Sk8man

All I can say is south end evening.

I'll send you a PM

I would check the service manual at a marina for sure.....I ran my Merc Optimax for 12 years and after the impeller failed found out that it is supposed to be replaced every two years in an Optimax. It was noted in the service manual but not in my owners manual. (and yes I did know I was skating on thin ice beforehand ) Basically they take a "set" (e.g. bend out of shape slightly rather than actually being destroyed per se. and no longer fit tightly to pull the water the way they are supposed to. I was surprised that the water still spurted out the ejection port....I figured that it would stop altogether but I was told that not so...but the upper cylinders may not receive the necessary flow for cooling raising the engine temp abnormally and if extreme can "smoke them". Luckily my warning alarm went on and engine only went to 190 degrees and I shut it down so no damage done. Lesson learned...I won't risk it again. I know it is an outboard but still the same principle.

When I run all my stuff outriggers, boards, downriggers, wire rigs etc. or when running 4 Seth Greens I leave my bimini down no matter what the conditions are (rain sun etc.) because it is often in the way of something no matter where the support braces would be located....it is kinda in the nature of the beast they take up a lot of side room regardless of placement. The bimini is fine when I run just downriggers and/or stuff that is located at the extreme back of the boat....most of the time it stays in the boot folded down. I got tired of reaching around the supports The bimini was designed by the Whaler folks not by me by the way.....

Just a suggestion ....actually get in the boat and stand and sit where you will be located and estimate at the height of a sunny day ( I know.,...It 's NYS and hard to find ). I know with my "Whaler made" bimini (which was expensive and not modifiable now) I wish it was a tad wider toward the back and front when the sun is at its highest in the summer. You need to also pay attention to where your rod holders and downriggers are located and put rods in them to make sure your have clearance for the bimini supports. Tell the guy making the bimini where you need to be away from them BEFORE he makes it. Because every boat is a different design you can't just go with standard measurements from someone elses boat

Ditto. I think the Scotty's are much clumsier to operate than Cannons but on the other hand a lot of folks have them and love them.....guess it is also what you become used to.

I go by the old maxim "If it ain't broke don't fix it". If I have stuff that is catching fish and working as it is supposed to....I stick with it until it no longer does so rather than changing for the sake of change. In the past I've been bit in the butt by changing stuff I didn't need to.....

A couple things come to mind regarding my own situation that may be worth mentioning....I usually trailer relatively short distances (other than when I go to Lake Ontario) and I have a single axle trailer and boat weighing about 3,200 pounds. I refill any grease that is needed each time I return from using the boat and I don't haul at high speeds (e.g. Thruway etc.) nor do I encounter any real mountainous terrain which can give rise to significant heat issues. So I guess what I'm saying here is related to "light trailer"use compared with larger heavier boats trailered over great distances and hilly terrain or high speeds on the expressways which are very different conditions. Just something to keep in mind.... Something also worthy of consideration if you do trailer in those heavier trailering conditions is don't back your trailer immediately into the water as soon as you come off the road (as I've seen people do) wait a few minutes for the hubs to cool down a bit first.