bigbuck

Take a trip to the boat show so you can get an idea on the different features and to see what is out there. From there, you can make an informed decision and not have any regrets later. Just make sure that you hang the biggest motor that's allowed on the back. You will never regret it and when it comes time to sell, you will get more for your boat.

You can manage the type 2, eat lots of vegetables that grow above the ground, big key there. The ones that grow below have lots of sugar in them (naturally occurring) and no more soda and sweets. As for the sled, a bit of work and you'll get her running again. As for the skunk, get back out there and do some more fishing. You have the most incredible fishing waters all around you. I'm partial to LOTW but I guess Eagle is in your backyard.

Google Boat Dealers in Michigan. It will give you a list of dealers. I'd be wary of a private sale in the states cuz if there is a lien on the boat, YOU are liable for it once you take posession, it follows the boat, not the owner.

Once again, KUDOS to BigCliff!!! You have proven time and time again that you are a good man Charlie Brown!!! Nice to know that there are still a few good folks around.

I'd at least get them apart to take a good look at everything. Mine are at least 3 years old and have had a bit of grease added in the spring each year but this year, I'm taking them apart for a thorough inspection and cleaning. Just because they run cool and don't have any play doesn't mean there isn't a problem coming at some point. Preventative maintenance are the key words here. Bearings don't fail suddenly, it's gradual.

MM, make sure someone up the leadership chain, preferably the franchisee/store owner knows. Good employees like that are EXTREMEMLY HARD TO FIND esp. in a retail setting. Also, who cares what the thing looks like, as long as you are able to find safe ice with it, it's all good.

I'd stick to Lund, Alumacraft, Crestliner and Princecraft if you are looking for Aluminum. Furthermore, I'd look in the states, places like Michigan or Wisconsin for something relatively new, $30k can get you a real nice boat. Rent or borrow a pickup truck to go pick it up. Deals abound down there. A 17.5ft'r with a 115 or even better, a 150 would be great. Max out your HP, you will never regret that you did, and your boat will end up with a higher resale. Once you have a few people on board and are trying to do some tubing or skiing, the bigger motor will shine.

There is definitely a lot involved with starting something like this up. Warehousing isn't a huge expense, it will be one of the cheaper expenditures. Insurance would probably end up being a big cost. I like the idea and would support it if I could in any way. I think the manufacturers themselves wouldn't give you the time of day, it would be the distributors of the various lines of products. The distribution of the various products offered would be a nightmare at your end. Ontario is a big place and fuel and/or shipping costs would have to be factored into someone's buying decisions. While the drive to Lindsay is nice, I'm not spending $50-60 to save $20 or 30. If it's a big ticket item and I'm saving $150+, I'd consider it. But how many big ticket items like that will we be buying on a regular basis and how will it end up being worthwhile for those who are running it. I'm not a believer in free labour, everybody deserves to get paid for their efforts. Once all costs get factored in, is it really worth the effort?? Now, that said, good luck. I know you retired Cliff several times and get ants in your pants, one of my colleagues finally retired for the last time at 78 after retiring 3 times. You have to keep yourself busy, my mentor is still at it and he's going to be 79 this year and still works 40-50 hours a week (he's slowed down, it used to be close to 75-80 hrs/wk, the price paid of being a business owner).

GOOD FOR HER!!!! She can still toss it even with a chunk of her hip gone. That is strength, perserverance and inspiration for the rest of us.

Depends on the vehicle. Some vehicles have a history of problems that get expensive real quick, some don't. Do your homework, what are common issues with the vehicle?? Are they covered?? You are looking at a warranty that covers the powertrain and nothing else. What are the issues with the powertrain?? Claims can also be a big issue, they look for excuses to not pay out. If you have bought a vehicle that has a proven history of reliability, then I wouldn't bother. Keep your money and spend it on maintenance and fishing equipment.

Definitely get the correct rims for the application, 'Universal' fit involves the use of shims etc.... The vehicle was not designed for use with anything that is 'universal' and your rubber is the only thing connecting you to the road so don't skimp out.

MOEN faucets and tub/shower faucets have been pretty good to me as well. Walk into Home Depot and the cartridges would be replaced free of charge with no headaches. I bought a Danze (Canadian Tire) kitchen faucet a few years ago to replace the old no name job that we had and it gave me nothing but grief from day 1. Fit problems, leaks, etc.... It was finally replaced last year with a brand new one since the cartridge was permanent and could not be changed, stupid design. When this one goes it will be replaced by either a MOEN or an American Standard (I have an 'in' there and go direct so I don't worry about CS) depending on the deal I get. I won't be buying any other faucets from any other manufacturer again unless it is from the abovementioned 2 and esp. from Danze who has to ship parts from Montreal and that takes a few days. I like being able to go into HD that's 10 minutes away to just pick up what I need and not have to wait with a tap or shower out of service.

Hey, Happy BDay Pete!!! All the best to ya in 2012!!

Oh, and I forgot an important thing, may you all catch your PBs in 2012.

Hopefully we will see an improvement in the team but with big co's, they are like the Teachers pensions fund and will be interested in clipping their coupon every month (bottom line profits). I hope I'm wrong but I personally believe there has to be a face to the ownership.

I wish all OFNr's a Happy New Year!! I hope 2012 brings health, happiness and prosperity to you and your families. I know for myself, there will be a lot of change in my life and hopefully it will be good for my family and I.

Before you know it, he'll be bugging you to take him out fishing. Enjoy this time with him, he only grows up once.

Great to hear the surgery went well. Now for the recovery. You'll be on the water in no time.

You have captured the true spirit of Christmas in this post Gerritt. Remembering those that are no longer with us is at the top of my mind this year. This will be the first year I am celebrating Christmas and my birthday without a grandparent. I miss the 4 of them dearly and their memory lives on inside me. For myself, it's another day now and I don't get too worked up, for my girls however, who are 6 going on 18 and 5 going on 6, Santa Claus is coming to town and they are excited because it is daddy's birthday as well. Live your lives by this folks: 'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, that is why they call it the present'

Happy BDay from another Christmas baby!!! I think you have a couple years on me though!

An 18ftr rigged with trailer is probably north of 2500lbs. That means a real tow vehicle. So, what Lew said!

If you plan on doing ANY significant amount of towing, get a proper vehicle to do it with. This question always pops up in the silly season. A minivan can do the job BUT it takes a beating and you can forget about a panic stop. That's an overlooked issue. My minivan can tow 3500lbs. My boat gear and trailer come in around 3300 lbs. I can cruise at a hundred kph but stopping is another issue. That's why the only time I pull my boat is either really early in the morning or really late at night. A real tow vehicle won't be great on gas but will be useful. Besides, a fwd minivan sucks on unimproved or gravel boatlaunches. Good luck selling it to the wife. I presented the boat as a fait accompli. I went and bought it right after we bought our travel trailer and said 'Surprise'!!!

Cherokees are kinda nice too but I've had a bad experience with JEEP and would never go back. Ford is staking a lot on the new motor and I think it will be a good one. I haven't heard anything really bad about them.

Good one Jer!!! For all the guys who are in their 40s and up, the last time people were really happy was in the early 80s and earlier. They didn't have much but they sure appreciated what they had. These days, people are too caught up in materialistic Bull. Gotta have the biggest and baddest of whatever.

New F150 with the EcoBoost engine will do all you ask of it and more. The fuel economy will be on par or a bit better than your current truck with more usefulness. And besides, its a real truck.