Justin Ballotte was named the winner of Boat Outfitters’ inaugural DIY Genius Contest in November 2024. Ballotte used four Boat Outfitters access doors and a tilt-out glove box on the 21-foot strip-plank composite center console he and his family built in their Connecticut garage. We asked him more about the build, the boat, and how he chose and spec’d the Boat Outfitters parts he used.
Looking for a great gift for an angler or fishing boat owner this holiday season? We make it easy with original ideas that are compatible with a variety of boats and fishing styles.
Want to buy boat stuff for someone this holiday season but don’t know what to get? Here’s a handy list of 10 great, one-size-fits-all gifts for your favorite boat owners.
The original console switch panel on this 24-year-old project boat was replaced with a new, custom-cut acrylic panel and new rocker switches. The result was a better looking, more functional dash.
So, what makes a fillet table “ultimate?” For Florida Sport Fishing TV’s Capt. Mike Genoun, longevity is the number one concern, but he also loves the 6-foot cutting surface and lockable drawers on his Boat Outfitters Ultimate Fillet Table.
Love your drop-in bait prep table but hate losing a rod holder when you’re using it? One South Carolina inshore guide came up with an “off-label” use for our 3-Rod Kite Fishing Holder that actually adds two rod holders plus a rigging and bait prep station.
A new crop of innovative, removable sun shades can make summer boating a lot more fun. But which style is right for your boat, your intended usage, and your budget?
Are you one of those anglers who doesn’t want to be bothered with eating while fishing? Try these suggestions for quick, non-messy and filling lunches and snacks you can eat between casts or on the run to the next stop.
Whether it’s on a hook, a pair of pliers, or some other piece of tackle, rust destroys both form and function of anything it gets ahold of. Here are some tips for preventing rust on your fishing tackle and tools and for addressing it when it does occur.
Comfortable seating is in short supply on many fishing boats. That’s fine when you’re actually fishing, but for family fun days, extra seats are a welcome addition. A pair of removable forward backrests made a world of difference on this flats boat.
Got ratty old carpet under the gunwales of your flats boat or poling skiff? Replace it yourself with custom-cut foam decking! Here’s how to measure your boat, remove your old carpet and glue, and install your new under-gunwale pads.
Even on today’s luxurious, fully loaded pontoon boats, there’s always room for customizations and upgrades. Check out our suggestions ranging from folding tables to fishing rod holders and grills to garbage can cabinets.
Sometimes a custom design project works out so well that the resulting part goes into production. This raised, multi-purpose table that drops into transom-mounted rod holders is a perfect example.
Today’s high-tech fishing scales have little in common with that old spring-loaded scale that slid around in the bottom of your dad’s tackle box accumulating rust. Here’s what they can do and why it matters.
Today’s inflatable water toys and accessories are light years ahead of the previous generation. But they also require better pumps. Here’s a boater’s guide to on-board air pumps, including the innovative new ATMOS built-in air station.
For DIYers, fiberglass coring can get confusing. Here’s a quick guide to the basic core options and a comparison of two especially popular choices with significantly different characteristics — Coosa composite board and NidaCore honeycomb panels.
What does your perfect coastal boating destination look like? We picked our top 5 in the U.S., including destinations in Florida, the Mid-Atlantic, New England, the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. Start planning!
With a new, all-composite structural grid installed in their 1978 SeaCamper project, it was time for RV and travel bloggers Danielle and Tommy to fabricate a new floor for the cabin using Coosa composite board.
Chances are that you can thank someone from your early years for your love of fishing and boating. If so, you should be paying that gift forward to the next generation. Here are some tips from a father of five.
Out of the thousands of boating lakes in America, how do you narrow it down to the top 5? It’s an impossible task, but we did the best we could, finally settling on great destinations in almost every region of the country.
One of the few things Tamsin Hall and Sidney Parris didn’t love about their WorldCat 295CC was the open storage bins recessed into the cockpit sides. So they worked with Boat Outfitters on a custom tackle storage unit for the same cutout.
Various types of coring are widely used in boat building to make fiberglass panels lighter and stiffer. Here’s what you need to know about one choice: thermoplastic honeycomb core, commonly called Nida-Core.
Your goal in outfitting your boat with safety equipment should be keeping you and your crew safe, not just complying with the law. What additional safety equipment you’ll need depends on how and where you use your boat.
Adopting a flexible tackle storage system based on swappable trays that are properly pre-organized ensures that you can customize your tackle box, bag or pack for the specific mission ahead.
