BrianMDTX

Well, that was simple. No tax due, 5 minutes at the TPWD, and out the door with registration stickers and title coming via US mail. Have to get some 3” letters for the hull, charger due today and the LiFePO4 battery early next week from Amazon. Should be on the water, motorized, by the 13th. Beryl permitting!

@Mike LI’ll add that pretty much all the waters I fish are stained. I’ve never used this color in clear, unstained waters so that may be a different story.

Zoom Tricks in watermelon red is my top producing Trick. Hands down. Always in my tackle bag and on the boat.

@Dan NThat’s what I started doing. I leave backing mono on and respool 100 yds or so of fresh mono frequently. I use a double uni so if I would happen to run into the backing on a fish (hasn’t happened yet), I’m confident it would hold until that trip was over. Like has been said, mono is cheap. Even good mono is cheap compared to braid or fluoro. If it’s abraded, kinked, etc., it’s time for fresh line.

Ok, after listening to all of you and doing some research, I ordered an Evo-Worthy 12V 50AH LiFePO4 battery and a 5 amp 12V smart charger from the same manufacturer. Weight is 12 lbs. which is a lot better than almost 50. Free shipping through Amazon Prime as well. I normally fish 4-6 hours at most so while the charger doesn’t recharge the battery fast, it will recharge it fast enough for my needs. And it will maintain the charge. We’ll see how it goes. Can’t beat the price.

Received the EZ Cart and the motor mount today. The cart wheels were larger in diameter than I thought which should make it easier to transport. Looking at the titling form, I believe this boat is exempt from the tax. I have the bill of sale and the manufacturer’s statement of origin, so I think I’m good to go for titling and registration. Once done, a battery and a charger and I’ll be good to go!

@DaubsNU1 With a baitcaster I’d say it’s definitely more difficult sitting (to me). But with a spinning rig, I can sidearm cast and skip easily. I just need to practice more with my baitcaster as I’m not skipping jigs under docks, etc. with my spinning gear. @gimruis The reply above was in response to you.

I do from my inflatable. With spinning rigs. Baitcasters? It’s a crapshoot. But I’m getting better. Yeah, the heat is no joke. One of these days I’m going to go out at night.

Best: getting up early to hit the water Worst: my “last cast” is always 50-100 casts.

@WRB I just spoke to Sea Eagle. They are sending me what I need listed as an even exchange for my original boat, so the tax will be minimal.

@Way2slow The tax is on any boat purchased from 2020 to the present if it is to be titled. My BoS shows $0.00, so I likely owe the tax of the difference of the purchase price of the P7 and the 285fpb. The P7 was $433.92 ($399.00 pre-tax) and the 285fpb I received is sold for $799.00, so at a minimum I would owe $25.00 in tax. But it looks like I need some sort of affidavit to support that. * REPLACEMENT DUE TO DEFECT - An affidavit is required stating what item(s) are being replaced by the dealer or manufacturer and the nature of the defect or circumstances why the item(s) was replaced. Also, include whether the replacement was an even trade or the price of the item initially bought and the price of the item replaced. This situation typically occurs when items are covered by a warranty. The affidavit must be signed by the company/individual authorized to replace the item.

It’s a new boat. I have the manufacturer’s statement of origin and the bill of sale. But, the bill of sale shows $0.00 as the purchase price and it was a warranty replacement for a boat costing about 50% less. I have to pay a tax and think I need something from the manufacturer that covers that.

@TnRiver46 Yeah, at those prices (and the low weight), I think that’s the route I’m going to take. Once I get it titled and registered! (Edit- not transferred lol)

Plenty of Home Depots around here. Yeah, you search online and there are names of battery makers you’ve never heard of. Amazon has a 12.8V 50AH LiFePO4 battery for $155.00 with free shipping. But I’ve never heard of ECO-WORTHY. They have another that’s $114.00 (maker is generic lol).

Well, no, not $100.00. I realize quality equipment costs less in the long run. And up until now, a motor was a non-issue. It’s just now that this boat can be powered, and as I already have a serviceable (albeit an antique at this point) motor, I figured I might as well give it a try. But the weight savings between the lithium and a lead-acid battery is a great selling point.

Ok, thanks. I’m going to look at that. It’s not a bass boat lol. I have no misconceptions about motoring 3-4 miles across and up and back on big lakes. It’s mainly to get a little more distance and definitely to make it easier to leave from and return to the ramp when it’s a bit breezy.

Tom, the battery will only be used for the trolling motor. No sonar, no other electronics. I agree about the weight issue. I will be lugging the battery to and from the garage to the water and back each trip. 13 vs 45 lbs is a huge difference. Do you think 50 AH is enough for 2, maybe 3 hours of use. I’m thinking total actual run time would likely be 2 hrs. It’s mainly for getting from the ramp to spots to fish. Once there I’d probably either use the oars or paddle to maneuver in an area vs constant use of the motor.

It’s way more comfy, and stable, than the old boat. There’s no comparison. And as the sides are not as high, the seat can swivel 360°. So far, so good!

I’d say likely use will be on bodies of water 5-8 acres in size, with occasional trips on reservoirs from 60 to 300 acres. I have no plans to fish large lakes (although if I ventured out on Lake Conroe I would not go long distances). I’ll look at the lithiums as well as the lead-acid. And make sure the correct charger is purchased.

It moves much quicker (and tracks straighter) than the old boat. With a trolling motor it should really get up and go.

I launched my new boat this morning. As it’s the first time I’ve had it in the water, and I haven’t received the EZ Cart wheels yet, I stayed close and local, as it’s the shortest launch point. Getting in and out of the water was pretty simple. The oars move the boat well but I may use a paddle the next time. It’s got much more room, and should move well with my 17 lb. thrust trolling motor. But for now, rowing is fine. Amazon delivered my Scotty rod holders at 5:00 am this morning so I was able to take 4 rods. Easy to cast from. I had something small take a whack at a popper and I hooked one 12” bass on (what else lol) a swim jig that came off before I could get it in the boat. That was it. Very slow. Not sure what the water temp is but cool it is not. The cart is due Monday so next trip will be at a different spot. This pond was great from 2019-2022 but the past two years it has lost a lot of cover (due to the drought last year) and it’s really dropped.

Yeah, no typo lol. I’ve had this motor since the mid-80s. Haven’t used it in decades but it works fine. For an inflatable it should be more than sufficient. Boat, motor, engine, all gear and me should be less than 400 lbs. on the water.

I’m going to need a 12V deep cycle battery and a charger for a 17 lb. thrust Minn Kota trolling motor for my new boat. Looking for recommendations.

It sticks out a bit more but it’s not in the way. Easy in, easy out.

First off, 😩 That’s heartbreaking. Second, that’s a spot that I would assume should be one of the strongest parts of the hook. No stress in a bend, or the eye, or the point. Right in the middle of a straight shank. That does not happen every day. Good luck with that hawg!