| My Bass boat may up there in years, but like | | | | prolong its life. Some don't have any choice, |
| her owner, she is not old! We don't feel old! | | | | as I did, in leaving it vulnerable to the |
| We are always ready to get out on the water | | | | outside. But with a good cover you can keep |
| again and again! Maybe that's why I purchased | | | | the damage at a bare minimum. When I |
| the old Adventure. Looking at her long sleek | | | | purchased my Bass boat it was definitely |
| hull, something caught my eye. It was the | | | | weathered. I know darn well that it sat in |
| registry numbers! Something was familiar in | | | | the sun and rain. One way to tell is when the |
| the numbers. Her birth registry numbers were | | | | clear coat starts to flake. All metallic |
| the same as my own! | | | | paints have clear coat to make it shine. When |
| | | | hairline cracks occur in the clear coat water |
| You might say that there was something | | | | gets in underneath giving it a hazy, cloudy |
| special in the air that day. Even though I | | | | look, then eventually flaking off. We can't |
| was more than twice her age this Bass rig was | | | | clear coat the whole boat again, unless you |
| love at first site. She is 19 years old, | | | | are Howard Hughes, but what we can do is stop |
| but she still has heart . Come tournament | | | | the process. The best way to do that is by |
| time she still moves quickly when needed! The | | | | purchasing a spray can of clear coat at your |
| Johnson engine is old too but I see it as 8 | | | | local paint shop and spraying the edges of |
| years young and still performing like a | | | | the damaged area. Just scrape off the |
| youngster! Plain Jane two-stroke technology | | | | 'cloudy' areas and after cleaning it |
| is still going strong. Just add oil, and gas | | | | thoroughly, like a wound, spray on the clear |
| of course, and go! The big 'John' definitely | | | | coat. What this will do is stop the water |
| has enough horse to push my rig! | | | | form getting in and keep the clear coat from |
| | | | flaking any further. |
| When purchasing an old Bass boat don't let | | | | |
| the years in service bring you down. Every | | | | There are a lot of awesome Bass boats out |
| Bass rig has potential of lasting many years | | | | there with engines getting bigger and bigger! |
| when properly maintained. They are built to | | | | But when you think about it; in order to make |
| last! | | | | a stronger product, weight is always a |
| | | | factor. So in order to push that big |
| If you are unsure of the boat's structural | | | | beautiful heavy machine you need power, hence |
| integrity, do as I did. Hire a 'glass pro' | | | | the 300 horses to keep up with the lighter, |
| to check it out for you. Yes, that's right, a | | | | more stealth rigs. |
| 'glass pro'. I paid a few dollars for a local | | | | |
| known fiberglass expert to pay me a visit. He | | | | I am not a boat 'racist' by any means. There |
| did all the testing throughout the boat. | | | | are incredible rigs out there that are superb |
| During the process I was a little nervous | | | | Bass fishing machines. Ranger, Bass Cat, |
| because you never know, but I felt confident | | | | Triton, Skeeter, Champion, and Pro Craft, to |
| t he would be pleased with my purchase. He | | | | name a few, are great examples of solid Bass |
| told me that it was hand woven! Now, I must | | | | boats. Unfortunately, they get old too! So |
| say, I looked at him in a daze and asked, | | | | why forget about them. Why not keep their |
| "What the heck does 'hand woven' mean"? | | | | luster and beauty for years to come by taking |
| "Basically", he said, "It's built with light | | | | care of them. Keep them looking their best! |
| weight in mind combined with structural | | | | An old Bass rig, what ever the make, is a |
| integrity!" Well, he was right there because | | | | proven rig in keeping up with the vigorous |
| I know the boat is definitely built for | | | | Bass fishing adventures on the water. You |
| speed! And structurally she has his | | | | never know, that old rig can teach us a few |
| confidence and in turn mine. The old 'sea | | | | things about Bass fishing. If only some of |
| bird' has proven it over and over again! | | | | them could talk! |
| | | | |
| An old Bass boats worst enemy is the weather. | | | | Bottom line; be proud of your old rig! Look |
| The best way to stop the sun and rain from | | | | at it this way. When pulling your old and |
| aging our prize is with wax, of course and | | | | 'mature' Bass boat into a boat launch parking |
| having a cover for our rigs is good practice | | | | lot picture your rig as the well kept |
| too. Keeping it in a garage or covered area | | | | sparkling old Cadillac pulling into a BMW |
| away from Mother Nature will ultimately | | | | parking lot. You can't help but get stares! |