Home Forums Fishing Freshwater 40 years with the same boat

I thought I'd share this with 24 hr members.

This year marks my old center console 1910 Trophy Bayliner's 40th year. The time sure flied by! When I purchased the boat in 1984, I had Tucson Marine switch the Force engine that was part of the original package with a 115 V-4 Yamaha 2 stroke instead.

I removed the large stainless tubing around the front and windshield. Added a trolling motor. Redesigned the dash using teak and had a shorter angled windshield fabricated. I also have a pair of downriggers I machined myself, you can see the bases in the two rear corners.


While I am on trolling motor # 5 the engine just keeps on going. I attribute its long life to using Yamaha products exclusively. 2 stroke oil, ring free and gas treatment.

The best accessory was the Bennett trim tabs. I have been in some nasty chop and big waves in Lake Ontario, Elephant Butte Reservoir, Lake Powell and the Sea of Cortez to mention a few and those trim tabs made a huge difference.

I have had several butt seats over the years. Most seats were pieces of junk only lasting a few seasons. I discovered that a drummer's throne seat made by Tama is THE seat. It is molded to conform to the body and uses very dense foam. I had it upholstered with convertible top material which has lasted many seasons.

This year I decided to add hydraulic steering. I did some research and it will neutralize torque steer. I suppose it could leak but never again will I encounter the resistance and slop that the original Morse rack and pinion push/pull cable system had. (had two)

I will begin the fishing season next week at the only waters I fish anymore, Roosevelt Lake Az. I use lures and am happy to have ANY kind of fish on the end of the line. While it is mostly largemouth and a few smallmouth bass, there are channel cats, flathead cats, crappie and even carp that could be caught. It is all about the action for me.

Have had my GWPs on board for over 35 years. The dogs have a great time and add to the fun. I have a tiny teak boarding platform for them.

A few pics:

That's awesome!! I could very easily enjoy a boat of that type!

Center console is very practical. And small boats are the most fun.

nice, i am on year 28 with mine .

That is a beautiful, functional boat !

Thanks for the compliments everyone.

I saw one on Lake Powell with the name Master Charge. I was running a 16' Lowe modified V and was getting hammered by the waves. When I got back to Tucson I traded it in on this center console with a deep V. It has what Bayliner calls a sequential lift hull. The rear portion is sometimes referred to as a delta design.

Yes a good size, easily trailered too.

It was large enough to withstand the worst waves thunderstorms created at Lake Powell yet small enough to visit the narrow side canyons.

another pic the boat at Roosevelt Lake near Windy Hill

Very cool 👍

I'm only on year 7 with my current boat. It's not nearly that big or fancy, but it's the only one I've ever bought brand new, so I hope it lasts me 40 😂

I had a Grumman Aluminum I used for 36 years. I was on the 4th outboard and 3rd trolling motor.

Mine is a 1996 Nitro 884 Savage with Mercury 150efi, motor is still strong I use Ring Free & Stabil religiously.

Riverc: smart move with the ring free. This product is a good preventative against carbon buildup in both 2 and 4 stroke engines.

https://yamahaoutboards.com/owner-center/videos/care-maintenance/ring-free

Forgot to add that the hull has a keel guard. That is another great addition for any fiberglass boat. As seen in first picture, I often beach it and so far there are no scratches on the keel. One time I had to beach it on the concrete launch ramp. No damage there either.

40 year old motor still running. Says alot for Yamaha

The Keel Guard is a good add on, keep saying I'm going to add one but haven't done so yet. Your boat looks good. The crazy prices for new & used boats these days will run mine till it dies.

That is super cool. I love that boat and history!

I'm on year 17 with my Ranger and Yamaha. Thinking about a new one but this keeps me centered!

I got a keel guard on my boat also, its been a good add and I would think standard issue on a fiberglass boat

" I swapped out the Force outboard for a Yamaha" . Good move. The Force were not the best, and even when Merc made them, I think they were second fiddle.

48 years on this one. More maintenance on the trailer than the boat. Still using the original Smoker oars.


I do have a tougher time though running upriver.

Great thread & some really fine pictures. 40 years is a long time to own the same boat but you can sure see you take good care of it. Just about a month ago I sold my boat I bought with my dad in April of 1994, so a couple months short of 30 years. It was a 17' Duckworth welded aluminum boat pretty popular style around my area. Had a lot of great memories in that boat but finally decided it was time to get something a bit bigger, I doubt I'll get 30 out of the new one but excited to get out fishing.

Good stuff - thanks for posting!

I knocked the lower units off mine is why I had to change motors. Lower unit cost more than a late model used motor did.

Bought it new from the factory in St Peter in 1976 and it has thousands of road miles on it fishing, hunting and trapping


A couple years ago I upgraded it to a surface drive, last summer added a shooting deck and rail for shooting carp.

Nice power train there!

Great photos, cool boat. Thanks for sharing.