times two

To finish out the bilge pump story..... Back pump worked fine when taken out and direcly wired to a battery. Put it back in, with the dash switch on, and it also worked. Turn the switch off, then back on and the only way it would fire up is if you tapped it pretty hard. Couldn't trust that so I replaced it, and it now works. Front one also worked when directly wired. Turns out that this was not on the switch as the factory rep and dealer both said, which makes sense since it could potentially run dry every time the rear one activated. Long story short, the black wire must have a crack or whatever in it, a as that was definitely not working. Also found out that the auto float was not working. SO I get that all going, put it back in the boat last night and wire it exactly where the factory had it. NOTHING! So I took the red wire and moved it from where they had it on the fuse panel to a spot marked bilge pump (imagine that!!) and it works! Whew! The dealership is going to cover the parts but unfortunately I can't bill them for pain and suffering John

I use power pro on my slides, run a 40-50 foot piece of 30lb flourocarbon, on which we run the slides. Don't have to worry about the braid. John

I went on a friends boat out of Wilson. It was nasty, no temp and we only got 1 coho. I'm still cold.

Capt Bill: Pm sent John

Thanks Billy. I don't see how it could be anything else. Dealership said I could bring it back or they would just send me the pumps. Fairly easy access to both, just a pain. John

Got the new boat home last Thursday. Noticed that the bilge pump switch was on. Turned it off but the light stayed on. No matter what way I did it (battery on or off) the light would stay on, and neither pump would work. Turns out that the light was on due to water in the bilge, and when you drain the bilge, light goes out. But neither pump works. The dealership "prepped" the boat for the ride home, so it is likely that the pumps were on for 6 hrs. Dealership will make it good, one way or the other, but its over 4 hrs each way for me, and with gas $ I'm trying to avoid it if possible. I'm thinking one or the other of the pumps is fried since I know that if you put water in the bilge, the float is activating the switch. THoughts?

I've gotten several sets made by amish craftsmen. But if you don't have a way to get to them, check out Amish Outfitters on the net.....

Well, opted to go with VHF on one side, GPS on the other and the stereo near center....always tough drilling that first hole!

New ride is here!! Now comes the fun of mounting all the goodies! So the question is, if I mount the GPS module on one side of the hardtop, and the vhf antenna on the other, should I mount the stereo antenna more towards the VHF or towards the GPS? John

Upgrady: We've been going to Kiawah Island since 1993. Usually have played golf on the many great courses, but the last couple of years finally, thankfully, decided to fish while there. Been with the same guy the last 3 years, all good trips. First 2 years we went out of Charleston harbor towards Sullivans Island, but this year we went out of the Kiawah River between Kiawah and Folly Beach. My son had never been offshore on the ocean, and was fearful that a stingray was going to jump out like happened to that lady in Florida a month or so ago....but that was quickly forgotten with the first fish! If anyone is heading that way, I would highly recommend John Ward of Affinity Charters. John

Wasn't really sure where to post this, so I figure I'll start here.... Just got back from 10 days in S.C. Amazing what warm weather, sun and sand can do for one's spirit! We stayed on a barrier island, so my 7 yr old and I spent a lot of time catching croakers and pinfish in the tidal ponds. Pins are basically an agressive sunfish. Plus took a charter 1 day...tried the marshes unsuccessfully for redfish and bonnet sharks, then moved offshore to a reef in 40 ft of water. Litterally as fast as you could drop your bait to the bottom there was a fish on...mostly black sea bass. Nothing big, but from the perspective of a 7 year old, 100 fish in an just under 2 hours was awesome! Plus we kept a couple and did the whole bacon wrapped thing.....!! Nice to come back to nice weather...plus I get the new ride this week! Man, life if good! John

I'll second Billy. Chad was a great help re-tooling my site this winter. I'd say that probably 95% of my initial bookings (not counting returning clients) are the result of internet contact. I am a firm believer, like Billy in trying to keep the site up to date too. As an example, I just came back from S.C., and have booked with a guy that I found on the net for the last 3 years. When I'm looking, I want to see current information, not 2 year old information. Just my thoughts... John

Viking Ship: I've been all winter where you are now. There is loads of research both pro and con on the net. Sites like thehulltruth.com and others have stories both ways. The boat I got has the DFI, which caused me some concern. SO I contacted, amoung others, Dave Mull at Great Lakes Angler and asked him if he could get me to someone that could go through these engines with me, pros and cons, in an unbaised manner. That led me to Frank at Calumut Marine out west...had a great conversation with him. Basically, the intent of the big boys is not to be a day in day out trolling motor. But short term, for me, the kicker has to wait. So his recommendation, and that of others, is to make sure you follow each maintenance issue. I also talked to multiple captains from the Great Lakes to down south, most of whom were favorable. DId have 1 guy in Canada that blew the powerhead after 600 hrs, but the dealer and Evinrude could not determine why, so he got a powerhead in and on in less than a week, and now has 500 hrs on that with no issue. Looking at who much $$ my i/o cost me over 7 seasons, just for regular where and tear stuff, I have to believe this engine will be better. Get her in another week!!

I have not yet used the new lite bites, but have regular run the regular slide divers. If you are familar with dipsey divers, they are essentially the same pull, action etc. The difference is the ability to set the setback distance of the lure from the diver. Any dipsey rod should work for the bigger ones, and I use downrigger rods for the smaller ones off big boards for walleye. I think they are perfect for walleye. John

I used the Gamma Flouro and liked that....wondering if anyone has tried the co-polymer as their main line? John

Big Jon mast/mount still for sale. Drop to $135.00 plus ship. Also still have 4 7' one piece Okuma Blue Diamonds. 3 excellent, $20 each. 4th excellent other than it needs new top guide, $15.00 or $70.00 for all 4. John

Sold pending receipt of payment. Thanks.

Continuing the process of switching over to the new boat, so For Sale: 2 Cannon Gimbal mounts. These are 7 years old, minimal use overall. No use the last 3 seasons. These were on my 3rd and 4th rigger that was seldom on the boat. New in Cabela's, these are running $55 each, sell the pair for $50 plus shipping. John

I work for a school district in WNY and we are trying to find someone that handles walkie talkies for our maintenance staff. Looking at 15 radios or so. Contacts down my way have not provided what we are looking for yet. Thanks.

Getting ready to rig the new ride. Think I've settled on how to mount the rod holder for the 10 color down the chute. Going to need to go to a rail mount, so I need the rail! Anyone have a source for stainless rails/mounts? Thanks. John

For sale: Big Jon planner board mast. Dual reels, with 2 year old tow line. Base is the type that can fold the mast down. Not sure of the age, I bought it used 3 years ago. Asking $150 plus shipping, unless we can arrange a pickup. John

Unfortuntately, thats the problem. I live in the Dunkirk/Fredonia area, and there is an amish community about 15 miles from here, so I just take a ride when I need something done.....

Listing this for my brother in law.... 1989 cobia 265 oddyssey new canvas/mooring cover/back and side curtains in 2006 enclosed head, 350 5.7 mercruiser 260hp i/o,thunderbolt ignition 153gal gas/30gal fresh water shorepower onboard battery charger and two batteries lowrance 337c sonar/gps unit lowrance 3200c gps lowrance 100c sonar cd player two sets vector triple trees stainless radar arch/6 rod holders planerboard mast and reels recovered cuddy cushions 2007 alchol stove,sink fore and aft bilges trim tabs, rebuilt lower unit 2005(alpha) dual axle trailer All in good running condition and ready for spring fishing! Asking $14,000 or b/o Contact Dan Korzenski at 716-673-5542 (cell) or [email protected]

In WNY, I use the amish. Great price, great work. John

As I understand it, the DFI and the ETEC are direct injection.