Old Ironmaker

A good question that was posted on another site. When Marine Weather Service here reports 1 to 1.5 meter waves I don't see 12 footers out here. No way I go out in 1 meter seas if I know the height is 9 feet or whatever the conversion is from below flat to above flat. No way. This was the question: "In the thread about followings seas I was wondering how people measure wave or sea height. My understanding is a 4' sea is 4 feet above flat which gives an 8' wave. I know surfers confuse it by measuring height from the front in some areas and the rear or even "surfable wave height". On a TV episode of Wicked Tuna most would not go out in 4-6' seas. I assumed that was because a 12 foot wave from trough to crest was possible. Throw in a narrow inlet or a rouge taller wave and that makes a 4-6' sea not navigable for a lot of those large experienced tuna boats. So what is your understanding and who exactly is calling a 4' sea on the marine radio?"

I have found that there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a car stereo for a boat, cars take bumps and humps on the road too. If however you do moor the boat on the water moisture does tend to kill non marine specific electronics. For a boat being trailered I have changed my opinion on this and depending on your degree of audio fidelity taste a 50 buck stereo from a wrecker, Pawn shop or garage sale will do just fine.

In the event you do decide to look at used boats I found this in an old file of mine. From iboats. It will come in handy for you or anyone thinking of buying a boat in the future, myself included. A Good Buyers check list. The absolute FIRST and MOST important question you should ask the seller is this. DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER PAPERWORK. The boat is a useless paperweight without it. Absolutely positively DO NOT believe that obtaining a title is easy because in most cases it isn't. As a matter of fact offer the seller an extra $100.00 to get the proper paperwork, I bet you 95% of the time the seller will say no at that point walk away no matter how pretty and shiny the boat is WALK AWAY. We are going to Start with the hull. The hull. Start at the bow outside and work your way back. Go over it from bow to stern with a fine tooth comb Are there any major knicks or gashes. Are there any splits in the fiberglass. Look for gel coat spidering or stress cracks. Is the gel coat or paint faded or is bright as if it has been cared for? Is the hull straight no major dents in especially on the bottom side. I.e. an obviously visible hook in the hull. Is there barnacle build up on it anywhere? How does the rub rail look is it mashed in anywhere? (signs that a boat was owned by an inexperienced owner). Look for brown water staining visible around the transom motor mount bolts streaking down from them (for an outboard). Look for brown water staining streaking down from the splashwell plug (again an outboard). Look at the trim i.e. (lights, rubrail trim, horns, anything metal) does it look pitted and corroded or well maintained? Move to the inside of the hull. Start from bow to stern How is the general condition of the upholstery does it look well cared for? How solid is the floor in ALL spots if it is spongy squishy or weak in any spots walk away (unless you are looking for a project). Don't believe that it is going to be a simple fix boats tend to rot from the bottom up. Lift all the hatches and look underneath are there any signs of dampness or rot? Poke prod and feel everything especially all of the hidden areas. Look in the ski locker if equipped how does it look any signs of dampness or rot? Look at the seat bases for signs of dampness and rot. Look at the carpet is moldy and mildewed, or does it have normal wear. If the floor is Plywood encased in fiberglass which is painted look for signs of delamination (fiberglass pulling up). Test all of the electronics. Make sure the bow and stern light are functioning properly. Make sure the horn is working properly. Make sure the bilge pump and blower are working properly. Follow the wires do they look like they are properly connected and running through proper USCG approved fuse boxes? Does the wiring look like proper marine grade wire. Test the radio and speakers make sure they are connected and working properly. Test the steering to make sure it functions properly and easily. Move to the stern. Lift all of the hatches and motor cover. Inspect the motor mounts do they look dry and clean inspect for dampness and rot. How does the bilge look is it clean or has someone been draining the oil into the bilge? Are there signs of brown water stains in the bilge area? Inspect the transom from the inside look for signs of rot. Tap on the inside of the transom with a rubber mallet how does it sound does it sound rock solid or kind of hollow does it feel solid or does it feel like mush. Am I missing something here because as far as someone sending you links to new boats and respective prices it is up to you to do that. It's called shopping around.

Unlike some sites where it is days or even weeks between posting sites that have traffic are sites that are successful. Traffic is what advertisers want without it sites are in the N.F.L., not for long. I know a few people that tell me they have been a member of this site for years and have exactly zero posts. They are lurkers that have nothing to contribute, they just want to have someone lead them to the fish. I think there should be a minimum number of posts made to continue their membership. I say that tongue in cheek.

Thankfully no one was injured. Scary thought going down into a ice cold lake. I wonder if his insurance co. will cover the cost of damage? This question was raised in the past and I am covered under my policy under "all perils", my buddy called his provider and he is not under his bargain basement priced policy. He is covered for basically driving where vehicles were meant to be driven. Be careful all. I also wonder what the guy was thinking, or not thinking driving out there in spring like conditions today?

A Newfie smoker is what we called that. Placing a few carp or salmon caught in the Bay Water strainers on a guys manifold was a prank we did at the plant when he was heading north after a shift. Nice smell around Hwy 400.

Yea rub it in Brian. Nice catch. How did you do them? I am into Panko for the last few years. Some of the guys say they don't like the Panko but have no problem eating it. I just like the texture better than packaged stuff like Fish Crisp. Crushed Ritz crackers and Corn Flakes are favorites of mine too. I'll eat fresh fish raw if I have to although I'm not a big fan of Samishi at all actually. I have a story for that but have been told I tell too many stories.

Absolutely fantastic Brian. It's so nice to read a good fish report from you ice guys. I have been sharpening hooks and sorting weapons of mass destruction all day. You didn't have to rub it in with pics of a fresh from the water into the pan dinner, now did you? I guess I'll just have to wait, it's killing me.

Is it a fact that Yamaha builds the main components exclusively for some Merc/Mariner? I was told my older Mariner 115 and 15 kicker are Yamahas. I'm not going to give myself the kibosh by saying anything positive about Mercury/Mariner engines.

Quote impaired too is seems.

Great decision. Have a safe and fun trip, I'm jealous. By the way Sarasota has one of the best beaches in the entire world as voted by many travel magazines, Siesta Key. Nothing like sitting on the patio there eating a basket of Grouper fingers and an ice cold one, or 2.

That is simply unfair Simon. Stop that right now. I'm green, green, green. What do you call those, Silver Crappie? Are they Trigger fish?

There is legislation on the table at Queens Park for first reading coming soon. The AYB tax. Air You Breath. First derailment, couldn't help it there's icebergs on the lake here again this morning.

2 choices I-95 or I-75. The I-95 through Buffalo to Erie PA is a more scenic trip but bad weather through the Cumberland Pass is a bit*&. I-75 straight down from Detroit is boring, boring, boring. Nothing much but flat highway all the way there and back. If the weather reports are good for when you go take Buffalo to the I-95 for sure. There is a short cut straight to Pittsburg short of Erie through NY that saves time. NY state has the only toll roads. I-90.

Great report. I've always found the best Walleye fishing on Nip and other bodies of water in fact ae the first few hours after Sun up and the last few before Sundown. Ice fishing and softwater as well. The middle of the day was for throwing the ball around, catching rays or loosing balls, and money, Golfing then back on the water.

That's the show they are talking about. Hamilton is even better than schlepping all the way to T.O. and back. We are only 40 minutes from the Airport. Fantastic. Thanks so muchJohn. I might need to wear my OFC name tag. Hope to see a few members there.

The guys are talking about a Spring Fishing Show today at the shop. I told them the T.O. Boat and Fishing show has come and gone. Nope they insist there is a show starting next Thursday. I can't find one. Any idea if there is an upcoming fishing show? Maybe they started the weekend a few hours early, in fact I know they did.

I don't always go by scientific fact to make up my opinion on a matter. Gut feelings have saved me a few times. Gut feelings probably have a scientific basis to them too. Years of experience locked away in the brain and without recalling a specific incident you get a "gut feeling". Call it instinct, intuition or whatever. I just think the age of majority should be 21, but that won't happen very soon. But then again I have seen more maturity from some 13 year olds than some 70 year olds but that doesn't happen often enough for me to say a 19 year old can make good decisions.

And I don't think 16 year olds are mature enough to drive a car as well. I know that as a fact, I was 16 and immature with a few thousand pounds of Chevy Impala in my control more or less. It makes me cringe thinking about the stupid things we did as children driving a car.

It's the peak of the winternet Grimsby. No ice, too early for open water. So what do you suggest we talk about? Just scroll down until someone talks about a rare catch and comment "nice fish". I like a great fish report but there just aren't many if any at all. What do you suggest?

No one said you have to pay 20 grand. You say you want something reliable and you don't need horsepower on a boat. A 12 footer with a 9.9 is almost over powered compared to the crap boat you are obviously buying. So why did you come here and ask and waste many here's time?

I like Mike too.

I absolutely guarantee I won't be spending a penny on a tax on Maryjewanna.

Does anyone know what happened to Fran Flann? edit: actually does anyone know who she is?

What's so funny? Drifter doesn't live here any longer. But he pays a buck each for an egg and has 15 minutes of summer to enjoy. I didn't vote for Wynne but someone did. If we want good, very good paved roads to God forsaken places in this province like Rainy River someone is going to pay for it. If anyone has ever driven on thruways in places like NY that will knock the headlights out of your vehicle you wouldn't complain as much. And they have to pay a toll too! Has there been a total waste of taxes, darn right there has but you don't know how great you have it until you venture out in the world, or leave the province of Ontario at least. People tend to forget Rea Days or Mike Harris, you think it was any better then, not.