Mike Z

JFrancho, I may have misread your post, but I think the mentality that he is safer buying new because he is up north is a wrong one to take. Regardless of where you live, the boat is going to take a big hit the first year of ownership. The price he will pay for new will be a few grand higher than what someone can get the same new boat for next spring and will be many thousands higher than what he could get just a few year old boat for. In looking at the boats for sale site, a boat just 3-4 years old can save you a minimum of $10-$15K on some models. The largest hit on value occurs in the first few years. As far as the OP, just being out of college, one shouldn't be taking on debt of this type when one could get something very similar for many thousands less. I understand the "want" aspect as I was that age not so long ago. I've made my mistakes and now realize that toys like this are best bought used where someone else took the plunge and also took the hit on the de-valuation. The economy is in the crapper in many areas still and people are willing to part with some items for about what they might owe on it. In some cases, this can mean a very sweet deal. I would also consider what someone said above about running costs. I am also looking at purchasing, though used. The difference in fuel costs alone can be enormous between engines. For this reason, I know that it is doubtful that I would purchase any boat with a 250hp engine.

Sorry to pick on you, but it's statements like this that just throw common sense out the window. There are MANY Dobyns rods, around 60 bait cast rods in three distinct series. The Powell MAX and Endurance rods are priced in the Savvy series range. So when you make a claim like that, back it up with some particulars. rant mode off OK, here you go in as much detail as I can. The dealer sells Powell, Dobyns, Carrot Stix, Okuma, and many other lines. In the Powell linup they had roughly 20 rods available and in the dobyns lineup they had about the same. Prices ranged from less than $200 to nearly $300 for the rods I held. I walked around with a rod in my hand comparing each one to a rod I was interested in buying because I was given a recommendation here. In each case he Dobyns rod not only felt more balanced but also lighter. This may or may not be true, but the rods overall felt lighter than the rods from each other company I mentioned, no matter what the price range. Now, what I will admit is that once you add a reel, the rod balance will go away anyway because of where the reel is mounted. However, a rod that feels more balanced initially should have a similar feel when equal weight is added vs the other rods. To me this means very little right now since I'm not casting 800 times a day and am not 60 years old. I have plenty of strength to stand there for hours on end and toss a worm. Again, I just added my .02 based on what I felt in the store.

I have a Powell rod and have also held the Dobyns rods. If I were buying again I would go with the Dobyns. The balance is far better IMHO.

I'm glad I read your review on the Carbonlite. I was at a BPS for the first time today and looked at the Pro Qualifier, Carbonlite and some of the signature series reels. Then looked at the Revo SX in both the old model (on sale) and the new model. I really liked the new Revo SX but also liked the clicking feature on the Carbonlite. I have heard great things about the PQ, but not a whole lot on the Carbonlite and I wasn't sure. Also not sure how they compare to the Revo series or the Shimano reels in the sub $200 range. I'm done buying signature series reels though as I am not sure I want to be paying for a name when I could get something just as good for a few bucks more.

Getting my mom's 78 Sea Raider boat back in the water. (35 horse Johnson) I picked up some new plugs and bought a carb rebuild kit. I was wondering if anyone knew where I could find instructions on line for the rebuild? I also want to do a compression check. Does anyone know what the compression should be on these engines? Also, the plugs are L78V, does anyone know if they are 14 or 18mm threads, or something else? The local harbor freight has a basic compression tester for $8 but it only fits those thread sizes. Large kits are in the $25+ range. Last, What else should I check in the engine to make sure I minimize any problems at start up and when I take out out on the water for the first time? Thanks

Water would have to flow up hill about 3 feet or more vertically for you to get water in your engine because a tailpipe was in the water when you were backed down a ramp. Its just not going to happen. The backpressure is of no real concern either because the gas can escape relatively easy. I would leave it running though simply because you never know when bad luck will strike and your starter or some other related item goes.

When you look at how cheap scent is and how much you get vs how strong it is, there is no reason to try and make your own.

How much are you looking to spend? I just made a post on a Dobyns rod. I was checking out some rods on Friday. The Dobyns Champion rods were amazing light feeling and very well balanced. I have a Powell Rod and compared to the Dobyns, mine does feel a bit heavy. You can really tell a difference, but not as much with some other rods. I would also say that if you have larger hands I know the grip on the Powell and Dobyns is a bit longer so it will fit in your hand better. The Carrot Stix rod feels pretty good as well but the grip isn't quite as long so you might run out of grip. The Gander Mountain GSX rods also feel pretty light and are about $100 All rods that I have been looking at were 7' rods.

OK, I'm convinced. I had a chance to hold a Dobyns Champion rod in my hand on Friday and I couldn't believe how light it felt compared to other rods I had been looking at. The size of the cork hand grip was perfect and not undersized like many others (I have big hands) The balance and feel was nice. Anyway, the rod was a bit out of my price range at $220. I was wondering if their Savvy series rods at the lower price range also feel and balance the same way?

I woondered the same thing a few months back. I then broke down and spend $130 on a Powell rod and my trusty old Eagle Claw rod was set aside. A few things I have noticed with the more expensive rod. You can feel a lot more and the rod seems to be more sensitive. I can feel the braid moving through the guides when I am reeling. I can feel every rattle of a crank bait, and I have found that the components used are generally higher end and are balanced way better. I have seen a lot of Dobyns rod questions lately. I had a chance on Friday to feel a couple of rods at a store and can say that they are balanced better than any rod I have felt yet and the tips feel very light. I am not sure how they got such a light feel, but it put other $100-$200 rods to shame that I had been looking at.

Perhaps I didn't put it in so many words the first time but my mono didn't fill the entire reel. it was rated for 150 yards of #10 or something and I was putting #8 and I was just guessing as to the amount on the reel. As I later tied it off and walked out the line I found that I only had between 75 and 100 yards on the reel. I noticed that with the spool full of braid that the cast is much smoother and further.

Bought my first crankbaits yesterday as Gander has Rapala DTs on sale for $5 each. I picked up about a half dozen. Also picked up some Storm crankbaits for $3 each from the clearance table. So now for the dumb question. Can someone tell me why crankbait rods are so flexible? They are like noodles compared to normal rods. I only have a few guesses as to why, one being feel, one being casting, and the last having something to do with the smaller hooks used on crankbaits vss your standard plastic worm hook. (the rod sets the hooks better?) Anyway, if someone can explain quickly about the flexibility I would appreciate it. Also, if anyone has checked out the Skeet Reese yellow crankbait rods and has any input I would appreciate it.

I'm casting nearly twice the distance with braid. I have found that one factor is likely to blame. When I first put Mono on my reel I used a 300 yard spool. I had no idea where the midpoint of the spool, or 150 yards was of line that I wanted to put on. I then switched to braid (40#) and bought a 150 yard spool. Put the whole thing on and the reel is full. I have no doubt that the full reel unwinds far better than a 2/3rd or 3/4 spool and therefore my casting distance is better.

Noticed these on the BPS website. Seems they look like a cheaper alternative to the Gamakatsu hooks I spend plenty of money on. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_97826_100010002_100000000_100010000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT Wondering if anyone has used these or otherwise taken a look at them in the store?

I was reading some reviews and found that Dobyns designed the Powell Max rods and selected the factory and QC procedures for them. I have a 702 Powell rod an it is not tip heavy and in fact balances just in front of the reel. Perhaps the Dobyns rods are better, but the ones I have seen are also quite a bit more expensive with the better line costing $100 more. I just know I like my Powell 702 and when the next sale rolls around I am grabbing a 704.