Joey, Who are you using for a Merc warranty mechanic? Mike Whitten
Guys, Ive posted on this question before, and I have some very definite ideas on what works well here, and what causes problem. First of all you must keep batteries charged, all of them. For my use and the way I fish, a Stealth One Max Pack system is what I prefer. A little more complicated, but it works great for me. I also carry a back up, manual charger to tournaments just in case. Secondly, I run a 3 battery, 36v system, tons of electronics, pumps, oxygen stones, etc, and Ive never had a problem, but I insist on 3, SCS 225 Trojan batteries in my boat. These are 30-31 series batteries, and they have plenty of juice to crank a 250 Pro XS, and still run electronics and TM for a long period. It just does not make sense to me to mix battery sizes in a series set up, nor do I personally see the need to run 4 batteries if 3 will do the job. If you are an Ike or Stone, then maayyybeee, but I fish pretty hard, and often in TVA current, and stand on a TM for 9-10 hours, and I have yet to fail to crank, even on some cold January trips. Certainly not trying to tell anyone else what to do; rather, sharing what I have personally experienced over the past dozen years or so. Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
Guys, Im not sure what the problem is–I store Falcon, BPS, and GLoomis spinning rods in my Puma tubes with no problems at all. If yours dont fit, another option is to use “Stors-It” rod sleeves. I started using these last year, and they are great. They have models for spinning rods ups to 7 long. I use them for casting rods as well, and put them in the bottom of the lockers. Works great for me. Northern Bass Supply carries them, or you can get their website at http://www.storsit .com Mike Whitten
Anchor Reins are hidden recoiling rope units that have a tightening nut above decks. Allows you to pull out rope as you need it, and then tighten down to lock the rope. Loosen nut, and it retracts into a hidden storage area. The insert cover is a carpeted insert that fits where the foot control pedal is normally placed up front. Usually ordered by someone who intends to use a hand op trolling motor, and does not need the basin area for a FC pedal. Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
Wildcat, I will second the flourocarbon for these jigs, and most often on Pickwick and Ky lake, I will use either 12 or 15#, with 15 being the heaviest I will go. I have, on fairly rare occasions dropped down to 10#, but no lighter on the 5/16 and 7/16 oz jigs. On a lakes like Bull or Norfork, 8# might be needed, but in my part of the world 12 works fine, and gets you some margin for operator error. Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
Thanks for all the input!! Having had the time to study things, Im going to go back to the standard, full size Ram with the 1 1/4 or 1/1/2 inch ball. The heavy duty unit is just HUGE. I bet this thing weighs 5-6 pounds alone! If you were mounting the 110-113 units, then this is what you want, but Im going to back down one size. Thanks to all, Mike Whitten
….that theyve found out I cant catch a disease in a house of ill repute!!! And there is no doubt about the relative level of my agility–except around the dinner table! But then, I do pretty good for a fat beancounter who was around two days before dirt was invented!!! Whitten
Chuck, You know, I said something to Rick about that idea last year, and he told me I didnt need one. He suggested just use some of that Mothers wheel polish on my head, and then shine one of those Surefire tactical flashlights on it. Said something about it would be a lot brighter than anything he could think of!!! Whitten
Ive been using the ProTec marine sealant, Wash N Gloss and other products for well over a decade, and I just wont use anything else on my boats. Ive found nothing that shines and protects the finish as well as ProTec. I do use Bass Boat Saver, or Wilson Fraziers Shazam to wipe down the boat, but the base protection layer is ProTec. Mike Whitten/Germantown,TN
I have a 23 High 5 Plus, and I will run it on a Puma or Cougar with a 250, for a play prop for kids, and also in the spring, when water is rough, and Im very shallow, and want to plane quickly. It is also a great prop if you have 3 people in the boat, and/or a shad tank on the rear deck. It is not a speed prop, but it will sure plane a load, and in the winter, or in 3 chop, I dont care much about top end anyway. Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
Got to agree with the Basketman–that is just ugly nuts!!! Bet getting the boat up the ramp was a great adventure. Did it when I was younger and madder at em–Just aint that mad no more. Whitten ops for indoor recreation in that kinda weather!!! Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
I know this boat–have seen it on Pickwick several times. It is in excellent shape, and has not been fished hard. It has been very well maintained, and the color scheme is one of the sharpest around. This boat will be an excellent value for a new owner. Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
Okie, You have issues here, no doubt, but you dont say what size battery–24,27, 31 series you are running. I have seen some boats recently rigged with 24 series starting batteries–a true cranking battery, and these batteries often do not have the staying power to provide all day 12 v power to all our accessories, plus crank the newer, power hungry computerized engines. I ALWAYS use a 31 series Trojan SCS 225 for my cranking battery, and Ive never had a problem. Just one more thing to think about in your search for a solution to this problem. Mike Whitten
You need a deep well socket, not necessary the rachet handle, just the socket. I believe the correct size is 1/4 “, but maybe 3/16. There are 4 long screws run through the glass of the console that screw in the back of the unit. Use the deep well socket as an extension of your fingers to remove the nuts. You will also have flat washers and star washers on each one. I used a plastic putty knife to break the silicone sealer. The the nuts off, the seal broken, just diconnet the wires at the rear of the unit (they bayonet twist off) and the unit will pop out. Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
Doug, I went back and forth, but Im running an FTD for 08. Hope to pick it up on Friday, the 25th. I settled on the FTD after seeing Chris Browns boat this fall, and looking at the storage. I liked the additional underseat storage, and the new livewells. The front deck layout also suits Gary Harlan and my style a little better when fishing team tournaments. I always keep my net out and ready to go when fishing, and I use a retractable Stowaway net, so it will fit in one of the big front boxes, thus the net storage is a neutral deal for me. As for ride versus 07 Puma, Ill comment on that once I get breakeven and seat time under me in the new boat. Ive not yet ridden or driven an 08 hull. I will admit to putting a stereo in a boat for the first time. Got the premium version, with the new seat headrest speakers. Plannin on taking Mr. Buffett, Chesney, and Keith for some long boat rides. Those hour runs between Bay Springs and Pickwick will be a little more fun this spring, I hope!!! Mike Whitten/Germantown, TN
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