Buying new boat - Have many questions

[Rollin with Rolland]

Now that is a work of art!! Makes me want to start boat building....

[Rich McVey]

Sweet, I get excited looking at the pics of the new boat being built, then I force myself to remember... it aint MY boat

[Aaron]

Outta paint and on its way to hose prep.

[Anglinarcher]

Aaron, you are going to love that boat. But, I thought this photo I took two weeks ago would be telling about Rock Lake and access. Don't worry, you can do it, but be careful.

[hewesfisher]

Good picture AA, and one I was waiting to see. Hard to say for sure, but it looks like these guys are loading up, correct?

One benefit Aaron and I will both have is the tongue length on our trailers, it's a whole lot longer than the one shown, and it really helps when loading/unloading.

[Aaron]

Up on the final finish floor, Electrical & Glass going in now.

[Aaron]

Final day of the build. She should be arriving in Spokane next week.

[Gisteppo]

Man they can throw a boat together fast!

What day do you want to come out Aaron?

E

[Aaron]

From what they tell me, the boat will be to the dealers next week, then another day or two for them to put everything on it... so I'm really not sure at this point. I want to get the Shark Hide on first, then I can break it in. I'm not really sure what Phil's schedule is or what his plans are either so until I know the final date of when the boat will be in my hands I won't know when I can get out there. Soon though!

[blufin loui]

Hey Aaron, ya have the look of the proud papa. Congrats man. What bow mount do plan to put on her?? I recently put the electronic MK with remote steering (co-pilot) on ole blu, and it is sweet.
Thanks for sharing the process with us out here in wishful land (at least I am). Let me know if you ever need someone for ballast when you hit the RW, just give me a jingle.
Mucho Happy for ya Man

[Aaron]

It's wired for a bow mount, but I haven't given it much thought. The size of motor needed for this boat pushed the cost of a bow mount close to $1000 if I'm not mistaken... so maybe later this year. I know I'll want one eventually.

Heck yah! I'll need someone to show me around the place. I've been there once, with Mike and Joe, but I'm sure I'll want some reminders on spots and techniques. I'll be hitting RW and Roosevelt a few times this year, not including our next vid shoot in Oct. I have a friend coming back from Iraq at the end of July that I've done most of my fishing with, and we're planning on doing a LOT of fishing.

[blufin loui]

Yep, those things are spendy. we have a 70 # thrust 24v model, and it has pulled through moderate current, and severe wind with power to spare. I would go with 80 next time, just because. but after a "Full" day on the water with lots of shoreline fishing and some trolling, the batteries will still be at 80%. I have been well pleased. Can't wait to hear of the Maiden launch.

[hewesfisher]

I want to get the Shark Hide on first, then I can break it in. I'm not really sure what Phil's schedule is or what his plans are either so until I know the final date of when the boat will be in my hands I won't know when I can get out there. Soon though!

My schedule is flexible Aaron, unless the call back I got from a resume I sent out results in a job offer. I'm getting to where I enjoy working at home with no one else dictating my schedule. What a dilemma that is. Hmm.

Anyway, it takes 2 days to do the Sharkhide because of the 24 hour dry time between coats. First step is to give the boat a good bath with a degreasing type soap (I've got some here) and then let it dry overnight so there's no water on it when the first coat of Sharkhide goes on. Then it just sits for 24hrs until the next one goes on and then another 24hrs until it can get wet.

Did you catch my post on the Hewes forum about an hourmeter and/or tach for your kicker? They're cheap, easy to install, and keep you from guessing how many hours are on the motor for maintenance.

You guys are right about the bow mounts being spendy. :cyclopsan Aaron, when you decide to add a bow mount, do not get one with less than a 60" shaft or it will be too short!

I had a Motorguide Wireless 55# thrust on our Sportsman and I really liked it. I had absolutely zero problems and could spend 3 days at Roosevelt running off a 12v group 24 deep cycle without a recharge. I have looked at the MK Powerdrive and Terrovas for comparison and decided I'm going with another Motorguide. The MK AutoPilot feature is nice, but not something I'm willing to pay the extra $$ for. Want the wireless option? More $$. Want the wireless foot pedal (not included with the wireless upgrade), more $$. Want a quick release mount, yep, more $$ too. The wireless foot pedal and quick release mount are included with the Motorguide wireless series bow mount motors, and now through the end of May, Motorguide is offering a rebate for the key fob control so it's "free". Granted, if you want an auto pilot, MK is the only way to go since Motorguide doesn't offer one. Since the auto pilot isn't a value added feature for me, I'll be ordering the wireless 75# thrust motor with the 60" shaft and built-in Lowrance transducer because I will eventually add a second DF on the bow.:bball:

[Aaron]

I that case I hope you fail the interview! ;)

I realize we're looking at about 4 days or so of "work" before I can go fishing... and I am looking forward to it.

I had already planned on getting the hourmeter with or without the tach, I just hadn't called SBs yet to see if they have one, or if that is the best place to get it when cost is considered.

I think the Motorguide W75L-60 is the one for me too. I know having just one DF in the boat won't be enough, that's one reason I had them add that second plate on the rear.

[Aaron]

I just called Skipper Bills and they have the $39 one, but not one with a tach so they will try to have it ordered and available for me.

[Aaron]

Phil,

I can't remember, did you get the hourmeter + tach, or just the hourmeter? Rick called me back to tell me they had them in stock, but he said they are $60... Do you know what brand it is or a model number?

[hewesfisher]

I can't remember, did you get the hourmeter + tach, or just the hourmeter? Rick called me back to tell me they had them in stock, but he said they are $60... Do you know what brand it is or a model number?

I got the hourmeter without the tach. It was a SenDec brand and the price was $39.99. You can order the SenDec hour/tach online for under $40. Cabela's has them in their catalog for $39.99, and the hour meter only is $34.99. I wouldn't pay $60 for one, but I'll bet it's not the same one I bought. Tiny tach is another brand that comes to mind, same price range ~ $40, and would work just as well.

Dang it if I didn't try, but I didn't fail the interview. I start my new job Monday as lead bodyman for D&D Auto Body in the valley.

Won't affect anything for getting your boat done, so just give me a call when you have something firmed up with Skipper Bill's on delivery.

[Anglinarcher]

Good picture AA, and one I was waiting to see. Hard to say for sure, but it looks like these guys are loading up, correct?

One benefit Aaron and I will both have is the tongue length on our trailers, it's a whole lot longer than the one shown, and it really helps when loading/unloading.

Yes, they were. There trailer is a little higher off the ground then most for a boat that size, but...................

[G-Man]

I've been looking at the Rock Lake Launch picture again, either the guys are too lazy to crank the boat on the trailer or they need a lesson in launching/retrieving a boat. Even with bunks, a properly setup trailer should never have to have it's tires completely submerged to load or unload a boat. If you need to back in that deep your bunks are too far off of the trailer frame. I can get my deep-v boat into evergreen reservoir and the WDFW launches at the South end of Banks Lake without a problem, no bunk slicks needed! Aaron, I'm guessing that your boat will be coming with an EZ Loader bunk trailer. I have the same style trailer and had the dealer lower the bunks from the "factory" set middle elevation to the lowest position for two reasons. First, I had a height issue and it wouldn't have made it into the garage and second for the ease of loading and unloading the boat on a mild pitched ramp like the one pictured.

[hewesfisher]

Aaron's trailer will be the same as mine, and it will have the new "slick" bunks on it. You can see in this maiden voyage pic just how little water is needed to launch, it was already floating free here, I just gave it a nudge with truck and off she went.



When I load, and I never, ever power load, I put no more than half the bunks in the water, and with the new trailer EZ Loader says your boat will center best if you only put the first foot or so in the water. I can attest to that, and it slides on real nice until the last couple feet when you start pulling motor weight on the bunks. Gotta put a little grunt in it then, even I have to use two hands on the crank!