My Wife Bought A Boat! Full Tour of CC's New (Used) Boat - Complete DIY Restoration

Our wives love to fish! CC already had an older Ranger bass boat but she needed a larger platform. She upgraded to a used Champion 198 this Winter and has been working on DIY projects to dial it in all Spring. When she got the boat it was stripped, leaving room to rig it any way her heart desired. Come along as she gives a full tour, showing every detail of how she chose to rig this boat. From the Ultrex 112 trolling motor to brand new electronics and accessories throughout, she did it right!

Buying a bass boat can be a very stressful time. For the angler buying a new boat, you're faced with the anxiety of selecting from a handful of electronics options, color schemes, engine sizes, etc. For the angler purchasing a used boat, you're faced with fears of reliability and hidden damage. For both groups, it can be an incredible experience if you have a little confidence about what you're looking for. If you're considering a used boat purchase, this video will tell you everything you need to look for before committing to buy: https://youtu.be/cZtbnWpl4uI

After making a purchase the next step is to dial the boat in so you feel like its your own. This may involve big purchases like a new motor, shallow water anchors, or seats. It could also just be as simple as a few stickers that make it feel personal. When CC purchased her boat it was stripped. There was no trolling motor, electronics, batteries, charger, etc... She had a blank slate to work with and over the course of a few months we were able to buy and install all the parts and pieces to make it her own. 

Below are a list of the parts and equipment that were upgraded. We'll follow the course of the video so we'll begin in the stern and work our way to the bow. 

Transom... 

Steering- Hydraulic Steer Stops: https://bit.ly/2Sc5Ikg

Motor Support- Motor Stiks: Source From T-H Marine

Plug- Flow Rite Remote Drain Plug: http://bit.ly/2jkZqjS

Anchors- Minn Kota 8' Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP

Brackets- Minn Kota Tilt Brackets: https://bit.ly/2VJ8O1c

Battery Compartment... 

Batteries- Group 31 100 Amp Hour: Source Locally

Switch- Battery Disconnect Switch: Source Locally

Battery Charger- Minn Kota Precision 4-Bank: http://bit.ly/2vcrbjA

Console... 

Electronics- Humminbird Helix 12 CHIRP G3: https://bit.ly/2w7u3jx

Electronics Mount- BalzOut 6": http://bit.ly/2HnxLtu

New Rocker Switches: Source From New Wire Marine

Throttle- Hot Foot Throttle Control: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO

Bow... 

Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex MEGA DI 112 (52" Shaft): http://bit.ly/2RqrT4v

Wiring Sleeve- T-H Marine Troll Jacket: http://bit.ly/2xBxoVf

Electronics- Humminbird Helix 12 CHIRP G3: https://bit.ly/2w7u3jx

Electronics Mount- Kong Wave Tamer: http://bit.ly/2wsJVbA

Foot Switch- Talon Remote Foot Control: http://bit.ly/2O7zWUE

Rod Straps- Boat Buckle Deck Mount System: https://bit.ly/3aC7bYf

Underneath... 

Megaware Keel Guard: http://bit.ly/2N5p36m

Want to watch another tour? Here is the full tour of Matt and Tim's boats after their restorations where completed: https://youtu.be/KE2HVAr4lRM

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

DIY Boat Project: The First Upgrade I Make To Every Boat!

Today we're doing a simple project that every fishing boat on the market should do. Boat Buckles are a retractable rod strap that hold your fishing rods in place when the boat is moving and conveniently store inside the gunwale when you stop.  Most used boats have bungee straps or old velcro straps and are desperately in need of an upgrade. Watch step by step as Matt installs a set of Boat Buckle straps. 

We just picked up CC's new boat, a used Champion 198. Any time you purchase used boats you know there will be some work involved. The Boat Buckles are just the beginning as we plan to upgrade the batteries, trolling motor, electronics, and wiring in the coming weeks. We do these first because its a mandatory upgrade on all our boats, its relatively inexpensive, and can be done very quickly with minimal tools. 

A lot of anglers are afraid to work on their own boats. There is something taboo about pulling off a motor cowling and going to work. While some jobs really do need a boat mechanic, a job like this can be done quickly and easily at home. Below are links to the parts we used for this upgrade. Also linked if you're curious are the additional upgrades we'll be doing to the rest of the boat. 

-Boat Buckle Rod Straps: https://bit.ly/3aC7bYf

**Be sure to add the concealment kit if you want your buckles mounted on the inside of the hull like we did on this boat**

Additional items we're upgrading on CC's boat... 

-Ultrex 112 MEGA I-Pilot Link 52" Shaft Trolling Motor: http://bit.ly/2RqrT4v

-Humminbird Helix 12 Chirp G3 Electronics: https://bit.ly/2w7u3jx

-Kong Wave Tamer Mount: http://bit.ly/2wsJVbA

-Megaware Keel Guard: http://bit.ly/2N5p36m

-Boat Buckle Retractable Transom Straps: https://bit.ly/2QYpbEz

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Bass Boat Restoration Complete: Full build with rigging, Rewire, Repower, and Electronics Tour!

The used boat restoration is complete! After nearly 2 years of upgrading wiring, parts, electronics, and motors, both of the Champion 210 Elite bass boat restoration projects are done! Come along for a full boat tour of Tim's and Matt's finished projects as they show you what is possible if you decide to buy a used boat instead of a new boat.

The project began nearly 2 years ago when Tim decided he wanted a larger boat. Shortly thereafter Matt's boat was lost in a crash and he too was searching for a new option. Each chose a used boat instead of jumping into the new boat market. With the high cost of new bass boats the duo looked toward one of the greatest rough water hulls of all time, the Champion 210 Elite. The boats were discontinued around 2008 but the anglers realized that if they could find a pair of boats in great shape that the money they'd saved would allow them to build two truly incredible fishing machines, complete with every part and component they'd ever wanted.

The boat Tim located was in near factory condition. Matt's was beautiful outside but needed a bit more work inside. Both boats were about to get a makeover that would make them near unrecognizable to the previous owners! The anglers started from the ground up and filled both boats with state of the art equipment from the money they had saved on the purchase price. Since these projects were done at the same time the anglers researched together and built two virtually identical boats with the best components they could find. Undertaking a project off this size is a commitment but is worth the effort and saves a lot of money over buying new boats. In case this is something you're considering doing or you liked one of the items we installed on our boats, here is the list of upgraded equipment on the boats.

At The Bow...

Trolling Motor- Ultrex 112 MEGA DI I-Pilot: http://bit.ly/2RqrT4v

Trolling Motor Sleeve- Troll Jacket: http://bit.ly/2xBxoVf

Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15 CHIRP G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

Electronics Mount- T-H Marine Wave Tamer: http://bit.ly/2wsJVbA

Electronics- Hydrowave H2 KVD Feeding Stimulator: http://bit.ly/2rcbebU

Electronics- Humminbird 360 Imaging: http://bit.ly/2K8jPl4

Security- Loc-R-Bar: http://bit.ly/2CMF1NP

Talon Wireless Foot Switch: http://bit.ly/2O7zWUE

At The Console...

Hot Foot Throttle: http://bit.ly/2ob4kgO

Main Unit- Humminbird Solix 15 G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

Side Unit- Humminbird Solix 12 G2: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

Main Mount- Bass Boat Technologies: Direct From Manufacturer

Side Mount- BalzOut Mount w/ 6" arm: http://bit.ly/2HnxLtu

At The Stern...

Anchors- Talon 15' Shallow Water Anchors: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP

Jack Plate- Atlas Hydraulic 12": http://bit.ly/2QpkCkS

Remote Drain Plug System: http://bit.ly/2jkZqjS

Battery Charger- Minn Kota Precision: http://bit.ly/2vcrbjA

Additional Equipment…

Battery- Odyssey PC 2150M

Power Switch- Perko Battery Disconnect

Motor- 2018 Yamaha VMAX SHO 250

Is Your Bass Boat Actually Covered? Insurance Issues You Need To Know Before Its Too Late!

No one likes talking about insurance but are you sure you're covered during a tournament? Does being on a "pro staff" put your tow vehicle in jeopardy? Is all of your tackle covered if you have a major incident? These don't need to be grey areas, you deserve to know exactly when you are and are not covered. Today we're posing all the tough questions to Ben Green, a marine insurance specialist, so that we can all be more prepared in case we're involved in a crash.

Just a few days after Matt's accident the insurance issues were beginning to unfold and Matt vowed that when it was over he would do a video to help the entire TacticalBassin family better understand potential issues and how to avoid them. He is by no means an insurance expert but he learned some tough lessons and doesn't want you to experience the same. When we found out Ben Green was in town (an actual expert on the subject) for a big tournament on Clearlake, we knew we had to track him down and get real answers to educate the Tactical Family.

Ben was kind enough to take part of his pre-fishing day to answer our questions. This video isn't about getting you a new insurance guy (though we are including Ben’s information here and below because we trust him and appreciate that he took the time to do this for all of us) its about making sure you know the exact questions to ask your insurance agent. Too many anglers have "grey areas" in their policy and that shouldn't be the case. Take the time to watch this video to the end, understand the questions, and get yourself coverage that is going to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Matt thought he had all the coverage he needed, in fact he was confident that he'd "over-insured" himself, but there were still gaps and a lot of issues developed as a result. Don't wait until it happens to you to find out where the gaps might be. Take a few minutes out of your day and ask your agent the right questions. If you're not comfortable with the answers, there are only 3 (to my knowledge) marine specialists in the country. If you'd like to reach out to Ben we're including the link to his website and facebook page below.

Ben Green Insurance Website: http://bit.ly/2v4U1Qo

Been Green Insurance Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/2UyyLlj

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