Bought a full engine cover. Nice quality! Fits perfect! I'll need to remove the engine support to zip it up but wanted to see how it fit first.

 

 

15 hours ago, Mw Michaelis said:

I haven't decided if I really want to put a recessed tray in.Not to sure I would like it. Would hate to install one and not like it.

Well, I like that it keeps the foot controller in place.  I just screwed my pedal down a few weeks before going all in.  I decided it's just wood and I can cover it with an aluminum plate if I don't want it. After Currington into it, I have learned so much more that there is no fear of the deck at all. I will make a video of under the deck and such as well as provide instructions for people.

 

With that said, as beautiful as a day it is today, I am still outside working... Changed the oil Ina. Couple of our cars, doing yard work now, going to do the 100 hour service on the boat... Yeah instead of being on the water testing, I am working. Tomorrow will be different, I will have all of my work done and can fish without regret.

 

 

That would be nice the write up of installing the pan. Yea I like the idea of it being secure and out of the way just havnt made my ind up yet. Has easy is it to work if sitting in the seat?

2 hours ago, Mw Michaelis said:

That would be nice the write up of installing the pan. Yea I like the idea of it being secure and out of the way just havnt made my ind up yet. Has easy is it to work if sitting in the seat?

I will test.  I use a put seat and tall pole.  I will put the other seat in later...  

 

i sliced my finger open earlier working on something for the boat... went to get stitches, line waaaaay too long, so I went to cvs.  Will see how it goes, lol!

LOL hope your finger is ok. I spent good chunk of today vacuumed cleaned washed waxed serviced wheel bearings polished motor got the boat ready for next outing. which is so far off april 19th next time. when wife gets back from canada. I hope to have a few pics from that trip lol.

How can you all even get outside...pollen is horrible down here in Georgia...lol.  I slice my fingers all the time ..I work in the med field and have easy access to docs to stitch me up however many times I just get steri strips and some liquid bandage.   I stay up to date on tetnus shots also.  Not saying I am the smartest but haven't lost a finger yet lol

While I am thinking of it.  How the heck do you get the seat pole from unscrewing and squeaking?  Already tried white lithium grease ...it is so aggravating

8 hours ago, SeriousBlack said:

Bought a full engine cover. Nice quality! Fits perfect! I'll need to remove the engine support to zip it up but wanted to see how it fit first.

 

 

Where did you get that cover at?

8 hours ago, Mw Michaelis said:

Where did you get that cover at?

 

19 hours ago, mcarrico82 said:

How can you all even get outside...pollen is horrible down here in Georgia...lol.  I slice my fingers all the time ..I work in the med field and have easy access to docs to stitch me up however many times I just get steri strips and some liquid bandage.   I stay up to date on tetnus shots also.  Not saying I am the smartest but haven't lost a finger yet lol

While I am thinking of it.  How the heck do you get the seat pole from unscrewing and squeaking?  Already tried white lithium grease ...it is so aggravating

Never had problem with seats unscrewing i just put them in good and tight. As for the squeak bought boeshield that jaime recommended in and old post and it works amazing.It used to drive my dad crazy,sprayed it on over a month ago,been on 5 trips and not one squeak.

13 hours ago, SeriousBlack said:

 

Thanks!!!!

Finally got the boat out of the garage and on the water for some testing.  Everything worked, Which is great!  

 

The maxxum is very nice.  In comparison to the edge, I love the variable speed.  It felt so smooth and the power was nice.  At Max, it pulled me at 3mph.  I installed a G-force cable to replace the rope cable.  It was a little windy, so I still want spotlock, lol.

 

I love the recessed tray.  It was very comfortable.  The foot controller stayed in place.  This should be standard.

 

I never thought touch screen units were that big of a deal... Until today.  It made navigation and usage so much better.  Garmin has a great setup as menu options are always available on the lower portion of the screen.

 

I used RAM mounts on the console and the bow.  The worked good enough.  I may need to upgrade to more robust models, but so far this GS stayed in place 

 

The panoptix livescope worked in the position I had it in on the trolling motor.  I liked being able to look around hands free.  I might keep it on the trolling motor and not make a side Mount/pole for it.  Notice in the pics, I ran the sheilded network cable and the livescope cable in the gunnel.  Both cables are very thick, so they are masked/protected by right-angle aluminum.  It think it looks really nice.

 

The panoptix livescope blackbox (gvc10) is mounted under the console.  I originally had it in the front storage hatch, but I wanted better access, better temperature management, and wanted it closer to run the power to it.  It is accessible and out of the way at the same time.

 

My homemade network switch prototype worked flawlessly.  I am working on making it small we and self contained with different parts.  I decided to put a power on/off switch on it.  I have it zip-tied to kydex under the console.  

 

Other parts I added a blueseas fuse box.  On the battery terminals, I have a Marinco quick connect block.   I finally mounted my battery charger.  My third battery was previously kept in a minnkota power center.  Now it is mounted and secure.  I have more room for storage back there. Probably tools in a dry box

 

Finally, I will do all the maintenance this week.  I purchased an hour meeter, which still.needs to be installed.  

Finally got the boat on the water to test the upgrades.  

 

Awesome video and great job with the boat! Ultimate setup for sure! Very impressed!

Don't want to bombard, but here is another video on maintenance:

 

Good video Jaime. If you don't mind I would like to give you some info that will make your next oil change and lower unit service a tiny bit easier.

The screw driver is from snap on and is special made for the lower unit drain and vent screws. They run like 25 to 30 bucks off the snap on truck. the yellow item you put under your oil filter it sits on the motor on a little lip and the housing works great for catching any oil. I do still put a rag under it though. If you buy the oil kit that comes with the filer and oil in the box you get this tool along with new drain plug seals etc.

Last but not least. When draining your oil here is a picture from the service manual raise motor up and turn it then remove the drain plug and let it drain lot less chance of a mess and it all drains out. I hope this may help you and others on servicing their motors. Ok they change part numbers and price they are 35 bucks now but here is link if your interested.

 

https://store.snapon.com/Marine-Plug-Screwdriver-Large-Marine-Plug-Screwdriver-P893034.aspx

 

 

What wheel bearing grease is everyone using?  I know sometimes different grease bases are not compatible.  Anyone know what brand tracker puts in from the factory?

lucas red n tacky is what they use and i what I use

I have some Lucas Marine, the blue stuff, for my barrings.  I trust Lucas red n tacky as it has a great reputation.  I bought the Marine can because I might take my boat to brackish water.  From all I read, both will work just fine.

 

Most important thing about the bearings is to just take care of them.  I don't plan on having a blown bearing story. It's too easy of a job not to do at least once a year.

I also recommend since they are so easy to service to shoot some fresh grease in couple times a year I also on my trailers tear down hubs and clean bearings races spindles check out everything then repack new seals it has saved me money over the years from a bearing going bad.

I lost a hub on a car trailer once and ever since hen I am pretty anal on bearing service.

Jaime I like the blue too been a good grease.

FINALLY was able to bring the new boat home last week.  Thanks to this forum was able to get a few simple mods done and out of the way.  Moved the gas tank over to the passenger side, installed a 2 bank battery charger, bungee cords on the seats, velcro rod hold down straps on the front deck, spare tire, replaced the original tie downs with ratchet tie downs, installed a hour meter and half way done with installing a FF for the front.  So again thanks to everyone on here for the suggestions.  I am hoping to get it out before opening season to get the motor broken in.  Unfortunately I will be fishing out of my brothers new Tracker Classic before mine.  We are headed down to Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee this weekend for our annual early fishing trip. 

Has anyone installed a stainless prop?  If so what model?

To me there is really not enough of a performance gain on a 40ho motor to honestly justify one.

Couple of guys I know that has the heritage put one on and gained maybe 1mph so to me its not enough to justify the expense.

Bimini on!  I had some issues last fall and didn't get to clean and put it up like I wanted to.  After a good scrub down, it will be ready to get messed up again for this summer. 

 

@Bolar

Looking good!

Question.  Where is your transducer mounted?  I cannot get any readings going faster than 5MPH.  It has always been this way.  I tried different spots and heights.  I do not rooster tail.  I have a down and side, as well as chirp.  It has bee the same with two different transducers.  I know I am getting rough water and air.  

 

Can you all post pics?  What are your top speeds and reading the bottom? 

1 hour ago, jaimeastin said:

@Bolar

Looking good!

Question.  Where is your transducer mounted?  I cannot get any readings going faster than 5MPH.  It has always been this way.  I tried different spots and heights.  I do not rooster tail.  I have a down and side, as well as chirp.  It has bee the same with two different transducers.  I know I am getting rough water and air.  

 

Can you all post pics?  What are your top speeds and reading the bottom? 

 

Thanks.  I wish I could help, original Hook, factory location.  I don't get to go fast very often.  10Mph I can read depth.