tnriverluver

I had to quit fishing for 10 years due to back problems and loosing my sea legs as a consequence. Fell out of my 201 Stratos twice during a tournament into 45 degree water. Came home and sold all 3 boats I had at the time within a week and didn't fish again until last year. Fishing was my reason for working and living back then. Yes to the depression, many times came close to putting a bullet to the head!! I finally got my legs working halfway decent again though prayer and determination last Jan. Bought a 15 foot tracker flatbottom that works very well in my area lakes but I also love to fish Pickwick dam tailwaters and Kentucky lake which are just too rough for a boat with 16 inch sides. My favorite boats over the years have always been my alum. bassboats. Have owned approx 25 boats in my 51 years. Just wanting something a little bigger that still gets decent fuel economy without breaking the bank. This will probably be my last ever boat purchase since I just fish for fun now. I just don't see things improving economy wise in my area possibly in my lifetime so it makes me nervous to spend that kind of money. Fortunately my kids are grown, though college, and gone!! Debt free including the home and really want to stay that way if possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There are many many used boats for 3-6k but most have 2 strokes and I have really fallen in love with my 20hp merc 4 stroke.

I have the same motor on a 15ft Tracker jon. The 1st 4 speeds seem to have very little difference between them and yet I hit the #5 setting and you better be holding on to something it's so fast. Don't know if this i normal for these motors or not but I am not happy that the other 4 won't even move the boat against the wind.

To expand on my OP in my particular case I am looking at an Express H17 at around 15k and will be paying cash. Just wondering how the economy is affecting others in making the decision to or not to purchase boats.

Who else is wanting a new or newer bigger boat but is afraid to spend the money or take on the additional debt in this economy? I have been going nuts trying to fight the bug for the past year and everyday tell myself I am going tomorrow to buy a new boat only to later listen to my more sensible side later on and decide not to since my business has fallen off so much over the last 4 years.

I can't keep them away from my roostertails!

With the umbrellas I have on my Jon boat that are mounted to the seat you just have to cast sidearmed. They don't get in the way most of the time. If you stand up out from under the umbrella you really have to be careful when you rare back to throw overhanded not to catch the umbrella with the hooks. Didn't take long for me to find that one out

I have used that TVA website for several years for elevation. Took me a while but finally figured out how to get to the generator schedule. Thanks!!!!

Where do you find the TVA generating schedule. I fish the lake and often striper fish below the dam. It is often hit or miss driving all the way from Jackson not knowing if they are going to have more than one generator running.

I may have missed it, but what is your tackle holder frame made out of PVC? Neat idea!

I have the extra large Cabelas bag. Fantastic bag and tough as nails. Plastic bottom so stuff doesn't get wet sitting on a wet floor. Be warned the big bag is HUGE. I have nearly all of my tackle in this one bag and its all I can do to lift it!! Compartments and nets on the outside to put everything but the kitchen sink. Bought mine on sale over the Christmas holidays. Highly recommend but wish I had bought the next smaller one. This one I leave in the boat most of the time because like I said once you fill it up it is heavy!

I have flagged that poster twice already in the past post. Scam!!

First post and just signed up. I think a bimini top would make these small boats almost uncontrollable. I just recently purchased a Bass Hunter Baby bass and just tried the umbrellas on my 15 foot flatbottom. A 15 mph wind easily turned my boat into a sailboat LOL with just one umbrella. I would imagine a bimini off any size in the slightest breeze would really scoot these plastic boats. I do plan to try out the umbrella on my Basshunter some day though as they really help on hot sunny days. Just needs to be a calm summer day.