11 hours ago, @reelChris said:

In my quest to prevent hatch doors from slamming on my hands, I ended up getting these 45N/10lb 9 11/16" gas struts from Amazon:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H18I46K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Four struts for $17 wasn't bad, and the directions that came with them aren't terrible.  However, the measurements they provided for mounting locations required drilling through the top of the hatch and I didn't want to do that.  I wanted to utilize the center support.  So, I experimented with the mounting location for a while before I found the right one.   

 

 

I only installed one strut because 10lb was the least powerful struts I could find and that's enough to open the hatch.  I don't think that the torsion on the hinge will bend it, and I'm afraid two 10lb struts would pop the hatch open in rough water since the only thing that holds them shut is the friction produced by the carpet on the edges of the hatch.  Here's a video of the operation:

 

https://streamable.com/sltcww

That's cool

On 12/10/2019 at 7:18 AM, keithsmith said:

I put a 12v 55lb Terrova on my boat back in August.  Best upgrade yet.  I run two batteries in series for the 12v, but could have just a easily put them in parallel and ran a 24v TM.  I put my batteries in the small storage compartment under the front deck with a battery charger and used the original TM wiring to charge the cranking battery.  A side benefit of this is that the boat is balanced better, especially when I moved the gas tank to the other side as well.

 

If you check out the Heritage owners page in Facebook, you will find many post, photos, and set-ups for the Terrova.  Since the Terrova in much larger than the Edge, don't plan on using your original cover on the boat unless you put a quick disconnect on the TM so you can remove it when you put the cover on.  There are also options for mounting as it won't fit in the same position as the Edge.  

 

One other thing I learned is that the GPS puck should be close to the middle of the boat.  I initially mounted mine on the bow but moved it to the side next to the shifting lever.  Works better in iPilot anchor mode.  I also found the universal sonar on the Terrova is very good and use it almost exclusively to fish from the bow.  As a reminder, if you mount a Lowrance fishfinder on the bow, you will need an adapter cable to connect the sonar.  I think the Terrova is set up for a Hummingbird FF, but my Lowrance Ti2 works just fine with the adapter cable.

 

Hope this info helps

 

Hello to all, 

     New guy here. Had to jump in. I am the very proud and happy owner of a 2021 Classic XL in black diamond and 50 hp. That was my birthday gift in early Aug. I guess I was one of the very few who got the floor model right after it was delivered. I’m told all BPS and Cabelas were told no more selling the floor model. I’ve install 2 Humminbird helix 7’s from my old boat, hour meter and a 12 gallon aluminum gas tank. I fish a big lake and needed the extra security of having plenty of fuel. This boat replaced a 1986 Basstracker Tournament TX17 that I had for about 6 years. Except for being a bit wider and more modern it’s the same boat. And not riveted. No leaks. I love it. It seems to handle better than my old boat. Love it. 

Forgot the pic. 

On 10/8/2020 at 5:24 PM, The King said:

Hello to all, 

     New guy here. Had to jump in. I am the very proud and happy owner of a 2021 Classic XL in black diamond and 50 hp. That was my birthday gift in early Aug. I guess I was one of the very few who got the floor model right after it was delivered. I’m told all BPS and Cabelas were told no more selling the floor model. I’ve install 2 Humminbird helix 7’s from my old boat, hour meter and a 12 gallon aluminum gas tank. I fish a big lake and needed the extra security of having plenty of fuel. This boat replaced a 1986 Basstracker Tournament TX17 that I had for about 6 years. Except for being a bit wider and more modern it’s the same boat. And not riveted. No leaks. I love it. It seems to handle better than my old boat. Love it. 

Forgot the pic. 

Congratulations!  That's a nice looking boat.  The black diamond is sharp.  That's quite a nice birthday gift.  I got a 2018 heritage on my 50th birthday.  I know you'll enjoy this boat as much as I have mine.  Keep us updated on your adventures with your new boat. Welcome to the Heritage/Classic thread

Thanks Terrance,

         I can’t wait for it to cool down a little here so I can get out more. I live in Az. and fish in Lake Mohave mostly. The temps there have been brutal. Starting to cool a little now. Have to watch the wind too. It’s big water and builds big swells. I too love my boat. I did change the fuel tank to an aluminum 12.5 gallon tank that I had made. I didn’t like the way the new EPA tank vents into the battery well in the heat here. And my very tight fitting cover compounded it. Everytime I’d open the cover it smelled like a gas refinery. It’s now vented to the outside. Against the rules, but better than an explosion looking for a place to happen. Enjoy your Heritage and stay safe. 
                               Bob

I got to go out yesterday, beautiful weather.  You can most definitely tell it's fall.  This is what the ramp looked like when I got there.

 

 

47 minutes ago, Bolar said:

I got to go out yesterday, beautiful weather.  You can most definitely tell it's fall.  This is what the ramp looked like when I got there.

 

 

Looks like your boat fell off the trailer on the side of the road. Lol

8 hours ago, Bolar said:

I got to go out yesterday, beautiful weather.  You can most definitely tell it's fall.  This is what the ramp looked like when I got there.

 

 

Very cool picture.  Your boat still looks great.  I hope you caught some.  

Has anyone had any issues with a cracked hull under the livewell ?  

 

BPS has tried to fix the issue but it's not looking good. Unfortunately, I'm about to send it back to Tracker for a new hull.

 

BPS said they will remove everything but the motor when they send it back. Could take months to get back because the plant shut down for months during Covid. They are playing catch up.

 

20 hours ago, kscholz2 said:

Has anyone had any issues with a cracked hull under the livewell ?  

 

BPS has tried to fix the issue but it's not looking good. Unfortunately, I'm about to send it back to Tracker for a new hull.

 

BPS said they will remove everything but the motor when they send it back. Could take months to get back because the plant shut down for months during Covid. They are playing catch up.

 

 

Sorry to hear about that.  What has BPS tried to do?  What do they have to remove? 

 

 

They welded the original crack and now that weld cracked. 
 

BPS will remove everything  inside of the boat. Only the hull itself and the motor will shipped back. 

20 hours ago, kscholz2 said:

They welded the original crack and now that weld cracked. 
 

BPS will remove everything  inside of the boat. Only the hull itself and the motor will shipped back. 

 

 

Is that view from the outside?  It's hard to see the seam.  Regardless, that doesn't look like a good weld.  I hope it goes well for you.   

 

 

Welded aluminum boats...?

On 9/3/2019 at 5:04 PM, Bolar said:

So I've been out a few times at night and it gets pretty dark out there .  I been wanting to install some deck lights instead of using flashlights, so I purchased these lights from Amazon.  I got the red, which I thought might be better for night vision.  I considered orange, but I was afraid they might be too bright in the dark. 

 

Anyhow, they are nice lights, just peel and stick right on the side of the gunnels.  I know, I read the reviews and they have a problem sticking sometimes.  I cleaned the area with rubbing alcohol first, then stuck the lights down.  I've been out twice since I stuck them on.  There are a couple of spots in which I'm going to have to try to re-glue an area down, but it's not too bad. 

 

I will say the lights are kind of delicate and might not be the best choice for a bass boat or how I'm using them.  They were inexpensive enough that if they don't work out, I know I will replace them with something more substantial. Time will tell. 

 

Sorry about the pics, it wasn't dark when I took them. 

 

 

I was going back looking at some old posts.  Bolar, I was wondering if the lights held up good.  Are you pleased with them?  I'm interested in adding some deck lighting.

 

The lights, towards the rear of the boat work fine.  Upfront, they came unstuck and are not working.  These light strips are kind of delicate, and don't like to be man-handled once stuck. 

 

On the front deck there is no room to try and get them on the underside of the gunnel, so they get bumped and walked on.  I was kind of doubtful how they would work when I stuck them on.  They have no real protection.

 

I actually like these lights.  They are small, they aren't too bright, and they light up the whole boat nicely.  Right now, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about them .

 

 

I guess i need to explain. Hearing too many horror stories of the welds breaking on new and a few years old boats . Then trying to get them fixed (correctly) in a timely matter. My riveted deep v (grumman '96 ) has yet to have any problems (rivets or leaks) so far. It averages 34 trips a year and is not garaged, and i don't baby it. They aren't welded for strength, they are welded for ease of manufacture / time. My 2 cents. 

11 hours ago, detroit1 said:

I guess i need to explain.

Start a Grumman owners' thread. I'm sure eventually someone will come on to thumbs down your boat.

Good point.

Just some pictures of my bunks.  I replaced the bunks after. Two failed on my summer road trip.  Two failed after fist leg from CA to AR.  I noticed when I was in OKC that the side bunk was completely gone!  Not sure how that happened.  When I arrived to Arkansas and launched in the River, I saw that my bunk just about fell off.  The lag bolts fell out on the road.  Sorry to the flat tires for some person(s) on I-40...  I think the same happened to the side bunk.  I did not hit or get hit.  The lags just rattled out.

 

I replaced the side bunk and one long bunk and carpet in Arkansas.  I treated the boards there with a sealing protector... I did not use treated wood. I brought the second board back with me and replaced it at the lake in CA. 

 

I did not use lag bolts.  I countersunk a bolt through the wood and put a locking but on the underside... All stainless steel.  This way, if a nut falls off, that is all I need to replace... Secondly, I left the bottom of the bunks exposed so that the wood drains faster.  I can tell if they are going bad.  

Nice work.  Now I have to go out and check mine again.  When the time comes I have been considering the Ultimate Bunk Bards or maybe Gatorbaks. 

4 hours ago, Bolar said:

Nice work.  Now I have to go out and check mine again.  When the time comes I have been considering the Ultimate Bunk Bards or maybe Gatorbaks. 

 

Thanks.  Yeah, those gatorbaks look nice.  I was in a quick rush to get mine fixed, but I would love to put something other than carpet on next time.  I did not realize the screws had come out.  I tried to just go bigger, but that did not work because the wood was so tore up in the hole.  

On 1/5/2021 at 1:58 AM, jaimeastin said:

Just some pictures of my bunks.  I replaced the bunks after. Two failed on my summer road trip.  Two failed after fist leg from CA to AR.  I noticed when I was in OKC that the side bunk was completely gone!  Not sure how that happened.  When I arrived to Arkansas and launched in the River, I saw that my bunk just about fell off.  The lag bolts fell out on the road.  Sorry to the flat tires for some person(s) on I-40...  I think the same happened to the side bunk.  I did not hit or get hit.  The lags just rattled out.

 

I replaced the side bunk and one long bunk and carpet in Arkansas.  I treated the boards there with a sealing protector... I did not use treated wood. I brought the second board back with me and replaced it at the lake in CA. 

 

I did not use lag bolts.  I countersunk a bolt through the wood and put a locking but on the underside... All stainless steel.  This way, if a nut falls off, that is all I need to replace... Secondly, I left the bottom of the bunks exposed so that the wood drains faster.  I can tell if they are going bad.  

That's a good idea leaving the bottom of the bunks exposed to help drain the water faster.  I  think I'll do that when I have to replace my bunks.  About a month ago I knocked off my side bunk when I misjudged my alignment driving the boat back onto the trailer.  It snapped the bolt off.  Fortunately it was an easy fix,  

What have you all used for the spare tire? I have had the spare sitting in the garage and throw it in the truck when I leave...I know super lazy of me to not mount it lol. Anyways, u bolt? Is there an aftermarket lock system? What have you all done???

16 hours ago, FreeDivr said:

What have you all used for the spare tire? I have had the spare sitting in the garage and throw it in the truck when I leave...I know super lazy of me to not mount it lol. Anyways, u bolt? Is there an aftermarket lock system? What have you all done???

 

I used stainless bolts to hold it down.  Pics are a few pages back.

 

 

 

On 1/28/2021 at 10:54 AM, FreeDivr said:

What have you all used for the spare tire?

 

Day before my road trip, I ran out and purchased a spare tire and ubolt.  A few thousand miles later, it is still good.  I will probably upgrade to one with a lock later... But for now this works.

 

I need to get a trailer jack.  I have a couple blocks of wood that I would use with the truck jack for now.  There is a trailer jack that you just attach and go in reverse and it pops right up.