mr 580

What are your reels/drags?  Wonder if you are having drags bind up after a few long runs?  Breaking off 30 to 50 feet up likely not a storage or terminal tie issue. 

RS Nets makes nets that fit that criteria.  Upper end price but very well made.  IMO the coated nets minimize tangles with hooks but they aren’t  100% free of tangles.

Spoons like DW Super Slim size off a downrigger or diver seem to take more steelhead for me on Lake Erie than plugs. Fish them in same water as you would for walleye and you can catch both.  Steelhead tend to be more of a “bonus” fish on Lake Erie.  I have been getting about 1 a trip lately out of Dunkirk.  

Weather has been crappy this week , but you should find temp break around 75’ down.  So starting in 80 and going out should work.  I have been getting Lakers up in walleye temps on riggers and divers with spoons pretty regularly so you shouldn’t have trouble finding them.  

When the military went to GPS then the LORAN network was not maintained and eventually was phased out.  One of the main radio towers was at Sampson.  GPS is faster and more accurate.  My guess is you would need to find old paper charts to get TD lines.  I had a LORAN unit and they would get you back - however GPS much more reliable.

TD is Time Difference and goes back to the LORAN C system used prior to GPS.  LORAN was based on radio transmitters and was “turned off” quite a while ago.

If you post some pictures of transom, engine setup and bracket on boat, likely guys can comment on how to setup kicker.  Glad you are set with stringers and structure.  The comments about needing window, trim, hatch, and molding work are all areas of moisture entrance and from experience can lead to deeper issues. Hope it works out for you.

Bob’s advice on a survey is spot on - money well spent to check the structure for stringer/ transom issues.  If they haven’t been replaced they likely will need it on that vintage of boat.  Easy to get “upside down” on older boats if you don’t know exactly what to look for.  3rd party surveyor report takes the emotion out of the purchase.  Drivetrain needs a good look too, a single 260 on this size boat is on the light side.

You should be all set with the Cobra Positioning System.  That plugs in the same place the jack and short input wire that should have come with radio for NMEA 0183 data.  The NMEA data is standard between manufacturers so likely your Garmin has a NMEA output.  Save that input jack in case you change chart plotter and want to wire it to radio.  I think it is a 3 wire connection if my memory is correct.  The way you are setup now is as good or better than wiring in a different device.

Cobra 45D has an input jack for NEMA GPS signal from chart plotter, fishfinder GPS combo. Radio can be mounted in an enclosed location and the DSC will work fine.  I’ve had a Cobra 45D in the radio box on my hardtop for 10 years-no problems with DSC or gps numbers on radio as signal is coming from my chart plotter.  Enclosing a radio with a internal GPS and antenna could be a problem if antenna couldn’t read satellites.  

The blue LC5 series was a Cabelas exclusive.  After the Bass Pro buyout of Cabelas, the LC5’s were closed out.  Might be easier to find the regular LC3’s sold at all the other outlets in same time frame.

To me it is easier to compare the X2 and X4D When you consider their primary applications.

1. The X2 is for boats without downriggers (ex. big water walleye boats) and applications where the X2 is moved between boats as it doesn’t have a fixed transducer.  It can be adapted to send probe down with a downrigger and still have portability.

2. The X4D is for boats with downriggers and is basically a fixed system with a mounted transducer and mounted readout. 
The X2 is not a lower priced economy system - it is a different system for a different application.  Would probably make sense if it were named P2 for portable.

I’ve found with marine batteries that you need to change every 3 or 4 years.  At that age they don’t seem to fully charge or hold a charge.  The voltage is down 1 to 1.5 volts from a new battery and that can be a problem for your riggers, and electronics.  You can load test and they appear to be OK but they just don’t hold a charge.  Replacing on a schedule seems to work.

I have had many years experience with 2 stroke outboards and snowmobiles with oil injection and never have had a issue.  IMO going to premix has it own issues.  In a racing situation the fuel usage is likely much less than someone using a boat to fish with several times a week.  Proper premix is done in a separate container then into tank.  Just dropping oil into tank then adding fuel from a pump doesn’t mean it will mix properly.  Also most systems are variable where premix is fixed based on your ratio.  Much more convenient to pump fuel then add oil into a separate tank.  Prior to oil injection it was very common for snow sleds to burn down from oil issues and poor premix.  In racing with specific fuels and fuel ratio then premix works.  In a consumer world using pump fuel/ non ethanol, I’d stay with an injection system.

You might give some consideration to doing it yourself.  Watch some “you tube” video then purchase supplies from a place like Jann’s Netcraft or Mudhole Tackle.  Could make a nice winter project.  Not difficult but labor intensive.  I do my own rod repair/refinishing and for many rods it makes more sense to replace rod than to do more than a guide replacement or a refinish. One of those things you want to do but you need to realize dollar wise it doesn’t work.

Try Hodges Marine - they show in stock.  They drop ship from local warehouse so shipping can be quick.  I got next day delivery on a Minn Kota trolling motor from them.

Per NADA guidebook specs a 2008 Tohatsu 8 hp are 2 cylinders.  If the seller/owner doesn’t know how many cylinders the motor has might be an indication that maintenance/service aren’t a priority.  A close inspection might be a good idea.  6 hp and down are single cylinder.

IMO leadcore due to all the variables from speed, currents, different backing and lure choices is likely to run shallower than “advertised”.  I use 5’ per color as a general rule and shade towards the shallow side.  For example I figure my 10 colors run closer to 45’ than 50’.  The bottom line is leadcore catches fish even though it likely is running shallower than one might think.  Letting out more backing isn’t going to greatly effect depth either as other factors especially speed limit depth.

The camo cable was supposed to blend into the environment better than the flashy silver cable commonly used on riggers then.  I don’t remember if the camo was coated to add life in saltwater.  As far as dual rod holders I think you would have to find used ones.  Current models mount differently.

Digitrol 2 which shared many parts (including motors) as Mag 10a.  Both models from mid 1980’s and was common for the Digitrol 2 to be converted to Mag 10a when keypad failed.  Parts availability limited.  The “Marlin” versions that I had were a camo cable in lieu of a silver cable.  Interesting with Cannon that the Mag 10a model was produced before the Mag 10.  Were a solid rigger in their day- still common to see them-slow retrieve likely helped them last.

Mend in a spro swivel with haywire twist on the copper ends.

If you want a high quality net, you might look into RS Nets.  Made in US and pretty much custom as to colors.  Upper end price wise and nice finish.  

I think you might find the Seagate a better option for your application.  The Seagate has carbon fiber drag, more ball bearings and stronger frame.  More $$$ but in your price range.  Sea line looks like a price point entry level reel- likely fine for the weekend guy.  Going up a notch or two to Seagate or Saltist better option for heavier use.  If it was me I’d fix the Sealines and pickup a couple Seagate to try then upgrade when I found something I liked.

I have a LGC4000 puck which I believe is compatible as a replacement for a LGC3000.  I have the puck along with a Global Map 5200C with a Nautipath Chip covering Lake Ontario and Erie.  I’d sell for$55.00 including shipping. If interested I can provide pictures.  I updated and puck was working when I removed. Have wiring, manual,cover and mount for puck. Thanks Frank

Chautauqua has good access with plenty of boat launch’s in both basins.  Should be about a 3 hour drive from Canandaigua.  Lots of options to troll and cast. Visitors Bureau has a good site for information www.tourchautauqua.com   Besides musky the lake has walleye, bass and panfish.  DEC has musky hatchery at Chautauqua too.  Most first timers are surprised when they get on the lake.