Old Ironmaker

Believe it or not the mud line is not bad, here and west of the point where we were at Pt. Bruce today. Plenty of deadheads though. Quite a few docks got wiped out locally. The wind reports for Saturday are not as bad as they were predicting yesterday. Gusts of only 79KPH down from gusts of 90KPH. Does anyone really think that the fishing next week when the lake winds will diminish by Wednesday won't be as good because it is opening day? Why anyone would even think about going out in this lake when there are even only 1 meter waves and 30KPH winds is beyond me. Please wait. For those crazy enough I can tell you the Bass just left the beds last weekend. This storm we had this past week plus the post spawn lock jaw and the gale force winds predicted starting tomorrow will not help matters. windfinder.com or sailflow.com is your friend here on Erie. Believe them. Environment Canada has a severe weather warning out for the rest of the week and beyond, maybe believe them.

It's all CGI don't let him fool you. If I may ask what would a Laker of that size weigh? Just in case it was real!

All good suggestions guys, much appreciated. Sorry the quote feature doesn't work on my PC anylonger so I will try and answer each question regardless. First I have to say we had the boat in the water for 5 hours. The water line was about 1" below the 2 transom water well drains. The scum line from the last time the boat was in, moored for 4 days, was 1" above these 2 drain holes. While on the water the auto bilge never kicked on, no water drained from bilge when manually selected. When I made a hole shot the bilge also did not come on. When I pulled the plug on the ramp water did run out for a count of 17 steamboat. Not abnormal for this boat for 7 years. To answer some questions. Mike, are you suggesting silicone drain plug at bottom of transom? I change the plug every year and have new screw type rubber plug. Drains for 2 live wells and 1 baitwell are well above the discharge ports that are at the very bottom of the transom. From what I have learned water can't run up hill unless forced by hydrostatic pressure. I don't believe there are any check valves on discharge hoses. They are all buried in the bilge, not accessible as far as I can see. Are these the drains you suggest I silicone? Mr G. I have never had a problem trolling down to 1.5 MPH with the 115. I have always been told trolling for long durations with the big engine is not good. When I found the 15HP for sale that matched my 115 by make and year, found it was elec. start and throttle controls that I could mount on the port side easily I could not resist buying it, mint condition for $1000.00. I can get today for sure. John Bacon, today it was sitting an inch below the 2 drains at the back of the water well, but when anchored the water would come into the well and drain back again as it always has. The well might need to be resealed, great point. limey, come on man! I don't date fat dollies, or marry them. At least not in the beginning, listen to me talk, Mr. Olympia 1979. If anyone rats to my wife that I said that I will come out of retirement and hunt you down like the dog that you are. She isn't the same woman I met 25 years ago, she's hotter now. dave524, the boat is a 95'. I am thinking the 15HP is just too heavy. I will comment on that below. Daveyboy. The auto bilge discharge is just below the gunnel, very high. I don't think that is a problem. I fished with a guy last year that had a rather small 17'er and he nearly sunk it the year before with a "back wave" that came over the transom, he installed a secon auto bilge and had the discharge hose running up and over the gunnel come to think of it now, he only had this problem when he put on a kicker!!! DanD, that is my boat hull to a "T". Newer with different instrumentation dash, carpeting etc. and rounded windshield but that hull is identical including identical positioning of livewells and rod holders. My hull has less scratches. My water line sits exactly where that transom line sits, I see it's very close to that scum line like mine. And yes I see how it sits nose high. I may be noticing things I never noticed before after 7 years.I couldn't post a pic if my life depended on it. I have Photobucket account now at least, that's a start. I would be able to email it to someone and they might post it for me. Davey Bouy, I'm thinking it is the weight and design of the shallow transom that just is exacerbating an existing design of bow high to start out with. Brian, Big Bob sits at home, to big for me to haul his fat butt around and burn valuable fuel. Art, the bilge discharge is high and dry. The live and bait well drains must have a check valve on them because they are so low now that I think about it, I can't confirm. OK, game plan. I stopped at the Marine dealer, Proctors, in Simcoe on the way to Pt. Bruce. I talked to the mechanical guru John H. He knows the boat as it was sold new there and he has serviced it since new. When I showed him the water line and explained what is happening all he did was shake his head and say I don't like kickers on boats not designed for the extra weight. He is a man of little words. I don't know if his comment helps or not. I pried to get more but......all he really said after that is the previous owner never had a kicker he used the electric. I will at this point level the boat, plug the transom drains and water test the water well and see if any water is going into the boat. If not I will mark the water line with kicker on then remove the kicker and put the boat in the slip and monitor leakage and take an after pic and see where the water line is. Leave the boat in the water and monitor the amount of water in the thing. I would really like to disconnect the bilge and really see how much of a leak there is over "X" days, but I'm not that brave. If it wasn't my boat, maybe. Take it out in not ideal conditions and run her good and see if water is coming in more due to hull stress than just sitting docked. Also check my insurance policy and see what I'm covered for. Thanks you all. I will keep you updated. If there are anymore suggestions they are all welcome. I may be looking for a problem that has existed since I have had the boat but has been made worse since adding the kicker. If I find the kicker is just to heavy for the hull design I will do this. Sell the mint kicker for what is market value. Put that money towards a 100lb thrust Terova(sic) and use that to troll. I have not seen anyone longline troll with one on big water for Eyes (Erie) but that doesn't mean I can't. Or just go back to using the 115 like I have for years and buy some other toys I don't need. Maybe take my lady away for a nice weekend. 1000 ucks really isn;t much today unfortunately.

When I was in England a few years back I was pickpocketed. I didn't realize my card was gone for about 8 hours along with all ID except my passport that the hotel takes and gives back when you pay the bill, thank goodness. I always thought I was too street smart to get pick pocketed, think again. I had about 50 pounds in my pocket and needed to pay for the 3 nights in the hotel and needed cash to get home. In the 8 hrs they had my card they ran up a bill of about 5 grand. Visa was good about it and wired me $1000.00 pounds. I was livid though, how can someone use a card when I have a pin number? Ok, I told them I was travelling Europe but so much for security. Apparently rural areas of the UK were not yet on the chip thing so all you did was sign. They even got the guys on camera but not much they can do sitting at their monitors at the police station. I hardly ever saw a cop in public, they are all indoors monitoring those CCTV or whatever they are called fighting crime from air conditioned offices. I now use the card for gas only at Petro Canada and that's it, another for CTC and that's it. Same for my wife gas, hotels and restaurants only. Anything else isn't mine.

Thank you. It must be tough for some to type a complete word. Yes I am a dinosaur. LOL ROTFLMAO. Oh my.

Rent a few cottages for at least 2 weeks and your wife will either say I love this or I will see you latter. Asking what a 1500 sqft cottage costs is like asking how long is a rope? It all depends on what you want in it. Peel and stick floors tiles or marble, laminate counters or granite. It's never the wrong time to buy land in my opinion. If you are waiting for the prices to go down you will be waiting for life. I rented cottages in several different areas to see where I would like to be and most importantly if my wife enjoyed cottage living, I shopped for 20 years before I knew where I didn't want to be and what I could afford. Tich is from the country and did not want country life, but being on the water for her is different than being on a farm. I lived in the city for 40 years and always knew I wanted to be in the country. Now 20 years latter I am ready to go back to civilization. Too damp by the water, too cold in the winter (city cold winds and big lake cold winds are completely different) the Dr's office is an hours drive, way too much grass to cut and too much snow to clear. I can't do all the handy man stuff as easily now. If you are not handy you better buy new or build. You need to do your homework and this is a good place to start but the most important thing is knowing your budget and sticking to it. The main reason we bought where we are is the lack of traffic to get to Lake Erie, and the fishing. Most all of our neighbours are former cottage owners from TO that had cottages north and were sick of the drive, We are about 2 hours from Toronto and depending where you are would think you are up north. Some sold their places north and bought here for 1/2 the price for more cottage, most are homes now not really cottages, many now including us live here full time. That's another thing some counties will consider cottages seasonal residential and require you to be out for 6 months, it's not something they dare to challenge you on unless you are on deeded land. Another consideration is right of ways, no public access to your property, that can be a challenge. Budget, budget that's what it's all about. Good luck, you may need it.

Good read thanks. That first pic looks like the 401 at 5PM, man talk about traffic. I would also love to act as an observer sometime, how do you volunteer? It is a sad state we live in today that an impartial observer is needed so that fishermen don't cheat. I guess when theres money involved people will do anything. I have a few golf buddies that could use an observer in our 5 buck Nassau's. Big Bob has what I call a size 14 foot wedge. He cheats steady and really gets upset when after all his cheating I still beat him.

If only there could be a charge for stupidity. Trying to justify this inane act of stupidity or find some logical reason the duffus did it just is a waste of time and energy. Many dough heads do something stupid legal or illegal and video tape it, then they post it on some site for all to see. From jumping on the back of a wild animal to photographing or taping themselves having sex with their girlfriends and their wives find it, or vice versa. The Crown just loves these self incriminating knuckle heads, it sure makes their jobs easy. It happens everyday now. Their parents must be proud, wait some of these rocket scientists are parents, the kids must be proud. Like I said before just because something is legal does not make it right. And as it turns out this was illegal. I'm going to let it rest, not worth my time anylonger.

I noticed when looking at Pics while sitting in the water last fall at Maskinonje on Nippising that the bow was sitting far too high. It is a StarCraft Superfisherman 190 with a 115 Mariner and 15 Mariner kicker. I had put on the kicker last year and since I was trailering it all year never noticed it. I had removed my Motorguide and 2 12 volts since I never used it where I fish and the batteries were pooched anyway. So this year I put the dead batteries back in which weigh a total of 120 pounds. Thinking this would offset the wt. of the 90 pound kicker. Well the bow is still sitting too high. I noticed tonight while getting the boat ready for tomorrow that the skung line from having the boat moored in a creek for a few days earlier this month that the top of the water line was actually higher than the drain ports for the transom water well. This boat has always taken on a bit of water but not enough to trip the auto bilge. Actually I kept an eye on it when it was in a slip for 3 days and the auto bilge never came on and a bit of water came out when I selected the pump with the switch. When we took the boat out the water that was in it triped the bilge and it did flow for a few minutes and when I removed the plug she ran out with a good flow for a few minutes, the guys were calling me Titanic 2, not funny. There was a good amount or should I say bad amount of water in there. I am concerned now, I don't like the drains at or just below the water line. I know that's not good. And I am responsible for everyone on my boat. I have always checked for leaks by putting water into the bilge while on the trailer. You guys and gals here tell me that is a no no. We have done it for years to check for leaks. I have never done it on this boat and won't. I will have the boat in tomorrow and you can be sure I will be checking it steady. Finally my question, where do I start and how can I check for leaks. I bought a new plug and it does not leak. I put water into the water well to check to see if the bilge port is leaking, actually I put plumbers tape on it, no leaks there. Your comments are all welcome. Please steer me in the right direction before I take it in to the guy that charges $100.00 an hour. Sorry long post for one question. Thanks all Johnny D

I don't get your last comment. Too many acronyms for me, English please. I understands the "Opa". But the rest, Greek to a mere mortal older guy. As for transom savers pros and cons. I can swap out a lower unit in a few hours myself but wouldn't know where to start to repair a transom. I'll stick to using mine, especially with the added weight of a kicker. I have read that major damage can be done if the winch strap breaks suddenly or slack gets tightened up and all the weight of the rig is transferred to the bottom end. Yes that can happen. I recently saw a tip from Charlie Wray where he put a second clip from the chain to the bow cleat so the chain will not move a mm if the strap lets go. 3 bucks latter I have done the same thing.

Albert someone may know better but Featherstone Ted just stopped by and I showed him your new baby. He said that Smokercraft uses a StarCraft hull. It sure looks familiar to me without looking under it. I don't see a transom saver, maybe it's just not on for the pic. Nothing to add on now, highly recommended especially with the kicker added to the transom.

Something I want to mention when buying new or used depending on what comes with the boat or what you can get thrown into the deal by the seller is the cost of a few accessories. With a blink of an eye you will spend $1000.00. Entry level GPS combo, a few fenders, 50 feet of rope and an anchor, a hand held VHF radio, a few good quality like vests or PFD's, a cheap safety kit, an oar, what else, a new gas tank and hose ( I almost had a heart attach when I bought these 2 items last year for my new kicker) that's a base package for must haves I think. You are over $1000.00. On a $5000.00 tinny that's 20% of your boat price.

Sweet albert, very nice. You know I have a 115 and 15 Mariner identical to your Mariners. You will be very happy with them. There is a very good chance your 90 was built by Yamaha exclusively for Mercury and still do for the overseas market from Asia to Africa.

Just because it's a used boat sold privately does not mean there can't be a written warranty. If someone says it runs great and doesn't leak write that into the sales agreement. Not everything sold privately has to be as is. Make them put their money where their mouth is. If you say great I will buy it, just guarantee the 9.9 for 30 days and a 30 day leak warranty. Take pics of the hull before to prove you didn't smash it against the rocks. As for the 9.9 or whatever if you don't have the expertise take someone with you that does to do a compression test. Once shown a 10 year old can do a compression test , check those plugs and listen for bearing knock. I have looked at boats and the owner would not run it in the driveway on the rabbit ears with a dozen excuses, or looked at me like I had 2 heads when I said if you guarantee it write it down. One guy actually said if it's a private sale you can't have a warranty. I have probably brokered 30 boat sales in the last 8 years. No warranty or a real deal after all due diligence see ya buddy, simple as that. Oh if Revenue Canada is reading this, I do people favors and they give me birthday and Christmas gifts.

Bondar, good for you, we used to run the rapids in a 12 footer on the Ottawa River. That was 30 years ago. I"m too old too tired too sore and too experienced now to do the things I used to do. Have fun and call me in 30 years, actually don't bother I will have been dead because of boredom.

I'm surprised you take a 14 tinny into the Niagara. Upper or lower it doesn't matter. I know I won't take my 19 footer in that river. You can get a lot of used boat for 5K. There's a 4Winns, out here 28 foot, 5.7lt Mercruiser, new tops and windows, new outdrive and Gymbal bearing, all new boots, new steering cable, new batteries X4, new hydraulic pump, new this and that. $4500.00. Great shape for a 89. Heck you would think I'm selling it, I'm not. You won't be towing this around. My point is for 5K there's a lot of boats out there slightly used.

What's mod q'd to mean Rick or Speil?

Just because something is legal doesn't mean it isn't (edit) wrong. That is just wrong. I was 21 once and knew then something like jumping on a wild animal is wrong and stupid. Like keeping a Killer Whale in a swimming pool it's entire life is totally legal but it too is wrong. Unless that young fellow that we only see from the back side has a severe kidney disease or he will have his own episode of "My 600 Pound Life" in a few years. This thread has surprised me, there are some comments by individuals that I have considered to be level headed and have come to respect their opinions come out with some strange comments. Hey chedar buddy, come on man don't be a keyboard tuff guy. Never type something that you wouldn't come up to a guy in a bar and say face to face without having a few ounces of courage in the belly. I didn't think you are that kind of guy.

I'd love to see the recovery bill and then there's the bill from the MOE on top of that? Any guesses to the cost of recovery, it can't be cheap.

I fished off of one years ago on of all places Nippising. It was like fishing from your living room, nice. Reel in a fish, start up the BBQ, have a burger, reel in a fish, repeat. Now having said that when it was time to head in we went on the other side of Iron Island and were met with 1 meter waves. That was no fun at all, everyone got soaked and my brother lost his lunch. A friend down the lakeshore has a medium sized rig with a 9.9. He only has sunk it once when he left it in overnight and a storm came up. He uses his tractor on a sandy beach to put it in and out, easy peasy.They putt around in the small bay when there is zero wind. Not many days it is calm on Erie. It would all depend on what water you are going to use it on and if it will be moored or not. I would actually love one but it would have to be on a small protected lake or river.

Swoooosh, that's the sound of something going over my head.

Your still a hiphopster. How many scateboards do you own you hiphopster you?

Rick, please PM me some money so I can go shopping. That was a new BBQ, can't even turn it into a charcoal or wood burner, which is the only real way to Q. There was also a light show to go with the wind and rain, lasted for a few hours. My precipitation volume instrumentation otherwise known as the wheelbarrow has 8" of new water in it. The water was above my hubs on the boat trailer Ticha said when she left for work this AM. I had a scope on my one eyed snake yesterday so I slept in (OK one eyed worm). Sleep is the best pain killer and I'll tell you it was a killer pain. Good to go today.

fishinguy, I was only busting Manitous Corleone's. I see you are relatively new here you will get used to my wise ass responses, hopefully. I don't know how to use smilly faces and don't use acronyms. So when I say something that sounds stupid I'm probably trying to be witty, or I'm just saying something stupid! Rick my Dad used to call us " The Pepasi Cole generash". It was when Coke was targeting the "Coke A Cola Generation". He couldn't get that right either.

I was awoken by the blowing wind after mid night last night. I have seen it blow here on the Erie shoreline many times especially in November and all winter but nothing like this in June, ever. Windfinder reported winds from the weather buoys around here at 80K. I woke this AM to find all the patio furniture smashed to smithereens and if my NG BBQ didn't have the hose attached it would be 3 doors down. New BBQ last month looks like it did before I assembled it actually worse the lid is flat and the side burner has broken off. So that's about $1200.00 in damages. Man sometimes we can't win for loosing. I'm going to call my insurance broker, this is nuts. I pay for wind damages, we will see. A tree branch took out my patio door 4 years back, they were good about replacing it.