place on location for maintenance and mechanical issues. Know where to find fuel and other necessary supplies to keep your boat and trip on track. If your trip is stateside, a Seatow or Boat US membership could be a lifesaver in the event of a breakdown. Everyone hopes for a stress-free and fun trip, but when problems arise, those who are prepared to deal with them will be the first to be back on the water catching fish rather than tied to the dock, wishing they were fishing.