HPBB

Team_Dougherty thanks for that web site. I might not have to fab a set of mounts. .

has anyone put shocks on their trailer? I had an old coil spring (home made) trailer for a 12 footer that had shocks, but I don't think I have ever seen a newer leaf spring boat trailer with shocks. I had to buy a new trailer last year. It's a really nice trailer, big upgrade from my older one (it rusted out). I have noticed that the trailer bounces a lot. I was thinking of fabing up some shock mounts and putting a set of shock on it to slow down the bouncing and smooth out the ride. I used to be into sport trucks and lowering trucks, and have a set of shocks from a lowered S-10 that look like they would be a great fit. I also have a set of air bags that might work to. Just wondering if anybody has tried this before and what you think of it?

As long as the boat fits the requirements for the tournament it does not have to be a "bass" Boat There are many fishing boats that have the same features as bass boats but are not "bass" boats. They maybe "Walleye" boats or just fishing boats. I fish out of a "walleye" tournament boat. I can see in big, upper level fishing tournaments like BASS, FLW, pro tournaments everyone uses a "bass" boat. But in club, weekend, federation style tournaments I know lots of people that use "other than Bass " boats. Me included. Most of these boats are set up the same way a bass boat is anyway. I used to use a 19 foot Lund pro V with a 200hp merc(uncle's, before he moved) , and now my 17 1/2foot Sea Nymph GLS 175 with 75Hp and my Dad's 17 foot Alumacraft trophy with 125HP (all 3 not "bass "boats, but V hull "Walleye" style boats) when I go to Erie for tournaments. I alwas hear "that is the kind of boat you want to have up here" All 3 of those boats have raised front/rear casting decks twin live-wells, TM, GPS /fishfinder. I have fished them all in Bass Tournaments with no problems. Infact there are some places that my boat can go where the big glass boats can't I know your new to Tournament fishing. I remember one of your other post. Have an open mind. everyone isn't a pro out there. everyone can't afford $50,000 for a new rig. Your young, and new to this. don't be putting people down by call them an "outcast" , guys will remember. Do you have a boat? if not don't be lableing guys "outcast" because of their boats. they have one you don't.You don't want to get a lable as a "snob" it will stay with you.

do you mean the "Double take Buzzbait"? I can't find one called "second look" if so that is just a double bladed buzz bait. They have been out for years. There is a link in the bait section on this site, about double bladede buzz baits. They are great lures. I like to use them over single blades. not to many guys use them so it something the fish don't see all the time.

I don't have a 525 or have every used one, but I do have several other newer units from humminbird. I Have the 787c and the Matrix 87c and my father has a 595c for his tm. I also run a couple older units too. I have had no problem with them. They are good units. looked at it online and it looks good for the $$$. I know in the new BPS catalog is only going for $129.99, that sound like a good price.

I have had no problems with the 2 I have.

Just to add. I was at a boat show today and noticed that most of the new boats had a "NO E85" sticker on their gas caps.

A 12 volt uses 1 battery 24 volt uses 2 batteries 36 volt used 3 batteries yes, usually the higher pound thrust are in the higher volt motors I think about 55# is the biggest 12volt you will find 82# is about the biggest 24 volt and the 101 & 109's are 36 volts However; there are some 24v in the low 50#"s and some older 36volt motor that were around 80#

I can't help you with that model. I have the 787c and the Matrix 87c and both are great units. I have looked at the 383c and it looks great just the little brother of the 787c. I am thinking of getting that for the TM of my small boat. Let me know how its works out for you. I think you will be happy with this unit.

I fish many electric only lake with my boats that have gas outboards on them. If you only want one boat to do it all. Get one with a gas outboard. The most HP the boat will take and you can afford. Then buy the biggest pound thrust TM you can afford. This way you can fish the electric only lake and when you fish the unlimited water that bigger TM will help you out big time. I fish a 17 1/2 footer with a 75Hp on it and a 109# Motorguide Tour 36 volt TM. It pulls that boat around really good and I can fish all day at the electric lakes with power to spare, and when fish other water that TM has helped out greatly. The 109 is a bit overkill, but I bought it because of fishing electic lake and heavy current.

There are no seals when you take the prop off, but there are seals on the prop shaft, in the lower unit. You probably got some fishing line around the prop. It is know for cutting the seals on the prop shaft. If oils is coming out, than there is a good chance that water is going in. I would have the lower unit seals replace, All of them, if your not sure how to have a shop do it. also since you have it apart to put new seals on, I would put a new impeller on it too.

Its really a personal preference to use fiberglass or graphite on crank bait rods. A lot of guy like the fiberglass, because it gives more and the fish has a harder time throwing the hooks when the rod gives some. Use both kind of rods for cranks. I know that when I am fishing for SM I like the fiberglass better. since they like to dig & head shake more than a LM. If I am fishing a shallow CB, like a Baby 1-, I use a graphite rod. Its all personal preference, but if you don't like the fiberglass rod you have now, then I would get the graphite. The graphite is also going to be more sensitive than a fiberglass rod.

Way to Go!! :) Nice boat, You will love that boat. My father in-law has the 175 with a 25hp 2 stroke and it run mid 20's with 2 bigger guys in it, so yours should run good. Good choice in getting the power trim, it make life so much easier. Also will give you some more speed, since you can play with it and trim the boat for whatever load you have in it. The power trim alone give my father in-laws boat about 2-3 mph better than the same boat without it. One thing, those lake that felt "big" will seem "Not that big" anymore Yes, get the cover and charger when you can. One thing on the cover. Buy a good cover, one of those el-cheepos will not do anything for you. Go to a custom boat cover shop and have them build you a good water-proof/travel cover. It will cost a little more (a few hundered bucks), but will last a long time and keep your new inverstment looking good for a long time. have fun, fish alot 8-) 8-) 8-)

: BassChaser57 You say you will "lick your wounds" if you want to throw those reels away go ahead( I'll take them, I'll send them to Pinnacle to get fixed and have two nice reels, sounds good to me).But your not reading all the post. You wanted to know how to get them fixed. 2 different people have told you how in all these posts. Those reels are made by Pinnacle(silstar) give them a call or go on there website. tell them what you have. I am sure they will have you send them in and they will fix them for you. It might cost you $15 for cleaning and shipping, but you would spend that much at any shop. I had the same problem with 2 reels that need fix. Send them to Pinnacle and they sent me 2 new reels. you asked for help, but don't seem to want to listen to some of it.

They are good reels for the$$ I have several BC & spinning reels and like them very much. I really like their rods. Unlike another post, I did just pick up a new solene BC and do not have any problems with it. I am going to buy another solene soon. Just remember one thing. keep the boxes they come in, if they need cleaned any reel shop can do that, but if they need fixed, you will have to send them back to pinnacle. Pinnacle doesn't send out parts. So keep the boxes, makes it easy to ship back if need be.

A fisherman with cabin fever I used a "launch" ramp to launch my boat. Where is the retrieving ramp? I have been stuck out here in the water for 5 years now!

For soft plastic: I have one Plano type box that I call my "goto box" I keep the stuff I use most often in there. Some tubes, senkos, flukes, sweet beavers ...ect The rest of my soft plastics I keep in their original bags, but I put those bags in a rubbermaid type shoe box. Those shoe boxes are just the right size and you can put quite a few bags in there. Then I have the labeled for what kind they are. they fit really nice in my storage compartments on the boat. Just stack them in there.

Like I said and Fatman1267. contact Pinnacle(Silstar) and they will mostlikely help you out. Most reels shop will not fix them because Pinnacle does not send out parts.

You want to keep it as close to level as you can. A little higher in the nose is OK, then when you load up the truck it will drop and sit level. It all depends on your trailer and tow vehicle. You might need to use a drop bar or maybe turn it around and raise the ball. When you decide on what drop/raise you need. Make sure the boat and truck are loaded with the gear you usually take with you. and full tanks of gas boat & truck. I know on my Tahoe the bar I use for my small boat had a 2 inch drop. For my big boat I use a same 2 inch drop bar, but have to turn it upside down. On both of these the trailer sits level

Those boats remind me of the old "hullin Bass" boats. Just these are like updated mini bass boat. I know a few guys that still run the old Hullin Bass Those old Hullin bass boats fly with a 15-18 HP motor on them, I bet these new boats with 30Hp move really good. If I had the $$ I would have to get one of these. there are a lot of HP limited lake around my area and these boats would be great on them

I have the same reel Alpster has, think I bought it in 82-83, still use it all the time. I was a Shimano BC only guy till about 5 years ago. I would say that about 2000-2001 is when I think other CO. started makeing BC reels as good as shimano's quality. I think Shimano saw this too. They hadn't changed much in years, then in the past 2-3 years their whole line up has been upgraded. I fish Shimano, Pinnacle and Team Daiwa reels now. My favorite reel is still a Chronarch 100MG

Are those prodigy reels white or silver/gold? If so they are made by Pinnacle. I had 2 pinnicale reels crap out on me 2 years ago. Took them to my local reel shop. they can fix anything. They called Pinnacle for parts. Pinnacle said they do not ship out parts, but to have me send the reels to them. both reels were in baggies, in parts. sent them in, 2 weeks later had 2 new reels back from Pinnacle. They even ugraded the reels to newer high models. If they are the reels I am thinking of and need repairs I would contact pinnacle.

Gander Mountain also sell it

That 115lb is the wieght of the new Tohatsu 4 strokes. The 2 strokes are older motors they weigh less than 100. I think around 80-85lb ( but don't quote me on that) I think 2003 or 2004 was the last year they made them. the one I used was a 1998 model Short shaft tiller. Your right on the weights of the 9.9hp. a merc 9.9hp 2stroke is about 75 pounds. If your looking for small motors. try http://www.smalloutboards.com/ they Have some nice used motors

I have a 14 foot starcraft V its a little bigger than yours. Full floors f/r decks, 2 batteries and 2 TM. I have an old Johnson like yours, 6hp, with it I would get about 5mph if I was lucky. I also have a 9.9 merc. with that motor it runs about 13-15mph depending on who is running it. I have tried 2 other motors on it. 25hp Merc it ran mid 20's 18 Tohatsu it ran mid/upper 20's I know what your saying 18 going faster than 25? With these small boat getting the boat out of the water and on plane is the big thing. Once you hit the magic hp that can get it up your in golden. Once you hit that, a little more hp doesn't always help I am a merc guy, but those 18hp (2stroke) Tohatsu's are wicked little motors. They weight the same as the average 9.9, where the 25 is alot heavier. get one of those mini jacker and a 18 Tohatsu . I see many boats like yours, running that combination and throwing a nice roster tail too.. I would say a 9.9 would push that boat good. a 25 might be to much wieght, but if the boat can handle it go for it. If you can get your hands on one of those Tohatsu's grab it