Tips and tricks for newbie tow boat owner

[tsciberras]

Hey folks, new to the forum. Purchased a new 2017 R23e. Upgraded to power tower, 400 engine, added 2 more rev 8’s, and surf exhaust. I plan on doing my first oil change at 10-15 hours and treating the vinyl with 303. Any other tips or suggestions for a newbie?


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[007]

I love Hot Sauce for post outing gel coat cleanup. I think the 400 now comes with a seastrainer, but I'd check and add if not. Make sure your trailer lug nuts are the same size as your truck and buy the appropriate lug wrench if not (mine were different). Check and make sure all fittings are tight on fill and drain hoses if not going to dealer for initial service. Go out and enjoy! Its a Beauty Boat.

[Rbuss4]

Do not trailer with your cover on(you probably already knew that). If you are going to trailer it much, Put a good coat of wax or car polish on your tower, lights and speakers. Bugs will cover them with splatter. Much easier to clean off with some wax or polish on there. Congrats on the ride!

[bsreid]

Do not trailer with your cover on(you probably already knew that). If you are going to trailer it much, Put a good coat of wax or car polish on your tower, lights and speakers. Bugs will cover them with splatter. Much easier to clean off with some wax or polish on there. Congrats on the ride!

The new covers have fleece on the inside, keep it waxed up and it should be fine. I trailered to Idaho and back with zero problems.

[jslayde1]

The new covers have fleece on the inside, keep it waxed up and it should be fine. I trailered to Idaho and back with zero problems.

I trailered with mine quite a bit as well. These newer covers are much better than the old ones in my opinion!

[tigemech]

The new covers have fleece on the inside, keep it waxed up and it should be fine. I trailered to Idaho and back with zero problems.

Even with fleece on them you would be surprised what the cover can do. To each their own, but i avoid towing with the cover on at highways speeds if at all possible. Ive seen covers make quick work of a good wax job

[D&P Powell]

Tips - Buy a box anchor and a slide anchor. Worth every penny. Reach out to CHPTHRL on here with any audio related questions or needs (Mikes Liquid Audio). And CONGRATULATIONS on the beautiful new boat.

[BCRider]

My new boat must have besides the usual stuff is gear ties (aka fidget sticks). http://www.niteize.com/collection/Gear-Tie.asp They have proven to be a great thing to add in to your rope and caribeaner arsenal. They are perfect for holding bumpers, tying off a tube to the back of the boat, etc. I originally bought mine as a member said he purchased them to use for rolling up the bimini to store. I then found many other uses.

I also believe in "boat towels". These are what I use for wiping the boat down, making the kids sit on when eating something I don't really want in the boat, soaking up that beer that took a dive on the floor etc. They are not really used for drying ones self.

[freeheel4life]

You mentioned you were a newbie. If this is you first vdrive learn that the boat only pulls to the starboard side in reverse. So learn to plan on docking starboard side, so that when you grab reverse it brings the stern toward the dock.
Develop a routine for your bilge plug so that it isn't forgotten.
Pick up a spare prop and puller (Acme weekend saver kit)
This is a personal thing but I always fold up the rear bags when you get the boat home. They tend to get water underneath then and you will start do develop funky smell overtime. I also pull all cushions and tilt them up so the will drain and open the rear hatches. The more you can dry boat out in between trips the better. Pulling out wet jackets, tubes, ropes etc to dry as well. Boats that don't get this typically start to develop that wet sock/high school gym locker funk eventually.

[tsciberras]

Thanks folks! Much appreciated.


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[bsreid]

Congrats by the way. I see you're at GT, when did you pick her up? You happen to see a red rzx with the alpha z

For keeping the boat clean we try and have a bunch of little microfibre clothes for wiping up messes and just cleaning. I’d recommend hot sauce or babes products. Regarding towels you’ll never have too many, I’d recommend just keeping a bunch of beach towels for everyone to use, up in Canada it can get kinda cold so the big thick Costco ones are the best.

Some people say spare prop, I’ve never needed one, fingers crossed... If you know your waters you should be fine, if not I’m sure gt can overnight one to you.

For bumpers I’ve found the traditional round style to be awful on snuffing the gel coat. For the last couple seasons we’ve used slalom ski bouys and they work great, just a little on the small side. This season we got some “big *** ballz” from s guy on here and can’t wait to test them out.

This might seem like an obvious one to some but overlooked by a lot, no shoes what so ever and only clean food and drinks. Nobody likes a bag of orange Doritos blended into the upholstery.

[tsciberras]

Congrats by the way. I see you're at GT, when did you pick her up? You happen to see a red rzx with the alpha z

For keeping the boat clean we try and have a bunch of little microfibre clothes for wiping up messes and just cleaning. I’d recommend hot sauce or babes products. Regarding towels you’ll never have too many, I’d recommend just keeping a bunch of beach towels for everyone to use, up in Canada it can get kinda cold so the big thick Costco ones are the best.

Some people say spare prop, I’ve never needed one, fingers crossed... If you know your waters you should be fine, if not I’m sure gt can overnight one to you.

For bumpers I’ve found the traditional round style to be awful on snuffing the gel coat. For the last couple seasons we’ve used slalom ski bouys and they work great, just a little on the small side. This season we got some “big *** ballz” from s guy on here and can’t wait to test them out.

This might seem like an obvious one to some but overlooked by a lot, no shoes what so ever and only clean food and drinks. Nobody likes a bag of orange Doritos blended into the upholstery.

I don’t specifically remember seeing that red RZX, i was pretty focused on the boat i was looking at, and if eyes wandered I’m sure the budget would have went out the window. Hahahaha. Thanks for the tips!


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[talltigeguy]

For the price they charged you for the cover, if you can't tow with it, you got ripped off. All modern (meaning last 2-3 years) high end boat covers that I am aware of are OK to tow with. If it costs more than 1K, you better be able to keep it on while towing. Highway speeds in a rainstorm will make a mess of your interior without one.

Spend time in your boat just goofing around, learn how it handles. During the break in period, throw a life vest into the water and practice pulling up next to it.

www.nopowerturns.com Learn proper inboard driving habits even though most people at your lake won't get it.

[BlackoutATX]

Great responses in here. I'll second the Box Anchor. It is absolutely worth every penny. I actually own the small and the medium. I'm pretty sure almost everyone uses the small. Its plenty. I just went overkill with the medium. Also, go ahead and add in a anchor buddy or equivalent (I have one from airhead now too). I know a lot of guys use just the anchor buddy on the end of regular anchor line (not tied in parallel). But I would suggest tying it up like the anchor buddy instructions say. That Box Anchor is just too expensive to risk losing on a faulty bungee type line. I've had this setup in several different lakes and conditions and have never had the anchor come loose at all. Not even walk an inch. This has also included several times with 10 other boats tied up.

The ties suggested are also awesome. They have so many functions.

There is a thread floating around here somewhere with guys saying what items they have in their boat. It is pure gold. I'm not at home right now. But a few other items off the top of my head.

-first aid kit (including Celox or equivalent)
-waterproof toolbox with basic tools, spare fuses, spare drain plug, electrical tape, zip ties, maybe next year's impeller in it, etc...
-extra phone charing cords
-electric air pump
-trash bags


Go to the dollar store and get some Totally Awesome Cleaner. It is incredible for cleaning the interior and just about anything else. Just make sure you also pick up some 303 protectant or equivalent to put on the vinyl after cleaning or it will crack. My boat is almost all white. The totally awesome gets out things other way more expensive products couldn't touch.

For bumpers I’ve found the traditional round style to be awful on snuffing the gel coat. For the last couple seasons we’ve used slalom ski bouys and they work great, just a little on the small side. This season we got some “big *** ballz” from s guy on here and can’t wait to test them out.

This might seem like an obvious one to some but overlooked by a lot, no shoes what so ever and only clean food and drinks. Nobody likes a bag of orange Doritos blended into the upholstery.

Hey oh! I can't wait for everyone to get on the water with their new BABz!

I'll also echo the no shoes/clean food drink argument. I used to think this was ridiculous. But now I've come over to the dark side. I'm still not super strict on food and drinks. But I police a lot more. Shoes have always been a no no. They will wreck the boat.

[Jetdriver]

Box anchor and anchor buddy are the best. The small is plenty big for our size boats. (Not the jet ski size) I really like the shore spike as well as the Danika hook. Makes tying up like a boss easy and your boat stays off the beach and in the water where it’s supposed to be! If your pe dead set on beaching it get a hull guard. No shoes, no smokes, Cheetos and Doritos are delicious but it sucks when they get stuffed in crevices and you find a soggy orange mess later! I don’t stress over the food so much as insisting my friends and family get it from the bag to their mouth successfully.
If you haven’t driven a V drive before take some time to learn how it reacts in both forward and reverse. The nose will pull left in reverse because of prop rotation. Once you get the hang of that docking and such is easy. Just go slow. Power loading is for rookies and can really damage a lot of ramps so get the nose of the boat onto your bunks then winch it up instead of powering on. Back in a little bit more if it’s to hard to get it to rest on the bow bumper.
Sweet boat, love the colors! Welcome to team Tige!