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Gotta agree with GRiver, my foot control has a long cable, can use it anywhere in my boat. I am a lone fisherman myself, and at 73, standing is not something I prefer anymore. My MK has both remote and a long cable foot control, so I can use whatever I want. I do fish more in open water, more chop, so standing is a last resort, I even use hands and knees when deploying the bowmounted trolling motor. At our ages, we can't be to carefull, so take what ever precautions needed to make sure you come back dry !

Welcome to the club, we have millions of members...lol.....

The real answer is...are you actually going to use the paddle or oars ?? Paddles are difficult at best unless you have a canoe. If you intend to actually use them then oars are far easier to use !! Also depends on boat size, some are just to big or heavy to use either one!! When I took the boaters safety course with my grandkids, the paddle subject came up. The instructor said the paddle on larger boats was something to attach your red distress flag to...makes it easier to wave !! lol..... Some years back some friends put on a canoe race, my son and I added oar locks to my canoe. Rules were two people and two paddles maximum. Needless to say the oars blew the paddles away, when one guy got tired, the other took over. Great fun and you can make a canoe really fly with oars !!

If I were going to go kayacking in the cold, I woukd make an enclosure over the cockpit and add a heater! Me and the cold do not get along well...even have an enclosure and heater when I plow snow....Brrrr....

Probably better and more cost effective to find a private guide. Rentaks are not only expensive but not well maintained in my experiences.

We all have done something boneheaded at one time or another. It is how we learn from it !! Now....I only remove my drain plug while boat is in my barn ( stone floor). Part of my hitching up the boat process is checking the plug is in !! lucky for me my boat does not leak a single drop, but...I do pull the plug to check it when I park it....if hole is dry then return the plug right away. Gotta get the plug into your normal routine, otherwise....we continue to do bonehead things !!

Find a decent used trailer and modify it to fit your own needs, then it will be just what you want/ need...

In reference to the fuel stabilizer the dealer adds...let them do it. !! Smart people there, even though your not using E10 fuel still degrades, as a younger man I went thru gallons of "gumout" cleaning varnish and other buildups from inside carbs for many, many years !! Nothing has changed, so let them add it. Way tobeasy to blame E10 for everything...kinda like climate change because we burn fossil fuels, easier to blame oil than to change our habits and prepare for earth's changes...be sure to shake your dealers hand and say thanks.... I agree and used to do the same thing, but at 73 and a bunch of arthritus, I have to pay others, there is a limit on what I can now do !! Still have lots of my tools and things and the brain still works ( I think ). so, I try to find young fellows to help out and do a little teaching and let them use my tools and garage....not very many takers anymore, no one wants to learn or get there hands dirty....

You have a dealer that is treating you well, hang on to them !!!

Yes...many thanks...looks like a fun ride, when are tickets goin up for sale ??

Your probably correct as I don't own a bass boat, never have. Only owned one fibergalss boat and will never own another...yes that was many years back when they were not as well made as they are today. From my old wood Lymans, thru my many Starcraft, Smoker craft and my current Sylvan aluminum boats the covers are attached with snaps under the gunwale and have never been an issue. So easy to roll the custom cover on and off while going down each side snapping it on or off. Typically have it off and rolled up by myself in less than 10 minutes, mabey 15 minutes to put it on. Don't use the cover much anymore as my boat is kept in my pole barn, but...if my boat ever has to sit outside...the snap on cover will be in use once again !!

I do know the guys rhat Crappie fish have/ create all types of fancy hardware, might find something there..

Shrink wrap would be my last choice, but it does hold up well if installed properly. If I have a nice boat then it will be in the garage or other storage facility. I have a pole barn, no food or feed of any type is kept in there so a couple pkgs of "TomCat" keep the ocassional straggler away and never returning. I have a number of toys in my barn and never had a mouse issue and I live out in the country. I also go out to the barn and visit frequently with my ShihTzu, so she noses around and keeps critters away. When places sit idle with no movement for periods of time is what draws in critters. We also have a few ferral cats that prowl around but we leave them be as long as they dont hurt anything. Years back, I built a lean to onto the side if my garage, jyst 2x4's and some steel roofing, just tall enough to slip my boat under...with a good cover, stored with no issues. Gotta keep snow, ice and water from puddling on the cover !! Inside a covered boat, there are many smelly things that will keep critters away, one of them is strong mint/ pepermint, most critters can't stand the smell !!

Just curuous here, never owned a jet drive, know very little about them. If the pickup doesn't pickup enough water can or will it burn up that high pressure pump ?? In my mind, not feeding the pump enough water would be a concern.....very cool boat by the way !!! Does a jet drive give the same mph as a prop driven motor ??

Correct....have had a number of custom made boat covers over the years, never an issue with any. If you do, then the cover was not made correctly. I would never trailer with a strapon cover nor would I own one, way to much work to put on or take off. All my custom covers were snap on and off. With good quality heavy duty snaps along the sides, easy to put on and off and never had one come loose even at highways speeds. Good covers need care which many do not do, my good covers have lasted at least ten years with good care, some even longer !!

Keep in mind that in spring, everyone gets boating/ fishing fever and prices go up !! You might try posting a " wanted to buy" ad and see what happens.

What are you going to do with it or how will you use it is the big decision maker... Just a cover for storage to keep rhe dust off, or outside storage in rain and snow, or trailering down the highway ?? If trailering, the only good cover is a custom fit cover !! For outside storage in the weather a decent cover with a good supporting frame under it. Many warranties are void if water pools and snow builds up and damages the cover, thus the need for a good support system to keep the cover tight so no sagging or pooling takes place. Indoor dust protecter, most any cover will do. In my 60 plus years of boating, my custom covers were costly, but lasted a good many years, my last one was 10yrs old when the boat was sold but cover was like new!! Cheap covers never lasted more than 4-5 yrs before needing replaced....you do the math !!

It can pay to be extra nice to some folks !!

Heck of a way to loose weight !! Just curious, how much does 4K actually weigh ?? Lol....

Need a backup for the backup !! Main engine plus bow mount electric, plus my little kicker outboard. I have had to use one or the other a time or two, can' t have enough backup plans !!

Glad she is under warranty and no one got hurt !!

Get some crickets and toss a hooked one out there...you will quickly know if there are any bluegills !!

Yep....it pays to do a thorough inspection at the end of each season so repairs can be made over the winter, at least that is what I do.

How much time on it since last service ? Usually every 50 hrs or one season....what does the factory recomend..

Motor work can get expensive quickly !! If an aluminum boat, deck replacement is very doable if you have the time and tools. Gotta decide if you want a boat to repair or pay more and get one ready to go ! The more you look, the better educated you will become.....keep us posted.