jcbass1

Not sure if it has a t-stat or not; I can tell you that on my '03, it spits out the same amount of water regardless of rpm. I think it's time for an impeller. -J

Some what??? I think I'm missing something...

Thanks again guys! I can't wait to get her on the water!! ;D -J

Here's some more pics. In the garage is "before", the outside pics are "after". Now we need to buy some carpet... -J

Looks like a fun project. Keep us posted!! -J

If the transom is good, buy it. If you don't buy it, tell me where it is and I'LL buy it! Actually, I just picked up an '88 BassCat for 2 grand, and it's only got a 70hp on it. I'd say what you're looking at is one heck of a deal. ESPECIALLY since you know carpet and such; it'll be that much easier on you. Congrats!!! -J

Thanks for the Congrats guys! I'm on break from cleaning her up right now. Done with the rubbing compound and wax, now she just needs buffed. I've got everything out of the rear end of her too, trying to starighten out the wiring. Hasn't been too bad so far, everything just seems to be sailing along. I sure can't wait to get her on the water though!! Pics to come, probably tomorrow. I don't have 'em loaded yet. -J

Picked it up last night. '88 BassCat Margay, 70hp Merc (110 psi in each hole ), BC trailer. Needs carpet and some elbow grease, but she's solid. Hopefully I'll have her ready before the season starts...

Should be. You might have to add an X-brace between the joists, but maybe not. Best bet would be to get it built and stand on it before you bolt it/ weld it together. I'd think 1/8" would be plenty though... -J

HaHa, I hope not. It's been warm enough that crap should have melted by now! In it's new home, it'll spend its off-water time in the shed. -J

Just bought (well, I think I did) my first glass boat. '88 BassCat Margay, with an '88 Merc 70hp. I know it's not a big one, but it's a big step up from my Tracker! Here's a link to the ad: http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/277941947.html No, I didn't have to give that much for it!! Anyway, if all is like the guy says it is, I'll be dragging it home tonight. I'll try to get some pics, but it may not be 'till tomorrow or Sun. S'posed to rain all weekend, so I can mount my electronics and get ready to go. Anyway, be prepared for a bunch of stoopid noobie questions from a first-time 'glass boat owner. ;D -J

Sort of... It's been my experience that whenever there is ANY weather hitting the water, the buzzbait will produce awesomely. Any kind of rain, sleet, snow, etc. hitting the surface will instantly turn the buzz bite on, at least around here. I don't know if it's the noise, the pressure, or a combination of things, I just know it works!!! -J

THROW IT!!! Preferably a 1/2 oz.; black if the water is dirty, white otherwise. Run it just fast enough it stays on top. -J

If it's your first time out for the year, you're gonna be searching, because you won't know what pattern the fish are on. Some lakes they'll be shallow, others they won't, etc. I'd start with sun up, throwing a buzzbait. Not only because it's a fantastic search tool, but also just 'cause I love to throw 'em! Once you find a fish or two, slow down and work the area again with jigs, jerks, or T-rigged soft plastics, depending on what they'll hit. That'll be up to you to determine while out there. You'll probably change tactics several times during the day also, because as the sun comes up and warms the water it'll move the fish. Just keep searching 'till you find them, then slow down and fish them hard. Anyway, that's how I'd start! ;D Oh, and if you catch a few first thing with that buzzbait, don't stop fishing it 'till they quit bittin' it! -J

Exactly right. I don't think I've fished a single time in the last 10 years without throwing a buzzbait at least once. Last winter I caught a 5lber. in Jan., water temp was 48* at the surface. If you see me fishin, more than likely I'm throwin (or just got done with) a buzzbait. -J

Gotta be a buzzbait. 3/8 oz. black HardHook w/ a silver blade, fished SLOWLY at the grass and lay-downs. There's nothing better!!

I think I'd probably have to agree with that. In my case, I've yet to approach anybody about a potential sponsorship, simply because I don't feel like I've earned that right. I've been fishing since I was old enought to hold a rod, but have only been tourney fishing for 2 seasons. I've yet to win a single tournament (other than club T's), let alone more than one, so who in their right mind would sponsor me anyway?? I guess my opinion stems from being a business owner myself. Although my industry isn't fishing, the advertising side of things is similar. When I look at myself as an angler, I ask myself if my company would sponsor someone with my qualifications. So far the answer has been "no", and until it is "yes" I believe I'll continue to be "self-sponsored". On another note: I was at a fairly large tournament last year, and saw exactly how NOT to attract a sponsor. This fellow happened to catch the big bass of the day, and when he got on stage he flat-out cried for someone to pick him up. He had to have talked for 2 minutes about how "hard" it was trying to compete, and how he "needed" a sponsor or two, blah, blah, blah. If I was in the market for an angler, this guy would have fallen off the bottom of my list right then and there. -J

Throw a big black/ blue jig and work it SLOW around the deepest cover you can find. That's where I'd start. -J

I've caught two that were just a shade over 7 lbs. May have even been the same fish... Caught 'em both fishin the weeds with a black buzzbait at Coffeen. MAN I love that lake! ;D -J