Sinker

Check out the EZ lube axles. I put a new axle on my trailer, with the EZ lube system. It looks pretty slick, but I haven't had it on there long enough to have to check or repack them. Just pump the grease in the fitting like a bearing buddy,only it sends the grease thru the spindle to the inside bearing, and out to the outer bearing where there is a vent hole. Should work mint, but like I said, I haven't had to touch them yet. Canadian made as well! http://www.cerka.ca/catalog/EZLUBE.asp S.

I'm partial to the power drive models. I know the foot pedals kinda suck, but I just love being able to control my boat, from anywhere. I pretty much strictly slow troll with my electric though, so I like the hands free button. Just turn it on, find my speed, and steer with the main engine. Works great, and you can't do that with a cable steer. You could with a hand steer I suppose, but you'd have to be up in the bow. It really depends what kind of fishing you do most. If you troll with the electric, its nice to be hands free. If your just positioning the boat from the bow platform all the time, its really just personal preference. S.

Did you try an address change, Brian? Worked for me. I didn't acutally change my address, just put in my proper address with postal code and it worked. I have a funny feeling my postal code was recorded wrong in the first place. I didn't get a renewal form in the mail either. S.

One tip I was given a long time ago, is to check/inpspect/change your bearings in the fall. The most damage occurs over the winter. If they sit all winter with water in them, they rust, and fail when you use them agian in the spring. If you clean/repack/replace them in the fall, you know for sure there is no moisture in there, and your good to go come ice out. Theoretically, if your seals are good, you have no worries. If your seals are leaking, I'd be checking your bearings more frequently, just to make sure. S.

I guess there is a first time for everything!!! S.

I inspect my bearings every fall. Never had a problem with them, ever. I repack them if they need it, if not, I just keep on rolling. Axles are a different story. I have a tendency to break them pretty good I carry a spare hub with me. If i blow a bearing, I just pull the whole thing off, and put on a whole new one. Takes about 10 mins, and doesn't cost much more than just replacing the bearings/races/seals. S.

I spent 3/4 of the day yesterday running around trying to get mine renewed. I drove from ptbomnr office, to pickering, and back, and still had no license. Friggen thing wouldn't accept my postal code!!!! I ended up doing an online address change, then trying the renewal again, and it worked!!! What a joke! S.

Don't forget about starcraft. Great, solid, no worries, hulls. They have been around for a long time, too. The one I have now is staying with me for life. Sure, I'll upgrade to a bigger boat sooner or later, but for now, mine does everything I ask of it, and then some. I was just out on lake O today in it, beleive it or not! Its a '93, 16ft wide body tiller, with a 40 mariner, and is in the water from late march, till now, every year. I beat the hell out of it, carry way too much gear in it, abuse it, let it freeze, fill it with crap and dirt....no problem. It still doesn't leak a drop!! I would buy another starcraft no question! S.

You know, i was thinking the exact same thing!!! S.

We've had snow for at least a week. We had a white christmas here, and its still here! I have about 6" on my lawn as it is. That's enough for me!! Like I said...suckers!! hahaha S.

Same here. Total Bull. I'm going regardless. Give me the ticket, I'll see ya in court for sure. I need a small game license for the morning, and a fishing license for the afternoon. Over $50 for a fishing only license?? What the hell??? Price never seems to go down, but that is almost double from last year!!!! S.

Nothin out this way....suckers!! hahaha S.

Bottom line is if you want more power, you need a more powerful motor. You can hook 10 batteries to your current TM and you will still have the same power....just more running time. If your just looking for more running time, adding another battery will increase running time tremendously, and also keeps your single battery from getting as run down as it would. I run two 27 series deep cycles on my 55lb MinnKota and I can troll non stop at 1.5-2mph in a good wind for about 5 hours. For positioning the boat, I can use it for days no problem. S.

Yep, awesome little shop!! S.

That trifle looks amazing!!!!! i bet you enjoyed that S.

I've started my engine frozen a million times and I haven't changed the impellor in years. My engine also gets beat on like you couldn't even imagine. I swear you guys make this stuff up. Just giver, nothing to worry about. It won't hurt a thing!! Even if the motor wasn't properly drained, the amount of water that could accumulate isn't enough to cause anything to break. If the engine is running, it will make enough heat to keep it from freezing, and as soon as you pull hte boat out it will drain automatically. Turning the engine over to clear the impeller is not needed, they are designed to drain if not in water. S.

A flat roof, with OSB on it.....hmmmm. I think your going to regret not sloping the roof. Maybe not right now, but a few years down the road it will come back and bite ya! Merry Christmas! S.

Merry Christmas Phil! Wyatt says hi! S.

You wont have any issues at all. I run my boat in nasty cold weather all the time. It works just the same as in the summer. Make sure your batteries have a good charge, and giver. Drain the engine when you pull it out, and your good to go. Mine sits in the driveway all winter long, no problem, and has since '93! The ONLY problem you can have due to freezing temps is your lower unit getting water in it, then freezing and cracking the housing open. As long as your lower unit is full of fresh gear oil, and its not leaking, your fine. If its really cold, watch for ice build up, but I've never had that issue....I find for the most part, the water melts it off. S.

Nice job!~!

I've shoveled snow from a snow bank into the tunnel and it will get you where you gotta go in a pinch. Also the slush from your holes will help if your in a pinch! S.

I'm not sure why so many people say to drill your holes and come back to them later. With trout, I find as soon as you drill your hole, get a hook down there asap, because they come and check out the action almost instantly. I can't count the number of times ive gone troutin, and caught my first fish as soon as the line was in the hole!! S.

I found some ice on rice lake today that my boat wouldn't break thru. I will admit, i was kinda shocked. I've never had that issue before.....especially with 3 guys and gear in the boat! Most of it was just skim ice though, just one spot was thicker. We had to turn around and re route!! S.

Same to you Bob! S.

We usually fire up the still and run off a couple batches of moonshine..... Did I say that out loud???? S.