bigbuck

Hopefully a big 2000lb bomb accidently falls on top of Quadaffi's head and blows him to smithereens. The guy has gotta go. This unrest in the Middle East has to end soon. If the price of fuel continues to rise, we will see the economy slow down and maybe the US will slip back into recession and that is the last thing they need right about now.

Good plan, you are better off going with a standalone policy. Call your local insurance brokers and see what they have to offer. You have to compare policies to see what is and what is not covered and the limits.

I was chatting with the Quantum rep at JB's over at the show yesterday and was looking at the new Smoke and the Smoke rod (really nice looking). I didn't notice any problems with fit and finish. In fact, if I were looking for a new combo, it would be the way I'd go. If I were your friend, I'd send the pics to Quantum and I think they would make it right.

Wayne, from your lips to the big guy up there's ears! I hope you get out there with your fishing partner this summer. My goals are to get out more and be able to spend more time power fishing as opposed to just an hour here and there. My list of goals: 48+ inch musky 42+ inch pike 3+ lb smallie 3+ lb largie any walleye for the pan slab crappies (agian, for the pan)

It's 4deg in Oakville and raining. Gray miserable day. Thankfully I'm sitting at my desk working away and don't have to be out on the road today.

Hopefully Gadaffi finally realizes that the rest of the world isn't going to play his games any longer. This guy is a nutbar but at least he was one that Canadian companies made lots of money off of. We profited big time, that's why we kind of dragged our feet.

Canadian Tire sells the 3M rubbing compound and it sells the 3M wax in the boating section. Every store I've been to has it in stock. It'll cost you around $40 for the compound and the wax. It's there, take a look, otherwise ask an associate for help.

Dealer cost is one thing BUT, there are dealer incentives that have to be considered, this will only give you a very rough idea of what dealers pay, it's usually much less. Things like buy 10 get one free are very common for dealers so 'dealer cost' is a relative term.

An inflatable is tough to beat. I have a manual model. I was kicking around the idea of getting an automatic until I went through the locks with the OPP boat behind me and I struck up a conversation with the officers, they have had problems with the automatic PFDs blowing up unintentionally when stored wet on the boat. There is a pill that dissolves quickly in them that triggers the arming mechanism, the pill tends to dissolve when it's stored damp and after a while will pop the vest. There are also fairly comfortable foam options available from Lebaron's and BPS that are cheaper. I'd say try a few on and then make your decision.

As a backup, an electric trolling motor is a lousy option. You can walk faster than it will propel your boat, they are for positioning and VERY slow trolling speeds. Your 9.9 is the way to go. BTW, how the heck did you mount that on an I/O??? A bracket on the transom??

Use some rubbing compound. I found the 3M works well when I took the haze off of my boat last fall. Get the rubbing compound with no wax, go over it good with clean rags and then use wax. Where there is no clear coat left, I'm afraid it will have to be redone. Check out iboats.com. There are discussion boards that might be able to help you out.

Chor womb is soo polluted, I can't even haf a ki wit you. One of the best actors of our time.

That battery would probably start your outboard but that's all it will do. You are better off having a bigger battery then you need because you are out on the water, getting stranded would not be much fun.

With the TDI VWs, stick to either the dealer (stealer) or to an independant shop that specializes in VWs. They are great little cars that run forever and are cheap on fuel.

I'll pop in to say hello probably on Friday. Should be pretty good.

I'll third the Starbrite. I pick up a big bottle at one of the local marinas in Honey harbour when they have their fall sale. It lasts me a couple of seasons. Spray it on, scrub it a bit then hose off.

The problem with non-marine batteries is that they aren't designed for marine use. In a boat, a battery takes quite a pounding from hitting waves. Marine batteries are constructed to take that abuse. You can get a cheap starting battery from WalMart and Canadian Tire, it's about $30-40 more and will be the correct battery for your use. Besides, that battery doesn't have much capacity, if you run a fishfinder for any length of time, that battery will run down.

The Record is a great reel for dealing with pike and musky. I have one and love it, it's on my jerkbait rod. I have a Curado 300E and it's nice too.

Lew, good to hear you weren't hurt. Had you been in a rush...... No shame in pulling over and catching a few zzzzzz's. I used to do it all the time when I was on the road more. Pull into a parking lot, put your seat back and take a snooze. Better that then wrapping yourself around a pole or worse, taking someone out.

An extended GM minivan with a tow pkg has a rating of 3500lbs. You are looking at about 15-1800lbs or so. Kinda tough to beat the versatility of a minivan. They are pretty good on gas out on the highway as long as you don't need a pilot's licence.

Nice Texas Cadillac!!! My buddy has one and it's been a great vehicle for him. He must have north of 400k on it by now and it's been pretty much trouble free other than regular maintenance. I've driven it a few times and LOVE IT. I see a truck in my future.

A Aikmann On Novar Rd. in Mississauga. You can either buy the bearings or have him service the reels.

Lew, on the other side of the QEW, it's Perkins and it's better than IHOP or Golden Griddle ever was. If you are going let me know, I'll try to meet up for brekkie with you and the gang.

I HOPE I HOPE I HOPE!!! I'm getting tired of this winter, it's been cold and long. A few more weeks till pike opens on GBay. Time to start getting my gear ready.

More good karma!! Congrats Merc on being a solid guy. Our community is a good group.