lew

OK thanks boyz, perhaps the portables aren't such a good idea afterall. And I think my post title should have read vhF rather than vhS

I've been thinking of getting a portable radio for the boat just to keep handy for maybe some bad weather reports, but more importantly to possibly call for help if I break down somewhere and I can't get the cell to work. I don't fish the Great Lakes at all so I'll never be a long ways from shore, but I do spend time on the Ottawa & St. Lawrence Rivers, Bay of Quinte and I also spend quite a bit of time on the West Arm of Nippissing which which can be pretty isolated at times. I just want something small & portable that I can stick in the glove box for when it's needed, but I also don't want to spend several hundred dollars either. I see some for around $100-$150 and wondered if their any good for sending & receiving, or do I need to spend big $$$$ ?? I definetely don't want to install one of those huge antennas on the boat. Any thoughts ??

Excellent job & now your all rigged up and ready to go !! I definetely like the way you cut your transducer mounting plate to fit the angle of the hull, even taking the time to route the edges. It looks very professional and far superior than the way it's normally done. Those little touches make a big difference. I also agree with you on using 2 seperate units for sonar & GPS. I do the same & find it much better than using split screens.

I'll be standing beside Rizzo

You can even call them direct for your answer 870-481-5138

John, I got my Knipex from the Ring Lord out in Saskatoon a couple years back. I like the Cobalt model with the spring in the handle as it makes them much easier to use and they'll easily cut thru any hook you'll ever use. You may find them locally for less money but I don't know where. These guys will have them at your door in a couple days. http://theringlord.com/cart/shopdisplaypro...s=2947514657790

Will your Mother-In-Law do breakfast for 12 Roger ??

I get all those too and especially enjoy going thru the hardcover book as there are so many things that aren't available around here, but they can be so darned expensive to get shipped up here. I've checked out the Canadian Cabellas for a few things but they really don't seem to have much of a selection on alot of items. Hopefully in the near future though.

I don't recall a buffet that early John , but they always put on an excellent breakfast otherwise. See you and everyone else at 7

Some people spend a lifetime seeking praise, others don't need it. Sounds like your GF's grandmother, plus the 2 boys that helped her are all pretty good people and hopefully she has a speedy recovery. She sounds like quite the lady.

The boat looks REALLY good Stoty and hopefully you'll get alot of great years out of it. There's an answer to your PM waiting for you too.

Ya probably, maybe I'll do it with my eyes closed so I don't see what I'm doing

Happy Birthday Bill, all the best to ya !!

No sense following YOUR trolling route Wayne, there's no fish there As for the install, thanks for the heads up guys. I've read the instructions seveal times, plus there was an episode of Ship Shape TV a couple weeks ago where they showed the install of a similar product. Do it on a warm day, take your time and keep your fingers crossed

Thanks guys, but I found one here in Toronto and am picking it up today from Genco Maine down on Queens Quay

Actually Rob, where that sonar is sitting on top of the dash was excellent for mounting electronics. It was solid aluminum, flat & strong, and very accesible from underneath and extremely easy to get at. The only reason I put the GPS on the side was because there wasn't enough room for both units on top. That side unit was quite stable too though on the Ram mount, I just had to make sure it was locked down tight and it only moved when I hit too big a wave at too big a speed

That could be true, but when I called Cabellas Canada he had no idea what I was talking about.

I've read on alot of different websites, mostly American, that an item called Keelshield is recommended to protect the keel on glass boats, so I decided to get one. I searched around Ontario and couldn't find one so I checked Cabellas and they had them on for a decent price, so I gave them a call. Strangest thing though, the Cabellas operator was printing up my order when she discovered that they weren't allowed to ship the item across the border to Canada and she had no idea why. She got her supervisor and she had no idea why either and said they'd never heard of anything like that before I can see maybe a company not being allowed to ship bullets or chemicals or other dangerous goods into Canada, but this thing is basically just a piece plastic. I did a bit more searching after that and actually found one right here in Toronto and I'm picking it up today, but I just found it strange. Anyone else experience that with Cabellas or anyone else for that matter ?? http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas...ain-Large$

I'm the same as you Mark, cept I took early retirement 9 years ago and have decided that after all these years I've earned a nice(er) boat for my golden years......even though I've always had nice boats. I went out in February and layed down a bag of $$$$ and got exactly what I wanted. It's always been my way of thinking that if a man really wants something, he should go for it. I went with the biggest boat and the biggest engine I've ever had, but it's something I wanted and I can't see any sense putting in a lifetime of work and then not getting the toys we deserve.

Rob, if you can't get it solid on top of the console, what about mounting it on the side like I did with the GPS on my Crestliner ?? Very easy to do with a piece of aluminum bent at a 90, then a small hole drilled thru the side panel with a furrel and it brings the wiring right up to your fuse panel. Nice and neat and it won't be in your way at all.

You are correct, Sir

You wanna try standing on top of a 100' aerial ladder Paul

Roger, the Odyssee is at the Quality Hotel, 325 Ontario St. and starting at 8:00 A few of us are meeting for breakfast at 7:00 at the Golden Griddle. Take the 1st exit past Ontario and follow it around to Dunlop St & we'll see you there. http://www.weblocal.ca/golden-griddle-fami...harines-on.html

Fishing lures are meant to be used and your Grandfather somehow forgot to put this one to use, so now it's your turn to do what he didn't. Tie it on your fish'n pole and and go catch a biggun with it & make your Granfather proud.. A good piece of fishing gear does nobody any good sitting on the mantle collecting dust.

Heard on the news this morning that gas prices around Southern Ontario are sposed to stay relatively low this summer compared to last year and they figure it won't go higher that 96¢ Not cheap but certainly better than a year ago.