ohio_bassin

U-Haul sells and installs hitches for most vehicles. I have a 1448 with a 15 hp scoots me along fine, but I wish it was a 25.

I bought a "blem" series 27 for $28.00 with a one year warranty. I can't even find what the blem is. But for that price I'll take my chance. I'm sure someone in your area is selling blem's you just gotta find out who. I got mine at our local Interstate dealer. ( a blem battery is a battery with a gouge in the plastic or maybe the post is too short, for whatever reason they can't get full retail for them.)

I would strongly suggest you take someone with experiance with you until you feel comfortable. Boating can be very dangerous, I'm the Chief of a Volunteer F.D. and have on more than one occasssion had to bad experiances with "rookie" boters, to include a drowning. There are alot of post here in regards to your questions. Just be safe.

THHN is a stranded copper wire, but is designed to be used inside conduit in buildings. It's insulation is not designed to take the abuse a boat and the elements would give it. Automotive and marine wire has a more rubbery insulation and is treated to help it withstand the elements. I'm sure your looking at the cost issue, but in the long run it's just not worth using THHN. Mpst of the things on a boat lights, small pumps, ect should be OK on 14 or 16 gauge. The only thing that I can think of that will require anything heavier is the trolling motor. I've been an licensed electrician for almost 20 years and learned along time ago do it right the first time, and forget it. Good luck.

What do you mean by regular wire? Use marine grade or at least automotive grade. Automotive grade is designed to withstand alot of vibration, so it won't break easily. I'd say Marine grade also has some type of corrosion prevenative.

Testing with a multimeter is kinda tricky, But you can set it on ohm's and check for breaks in the wires. The tester the others have talked about can be found at Autozone or Advance auto also. Your problem sounds like you are loosing your ground. Check the white wire, it should be attached to the trailer frame. Look for any corrosion there and on your plug.

I have a Minn Kota 565 on my 1448. Until today everything was ok, but while going back to the dock it would run for about 4 or 5 minutes then stop working. After about 90 seconds or so it would start working again :'(. I'm guessing something in the electronics is getting hot, and opening on thermal overload. (I have a 55 thrust hand control I could put on, but I'm kinda spoiled by the foot control.) Has anyone else had this problem? or is it just time to buy a new trolling motor?

Better check I think it may have been a bait gorilla. 8-)

I think they both just read the "MEMBERS BEWARE" thread. Just kidding guys I sometimes just can't help myself.

Actually it's not painted. It's a huge sticker called a "wrap". Sorta like what the pro's use on their boats. I think Cabella's sells camo wraps. Still just a wee bit overboard I think.

That kids parents just found out how much upholstry cleaner cost, AND how to use it. I bet fabreeze couldn't cover that smell.

Someone doesn't have to worry about driving the wife anywhere. I must agree the red rims are just plain tacky. Hummmmmmmmm wonder if the exhaust smells like.......never mind.

I own a 1436 jon and wouldn't even think of decking it, to me just standing up in it is uncomfortable. I'd just put some clamp on seats in it and maybe carpet the floor. I'm sure there are guys who are comfortable decking these out, but to me it's just one step up from a canoe. On the other side of the coin I also own a 1448 which is decked front and rear and is ALOT more stable. Buy the wider boat you will not be sorry. The rear deck on the 1448 is 60", and I promice my next boat will be even wider. "Wider is better"

MMMMMMMMM I do like a GOOD cigar!!!!! Torano's are my favorite, However Cohiba's and an occassional Aicd are good too. (P.S. wife is cool with it, and even stops by the cigar store and brings me home a treat occassionally.) ;D yea I'm braggin. 8-)

How wide is your boat? I have a 1436 that is so unstable I would not even think of decking it. However, my 1448 has front and rear decks, it's amazing how much difference the added width makes.

count me in.

I've been reading the forums for awhile, and have found them entertaining and informative and decided to join in. Live in Southern Ohio near Huntington, WV. My wife and I fish every chance we get. (she's addicted BIG TIME!!) can't let her whatch a fishing show, she has to have whatever they are using.LOL We do have a pretty cool Jon boat with an idenity crisis (thinks it's a bass boat.) Will post some pics later.