Further North

Thanks - looks like that 900R will do what we're talking about. I'll either put one in when I replace the batteries or at the end of the season when I put the boat away for the year. I might add two 12 volt version for the starting and electronics batteries. Thanks for the help!

Did not know that - thanks! Are there any of these that you would specifically recommend? http://curtisinstruments.com/?fuseaction=cDataSheets.dspListDS&CatID=73

iabass8, Thanks for the ideas. I check (and clean as needed) the connections every spring, and they all looked good when I tested the batteries. Unfortunately, I can't deploy the Ulterra while the boat is on my trailer, it runs into the winch on my trailer. This is the only thing I liked better about the Terrova... My thoughts at this point as that, as Way2slow said, the batteries are dying gracefully and I should replace them. What I was trying to make sure of was that it was a battery issue and not one with the trolling motor so that I didn't spend several hundred dollars on new batteries and find out it didn't make any difference.

Thanks for all the ideas and help. Way2slow...great idea to test while running the trolling motor...but my batteries are in a compartment under my rod locker - not accessible while I'm fishing. I bought a load tester, batteries test well into the green when fresh off the charger, and at roughly the same voltage as above (lowest @12.95, highest at 13.10). Picture of what the read out is similar to - my needle was just to the left of where it is shown in this picture. Went out fishing, about 4 1/2 hours - I'm on the trolling motor a fair amount at about 20% - 30%, with some brief pops up to 40% or 50% and made one extended run (about 3 minutes) at full power. Checked everything again when I got home, batteries were still right around 12 volts on the digital volt meter, but at around 10 - 10 1/2 volts on the load tester. Batteries are Interstate 27 SRM if that helps. Specs for the batteries: http://www.interstatebatteries.com/p/srm-27-volkswagen-eurovan-1996-31-l5-2-4l?dsNav=N~21-2147384903 Product ID: SRM-27 Cranking Amps: 750 Cold Cranking Amps: 600 Voltage: 12 Termination: Common Code M Weight (lbs): 50.3 Width (in): 6.75 Length (in): 12.75 Height (in): 9.50 ReserveCapacity-25: 160.00 WET/DRY: W

I have several thousand miles towing a 2,800 lb. boat behind a '14 Escape (mine is AWD), It works just fine.

Thanks - I appreciate the help...this is one of a few things I haven't tried before.

Thanks - there's a Harbor freight store in Eau Claire...I'll see if I can get down there over lunch today.

I did a quick test this AM before I headed to work. Batteries have been on the charger for 5 days and a night. All three batteries were still connected in series.

Thanks - my lowest battery is 12.95v ...but I'm running out of power on a long day on the water. Trolling motor is an Ulterra 112 lb. thrust 36 volt.

I think at least one of my three trolling motor batteries is bad...what's the best way to test this?

Odd...there are pages of them on Craigslist here (NW WI).

That's probably what makes a big part of the difference - I had my last set of batteries for 5 years on my Minn Kota charger (I leave them right in the boat all winter with the charger plugged in).

That's a good analysis - I agree that the layout above is superior for multi-species...as long as walleye are in the mix. For me (and this ispurely personal preference) with just bass/pike/musky, I'd prefer the bench seating. My answer for "How much storage does one really need?" is "All of it". What I'm excited about - really excited - is the return of "my kind of boat" to the aluminum boat market.

I fish a lot - at least once a week during the season, often more, and take a couple of week long trips each summer. The last time I replaced my batteries, I ran the numbers on lead acid vs. AGMs...and even though I believe the AGMs to be superior technology...I couldn't make the dollars work out in their favor...and I tried really hard to make a case for them. What I'd really like to see is a rechargeable lithium battery for a price that makes sense.

I seldom use the rod-rack-slope-thing for anything other than fly rods (because they don't fit in the rod locker and are too long to lay on the front deck on runs between spots) and I pull them off there as soon as I get to where I'm going (unless I'm by myself, then I don't worry about it.) I would leave a compartment or two open for other fishermen...looking at A-Jay's boat there'd plenty of room for that even on the 1875...I'd assume the 2025 would add another 2 feet of storage...no way I'd need to use that. I get why some folks like the open cockpit - I use to think I'd like it as well...but I can't stand stuff out on the deck (other than rods) while I'm fishing. it gets in the way if you get into a big fish (think bike pike or musky) and you need to maneuver around the boat to get it to the boat or even if you just want to move around. On my CMV I've converted the live well to storage (I never use it) for other fishermen to keep their gear off the deck. The open cockpit is much better for families, other types of fishing other than constant casting (jigging, trolling, etc.) and for folks that like the idea of having higher sides in the passenger area.

The thing I noticed - with that specific layout - is that I'll bet its actually got less storage space than the 1875 with bench seating. I'd get rid of that huge open seating area and the jumps seats and bring that back deck right to the back of the chairs like on the 1875.

Another bonus, for me. ...I get why people might want one, but I'm not one of them. I like quiet while I fish, don't want the noise from a radio. I get enough of that at work, home, about everywhere else...heck...these days, I get some noisy son-of-a-gun yakking at me while I'm pumping gas....

Duuuude... You're older than I thought... As I've mentioned before, other than a detail here and there, I'd set one up exactly the same way. Outstanding rig! My changes: Swap the cable steer trolling motor for an Ulterra (personal preference, not better) I'd run one Talon and replace the other with a 360° I'd make the console Helix 10 a Helix 12. Why? I'm old and I don't see well. I'd use Minn Kota battery chargers, cuz...I know a guy... An almost 17 minute video tour of your boat: My kind of attention to detail! As I've said a few times: should something bad happen to my CMV, I'd be at the Lund dealer the next morning to order a Lund a lot like yours.

Keeping in mind that I recognize that Ranger builds great boats and that their quality is undisputed... ...there isn't a single thing I can think of that'd make me cough up an additional $30K for a boat... Regarding new vs. used: I'll buy used every time, all time. the folks that worry about getting "someone else's problems" should buy new boats so I can buy their used boats a few years down the road for 40% - 50% of what they paid. Do a thorough vetting of a used boat with a dealer you trust and then write the check...you can buy a (used) vehicle to tow it for the difference in price.

1/4 ounce for casting, up to an ounce for pitching.

Tried that...says you can't receive messages. ...never mind, tried again, looks like it went through this time. ...Just looked in my out box...can't see that it went...tried again and I get the "Big O can't receive messages"... Not sure what's going on.

Big O, I have a question for you about one of Strike King baits...what is a good way to reach out?

Correct.

That makes sense...what I do with TRDs is combine two or three packages into one but still leave them in the original bag. All my baits are stored below deck in my boat, and i replace what I use on any given trip before I go out on the next one from my "inventory". When my "inventory gets low (what I call my "re-order point") I place another order for the baits.

I have some Z-man stuff...including TRDs...why do people want to mix them in with other baits? I'm a simple guy...i just leave 'em in the packages the come in, throw the package away when I'm done.