Elkins45 Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 There's a piece of water I want to fish but it's too far to do as a day trip and too remote to have any places to stay nearby. I had the crazy idea of somehow rigging up a cot and canopy and just spending a couple of nights on the boat anchored offshore of the ramp but close to my truck. I figure I could take a day off in the middle of the week and go somewhere like a truck stop to shower and replenish supplies. Anybody done this? Anybody done it in gator country? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Phil Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 I have spent many a night sleeping on my boat. It's a lot more comfortable on a big boat than a small one, but both will work as long as you have enough space to lie down and stretch out. The biggest problem is bugs. The closer you anchor to trees and the shoreline, the worse they can get. If you can rig up some netting, it will help some. I have never had an alligator or a snake bother me while sleeping in my boat. I have seen snakes crawl in a boat, so be aware of that. Make sure you use your anchor lights. You don't want someone running into you in the dark. Don't anchor in a channel. If there is current, make sure your anchor will hold you. Navigating in the dark can be challenging. Numerous people have been killed or severely injured by running into docks and obstacles in the dark. Take water, food and a first aid kit. If you have to go to the bathroom, use a bottle instead of hanging over the side. Take your phone in case of an emergency. It is not a good idea to do this alone unless you are young, strong, healthy and have no choice. You can do it, but you won't sleep all that well. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MickD Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 If I were to be spending the night close to the launch, I would sleep in my truck. 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Jig Man Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 I’ve done it both ways. I prefer the truck, don’t get covered with dew and not as many bugs. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J Francho Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 I'm in the sleep in the truck camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Spankey Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 Done the truck sleeping thing while fishing on the Chesapeake Bay a couple of times. Others were doing the same thing. Once I stopped at a local Wally World to take care business and plugged in my charger. I straightened up some tackle in the parking lot and grabbed some dinner within walking distance. Than went back to the ramp. I’m ok doing this for one night. But not multiple days. Sleeping in the truck is not that comfortable. The one ramp has campsites. I may look into that the next time I want to fish that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted August 25, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted August 25, 2023 I always wake up sweating from a nightmare the boat was filling with water and I couldn’t get out, wouldn’t recommend and that was on boats with beds tied up in a marina! Haha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User GaryH Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 I would opt for the truck but you insist on the boat I’d go with something like this. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susky River Rat Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 Personally like others have said I’d try the truck or if it’s that remote just have a little tent. I’d be way to scared to sleep on a bass boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 I believe that @Cbump has slept in his bass boat. Maybe he can offer some advice here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Darth-Baiter Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 i've slept in a bass boat. the sounds are friggen amazing. bring ear plugs and a way to prevent the bugs from sucking you dry and giving you a blool borne pathogen. i used a bivvy sack. DO IT!! sleeping in a truck sucks. if i was of smaller build, maybe. i know a guy that can sleep across his front seats. i have slept in the bed, and the same things apply..noise and bugs. it was easier to eat breakfasts tho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volzfan59 Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 I'm in the "sleep in your truck" camp. Used to do it all the time when trout fishing on the Caney Fork River in middle TN. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cbump Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 I just throw a sleeping bag and pillow on the deck of the boat depending on the weather. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User the reel ess Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 Check state regs. Moored boats are supposed to have lights in some states. I'm convinced some guys do this because I used to go before the chickens and be on the spot I wanted to fish first and there would already be a boat fishing it and another staged to follow. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airshot Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 Back in my younger days I spent many nights out catfishing in my jon boat. An air cushion, sleeping *** on chilly nights and a bug suit...these really work! As I got older, my life turned me towards a van, that was awesome, wife and I even with kids spent many nights sleeping in the van, just need to set it up right. I had a nice 14' tinnie with comfy seats and a nice place to rest my feet while perch fishing and often would nod off while out fishing. One day the local sherriff boat came along and blew his airhorn just a few feet from my boat while I was snoozing !! Needless to say I did not wake up happy but he thought it was funny, wanted to be sure I was ok..... 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted August 25, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted August 25, 2023 35 minutes ago, the reel ess said: Check state regs. Moored boats are supposed to have lights in some states. I'm convinced some guys do this because I used to go before the chickens and be on the spot I wanted to fish first and there would already be a boat fishing it and another staged to follow. I don’t think those laws change by state, that’s why they call the back light the anchor light. I want to say it’s USCG rules across the country 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 Truck bed is a lot safer, dry and more comfortable. Bass Boat would be the last option and OK but the weather is a problem, dew point gets everything wet, the anchor light draws lots of bugs and uses power. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted August 25, 2023 Super User Share Posted August 25, 2023 35 minutes ago, airshot said: One day the local sherriff boat came along and blew his airhorn just a few feet from my boat while I was snoozing !! Needless to say I did not wake up happy but he thought it was funny 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cbump Posted August 25, 2023 Share Posted August 25, 2023 3 hours ago, Cbump said: I just throw a sleeping bag and pillow on the deck of the boat depending on the weather. FYI I do this while trailered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justbass11 Posted August 26, 2023 Share Posted August 26, 2023 I prefer the Holiday Inn express to sleeping in a boat or a truck just saying 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elkins45 Posted August 26, 2023 Author Share Posted August 26, 2023 1 hour ago, Justbass11 said: I prefer the Holiday Inn express to sleeping in a boat or a truck just saying I do too until the credit card bill comes. But in this particular case there isn’t a hotel nearby, or at least not one that isn’t some sort of private resort booked years in advance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GRiver Posted August 26, 2023 Share Posted August 26, 2023 I’ve did both, I prefer the truck. Boat on the trailer, safe and sound. Most ramps have a bathroom too. I pick up a topper for the truck, made a pvc frame, plywood and threw a mattress in and had bed I could sleep on. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolar Posted August 26, 2023 Share Posted August 26, 2023 There is an inlet to a lake I often fish. Quite, no one for miles. I have more than once wished I had a hammock, or something to catch a few winks on. I don't think the seat posts could take my weight like that. Also, the console is in the way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustedSwimbait Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I've always wanted to do something along these lines, but become way too paranoid about to "what-ifs". I'm sure nothing would happen, just my mind loves to run wild with thoughts like such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirtley Howe Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 I have slept on several boat that were anchored. My biggest worry was the anchor pulling and the boat drifting into something. One boat I was on (19ft Raven Cutty Cabin) did actually slip anchor, but we were lucky. The boat just drifted around the lake until we got up. No problem, no damage.....but it COULD have been bad. I never had a problem in a river, as I always anchored in a very protected location and had really good anchor sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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