I wanted to fish a couple BFL tournaments this next season as a boater. Seems, after double checking the rules, my boat isn't good enough since it's not a brand new Ranger costing 30-50K.
Some of the things disqualifying my boat.
All boats must be propeller-driven, a minimum of 16 feet in length and have a rear deck (with a seat if requested).
This one I'm OK with since I'm right at 17'. I don't have a rear deck, (but that is simple to address, or is it?) Not allowing jet boats will exclude lots of boats on this site.
All boats must be equipped with wheel steering; no other steering device will be permitted.
This one excludes me.
There are SEVERAL BOATS being offered now, that are more than tournament capable that are Tiller operated boats. From Lund, Crestliner, Tuffy, Alumacraft, etc,etc.
Fishing platforms must be factory-installed equipment. No portable platforms may be used in tournament competition
Again I don't see the point. Heck, to read this literally, even if you have a glass bassboat, and you fab a front deck extension, this wouldn't be legal.
This rule, also prevents me from adding a drop in rear deck extension.
And finally one more.....
Fuel may be carried only in factory-installed (built-in) fuel tanks. Any additional fuel used during the tournament day must be purchased from a retail facility open to the public and pumped through a hose with a nozzle.
Prevents use of 6 or 12 gallon, portable tanks. Which I may end up using. Depends on if I break down, and just install a built in tank.
There are other boating related rules too. These are just some of the ones that would prevent a BUNCH of us from fishing out of our own boat in these tournaments.
Here in Michigan they do fish some big water-St Clair, Detroit River, but they also fish the Grand River.