Trailer Boat Fisherman

sat. my fishing friend and i headed for the skykomish river for steelhead the process for drift boat fishing is you drop off one vehicle at the take out then take the other with boat and trailer to launch up river do your drift beach boat and take pickup back to launch gtab pickup and trailer, you get the idea, well when i parked my truck at sultan take out launch my buddy pulls in to pick me up, there was a snohomish county sheriff [marine safety checker] i may comment i was glad of his presents see as how it was 4;30 am he then proceeded to do a safety check on 16ft drift boat going thru his list of items we didnt have a whistle or throw ring anyway my point is WHY retain fisher men at that hour when he darn well the reason to be there that early was to be first on water two things where can find the rules for drift boats and second how can i lodge a complaint, found out later from wsfw that he is well known for pissing fisherman off this way he did it at monroe ramp on fathers day
what i was trying to say this is a drift boat we had life jackets etc. but why oh why do it at 4;30 in the morning when time is important like maybe do it during the day p.s. i have a 21ft thompson offshore fishing boat i am soooo legal and welcome inspects because your around other people/boaters etc. I HONESTLY DONT THINK he was looking out for are safety

I understand how you feel...

Your problem is that the rules are the rules, and the law it the law. And the law states you must have a sound device (whistle, bell, horn) and one type of Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on the boat. Also must have one Type V, throw-able type of PFD.

Now, you can complain (of course) all you want to... but if you ask me... (and I think that's what you just did) You are darn lucky he didn't give you a ticket resulting in a fine. In fact, if he wanted to be a "real jerk" - he could have held your vessel until you made it compliant. (Now in my book, that makes him a pretty good guy.)

Now he may have seemed a jerk, but he is not the bad guy or the boogie man. Who knows... someday that "sound device" or throw-able PFD, might save your own or your friends life... How are you going to feel about him then?

Happy & Safe Boating,
John

PS. The link below has the rules... they are federal rules, not just local. The rule for safety equipment is the same for all boats - drift boats are no exception.

2010-06-27 07:51:15 by exx_oregon_logger

www.theflyfishingdvd.com Peter Morse joins some local shark fishermen and uses fly and game tackle to hook into some big angry toothy game fish ...

I'm purchasing a 1992 Ranger 330V and a 135 Mercury Black Max. My family is agreed to buying it and most likely getting it. I am a young bass fisherman and now getting my first bass boat. I am real excited. Is there anything I should worry about? Performance? Engine? The Fiberglass Hull it's Self? Trailer? The trolling motor is a brand new 2008 Motorguide. It's 17 feet long.

And we need a truck to tow it with. Any Models/Brands that my family should look for?
NEW? OR USED?
The boat is supposed to weigh under 2,000lbs (1700? 1800?)


THANKS FOR THE HELP! :)

congrats, that's one great boat! the dry hull weight is around 1000, then add 404 for the outboard, 200 for 30 gallons of gas, 150 for 3 batteries, 300 for seats, hardware, electronics, pumps, carpet, then another 100 or so for gear and tackle. Still not too heavy for a single-axle trailer, maybe 600 pounds.

around 2700 pounds towing weight. Look for something with a 5,000 towing weight rating (3500 is too close for comfort in my book). Any full size pickup will do the trick, I'm partial to Ford F150 and they all come equipped for towing. Nissan Titan. Ford Expedition, chevy suburban. They're all good.

Not a minivan -- those are all "cars" and you need a "truck".

With that much weight, you want a vehicle with a tow package which will include a heavy-duty external transmission cooler. It's the tranny that suffers most from towing. A V8 Explorer would do it no problem. Myself, I like to buy a truck with 80, maybe 85,000 miles on it...get it checked by a trusted mechanic and you're set for years.

The forums at bassboatcentral.com and iboats.com are chock full of guys that love to talk boats, a lot of whom know what they're talkin bout. And your local fishing forum, or if you don't have one, check out texasfishingforum.com

Learn to drive your boat...get some cockpit time before going full bore wide open. It's not overpowered by any means, but "chine walk" (google it) is not out of the question. This boat is capable of hurting you if you get too careless -- just take a reasonable amount of care.

Never run the outboard without supplying water to the lower unit -- only takes a couple minutes dry running to seriously damage the water pump impeller.

Change the impeller every couple years. Use merc's recommended spark plug at the correct gap. Treat the gasoline with something like stabil or seafoam (I use seafoam). Your outboard is more sensitive to fuel quality than a modern automotive engine.

Develop a methodical procedure for launching and *NEVER* vary from it. I have one very important rule...once a transom tie-down is in my hand, I can't set it down *FOR ANY REASON* until the drain plug is in. that way, if I launch without the plug, at least the boat can't leave the trailer.

Take whatever time you need on the ramp, no less, but no more...rushing leads to mistakes, so don't get rattled by us "pros" trying to hurry you up...just don't daudle.

2009-04-22 09:36:39 by JamO.G

Fast Shipping.
High Quality Metal Frame
Fisherman Gift

i am looking into buy a boat for freshwater fishing on small-medium/large lakes (as big as oneida lake, ny; normally much smaller lakes and occasionally ontario bays). it would almost only be used for fishing, all types. i am hoping to not spending much more then $1500. that would also include motor and trailer. i do not know if this is even possible but am looking into it. used could be a possibility as could any type. size would be to comfortably fit 3 fisherman.
thanks

For $1500 you aren't going to find anything brand new suitable for the water you want to fish in. Used boats are a better value anyway.

A center-console bay boat would be perfect, but one in that price range will be pretty rough. An aluminum deepV sounds about right, 18 or 20 foot, with an outboard in the range of 85 to 115 hp. It'll be at least 20 years old. Don't buy without a lake test and a compression test on the motor. If you can find one, I highly recommend having a trusted marine mechanic give it the once over.

2009-05-16 12:17:21 by Nick B

Size: Truck with Trailer approximately 20.5 inches long
Wild Fishing Camper Playset
Scale: 1:32, Fish larger scale

It is a 16 ft boat with trolling motor fish finder trailer, 25 hp mercury.. No cover. Is this a good first boat? I'm a 20 yr old fisherman/college student so $3000 is a lot of money for me. Is this a good deal?? I live in MN and fish primarily for muskie.

Like Jtex mentioned depends on what condition the boat & motor are in......?

As a perspective first time boat owner you should shop around carefully before jumping into any boat. You def don't want to purchase something that needs immediate upgrades and maintenance......

Actually, Bass Tracker's are usually equipped with a 25HP motor. I have a friend with an "ancient" Tracker from the 80's with a 25 Force Motor. When we go fishing we get about 22-25MPH in his boat. - http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3 109

However, JTex is correct. It is a bit "under-powered" for the weight of the hull.

Older, used, Bass Trackers are notorious for "slow leaking". When you take it for a test drive make sure to check the bilge area for any water leaking. A slow leak is not a major issue- BUT- if it does leak you have a issue that you you can use as a "bargaining chip".

The MOST important issue with any boat is the Motor.

If you are serious about purchasing the boat TAKE IT TO A CERTIFIED OUTBOARD MECHANIC of YOUR CHOICE and have him check it out.

Pay a good mechanic $50-$75 to make sure the compression is right, the water pump isn't on it's last leg, and the lower unit hasn't any issues- $50-$75 is a "drop in the bucket" when you start FIXING the motor you just bought.

In the mean time there are other simpler things you can do to inspect the motor that require no major knowledge.

TAKE the cover off the motor and look closely- Is the motor rusty ? Do the connecting hoses & wires look worn? Is THERE TONS OF OIL all over the motor & case?

If you find ANY of those things (I mentioned above), think twice about this boat.........

A motor that's "slingin' oil" is having issues; a RUSTY case & old hoses/wires will eventually need replacing at an EXTREME cost to you, (Generally, inboard/outboard mechanic's charge $50-$100 an hour!!!!!!!!!!- and that is just LABOR!!!!!).

However, like I mentioned before, any issues with the motor or hull can all be bargaining chip's to lower the ASKING PRICE of the boat.........

Other things that can lower the asking price?

1. Carpet is totally trashed.

2. Decking is warped, "soft" or rotting.

3. Trolling motor is broken or has some issue.

4. Dash gage's don't work.

5. Bilge pump and livewell pumps don't work.

To be honest, a Tracker would be a nice first timer boat IF it's in decent condition.

Just make sure to test drive it, AND get a decent mechanic to "run it through it's paces" before you make a decision.

Other cheaper options?

Take a look at these:

1. http://duluth.craigslist.org/boa/1374279 065.html The fish don't know the difference between a "duck hunting boat" and a fishing boat. I'll bet you could get this for around $2200.

2. http://duluth.craigslist.org/boa/1366918 329.html Smaller at 14', this is a nice fishing boat! AND it saves you about $1500!!! Remember, the FISH don't know what kind or style of boat you own!

3. http://duluth.craigslist.org/boa/1351220 946.html

4. http://duluth.craigslist.org/boa/1349877 810.html

Any of the above would be fine as a first time fishing boat. Understand, the more "bells & whistles" a boat has, the more can go wrong. If your on a budget, (and can't afford to fix the broken steering cable, soft decking, Etc) best to get something that is "straight forward" and apply's the K.I.S.S. principle-

Keep it simple stupid! (lol)

Joke- What do you call a hole in the water that you throw money into? A BOAT! (lol)

Hope this info helped ya? Good luck in your pursuit of a good boat.

2009-09-17 20:51:47 by Brilliant

Game Warden: "Fishing?"
Man without a license: "No. Drowning worms."

~~~~~

Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, but when they lit a fire in the craft it sank...
proving once and for all that you can't have your kayak and heat it, too.


~~~~~

The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds.
(What can be so tasty on the bottom of the pond?)

~~~~~

What's the difference between a hunter and a fisherman?
A hunter lies in wait. A fisherman waits and lies.

~~~~~

Why is going to a meeting of the Bar Association like going into a bait shop?
Because of the abundance of suckers, leeches, maggots and nightcrawlers.

~~~~~

A hunter was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.
The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful Princess, I will stay with you for one week."
The hunter took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket. The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a Princess, I'll stay with you and do anything you want."
Again the hunter took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.
Finally the frog asked, "What is it? I've told you I'm a beautiful Princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?"
The hunter said, "Look, I'm a avid hunter and when I'm not hunting, I'm fishing, so I don't have time for girlfriends, but a talking frog is really cool!"

~~~~~

Doreen's husband Matt died suddenly one day. Doreen was taking care of the funeral arrangements with the undertaker when she was asked how she wanted Matt's obituary to read.
Doreen asked the undertaker, "How much does an obituary cost?"
The undertaker replied, "One dollar per word."
Doreen then said, "I want the obituary to read - MATT IS DEAD."
The undertaker was an old fishing buddy of Matt's and he was a little disturbed by such a curt obituary, so he offered, "I'll make you a special deal since I knew Matt so well. I'll pay for half of the obituary out of my own pocket."
Doreen's face lit up and she replied, "Great. I want it to read - MATT IS DEAD, BOAT FOR SALE."

~~~~~

If they are dumb enough to eat off a hook, how can fish be considered "brain food?"

~~~~~

You might be a fisherman if...

You have a power worm dangling from your rear view mirror because you think it makes a good air freshener.
Your wedding party had to tie tin cans to the back of your bass boat.
You call your boat "sweetheart" and your wife "skeeter".
Your local tackle shop has your credit card number on file.
You keep a flippin stick by your favorite chair to change the TV channels with.
You name your black lab "Mercury" and your cat "Evinrude".
Bass Pro Shop has a private line just for you.
You have your name painted on a parking space at the launch ramp.
You have a photo of your 10 lb. bass on your desk at work instead of your family.
You consider viennies and crackers a complete meal.
You think MEGABYTES means a great day fishing.
You send your kid off to the first day of school with his shoes tied in a palomar knot.
You think there are four seasons--Pre-spawn, Spawn, Post Spawn and Hunting.
Your $30,000 bass boat's trailer needs new tires so you just "borrow" the ones off your house.
You trade your wife's van for a smaller vehicle so your bass boat will fit in the garage.
Your kids know it's Saturday---Because the boats gone,

I have nothing to do with any divorce, but these are GREAT!!! So I starred it anyway.

2008-04-24 10:53:05 by MarD.