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dbasketman.
For a lot of people smaller reservoirs and tournament competition of around 25 days a year allow two hours time on the engine if a rig has 50 hours. That seems short though some only only have weekends.Then there are those whom have to drive long distances just to water, this disminishes time to fish.
My engine is 8 years old with only 200 hours on it as most of my time is spent fishing and not running, and that is figuring that most of my runs down here on the Intracoastal are 15-30 miles round trip. When I get on lakes like Rayburn and Toledo Bend I tend to launch near to where I fish and just Idle out and drop the troller. My trolling motor has probably 5-7 thousand hours though.
Ive averaged 30 hours a year on my P-II. Fished most of the day last Saturday and didnt put 10 minutes on my motor.
I fish almost every weekend and I dont put a lot of hours on my engine. Since I dont fish tournaments anymore I can put in a ramp that is near the area that I want to fish. That means I spend more time fishing and more hours on the troller then I do behind the wheel. I fish small lakes and rivers as well as large bodies of water. Some guys like to turn their boat over every year to keep up with the latest and greatest or a have a promo deal worked out. Everyones situation is different to suit their needs, wants and desires.
Must be nice to live on a lake where you are not running all over the place trying to find a fish that will bite, Come to Beaver Lake and it will make you fire up the big motor and go look for something better
allen embry wrote:I see all these boats for sale that are a year old and have 20 to 50 hours on them and they are a year old, Do they buy them just to let them sit in the garage, do they have a spare boat that they actually use. I bought a boat to use, I have had mine for a month and it has 20 hours on it, I did take a week off and go to Lake St. Clair so maybe a little higher than normal for a months use but dang guys get out and use those things!Copy that! I use and enjoy mine. Also, I fish year round. I add about 65 hours a year. Use to rack up 100 but Im slowing down some. Damn is it fun to fish out of a BassCat! Last edited by Flyswatter on November 1st, 2013, 12:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
Same here! I spend way more time on the trolling motor while fishing than I ever do running the Big motor. Fish small lakes, and launch close to where I wanna fish. I dont really enjoy running all over the lake looking for fish.DanGRR884Ive averaged 30 hours a year on my P-II. Fished most of the day last Saturday and didnt put 10 minutes on my motor.
My boat is an 09. I have 96 hours on it now. But in all fairness, I will have had it 4 years this coming December.
allen embry wrote:I see all these boats for sale that are a year old and have 20 to 50 hours on them and they are a year old, Do they buy them just to let them sit in the garage, do they have a spare boat that they actually use. I bought a boat to use, I have had mine for a month and it has 20 hours on it, I did take a week off and go to Lake St. Clair so maybe a little higher than normal for a months use but dang guys get out and use those things!Mine gets some hours as it is as much fun to drive as fish out of…Got lots of water out back and sometimes a good ol boat ride is a welcome diversion.
bobsquatch13 wrote:With High Cotton last statement brings up question? If well maintained motor what “might” the hours life expectancy be? Anyone know or have idea?First hand experience:1. 2004 200 HPDI 864 hours and going strong, My brothers Center console in Islamorada. No significant issues other then maintenance.2. 2007 150 Etec 1200 plus hours before PH went kaboom, My son in-Laws brother. He wasnt happy initially bur realized after some checking around thats a very long time. He did regular maintenance before the blue grenade exploded. 3. year? Kentucky Lake fishing guide, Dave Stewarts 225 Etec 1400 hours going strong before he traded it in. He serviced his motor 150 hours regularly instead of BRPs recommended 300 hours. Neat discussion with him during his one on one structure fishing class.I guarantee you can find same to similar experience with Mercs too and you will find some damn nice BassCat boats with sound and well mainteanced motors here on BassCats website. Do your homework and get service history because you are buying someone elses boat. I know if or when I sell mine Ill be offering service history via my dealer at the buyers request. If you do the right type of follow I wouldnt hesitate buying a 300 plus hour boat. Operate it right and maintenance it regularly and fill the live wells.Second hand sourcing: Ive read some Four strokes with over 5000 hours and going strong!
I have an 07 puma with only 110 hrs and I use it from mid April to mid December whether permitting and fish Ts almost every weekend, But lakes that I fish are 600 acre average. But Im on my second trolling motor.
allen embry wrote:I see all these boats for sale that are a year old and have 20 to 50 hours on them and they are a year old, Do they buy them just to let them sit in the garage, do they have a spare boat that they actually use. I bought a boat to use, I have had mine for a month and it has 20 hours on it, I did take a week off and go to Lake St. Clair so maybe a little higher than normal for a months use but dang guys get out and use those things!They just want or need a new interest payment or have to sell the boat within a year to get their new one . Dating / floor plan / team deals / dealer promos / -they make 10 – 15 grand or more to roll over into their new boat to have a small interest payment . Thats why some keep the hours low or have high hours with the five year warranty on the motor and if your lucky you are the first original owner of the boat and motor pending what brand of boat .
Deep Structure wrote:allen embry wrote:I see all these boats for sale that are a year old and have 20 to 50 hours on them and they are a year old, Do they buy them just to let them sit in the garage, do they have a spare boat that they actually use. I bought a boat to use, I have had mine for a month and it has 20 hours on it, I did take a week off and go to Lake St. Clair so maybe a little higher than normal for a months use but dang guys get out and use those things!They just want or need a new interest payment or have to sell the boat within a year to get their new one . Dating / floor plan / team deals / dealer promos / -they make 10 – 15 grand or more to roll over into their new boat to have a small interest payment . Thats why some keep the hours low or have high hours with the five year warranty on the motor and if your lucky you are the first original owner of the boat and motor pending what brand of boat .I wish I made 10-15 grand and I imagine every Elite Pro wished the same. Being the first owner of a BCB means nothing. The boat carries the same hull warranty with subsequent owners as it does with the initial original owner. The engine really doesnt matter either. One might gain 12 months warranty. However, 99% of all engines are registered. Once registered, the warranty begins. The days of unregistered boats and motors are long gone for the most part.
To me its simple and moving boats is in their job description as prostaff, whether regional, dealer, or elite.They also dont have to spend time and $$$$ for preventative maintenance or upgrades with no return on investment. Current offerings change with model years, and they can pass on savings while keeping current with the market.The guys that buy new every season while taking terrific care of their rigs are few relatively speaking, and assist by keeping the manufacturer well informed as to what users desire from them. Just as fleets like rental car companies or contractors do with heavy equipment. They help form the market every year, and their equipment is highly desired.It takes dedicated individuals to do this IMO, and requires lots of their time and effort to care for their rigs, and keep themselves and equipment in excellent marketable condition, and they EARN these opportunities relative to effort expended. Me, Im more of a torture tester, and do it on my own dime. I just enjoy the opportunities, and appreciate a great product and company like BCB, and the people associated with them. Been in a Cat since 90, and hope to remain in one for life.As far as someone making $$$$ on their boats every year, I dont agree. Their involvement and time included,,,,,, if they come out even Id say they are fortunate, and happy to do it.Tournament entriesGasHotelsGearTime awayTow vehicleFood, etc,,,,,,Last edited by dbasketman on November 4th, 2013, 3:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
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