STK001

Good point. You know it may just be the P-Line. You're right about the memory too. I think I'll take it off all of the reels and try something else. I'll say that Suffix hasn't been a winner with me either but I've only tried the Elite, not the Seige. I may give it a whirl! Thanks! Stuart

No, the Cardiff casts well. I think it's designed to handle that type of line. The Patriarch may not be designed for that. I am using on the Fenwick Elite Tech Target/Spinnerbait rod. It could be the flex of the rod I suppose. I just felt that maybe a lower diameter line such as spiderwire which I've found to cast very well would work better with this reel. Any suggestions as far as line that you find to cast very well? Thanks. Stuart

I've been using the P-Line CXX 17lb moss green line for Swimbaits and spinnerbaits. The Swimbait reel is my Shimano Cardiff and it casts fairly well on this reel. However I've noticed that it doesn't get near the distance it should on my Pflueger Patriarch that I use for spinnerbaits...now this reel has a narrow spool. It is a high quality reel and certainly isn't cheap. I feel it should be casting a mile even with smaller baits. No matter how it's adjusted it just doesn't get a ton of distance. Could it be the P-Line? That's what I think. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Thanks, I have enjoyed it thus far! It's a sweet boat.

Would I be able to take it to any authorized dealer? I bought my boat way down in South Carolina, 5 hours from where I live....And the next closest dealer is one that wouldn't work with me at all when looking for a boat and I truly don't want to have to go there.....

Just got a new 08' Triton and it came with a Marine Master trailer..one of the back lights went out the very first time I took it to the lake and doesn't work at all....how difficult is it to replace? I don't know much about wiring or fixing things...just like to fish! Thanks in advance!

It's been a little while since I last fished on a Tracker but the one memory that's stayed with me is all of the deck space that it had to offer...I mean it was all deck! Plenty of storage, easy to handle, comfortable boat to fish out of. It's a great fit for you're going to be using it for. I will say that I looked at the Aluminum Triton's and those are pretty darn sweet too and have tons of deck space. I'm not sure about price difference but I would guess the Tracker might be a better deal for you price wise. Enjoy your boat and your time with your daughters! Be safe out there.

Good idea

Many thanks for all of the advice and information from all of you here on the forum. This really helps me to feel better about what I'm doing out there with this new and relatively expensive "toy". I think the Optimax Oil is the only way to go and...I didn't know that giving it throttle would prevent the wave on the back..great, I'll start doing that! I don't remember that happening on the Champion that I had but that was long ago and a completely different boat.

I have the LMS520C on my Triton and it workd fine. It has a ton of stuff that I'm not familiar with yet but it seems to be a good unit. I read about some problems some of the guys had with it but I haven't had any yet. Lowrance has a great reputation. If it were my money and I was thinking 500, I would save up a little longer and get one of the Humminbird side imaging units. My buddy has one and it's the best thing I've ever seen. I'm slowly but surely saving up! However, if you're looking for something now you can't go wrong with Lowrance, Garmin, or Humminbird in the price range you're talking about. Good luck and enjoy it!

Thanks again. I'll probably go with the Optimax oil anyway, there's no need to take chances with this outboard. I noticed Sunday once or twice that it was idling a bit erratically when I took it out of gear and smoked a little....but this was after running hard and coming to a stop abruptly to adjust loose belongings...when I did this a bunch of water came over the back of the boat and onto the deck before I had time to trim it correctly to prevent this...would this cause it to smoke for some reason or is this part of the break in period? After fishing for a bit I started it right back up with no smoke or strange idling... It runs flawlessly as a new outboard should....I've had no problems starting it or anything else...

Yeah, that's something I had heard too. IS Stabil just as good or not? Also, is there a good alternative to the Optimax Oil? I keep hearing about Quiksilver. The price difference is considerable. I don't want to be cheap or do anything that hurts the performance or life of the outboard but if I can save a little and still treat it well I'd like to do that if possible....Thanks again! Stuart

Great advice. Thanks for the information! The break in period has been a concern for me too. I have ran it at different speeds and such and have had it wide open as well. I'm hoping that it's not been hurt in any way and don't believe it has. I wasn't aware that it was adding more during that period. Thanks again! I have no doubt the oil isn't cheap...nothing in fishing is these days!

I just bought a new boat recently and have used it only three times...I was told to check the oil every 5 or 6 times I was out and it looks like it's about half-full or a bit more. When should I add oil and secondly, which oil would be recommended? Thanks for your help in advance!

Tim Horton, Ike, Scott Martin ....love these guys!

It's been a while since I fished in a club but would like to join another one soon. I do have my own boat. I'm looking for a friendly club that's competitive but knows how to have fun. Thanks for your attention! Stuart

I was where you are for a long while and finally purchased a boat a few weeks ago. I decided to buy new after much debate and thought. My first boat was a 1989 Champion with a Johnson GT 150. I loved the boat but didn't bother researching the outboard...big mistake on my part! This is my main reason for buying new. My opinion is to stay away from Johnson outboards. The newer ones were an improvement but I wouldn't have another one no matter how attractive the price was. I would recommend Mercury and Yamaha. Also, research that particular outboard that is on the boat you're looking at..some years are better than others with the same make. Good luck with your purchase and have fun on the water. Take the time to make sure the boat you are purchasing is what it's supposed to be. It may a cost you a few bucks but what it saves in the long run is a lot more than money! Good fishing!

Thanks, I'll look into that one. Take care and good fishing to you.

Yeah, I have the 150 Optimax. I felt it was a good idea to have one as well but the dealer talked me out of it. He could have sold me one if he wanted and I thought he certainly wouldn't advise me to do something that could potentially harm my new rig so I felt comfortable enough to go on his suggestion. However, like yourself, I've had numerous people ask me, "hey, where's your motor toter"? That has me a bit concerned. So which one would you recommend? Thanks again!

I just ordered the line and lure/ bts combo. Thanks for putting the information out there. Any recommendations for washing the boat? What do you use to clean carpets and exterior that is safe for the gel coat? Thanks.

I need some opinions here. I just recently bought a new Triton and when I was leaving the dealership I asked about a motor toter. The salesman and the owner both said that it wasn't necessary with that boat and they never use them period. They said the transom was plenty strong and in fact the toter would put more stress on it and not relieve stress. Do I need to pick one up or should I leave it be? I will say that there isn't a clear place to mount it on the trailer end, it would be way underneath if so.... Thanks!

Getting the Triton 18 X2 with the 150 Optimax...should do the trick! ..or two Thanks!

I'm planning to buy a boat within the next few months. I had an 89' Champion for my first boat and loved it for the most part but the Johnson outboard left a lot to be desired. I had the Johnson GT150 V6. Now I'm getting a new boat or possibly a newer used boat. My options on the new are a Ranger 170VS with a 115 Optimax or an 18'6 Triton with a 150 Optimax. In someone's experienced opinion would the 115 be sufficient enough if I wanted to fish club tournaments and local public tournaments? The Triton will end up being less money monthly and more boat but I really like the Ranger...Also I'm considering a 2003 Nitro with a 200 Optimax..I'm just a bit concerned about the age of that outboard....any advice is welcomed and appreciated....thanks in advance.

I appreciate it. I'll try it again and see what happens! Stuart

Thanks Ronnie! I appreciate. Stuart