JF1

Thats the easy part....I'm stuck on the reloading alone. Pull up to dock, tie off. Go get truck back trailer into water. Getting the boat on the trailer alone is the part I'm having a hard time with. Sounds like you just drive up the trailer.....leave motor at idle and in gear to hold it in place and place winch strap on.

I bought my 81 skeeter sf175 off of ebay. It was a wreck (only paid 800 bucks). I have since changed all of the carpet, done some (read some) wiring, and had it in the water last year. Was exactly as described. Took plenty of pics for me, and I had him snap a few more that weren't on ebay. Asked for a good detailed descsription as to what was wrong and why selling it. Drove from Pittsburgh to the Jersey shore for it, but I'm proud to have it. Now I have less than 1200 bucks in a great bass boat w/ a trolling motor and little 20hp outboard for the lakes near me. Couldn't be happier!!!

I was unaware of that..........well guess it will come down to what I can find for the best price. Thanks,

I thought I was the only one in the world who uses this knot This year I may try to use the polamar just to see how easy it is to tie

OK, this will be just my second season with the boat. I have never loaded or unloaded alone, always with the help of another. I am fine backing the trailer (I've driven dump trucks w/ trailers behind them for the past 5 years) so thats not the problem. Unloading the boat alone probably wouldn't be too bad, I would simply tie the bow line to the front of the boat before taking it off of the trailer, use the rope to bring the boat over to the dock, tie it up, pull the trailer out and away I go. Now for the loading....... Getting the boat to the dock shouldn't be too bad. But how to get it onto the trailer? I usually have either my father or fiance' drive the boat partially onto the trailer. I then take the bowline and pull it the rest of the way up. Then I winch it up on. How do you do this alone? I have read about a "boat buddy" that locks in place once you drive the boat onto the trailer. I have heard mixed reviews about this. How does everyone here load alone? Sorry for the beginner question.

Ok, this may sound like a dumb question BUT I'll ask anyway. I have a skeeter starfire 175 that is rated for 175max hp. Most of the lakes near me are 20hp max limit, so I have a 20hp merc. I would also like a big motor for a few of the larger lakes in the area. Is the hp rating in any way related to max weight the transom can hold???? I want to get a 175, and add the 20 as a kicker motor. But am concerned about the added weight of the 20. Or would I be better off going w/ a 150 and the 20 as a kicker???? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Jason

This question is probably one of my favorite that comes up in every message board I frequent. That being said, I would really like to possibly start some type of a scenario on a fairly regular basis. So what do you guys think? Good idea?? Bad idea?? Occasionaly putting this question out there, adding type of lake, time of year, water temp, air temp, recent weather patterns, structure in the lake, forage, etc?? I enjoy reading the way everyone would approach the lake for the day....baits, tactics and reasons for doing so...........

depending on situation: Either a wacky rigged senko OR A texas rigged motor oil power worm.

I too would begin searching the points w/ a crankbait or spinnerbait in the morning. Later in the day I would focus on the shallow waters IE docks/laydowns. I would throw a small football head jig or a small senko. Because this is a river chain lake, and due to the recent rains I would focus my search for less stained water in the lower end of the lake. I've had much better sucess fishing river lakes early in the spring focusing on the lower end of the lake. I've found the water simply isn't as stained. However I have had much better success in the dog days of summer fishing the upper end.....water is moving a bit more, constant flow of fresh oxygen I guess.