John E Powell

The 25 Carolina Classic and 265 Albemarle are great rough water boats under power, but they’ll roll horribly in a beam sea at trolling speeds because they have extremely deep V. A much better trolling boat would be the later Albemarle 268 that replaced the 265. Albemarle reduced the angle of the V making it more stable on the hook or trolling in a beam sea. An still better similar size, age, and priced trolling boat would be something like 265 Grady. Even better than that for less money would be something like Vince’s North Coast 24 that’s for sale. ________________________ Owner John's Custom Rods Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979 First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

1st place $900 (about $621 after tax) 2nd place $675 (about $465 after taxes) 3rd place $450 tax free 4th place $225 tax free Increase in pay from 4th to 3rd - $225 Increase in pay from 3rd to 2nd after taxes -$15 Increase in pay after taxes from 2nd to 1st -$156 There’s quite a disparity there... between 3rd and 2nd. If 2nd place was lowered to $599 to avoid taxes then this would be the approximate net effect if the reduced amount was then added to first prize (same total prize fund redistributed to avoid taxes) 4th same at $225 3rd same at $450 2nd lowered $76, becomes $599 1st extra $76 added, becomes $976 (approx $674 after taxes) Increase from 4th to 3rd same $225 New Increase from 3rd to 2nd now $149 instead of $15, second place takes home an additional $134 tax free. New Increase from 2nd to 1st, 1st place takes home an additional $53 (after taxes). I don’t think working within the tax structure to maximize payouts, at no additional cost to the tourney, is being picky. $187 is going to the tax man unnecessarily. ________________________ Owner John's Custom Rods Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979 First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

Or you could just have a $599 second place prize and add the (in this case) $76 to first place. Both First and second would get a bigger prize without making the tax man richer, simple... ________________________ Owner John's Custom Rods Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979 First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

Yes, I understand that percentages are being used without consideration to tax implications, that’s my point -there’s something wrong when third place nets a similar or larger prize than second place. It would be more equitable if prizes were adjusted to reflect the tax / no tax implications of winning a prize in the AM division. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Can’t understand why pay $675 to AM second place? After taxes on $600+ prize your left with little more, or possibly less than, third place. A 2nd place winner would be better off if you just gave the extra money to first place so taxes could be avoided. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

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The vent in your main tank prevents that from happening. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

No, not for daily use. Shut off is preventative in nature. If bulb or line to trolling motor fails out on water and there’s a loss of fuel suction, it could prevent fuel from going to main engine. It also allows you to remove trolling motor for service and still operate main engine. A shutoff valve in the extra line maintains the integrity of the main line if you close the valve. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Y or T doesn’t matter, but a shutoff to the kicker is a good idea, splice into line after main inline fuel filter or run from filter if it has an extra unused port. Keep primer bulb. Two hose clamps per connection, not just one. If original fuel lines are pre 2000 consider replacing fuel fill, supply, and vent lines, if pre 1990 definitely replace. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

I’d consider using a marine battery isolator with two inputs, one for each engine, and 2-3 outputs, one for each battery. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Autotether looks like a similar concept, but the part you wear or keep on your person is huge compared to the Fell Marine product. I think I’d probably get tired of wearing something so large and eventually it wouldn’t come out of the cabin. The Tiny Fell Marine device is something I think I’d habitually use. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Or even a mateless charter boat. How many customers would you trust not to run you over if the captain fell over? Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

I saw a review of this and it seems like a really good idea for many boaters. It allows about 50’ of free movement on a boat before triggering a man overboard engine shutdown. https://www.fellmarine.com/products/ ________________________ Owner John's Custom Rods Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979 First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

A team has asked me to observe so I’m no longer available. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Very experienced and reliable observer available the weekend of the Wilson Harbor Invitational. I take the responsibility of observing very seriously; I have reliable transportation and always arrive to the designated location extra early and well rested. I’ve never been late. I don’t drink, smoke, or use drugs. You can message me through the LOU app with your telephone/text number and I’ll get back to you. ________________________ Owner John's Custom Rods Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979 First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

Side profile photo, length, model, transom and deck condition? Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

It’s not so much sturdiness as it is position on the boat. Rod trees are best mounted forward with rod holders oriented upwards and away from other gear. They’re used with planer boards. Divers are best run a little forward of the side rigger boom and angled so the rod points to the side and parallel to the water’s surface. I would recommend a dedicated heavy duty diver rod holder. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Have you considered something like Coosa Board? You can eliminate any future wood problems altogether. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Oh I must have misread, I thought you wanted something besides a walk around. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Wrong model, check the Scout Abaco 280. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Typo deleted.

I’m confused, in your first post you want a wider beam boat sounds like 10-11’. Here you say you want to trailer between the finger lakes and Lake Ontario. I think you should buy either a large trailerable boat or pick the best boat for wherever you plan to be your home port. ________________________ Owner John's Custom Rods Specializing in building Great Lakes trolling rods since 1979 First place winner of the 2016 World Rod Building Challenge

You’d be better off with a regular ceramic ring rod tip with braid. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

Fleas and need for deeper fishing with warmer water. Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United