njpaulc

When the 6 pr 7 of you guys with the problem boats get together, make sure the Triton rep overhears you talking about lawyers and class action suites. You should insist that they either replace your boat, or your money back, plus interest.

I would think both of your vehicles are on the edge of safe towing. If the trailer has brakes you're in better shape, but I wouldn't want to tow far or up and down hills with either truck. You will need a real hitch (I believe a class 2, but I'm not sure), a transmission cooler, and possibly an oil cooler. I know you're looking at close to 3000 to 3500 lbs, boat, motor, trailer, batteries, fuel, equipment, etc. If a new truck wasn't in your future plans, you might want to keep looking for a boat.. On the bright side, the price of used trucks and SUV's are falling fast, and you might be able to pick up a used truck real cheap to go along with the boat. Just took another look at the ad. The trailer is new and not a Javelin trailer. It looks like the boat sits high on the trailer (no "drop axle") and might be a difficult launch. It also looks like it doesn't have good steps on the fenders, which would make the boat almost impossible to get into.

It's not a good buy until you take the cover off and look at the boat, and have the motor checked. The OMC bass hulls were some of the best riding hulls made. I never rode in one, Javelin, Stratos, or Hydra-Sports, that I didn't like. If every thing checks out, jump on it. There are still places that have pelnty of parts, seats, windshields, etc. available, so parts shouldn't be a big consideration.

The old..old..old Strike King short arm spinnerbait (with Bill Dance wearing glasses on the package) throws the most vibration of any shot arm bait I've used. The secret is slow and steady, give the bass a chance to find it.

I agree with the above. Go with the 80lb MinnKota or the 82lb Motor Guide. The bigger motors are more efficient, and on the larger waters you fish the extra power won't be wasted. I perfer the MInnKota because they work very well in the weeds.

Great post! However, (you knew it was coming) after backlashing hundreds of times learning to pitch a quarter ounce jig, it dawned on me that I never read about any of the pros fishing that light. I now reserve the smaller jigs for skipping with a spinning rod or casting with casting tackle and start pitching at three eights. Haven't noticed any changes in catch rate.

A lot of it has to do with fishing heavy cover. You can clean weeds off of a hand controll by running it in reverse. It also changes your casting angle, allowing you to use more of the front deck.

I regularly fish club tournaments on electric only lakes over 500 acres, and getting around is not a problem. I am running a 14 ft Gruman with a 36 lp Minn Kota. Remember, you're not going to be going faster than 10mph with the kicker, so you're not talking 20mins, you're talking a difference of 5 or 10min. The only problem with adding electric motors is that they will use up your batteries. My only worry on eletric only lakes is running out of battery far away from the launch. You can buy a transom mount (not motor mount)24 volt 70 or 80 lb thrust trolling motor, but I would only run it if I had 2 extra batteries. Your 36 volt system should be more than adequate, and if your worried about losing fishing time, troll a crankbait from spot to spot, never know what you might catch.

Measure the vertical space on the transom to the left of the motor and see if it is wide enough to hold a removable commercial kicker bracket. If it is, and if you are satisfied that the transom is strong enough in that area, mount it. I have seen a few older, and smaller Stratos' with kicker plates. Another route is to have a custom mount made that bolts onto the rear deck. I knew someone who had a similar bracket made for his Astro. If you know some one who can fabricate metal that might be the best way to go. The other option, depending on how big the lake is, sell the 10hp and upgrade to a 36 volt trolling motor, which, in the long run, might be the best alternative, especially if you have to upgrade the trolling motor on an older boat. One other thing to consider, where you put the fuel tank for the kicker? The Suzuki will have different fittings than the Mercury, and will probably have oil injection.

What kind of boat are you planning on getting?