retiredbosn

It's called a center dual console (CDC),I love the layout. Makes sense when you think about it, keeps driver passenger weight centered when running, seats are set just a little higher more comfortable for us old guys. Allot easier to get around in and frees up additional fishing locations for those days when multiple ppl want to go. They made both the Z8 and Z9 with this configuration, but the front deck came all the way back to the console.

I see allot of improvement with the second picture. Some of that have to do with the unit's processing speed and screen resolution? So with the helix it may not be as much of a difference?

My wave jumping days are over, fun to do yes, but I have to pay the repair bills now!

To give more info to help you out, I fish Murray, Clarks Hill and Santee Cooper Chain. To me these lakes are fairly large, several thousand acres smallest one about 48000 acres, plus the coast is only a couple hours away

One boat is a 2015 Stratos VLO dual console with a Merc 115 four stroke. Second boat is a 2007 Nitro 911 CDC with a Merc 225 Optimax. Ok for the particulars, engine warranty the same on both boats five year cover to skeg, the Stratos is 18' 9" and a 89" beam, the Nitro is 20' 2" and a 8' 2" beam or 98". Stratos single wheel trailer, aluminum rims, steel fenders, Nitro tandem axle, fiberglass fenders. Electronics the same, the Stratos has 0 hours on motor and the Nitro has 127 computer verified. Price on Nitro is less than the Stratos just because the Stratos is new, the Nitro when new was around 42k, the Stratos the way I rigged it was almost 27k. So that's your choice, New Stratos 186 VLO or used Nitro 911 CDC, what say ye? And why? BTW the first three pics are the Nitro second three Stratos BTW I am picking up my boat in the morning and your answer will not sway my decision, just curious what other anglers, boat owners, and hopeful boat owners would choose. Honestly I don't think there is a wrong choice, I'm just interested in your thoughts and opinions.

Thanks Wayne you da man! I'm going to replace the transducer with the HD model. I know it won't make a difference regarding how fast I can operate the boat but the image quality will be vastly improved when I get down to business looking for cover and structure. Thinking about just changing it on the bow, do u recommend changing both? Or the stern one first?

Neighborhood covenants and HOA's are a necessary evil when developing a neighborhood outside city limits, or when there aren't any zoning laws. Depending on the area, developer, type of community etc dictate what covenants are put in place. The role of a HOA is enforcement of covenants, and upkeep of common property, roads etc. The homeowner fees go towards paying for road improvements, maintenance of common property, my neighborhood has a pool, the fees cover maintenance of it and insurance. In my case parking my boat is a city ordinance not a neighborhood thing. Boats, RVs etc have to be parked on sides or behind dwellings.

OK, this is how ignorant I am when it comes to flowers. I was looking in the background for a picture of a face or statue of pan. BTW looking in the background there is a white spot on a tree partially obscured by foliage that sorta makes a face! Then I googled Lucifer plants, the red flowers, what an idiot. Wow what a treat, haven't seen lady slippers since moving off the farm in WV. They're beautiful. With our little wild patch we new sort spring had finally arrived when they came out.

Fairly new to these new fish finders, I've never had a side imaging unit. I am curious at what speed can you run your boat and still get reliable info? How fast is too fast?

All in good fun my man, BTW my uncle did 20 in the Navy, Cryptology, he is still a little squirrelly. To the OP my last post promise, back to anchor line.

The reason these anchors don't dig in on contact is they lack the weight and pivot point that an anchor's foot (forget the term) provides, they'll bounce around until the flukes hit right and then dig in. To avoid this let out only enough line for the anchor to make contact, plus a couple feet. This will lift the connection point up and force the flukes down. Once securely anchored, add slack so you won't accidentally pull free. That's the purpose of the chain, to provide weight keeping the lifting arm down after being securely anchored. Danforth anchors are much more reliable.

Never been on a buoy tender have ya? Chain? Please, heat and beat shackles, splicing wire rope, running boats in hurricane conditions, commanding officer of vessels around 300 feet, C/O of duty stations (that navy guys tell me in the Navy would take a LtCmdr to be the commanding officer) , Coast Guard Boatswain Mates do it all. Never ever confuse us with a Navy bos'n, not the same.

When striking I was given an old 3" tow line, which I had to splice. BM2 Johnson and BM3 Gray thought it was hilarious watching their SNBM using hammers and a capstan to get the job done. I of course failed to see the humor. OP sorry for the hijack, resume thread. A jay gave great advice btw.

Come on boats, the OP wanted to splice it. Think you should do a tutorial on splicing double braid. You know how easy that is with small diameter line.

Congrats, one tip for ya, my first boat had a similar Johnson engine, make sure to disconnect the cranking battery before charging it. Without a disconnect either by switch or manually, charging it while hooked up will blow the coil packs. Same with jumping. I blew mine because I just hooked a charger to it and again when I hooked a jump box. Some of us are slow learners lol.

Who's responsible for the landscaping, looks really nice!

You're not that far from me, are you still finding wild quail? I've not done any hunting since moving back here. Everyone says that finding wild coveys is next to impossible.

Yeah that sucks, found a spot about ten minutes from house, the website shows covered car port type enclosures. I could get by for a few days having it here. Actually as long as its hooked to the truck I can keep it here indefinitely.

Just did some measuring and my boat won't fit in garage, local regulations prevent me from sticking it in the yard. So I guess I'll have to keep it at a storage facility. Cost isn't too bad, just wondering how many here have to do this? What should I look for or avoid? Thanks

Sure beats the old amphibious Jeeps of WWII, they actually had a propeller

I apologize for hijacking thread, but short answer you'll have to get a jack plate and raise the motor, might as well get a few inches of setback too, gets ya on plane without dropping stern as far. Manual jack plates aren't cost prohibitive, but of you're really in a pinch and know a welder have him make ya one.

I've often wondered about this, on a river makes good sense, but I bet hydrilla would play havoc on the intake. I don't worry about shallow around here, very very little skinny water. But back home on the New River, I'm thinking that it would be awesome. Going up river in class V rapids would be fun.

No to run ultra shallow (I'm talking 6" or less) you need two of three things. Brass kahunas and an inboard jet or a tunnel hull outboard jet. If I still lived on the New River I'd have a set up like I'm talking about. Take a look.

With the right set up you can run as shallow as 4"

You being there for him means more than you'll ever know. Just listen don't try to fix anything, just getting it out so to speak will do allot. When I was pastoring churches I dealt with this type of thing all the time. I had a trusted therapist that I referred ppl to. Not your job to fix it, just listen. Glad he is going to a doctor, hopefully he'll find the help he needs. If he is a church member suggest he talk to the Pastor, if not just keep doing what u are. Once he opens up deals with everything sees a professional he'll be ok.