done

Got sick of the shore so I picked up a Tracker 1436 this summer. It is not the best boat, but it floats, has a good motor, and I have already grabbed a mess of fish with hit. Presently adding a deck, lighting, bilge and livewell to it. JUST about done.

I will be getting home late friday...probably not till 7 or 8.

I can honestly say, I have never had any problems finding catfish in the lake I fish in. I could easily come back with 100 lbs of catfish in 4 hours of fishing. Funny part is I never caught a single one when I lived up north.

Assuming you have a MS based operating system (Windows), I switched to Windows Live Onecare a while back. It does virus and spyware scanning and the definition files are kept up to date. When you first get it, it is like a Romanian Duchess in the attention it wants asking what programs should be allows to do what actions. However, once it is all set, it does well. I would always stick with the big guys, Mcafee , Norton, and MS. They just have the budget and IT staff to keep the virus and spyware definition files up the date at a level others can't. For a test, go to Microsoft site, download the OneCare Live trial ( can use it for free for 60 days) and see if it finds anything. If it does, then it will clean it for you. If you want to buy it, then you can do so. Or uninstall it.

"It was the most expensive part of the whole boat redo project. " - LOL I can imagine! As everyones ability to endure instability differs, I would try the test offered up by the guys here to go out with something you can get wet and get the feel for what you can tolerate. Be good if you also try it in an area where you can pick up some wake and see how that feels. I know for my 1436, I can stand and cast no problem with one of my buds. But take my grandfather out, the boat rocks even the slightest and he is heading overboard, even when sitting down on the built in bench. Which is why you see some guys here talking even of a 12' or 14' decking going well, while others will tell you never to even attempt it. The other thing, when yo do your "test", be sure to balance out your results with your average BAC while fishing. I never mix drinking and fishing. However, there are plenty of folks who will have a few while out there. So if you are out there sober during your test and it is tricky to stay in. Keep in mind with a nice buzz your ability to stay upright and dry may be impaired.

Our Alumacraft dealer does not even show the new jons online. They have package deals online but not the new ones, w/ just the boat. I checked a lot of them out ahead of time, the best thing is to know your options and do not rush. I looked at a mess of them. The Trackers were not the roughest/toughest but for the cash I wanted to spend they were good. I also chatted with a few guys who owned them and looked around to hear reviews. They seemed good middle of the road boats. Not the sturdiest, but not crap. Alumacrafts were more solid, but obviously you pay for it. Don't know about the others. My other thing, I was looking for a boat I could use for maybe 5 years to really see how much I liked it. if all goes well, in a few years I will invest in a nice bass boat. I just did not want to go out and start at that level to find out I loathed every second of it.

I looked at those on along with the Tracker Jons. The Alumacraft will be priced higher than the Trackers. Their hulls are thicker, they have more supports running across the bottom. The one I saw with a live well, was one of those with a plug that just opened it up to whatever whater you were in and it would fill to whatever the waterlevel was outside the boat. I went with the tracker, for a few reasons. Mainly, It was the right price, I found a dealership that put together a motor, trailer, boat deal that really beat the heck out of everyone else.

Carpet definitely. Got the carpet glued down today. Picked it up at Lowe's. They got 4 types of carpet listed explicitly as outdoor (not indoor/outdoor). Of those, 2 are labeled as Marine carpet. They are about .73 sq ft. I bought enough to do the front and back of the boat, which ran about $70. I also spent some extra on outdoor carpet adhesive. Takes about 5 days to fully cure. I also put in the rear seat and pulled about 40ft of wiring around the boat. Since I moved the battery up to the middle I ran conduit from the back to the middle seat and from the bow to the middle seat and pulled all my wire through there. Got a cheap cooler from Walmart which I am going to use as my livewell. One thing I did a bit different for my protection. There are 2 separate circuits in the boat. One which will connect to my marine battery is trolling motor and livewell (fishing stuff). The other which runs to this other tractor type battery (until it dies and I replace it with a marine) runs the lights and bilge pump. I figure if I go overboard on the tolling motor, or visa versa, I will always have 1 battery to run the HAVE TOs like the Bilge pump and lights. I can swap the battery positions if I need as well. I also got a switchboard from Bass Pro with the battery gauge on it to help me avoid killing a battery unexpectedly. I covered it up before I thought to take more pictures so I will try to do that tomorrow when I finish up the wiring. By then my carpet glue should be dry enough for me to install the front seat and finish out the storage and install the extra foam I bought. One thing I learned, thankfully before it was too late. Plan out your electrical (if any) before you get to decking and such. I THOUGHT I had it planned out, but of course changed my mind on a couple things and ended up having mucho fun hanging half under the deck and half out the side of the boat. It is actually turning out pretty good so far. I cannot wait to get it into the water. The hull has been dry for a week now. :'(

I think the problem is a lot of folks, like myself, would LOVE, absolutely love, for them to find something like Bigfoot or the Lochness monster to be true. It would truly be an awesome find. However, you need to be careful in not allowing that feeling to overcome your logic and reason. You need to be objective in these things. I mean cool things can be found. Not too long ago, a search for a "monster" that was supposedly killing animals (dogs, chickens, etc) across a large area of NC, netted a photo of what looks like a mountain line. That find is pretty extraordinary because while this area was part of their natural range a long time ago, we had pretty much killed them off in those areas. So finding that there may actually be a viable breeding population in these areas was very interesting. Given how close it was to moderately populated areas, it was also a little scary.

I did a quick scan on the web. plenty of posts calling these guys Scam artists. I also did some querying on that boat. found 2007's priced at $30k. There is no way you can legally offer that boat at that price and stay in business. I mean a new 8 hp mercury 4 stroke motor alone will run you $1,6000-ish. That motor is a lot bigger than that. The boat alone probably has more than $5,000 worth of raw material in it. From what I have read online about this and this price I would RUN.

Check this site out: http://www.worldlawdirect.com/forum/consumer-complaints/10314-buying-boat.html

Yeah these guys have changed their stories more than my cousins wife changes her hair color (which is a lot). First they found the den, next it was they found a single one that was shot by an ex-con, then they found it dead already with open wounds. Then, if I found one of these things, and wanted to make some real cash. I would contact some VERY reputable. Maybe from a large zoo or university and partner with them. They have what you call NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreements) that you would have them sign so they did not double cross you. Then after that come out with the announcement, make arrangements for other scientists to verify the work your expert did (under NDAs). Also, to think they would hide in that area. I could see the Pacific Northwest, and some other areas. But to be unknown to science anywhere in the east...I mean those woods just are not THAT big. To hide a breeding population of such large animals this long. Just my .02 I guess.

Yeah I would say I am impressed with this thread. It could have easily turned nasty if anyone was a little sensitive. I do hate though how the same crime can get you radically different fines depending on what mood a judge is in. Like cops (and I am related to 2 cops), there are good judges and bad judges. It is the luck of the draw which one you pull and what type of mood he is in. Course when I got my $250 ticket, that dude reminded me of that judge Dan Akroid played in that movie with Demi Moore and Chevy Chase. Dude looked like Abe Lincoln. There were photos along the walls of other guys who looked like him, same last name, all were retired judges and state senators. Court house was 200 yrs old. Had an old wood burning stove in it (don't think they used it though) Guy ahead of me was busted for running THE red light (there was only one in town), 2 of 5 stop signs in town, and possession of weed. The judge knew him, cause he called him by first name. Gave him bail, told him he had 10 minutes to bring the money. Then looked at his watch and started counting down. Dude ran out of the courthouse. Came back while the judge was dealing with me. Judge looked at his watch, said "You're 45 seconds late. Bail revoked! Bailiff take him away!!". Really made me feel lucky with my fine. The funny part was he tells me to go to the clerks office next door and to pay the clerk. Says the clerk will be in his office in 20 minutes. So I went to the ATM, got cash, went to the clerks office (EARLY!!, was not running past 20 minutes). Am in there waiting 5 minutes, judge walks in the back door of the office, takes off his robe (has a suit on under it). HE was the CLERK!! He talked to me like he had never met me. I thought I was on candid camera or something. He wrote me a receipt, and I got the heck out of that town. I NEVER went back there again. When I got my second and last ticket in Hamburg, NY. I actually told the DA about it after he told me about how that town has the highest tickets. He laughed himself silly. He told all the city cops about it, and they laughed too. Even the judge made a joke about it when I got done. Said "Pay a $20 parking fine (which was my deal), and I will meet you over at the clerks office in a few to handle it. Just kidding..."

First of all, I would like to say I got most of my ideas from this thread: http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1214100879 I wanted to thank that poster. Without him, I never would have gotten the idea to take it as far as I did. He has also been extremely helpful in answering questions. I have the same Aluminum frame used in the other thread. My boat goes out frequently with a 7 yr old girl or a 70 yr old man out front. Because of that I kept my deck a little lower to keep the center of gravity lower. This weekend, I am pulling all the wire hooking up the lights and bilge pump to the switch panel, and putting in the carpeting. One other addition I am making. I grabbed a TON of foam which I am stacking hull to wood under the deck. This was for 2 reasons. First, additional hull noise insulation but more importantly, because of the 7 yr old girl and her sisters. I wanted to give this thing as much buoyancy as humanly possible. Should the worst case scenario happen. Every little bit helps. Some additional plywood is 11/16 thick, treated with Thompsons (it was what I had lying around). Some folks are using paint, some other sealant. Seems they have had success with those. I will be putting in the same seats as the other thread. I am also planning on moving the battery forward to move as much weight forward as possible. I am about 200 lbs, I generally outweigh the folks in front (if there are any) by 2 to 1 so anything that helps pull that bow down more is good for me. I also figured with that battery further forward and the bilge in back. I would need that much more water in the boat before I had to worry about my battery or switch board getting swamped. As I progress down the back of the boat, I will continue shooting out some pictures.

Check lists definitely work. There is a reason we had one when I was taking flying lessons. My wife has them for family trips too. Wth 4 kids, it is amazing how you tend to forget some ridiculous things.

We had been thinking the same thing. That list however is burned into our brain now. LOL!

...or sympathy. LOL

Went out with my bud a couple weeks ago. He had recently just picked up his boat (it is a 14 ft fiberglass, from '79 w 35 HP outboard) so we were really just getting out for the first couple times. At first. we had a pretty normal trip, found a decent area to start and trolled along the shore casting out near some fish attractors and a mess of docks. Then we went to go to the next area. Motor would not start. We only had a single battery and we drained it enough with the trolling motor that it did not have enough to start the motor. Luckily an old timer came along and suggested we dig into the motor for a pull start (which we found). It started nice and we went to the next hole. We were at that hole a little bit before my buds reel got fouled, he opened it and without thinking out the top of it on the side of the boat, first wave that hit us, "splash". Then when we attempt to leave we lose a nail which is used to help secure a pin that holds the anchor to the front of boat when it is up. No big issue, the only reason it would be needed is when you are really shaking the boat or driving with it on the trailer. We got no bass that day, a ton at catfish and brim mainly. So we get back to the launch and pull out, get about a mile down the road and see 50 ft of line hanging out the back of the boat. We pull over and go to stow the line, we realize it is the anchor line and there is no longer an anchor attached to it (remember that nail....). After driving back and forth a couple times, we give up on finding and count ourselves lucky that we did not kill anyone with it. We drive another mile towards home and my bud goes to call his wife and tell her about it and can't find his cell. We had it at the launch. When we got in the boat. Then we remember this thing on the road we dodged on the way back from looking for the anchor. It was right where we stopped the first time to check the line hanging out the back. So we do a quick uturn and fly back there. By then his phone is a pancake. So I can say without a doubt, we learned a ton. We have 2 anchors on the boat, new line, an extra supply of nails, we are really careful when using the trolling motor (he is in the process of getting a second battery), nothing gets put on the rail, and the phones stay in the center console when we are in the truck. Just wish we had caught some bass...LOL.

I hate to sound like the teachers pet but really, speed limits exist for a reason. I can't tell you how many times I have hade someone come close to killing my entire family cause they felt they needed to be moving at 90+ mph on I-85 when everyone else on the road is 70- mph. At that speed differential in heavy traffic you come up on folks so fast they will either not see you or not be able to react fast enough to deal with you. as for in my neighborhood, there is already one less licensed driver in mine. I met with the police chief on speeders who had in more than one case come within 2 ft of killing a child. The cops put up a speed trap across from my home and one dude they pulled over on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 65 in a 35, 58 in a 35, and 48 in a 35. He lost his license. I have myself gotten 2 speeding tickets in my life and while it sucked paying the fine and the increased insurance, I earned both of them. i knew the penalty and I did the crime. The cops can take it too far though sometimes. I know on rt 19 in WV they will sit on the bottom of some real steep hills and nail you for 8 mph over. Or any speeding ticket they write on the outer belt n Atlanta. The speed limit there is 55. Anyone who has ever driven there can tell you, if you went 55 you would be killed on about 3 minutes.

My first ticket I ever got was $250. I was convicted for 68 in a 55 but I was going much faster. I got lucky in that I was pulled over in the town in NY that had the highest fines in the state. LOL Course because of that ticket, my only other one, when the DA saw the fine I paid he let me go. Said I had already paid for 2 tickets with the first.

Well I am glad to see I am not the only person who has heard of them. I just wish I did not have to get oyut of the area or always go online to buy 'em. Here Walmart is like the only one who carries any of them and they have a real small selection. Maybe I can harass one of the local shops to give 'em a try. I even nailed a nice catfish on one last month.

I generally go out on weekdays after work, or on occasion before depending on projetc work. I am hoping to have my boat back fishable after this weekend. Once I do, I can shoot you a PM when I plan on going out next and see how your schedule is that week..

Good point on the paint. For some reason I always think wood sealer that kept the woods finish but like you I will be covering mine with carpet so I could care less of it was natural color or hot pink.

Yeah I saw this video a few months back. Just about anyone who becomes a parent talks about the sacrifices they would make for their kids, but until you are in the position for real sacrifice you never know. This guy really delivers. Even my worst day with any of mine to date is probably easier than his everyday and he really comes through. Just an awesome dude.

If Gaston county (Gastonia) ain't too far for ya, you can count me in. I do have a 14' Jon (in the process of renovating). I generally hit Lake Wylie, and am trying to find some good holes for Bass anyway. So every trip is an adventure.