Chief 2

If they knew about the recall 6 mos. ago why didn't they get it taken care of when it was sitting at the dealers lot? Weather is suppose to be great here tomorrow and now I will be at the Mercury dealer getting it fixed instead of wetting a line.

Only have 5 hrs. on my new boat/motor and already have a recall notice from Mercury. This is what the recall is for: Mercury Marine has determined that the screws holding the induction reeds in place on the reed block may not meet torque requirements causing loose or broken reeds on the air handling assembly. This results in reduced power and ultimately poor idle quality. It goes in the shop first thing Monday morning.

Amex Blue for me. I have been using it extensively for the last 3 years and the points add up pretty quickly. I try to pay everything with cc and pay it off at the end of the month. Heck I even use it at Dunkin Donuts! Some of the points I have are going towards my new HB 899 ci.

Maybe the seller would be willing to take a deposit with the understanding the full price would come after you water test it in the spring. It never hurts to ask!

If you are still looking, Gander Mountain is selling the HB 798ci hd gps si with a $50 HB rebate to boot. That gets you a high end unit for right at $600.00.

I went to the Dicks in Ocala Fla. yesterday and that place looked like they had a run of fishermen buying everything in sight. All the reasonably priced reels were gone and the lures were cleared out also. Still managed to pick up a few crank baits on clearance. Will be in Daytona Beach today, so I will see what is left there. I also hit Gander Mountain. Man they are expensive compared to BP. Got a couple of deals though on the clearance rack.

I have been researching the heck out of FF to add to the bow of my new 190TX. I am going with the HB 899ci hd si combo. It is above what you want to spend, but there is a great deal on the attached you may want to consider. http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Humminbird-798ci-HD-SI-GPS/Fishfinder-Combo&i=80342&r=view&aID=604D2&cID=PGRABBER_80342 Good luck! Gary

The very first thing I would do before putting down any cash is to run a compression test on the motor to make certain all the cylinders are within 5-10 lbs. I would also see if he will let you pull the drain plug on the lower unit to check for water in the oil or metal shavings on the plug. It would be nice if the guy had maintenance records, but like myself many folks do their own. As far as treating them any different I would say using good fuel the best oil you can buy and not running the crap out of an older motor would be wise.

You must be doing something right. Myself and a friend fished Lake Kerr for hours today and got the big 0. We tried everything from spinner baits to crank baits to plastics. There were two other boats on the lake speck fishing and they were having no luck either. There is suppose to be a local fishing tournament there tomorrow. I don't know what they will catch because the water level is so low and we weren't even making fish in any depth. I bet the lake is down 10 feet from the last time I fished it 2 years ago. Water temp was only 57.

Word is that Bass Pro has signed a letter of intent to build a BP Shop across from Daytona International Speedway. There will be a large retail and condo project going in there within the next 2 years. It is part of the big speedway revitalization. For those of you out of the area, wait till you see what they are doing with the front stretch stands. BIGGGGGGGGGGGGGG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

I'll be headed to Daytona Beach in the morning. but I still wouldn't go with it being in the low 20's.

While remodeling our house at the lake last winter I watched those guys ice fishing in below 0 and blowing snow. One guy didn't even have any type of shelter. He was sitting on a 5 gal bucket. Not the type of fishing I would care to do. Way to cold!

When I changed my insurance coverage to my new boat I inquired about the coverage I am paying for. The coverage deductible thru Progressive for equipment is $250. The girl told me that is for each piece of equipment. So if I get all my poles stolen I have to have receipts first of all and then the deductible will apply to each and every pole. That just doesn't sound right.

Myself and a friend fished Rodman hard yesterday for 7 hours and only got a couple of hits. My buddy tried shiners and nothing. Even the guys Speck fishing were doing poorly. Looks like they are lowering the water. There were way more stumps exposed than when I was there a month ago. Lots of big wood floating in the channel also. Hard freeze warning here tonite.

Thanks for the feedback. I will check the prop today. I hope to get out tomorrow and put some additional hours on it. The vibration is certainly more pronounced in the mid range of rpms. The motor runs great otherwise. Potomac, What type of speed are you getting now that you are broken in? Gary

Took the boat back to the dealer today for the vibration and a leaking wheel seal. Looked at the motor, drained the fuel at the motor to check for water or debris, nothing. Attempted to check the computer on it and the Mercury plant was closed so they couldn't get a link up with their computers for troubleshooting. Just my luck a 150 mi. round trip for what! Got the seal fixed though. I did call Mercury Tech support the other day and the fellow I spoke with felt it was just a breakin issue, so did the mechanic today. He told me to keep running it. I got a receipt that I brought it in for the issue, so if it blows up it is on them.

I just sold a very clean 2001 185 with a good running 50 HP Merc for 4800 here in Fla. There is real junk out there for crazy $$. One dealer offered me 3K for mine on a trade and Bass Pro in Orlando said over the phone 1800 to 2100. You know what I told him! Get the motor checked out, compression especially. Good luck!

I have been researching finders also. After comparing a bunch and looking to keep the cost within reason I'm going with the Lowrance Elite5 HD with chart plotter at Bass Pro for $499.

TrapperJ, I pulled the trolling motor plug panel this afternoon and sure enough there are two wires, one black, one orange up there. Gary

Look around real good inside the bow behind the plug panel for the trolling motor. I have not looked at my 2013 190 yet, but the mechanic at the dealer I bought mine told me they have 2 wires run up front for the depth finder power source. He did show me the wires on a Nitro. Let us know if you find anything because I will need to install a second Lorance up front.

Yes, I was doing the break in which Mercury recommends the 2min time frame between 3000 and 4500. It is when I am powering up I feel the vibration and having to go slow in slow speed zones. Running above 3000 it smooths right out. I do feel like it surges a little almost like it is cavitating just slightly at 3000. Thanks for the help! Gary

Welcome Steve!

Just picked up my new 190 TX Tracker yesterday and went out today to do the initial break in on the motor. It seems that the motor really vibrates between 1300 and 3000 rpm. Shakes the console. Just curious if this is normal or not. Other than that it runs great.Thanks! Gary

Congrats on the new boat. I just sold my 2001 185 XT Pro Team that had a 50 Merc. and will be picking up today my new 2013 190 TX that came with a 115 Optimax Pro XS. The 50 I had on my 185 moved it along just fine. Good luck! Gary

I have a 2005 Chevy 3500 dually 4x4. It has an Edge tuner, Airaid Intake, and a Banks exhaust. Originally purchased the truck with a Lance 1181 camper on it, but sold the camper when we bought our place on De Ruyter Lake, NY. Still have a 38" Mobile Suite we "winter" in in Florida.