Goldstar225

I know how you feel. I want the features of the ultrex but I'm unwilling to spend the $. Being the cheap fella that I am I'll keep making do with my Maxxum.

You might get better results by posting a new thread rather than resurrecting a four year old one. Often people only answer the original question and don't check most recent posts. But to answer your question. If the boat is trully in good shape it will probably serve you for many years and save several thousand over buying new.

I think you'll be pleased with that 70# TM. If it's the Minn Kota, get the digital maximizer version. You'll have much longer run time and infinitely variable speed control.

I've had my Mustang HIT for 4+ years and the kit just expired. I just installed the rearm kit and it expires in 2025.

Probably $7-$8. No way that I'm going to spend big bucks on a single lure.

Just off the top of my head I would recommend a 14' with a 48" bottom as a minimum. The board members could be more helpful with more information such as how many people will be in the boat, what horsepower outboard you want to use or trolling motor only, what type of waters you will be fishing (small lake/river or larger bodies of water).

I received the Plano Edge terminal box. Gave my grandson a Dobyns fury cranking rod with a Lews speedspool 5.6-1 to go on it.

No music for me other than what mother nature provides. The wind in the trees, the slap of water against the hull, water running down the rocky hillside, and the various animals.

Plano edge terminal box and a rearm kit for my Mustang HIT.

I can't help you with any shops in Memphis but Mark Croxton is highly regarded for the quality of his work and quick turn around time. http://www.marksprops.com/

Every time the subject of inflatable PFD's comes up, people post about failures. OK, it's a man made device that has to activate so I suppose some will fail. Yet despite all the hand wringing they are still approved for use by the Coast Guard. Maybe they know a little bit about the subject? Here's my usage. When fishing with someone else in the boat, I use a standard vest but only when running the outboard. When fishing solo I wear the Mustang the entire time I'm in the boat, I won't do that with a standard vest. So for those who don't trust an inflatable PFD do you think I'm better of wearing the Mustang or nothing at all???

I've owned two 14X36 jon boats. If I have another it will either be a 14X48 or 16X48 for stability. I will recommend a flatbottom. As for trolling motors in your situation I would set up a front casting deck with a foot controlled 12V 45# and possibly a 55# 12V on the stern. A jon boat IME doesn't require a lot of thrust but I typically like to creep along when fishing.

I use the Mustang HIT auto/manual inflatable. The positive is that since it's hydrostatic, it only deploys if it's submerged more than 4" deep, no dissolving pill. It's comfortable. If a persons girth exceeds 48" an extension strap is available. The negative is that they are expensive at $200.00 +. If you don't see the need for an auto inflating vest there are models available with a pull tab for a lot less. Just my opinion but I will not use an inflatable belt.

Sent a note to Santa: I've been a good boy this year. Can I have a terminal box, please?

I don't have that boat but my 15' X36" jon boat draft was 3-4". Don't forget to factor in the height of the outboard and/or trolling motor.

I just installed a loc-r-bar on my boat last week before a trip. No system will make your boat invulnerable. The trick is to make it harder to steal your stuff than is is to steal from someone else.

I did my Tracker TX17 about 3-4 years ago. Taking the carpet out wasn't hard. The difficult part was removing the old glue (I wanted a completely clean surface). I tried acetone but it chased me out of the shop. I wound up using an angle grinder with a wire cup brush, that went a lot faster. It took 27' of carpet to do a 17' boat with very little waste. Take your time and plan your cuts carefully. I was very pleased with how mine turned out.

I fish some lakes with LOTS of stumps (such as Lake Conway AR). The bottom of my last boat was dented all to heck from stump jumping under OB power. I'm trying to keep my new tin boat in good shape. I ease through the field slowly with the TM. Can't spot them all due to muddy water but when I hit one I can usually get off by increasing TM power and backing off. I occasionally have to use the OB to back off. So far it's worked. The bottom of my hull has quite a few scuffs but no denting.

Fortunately I don't have that problem on my boat, the top of the windshield is just below my sightline. If I were you I would probably just remove it. Another option might be to take it to a glass shop and see if they could cut it down for you.

I use both the standard and a Mustang HIT auto inflatable. I'm not going to wear a full vest 100% of the time I'm in the boat so when I'm fishing with someone else in the boat I use the standard when running the boat. If I'm fishing alone I wear the inflatable from the time I get in the boat until I get on land. My logic is that if I have someone with me, they can toss me the throw able.

If it were me I would repower (if it's too costly to repair the motor). Tin boats if maintained and not abused can serve a long and useful life. My last tracker was 30 years old when I sold it and is serving the new owner well. Of course I understand the appeal of a new boat.

My truck engine has a 5,500 - 6,000 RPM redline and spends the majority of it's time at less than 2,000 RPM. My boat engine has a 6,300 RPM max and I generally run it +/- 4,000 with occasional runs of 5K-5.5K. I expect that others spend most of their run time closer to their Max RPM. I don't think a car engine would last very long if it spent 80% of it's life in the top 20% of it's design range.

There's a lot of tracker hate out there but despite that they remain the best selling tin boat. I can only give you my experience. My last tracker, a TX17 was 30 years old when I sold it. The only issue I had was that the wood decking needed replacement, after 27 years of use. Still serving me well at that time, I just wanted improved performance and storage. I looked at tracker, ranger, and G3 (the only brands within 50 miles). I chose the Tracker PT190 and after almost two years of use I have no regrets about my decision. Could I have been just as happy with the Ranger or G3? Possibly, they both had features that I liked.

I reckon I have my last boat now, a 2018 Tracker PT190 w/ the 115 Merc.

I won't do it without my pedestal seat. Besides having the 3rd point of contact for comfort, I fish stumpy areas a lot in muddy/heavily stained waters. Without it I would be frequently performing man overboard drills. Give it time and you'll be steering without even thinking about it.