hootersdoug

I have taken the front control (Power trim and plug for the TM) panel off before to install the front depth finder. Since I have yet to get the boat out of storage, I am not sure if I can see the back side of the bolts that hold the eyelet on. I am planning on picking it up this week, so I will keep you posted and ask again when I know more. Thanks for the replies....Doug

Anyone out there have a front eyelet on their boat that has gotten "loose" from loading it for 12 years? The fiberglass arount it was worn a bit when I bought it, and the 2 nuts need to be tightened once in a while. It seems to be solid (Had to crank it up the trailer at a lauch that didn't allow power loading) , but it is a worry to me. Any ideas on how to repair it?? I know that it is tied into the "skeleton" frame that is inside of the glass, it just seems to look light duty to me. (1995 Skeeter ZX150) Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated......Doug

Anybody out there doing any smelt fishing around the west side of Lake Michigan this year?? Any decent catches last year??

Doug 39 Manager at Hooters and currently trying to learn enough to someday quit there and fish professionally. (Got a long way to go but getting out there every day possible!!)

That is exactly what I paid for my '95 Skeeter ZX150 3 years ago. It has a 150 on the back, looks great, fishes 3 o.k, (a 20 footer would be nicer, but the 18' works) and will probably still be worth more than $6000 next year. A bass boat platform is really nice for older people. Although you don't have the freeboard, it is a lot easier to move around a wide, flat deck than on a V hull design. Look into a used boat in your area-Doug

Booooooh!!!!!!

John Madden said before the end of the game that if the tears come on during the post game interviews, that would be a pretty good indication that he is done. They did, so who knows? He still has the talent to play the game, but it is up to him. I would like to see one more year to see what he can do with the talent that has been developed this year. The team that ended the season 4-0 was much better than the team that started 2-5! Whatever he does, it was a pleasure to have seen him play the game!

I just would like to take a moment to thank Rex Grossman for completing more passes to Green Bay players than Bears players last Sunday P.M. I know that the Bears are in the playoffs and the Pack isn't, but if you know anything about the rivalry, that was the sweetest game I have seen since the Halloween Game a few years back!!!

I have a flexible spending account through work, so I have $600 to spend. (Did not have any health problems this year) Only problem is I waited until now, have to spend it before 1/1/07. Thanks for the input, I will let you know what happens...........

Has anyone found a nationwide eyeglass company where you can get perscription fishing glasses? I have had a few pairs that have worked pretty well, but none that have fit close to my face to keep the sun (and the wind while running) from streaming in the sides and the bottom. Any help in this search would be appreciated.

How do you know when your motor is running at the right height with a jack plate? I have seen some boats throw a rooster tail when they are at WOT, is that for show or just the sweet spot for the motor? I am quite a bit heavier than the person who sold me my boat and when I fished in a tourney that he was also in, he asked me why I didn't have the motor trimmed up further when I ran by him. (It was all the way up!) Does my extra weight warrent raising the plate some, or not. Not something I will do by myself, I am sure the guy who fixed me up with the seller will help me out, but I just want some input from you. Thank you in advance!!!

Try asking at a local auto shop to see if someone can weld a skeg on there for you. Take the coil out and have it put on, put it back together and there you go!!!

I have a friend who is buying a new Ranger Walleye boat. He asked me what I know about the pluses and minuses of a Verado vs an E-Tech. Pretty much all I know is what I have read in mags and seen on TV, but have also had a little feedback from some other fishing buddies. I am sure this ? has been brought up before, but I would like your opinions once again. (I did raise the third option of the Optimax to him, but he seemd stuck on the other 2) Thanks for letting us pick you brains once again, I love this website!!!!!

Why Minnkota, here's my $.02.....I have had mine through heavy matts of weeds for 6 hours, and still had enough power to fish in open water for another 2 before I could tell that the batteries were running down a bit. Secondly, when I did have a problem with the motor (Its a 98 model), I called Minnkota and rebuilt it myself for around $150. Those weedcutter props are awesome!!!

Love my Skeeter zx150, but I have to say that there are better boats for rough water. The bigger skeeters do fine in chop, but my 18 footer likes to go airborn. If your spine can handle it, go ahead!!!

As long as you have the plug in, the hold downs off, you should be OK!!!

I don't know about either of the boats in question, but would like to ask the "Why new instead of used?" question. For the $22K you could get a relly nice larger platform. My 18.5' Skeeter works fine for me and my roommate, but if you try to fish 3 people off of it you have to be careful. Are you planning to fish solo or with more friends??? (You may find yourself making more friends once you get whatever boat you do purchase) A lot of the advice in this thread is good. Trust me, once you get whatever boat you buy and get it out on the water, sun coming up, a little mist rising above the mirrorlike surface, you will have a big smile on your face. The best pointers I have seen here are the ones that remind you to be the customer. If you want to give $22K to a dealer, make them earn it. Here is a big apples to oranges comparison, but if a new customer comes in to my Hooters and has never tried our wings, I will give him a free wing and a free shrimp (they are awesome) to earn his $12- $15 in business. Any dealership that wants you to spend more that 1000 times that much should do a lot for you. There is no way that it will take them 3 weeks to swap out a motor. I would run away from anywhere that said that to me. Also, there should be a way that you can test drive the boat. If they are set on a price and unwilling to negotiate, I would shop around, like a few others have said here, you have what they want, a good chunk of dough and the wish to buy your dream. Don't be afraid to be the customer. If they make you happy, you will send them more business, if they screw you, they have made their $ once, and won't get any repeat business from you. Ask some local people who have bought boats from that particular dealer. They sound a little shady to me. Whatever you do with your $$$$ (You could have paid the $10K for my 95 Skeeter 150ZX with at 150 and still have $12K for a nice used tow vehicle) I hope that you are one of us, whether fishing from you johnboat, you 24' 300 horse pro boat, or fishing from the bank.................a fisherperson who enjoys spending a day on the lake!!!!!

A great place to look for a used boat is your local bass clubs or tournament trails. Three years ago I bought my 95 Skeeter/150 Merc for $10K through the pro who took me out in the first Pro-Am I fished in. A lot of these people know the boats and the people who owned them, so even if the boat has had 3 owners, they know who the owners were and how it was maintained. I haven't had to fix anything on my Skeeter since I bought it, just updated one of the depthfinders. It has been out for probably and average of 30 times a year. I am going to treat it to a preventative maint. trip to the marina next week, but it has been a peach. I keep seeing the guy I bought it from out on one of the lakes we fish, he had upgraded to a larger more powerful boat.

Can't really argue with the "One that floats and is paid for". We just look prettier in our fancy,flashy, fast bass boats....but I would rather loose my house than my boat!!

Fishing Machine!! As long as she floats, the rest can be added! Rome was not built in one day.

It is awesome feeling the difference between a V hull and a Bass boat. Each one has its +'s and -'s. I went with some of my Dad's friends up in the Chippewa Flowage last year. We had 12 guys, 5 V hulls plus my Skeeter, most HP on the V's was 50. Had this guy out the first day...he used to be a race car driver back in the 50's. Since I am a firm believer that any boat that floats is a good one, and I did not know the waterway at all, I fell in behind all of the other guys, struggling to keep it on plane. On the way back, the guy in front of me motioned for me to let her rip in a wide, deep straight part of the flowage. I looked at my partner who already had his thumb up, so I let her go.....he told his buddies when they caught up that he thought his watch ran backwards!!! I loved seeing the look on his face, even though in the world of bass boats, mine is not very fast. Man, I *** those guys, they are all retired and know how to catch those crappies!!

As stated previously, the thanks go to our servicepeople like you to keep things in order. I might have a good idea for those of us who do have boats. Is there any way that we can contact the USO or someone else to let anyone coming back home know that there is a fishing trip on hold for those who are back from a tour?? I know that after a hard few days at work, a day on the lake brings back a heap of sanity to my brain, can't imagine what it could do to a person who has been in the desert for months!! Me and my boat would be at their disposal on my day off!! I will research this further and get back to y'all!!!

Had the same problem with my zx150, Ben is the man, that is how I solved my problem. Pop the hull out full down and keep trimming up until you hit the sweet spot.

"Upper Middle White Trash" is what I call mine!

If you are looking for bang for the buck, I would strongly suggest a "new" used boat. Let someone else take the original depreciation hit. There is usually nothing wrong at all with a 2 year old boat, and you can get a lot more for the $$. Since I own a Skeeter, I would have to side with them, but I have ridden as a back of boater in a Stratos that was really nice. IMO, the Ranger and Stratos cut waves a little better than my Skeeter, but in a tourney where there were 3 outfitted with the same 150 horse motors, I had to slow up a few times to keep from running the other 2 down. Whatever you decide to buy, good luck and tight lines!!