Search results

Backtrolling is a technique that seems to have been mostly made redundant by our electric motors and big batteries. Mine will run for days at 1-1.5 mph. I can see the appeal of planer boards for picking up scattered fish on big flats. We don't really have much of that here, so I've never tried...

I don't really troll much at all anymore. This was the last setup I had for pulling cranks. The boat is just a Tracker Tournament V17, a deep-v hull with low gunnels like a bass boat. Prior to this I just had those same rod holders screwed into the decks. Two in the back, straight back off the...

Will look really good with a coat of paint. Mine was in a lot worse shape, I drilled the rivets out of the base and just rebuilt the upper portion out of plywood. Are you going to put some hatch doors in the front deck? There's a lot of handy space under there.

Depends on what you mean by "lake." I wouldn't be caught on a bigger impoundment without an outboard. 20-30mph headwinds will hinder your electric motor significantly. Doesn't even have to be a storm, if a front moves through while you're fishing the lee side of a lake and changes the wind...

Why not trim the wood?

Those seem to only be rotted near the ends, cut the bad out and splice in a new piece. The wires are removable, there are nuts under those rubber caps. Just need a standard ring terminal for your new piece.

Looking good. I have the exact same boat, they're pretty decent hulls. Mine was in pretty similar condition. I still need to make some new bins for mine, might get to it eventually. If you're planning on extending the front deck further back, I think it's an excellent idea and one that I...

I've been pretty happy with my Garmin stuff. There are some features that are better by the competitors, but overall I don't have much to complain about. I don't know that you'll find a better deal right now than the 73SV. The 93SVs usually go on sale every fall for 699. You might be able to...

None of the newer four stroke Mercs come with a lifting ring, but they'll happily sell you one that bolts onto the flywheel. My 84 60hp Merc didn't have one either.

Batteries are nowhere close in terms of energy density when compared to gas or diesel at this time. Once we get to that point, engines will be in trouble, but I think it's a long ways off. Been hearing about ultra light weight batteries for a decade now, but none of them have made it to mass...

I think what you are describing (needing to rotate the prop for reverse to engage) is totally normal. There are only a few teeth on the clutch dog and the reverse gear, so they will only enmesh every 90*. When the engine is running it is not an issue, both forward and reverse gears are coupled...

Look into a stick steer. No console required, still uses remote controls. Can pretty much put the steering box and throttle wherever you want.

I'd be surprised if a 20hp gasoline outboard would plane that boat, let alone an electric with a battery bank. I'd say you'd be limited to plowing at ~10mph. A 35hp would be the bare minimum IMO. Battery power certainly has it's applications, but the energy to weight ratio is very less than...

If I'm not mistaken, those didn't really have a telltale "stream". All you will see is the spray/dribble out of the exhaust ports on the midsection.

Your compression loss could have many causes. Manufacturing tolerances in the pistons (especially if aftermarket), uneven bore wear (typically one bank or one end of the block will run hotter depending on water flow), uneven bottom end wear, etc. It would be difficult to pinpoint without...

I've had several different motors on mine, the original 60hp Merc, a Suzuki 75hp 2 stroke, a 90hp Fourstroke, and now a 50hp Evinrude. The Evinrude is probably my favorite in terms of power to weight, the 75hp+ motors get very heavy. 50-60hp is perfect IMO.

I had a cheap one for a while. It started leaking after a couple months so I took it off. If you're gonna do it, get a Racor or something name brand and be done with it.

Solidly in the Midwest here. No salt within a day's drive. Still see a lot of salt life stickers though.

I have an 84 Tournament V17 that is rated for 90hp maximum. Perhaps they have the ratings mixed up between the Deep-V and Mod-V models, the model names changed quite a bit throughout the years. The 17' Deep-Vs are all rated for 90hp throughout the years as far as I'm aware. I'd say their...

They will happily chomp a crawler harness or crankbait occasionally, especially in June when they're spawning here. Flatheads will hit a crankbait from time to time as well. I have tried eating them but the yellow meat was definitely not my favorite.