Markd

Cool thanks for the input. I was wondering if the pedestal mounts rotated.. It doesn't say anywhere on the scotty website. That will really help my situation. Mark

I am purchasing a new boat this year.. a Crestliner Fishhawk 1600 with side console. I will be looking at installing two downriggers at the rear. I have used dual scotty manual downriggers before on a smaller 14' boat. For the most part they worked fine, but the fact that some of the parts were made of plastic allowed for quick wearing. Also I had the cable jump off the pulley at the end of the boom a few times and it was quite a hassle to fix. I have been looking over some of the other brands, including, big jon, walker, and cannon. What are everyone's opinions? I really like the looks of the big jon Captains Pack: ( http://www.bigjon.com/store/list.asp?SubTy...mp;ProductID=34 ) and Gadabout: ( http://www.bigjon.com/store/list.asp?SubTy...mp;ProductID=31 ), I like the fact that everything is aluminum... they look like they are very well built. ALso, they look like they would take up less space. I will also have to decide what type of mounting system will work best. I still want to be able to fish from the back of the boat for bass and pike, and I want to make sure that the downriggers aren't in the way too much for casting. Here is a pic of the back of the boat: WHat are everyones thoughts? The gunnels are probably too narrow to mount the downriggers directly on top. I was thinking of buying a 12" pedestal base with a rotating bracket, and placing it on the carpeted area just inside the gunnels.. Much thanks, Mark He

That's very interesting.. about staying hydrated. I can think of some times when I have starved myself or not cosumed enough liquids, while also noticing some incidental back pain. That is some good information to know. I myself had back surgery 3 years ago due to a cracked vertibrate sustained from a football injury. I have found that the ONLY real way to eliminate back pain is to go to the gym and strengthen my entire core. Various excercies that work my lower back, obliques, and abs are essential. I then continue to do a full upper or lower body workout, which in itself provides more of a workout for your core. It is important to have proper posture WHILE doing any excersies and to properly utilize your core muscles. The way I look at it, if I don't go to the gym, my back will again become sore within a few weeks, so its a GREAT incentive to keep me going back 3 times a week. In any serious motion that your body does, whether lifting a heavy weight, preparing for a hit(hockey or football), your core muscles 'fire' and hold your core for the most part in one place. An example my personal trainer gave me is like a pop can... where before the can is open, the pressure of the liquid and gas keeps the whole thing very rigid (this compares to your core muscles firing and keeping your core solid.) If the pressure is lost (as if your muscles are weak or give out) the rigidity is lost and there is no support, therefore putting pressure on your spine and back. It is vital to keep this muscles strong and make sure that they don't go unused from day to day. Something that goes hand in hand with going to the gym and strengthening muscles is STRETCHING. Not only the muscles in your back, but your legs as well. Your muscles are connected in a 'chain' all the way from your ankles to the back of your head. Some people with back problems may feel this, as for example you bend your neck forward to your chest and you can feel something pulling on your lower back. It works the same way with your legs. You must stretch often to make sure that not even ONE muscle in this 'chain' is tight or the rest of the connected muscles will have to compensate. This problem is common as most of us sit in an office chair all day. This commonly causes some muscles to become tight and make others overcompensate, really wrecking our posture and causing problems. This all sounds like a lot, but simple lower back and leg stretches will really help. Look up a set of streches for people with back problems. Like a lot of us, we have these conditions or issues that we simply have to live with for the rest of our lives. I figure that instead of complaining about it I just deal with it and look for the best possible option to make things better. Thanks for all the input, I hope mine helped. Mark

This was taken a few weeks ago...

I am thinking about upgrading from a small tiller boat to a larger side console boat with a bow casting deck and electric motor up front. I know I will need both a fishfinder screen at the console, and one at the bow deck for when using the electric motor and casting. I have several questions.. What is the most common set up for this type of thing, as far as transducers? WOuld there just be ONE transducer at the transom (back) of the boat that is wired to both screens? OR would it be best to have one transducer on the bottom of the trolling motor and one on the transom, each operating completely seperately? Will the two interfere with one another if this option is used? The reason I see two transducers as better is because it would be a lot more accurate as to what is RIGHT below me, say if I'm jigging. ALso, if I am navigating thru shallow water it would be better to see things before they have already passed the rear of the boat. There can be a large depth difference sometimes over 16 or 18 feet. THanks, Mark

What are everyone's thoughts about the new 2007 1600 Fishhawk? It looks like a pretty solid boat at a decent price. Any opinions or personal experience with one yet?