New Boat Opinions??

[Mike Carey]

You can get bow mounted electrics that slide off the mount so it doesn't go on the salt.

[gfakkema]

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[Mike Carey]

OK, so here is another consideration for you regarding secondary motors. Especially on the salt, it's a comfort to have the "emergency go home" kicker that can take you back home if that main motor fails.

An electric is limiting on the amount of running you can do, it isn't meant to be a "go home" motor. Also, for saltwater trolling it doesn't really fit the bill IMO. You'll run your battery out trolling against the tide or into a chop. You probably will do fine trolling with your big motor for the salt, which is what rseas uses for trolling, and I think his motor is about the same HP. I know doing maintenance for two gas motors sucks, it's just one of those things that comes with saltwater fishing. Rseas or others would be able to talk more about using a main motor for trolling. My saltwater boat's motor is too big for that (120 HP) so I have to have a kicker. It is nice to know I have a backup way to get home.

Freshwater, yes, the electric will do the job, but bring a couple batteries in case you want to be trolling all day.

[gfakkema]

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[gfakkema]

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[The Quadfather]

I just don't think that there is a better feeling than having a new boat in the driveway, besides maybe catching fish in a new boat on the water!

I do love that boat!... but there is just one better feeling than what you described, and that is having your new boat parked in the garage! Obviously not everybody has that option, but if they is anyway to rearrange things, I'd give it a try. Boats with even thief restrictive devices are such a target for bad people. There is just so much creepy stuff that goes on while we sleep.
Can't wait to hear about how it all works on the water for you!

[gfakkema]

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[Bodofish]

I just don't think that there is a better feeling than having a new boat in the driveway, besides maybe catching fish in a new boat on the water!

I do love that boat!... but there is just one better feeling than what you described, and that is having your new boat parked in the garage! Obviously not everybody has that option, but if they is anyway to rearrange things, I'd give it a try. Boats with even thief restrictive devices are such a target for bad people. There is just so much creepy stuff that goes on while we sleep.
Can't wait to hear about how it all works on the water for you!

I agree, I wish I could put it in the garage, but the pool table is in there and too big/nice to put anywhere else. Not only that but I just don't think that the boat will fit. Got a hitch lock on it, but I am also pretty worried about the motor. I have multiple deterrents (many various fire arms, but I'm partial to the Glocks, Mossberg, and the Ar), but do me no good when no one is home. I'll have to take a look at different ways to secure the transom bolts for the motor (special fasteners?). Anybody got any proven anti-theft techniques out there?

You should be able to buy the special nuts like are used on car wheels. They have them at most boat stores. The most secure is welding the nuts to the bolts but then they'll just cut them.... The best is a secure location and you must have a Gorilla lock for the trailer. That's a tough one. If it still has the clamps on the mount you can get a lock a that fits over them. it's good in conjunction with the special nuts. Maybe a video cam pointed at the boat or even a dummy, just so they think someone is looking.

[Mike Carey]

Cable lock alarms?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-FT-Cable-Loc ... 27cdf89a68

Large gauge cable lock wrapped around wheel rim and trailer. Or motor and hull.

None of these ideas will ultimately stop a pro, but they will slow down an amateur and maybe scare them off.

[sickbayer]

http://shop.mcgard.com/products/marine/ ... otor-locks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is what stopped my kicker from being stolen.

[gfakkema]

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[Mike Carey]

Also, do you have a motion activated light on the side of your house? Add that to the list.

[Big D]

When you get your insurance, make sure that you understand what you're paying for. Go thru your boat and take pictures of everything including rods, reels and tackle and then if you can afford it get the policy that covers replacement value of everything not just the market value of your boat and motors. Your home owners may also cover a loss if it happens at your home. It's worth checking into.

[gfakkema]

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[sickbayer]

that sounds a good idea if you don't have a torque wrench.

[gfakkema]

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[rseas]

gfakkema, have you got the new boat wet yet? If so give us a rundown on how it went. Most of us on this site are boat junkies and love to hear boat stories.

[gfakkema]

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