Choporoz

EARLY observations on the ST175: -Boat/trailer marriage is in counseling. Launching and trailering are a piece of cake. Loading wasn't. Needed wheels to be 1/3 to 1/2 out of water. Wet bunks and bring trailer farther up than you might have thought. -Rain will get into some storage before you work on sealing them up. Despite that, my box covers were all pretty tight. Really tight in cold morning air...like needed a crowbar tight -Can't say much about speed or ride yet, since I was RPM-limited by break-in process -Seats and pedestals can be nearly impossible to remove when cold...maybe when warm, also. I was a bit worked up about it, but once temps came up into 40s, the problems went away. -Stinger group on FB has a lot of good info

I've read same stuff. I mean, why do you want glass? There are lots of graphite and composite rods that will give you similar 'bend characteristics'. I'm sure there are fantastic fiberglass rods out there - IIRC, @A-Jayuses them. I just want you to be aware that it is perfectly OK to use graphite rods for crankbaits.

Why glass? Just curious....I started with glass and didnt like it. At all.

Picked up a new ST175 this past Friday. Had it out Sat to start breaking in the motor. Love it so far....lol

Man, I don't know....I don't find it hard to imagine electronic assistance to putting lure on target anywhere. Agreed. Of course there has to be limitations considered and adopted. Otherwise, five years from now you might be able to catch any bass you want in any lake in the country without leaving your couch.

I agree completely. Even tournament shows with a camera in the boat all the time....way too often they will cut to show a recent catch, but only from the hookset or landing. I don't watch much, but DVR some tournaments for entertainment. Only looking for instruction on YT.....I admit they I will watch shorts when they pop up on FB, but those are rarely more than about 30 sec...maybe a min.

The recent BTL on batteries was great. And timely

Appreciate that. I took the pedal out yesterday (just four screws). I adjusted the tension screw and sort of examined the cables. The motor does seem to move easier, but can't really know until I get back on the water. The motor hits the trailer tongue, so I can only operate while holding it up at awkward angle. I expect it to be better, but also expect to cut the cable ties for the ducer cable and reattach 'looser'. I do think the motor cables are impacted by the transducer install. If that doesn't do it, I'll take it back to the dealer. I also would have them replace the band holding the transducer on. It gets in the way when I try to stow the motor 180 degrees from where it is now. Not a big deal....a small nuisance, though. I mentioned in a different thread that this dealer is new to fishing boats, so I'm sort of their guinea pig. But, they have been pretty good so far....we both have had some learning to do.

Got new boat wet yesterday finally. First time I posted pic of my Durango without a kayak on top. Lowe Stinger 175 with Merc 60. Not big, but should be perfect for my 2800 acre lake. Everything checked out well except the Motorguide 70 foot pedal is exceedingly stiff. I need to see if they bound the cables somewhat when installing the transducer. Otherwise pretty happy with it so far.

Longest, fastest available that will handle the weights I'm using. Setting the hook can be tough. Don't handicap yourself with your rod action.

Well...we can now assume that it identifies as a man

Listened to just one episode of each. Both worth revisiting. Tackle Talk was a bit sales heavy, but the host is organized and informative and stays on topic. One Objective had Jacob Wheeler, hoping to talk about his new Ikon boat, but Wheeler wouldn't say a word beyond generic development process because grand unveiling is still months away. Some good fishing content, however.

Just BTL Mostly listen to football podcasts between BTL episodes I see a couple I hadn't noticed before.... anyone listen to One Objective or Tackle Talk?

If I am the limiting benchmark, we're good. But I am struggling with your statement. It isn't hard for me to imagine a 'computer' learning more about stuff, especially physical environment stuff on their own....and accumulating knowledge and making interpretations way beyond what a human has programmed or wrote on the internet somewhere....I guess that might make them smarter. We're already asking them to make decisions that go beyond purely finite, objective criteria. I'm not scared, or even too concerned....but I hope some with power and influence are.

So....just now, I got a newsfeed prompt about....ChatGPT .... because...well because Alphabet, I suppose. Anyway, I got to this paragraph and just sort of stared at my phone: Last year, Meta warned users that its Blenderbot 3 chatbot can make false or contradictory statements, misremember details, and "forget that they are a bot". Um....wow. Starting to sound like HAL or Skynet

Let me allay that hate. I'll be keeping the boat in NC. I don't think one should have to need Rosetta Stone to set up and then interpret output from a common consumer electronic tool. I did go to see Doctor Sonar at the Richmond Fishing Expo the other day, but I'm still suffering from a good case of fishfinder ignorance.

My first trip to Ruths Chris many, many years ago was my first exposure to 'everything ala carte'. I knew the dinner would be expensive, but it was so disorienting....and 'weird'. I just sort of spent most of the time at dinner trying to work through mild state of shock. Can't recall if the food was any good.

Great idea. In my opinion, graph makers have done a lousy job of turning sonar data into truly comprehensible info. And since those companies are unwilling to even make there options and capabilities understandable, I won't hold my breath waiting for better interpretations from them.

I put a tarp over my kayaks....once or twice even many years ago. All 4 are now stored outside uncovered. My ONLY concern is when I go to flip one right side up to use or move....is whether there will be a copperhead under there.

For many years, I would have said prime rib. But it has been several years since I had one with much flavor. I really enjoy a good ribeye, strip or filet, but honestly, the most consistently good flavor has come from sirloin in recent years...in my not so humble opinion. Seems crazy to consider, but the best steak I ever had was a filet in Dubai, of all places.

Probably. But ask that know-it-all what his personal best is!

@Bankc& @casts_by_fly, thank you very much. Exactly what I wanted to know before walking in there.

Where in the big schematic of things would the switch be? I assume to switch between batteries? But what is being switched....to what? Sorry....I replaced an outlet once. That is the extent of my electrical capabilities. Also...for original question.....where would I need/expect circuit breakers? Where in the circuits, I mean.

Ty, @casts_by_fly. I should have been more specific. What I'm wondering is how should things be wired? I get that there will be two batteries for TM. And one for motor. I should expect those wiring systems to be totally separate, I'd think. Graphs, live wells, lights, bilge pump, etc. all on the cranking battery?

New boat delivered to dealer with 24V trolling motor, but only one battery. I had the dealer install 2 more batteries, a 3-bank charger and graphs. When I pick it up in a couple days, what should I hope to see, as far as how it is wired up? The shop has a good reputation, but fairly new to fishing boats....mostly ski and wake. So I want to take a good look before I drive off, but I'm not sure what to look for.