Another Canadian

Hi Dutch, Does something like this help you in your search? http://www.xpressboats.com It apears to be welded construction, but it is aluminum. Looks like their are two dealers in Ontario. http://www.xpressboats.com/locations.php/mode/list At another site I frequent, a fellow there has one. AC

Hi Brookster, I have fished the Combermere Madawaska river / Lake Kamaniskeg area off and on since 1983. Was last there in 2004. If you are on the river, close to Lake Kamaniskeg, your best bet is to head onto the big lake. The fishing consists mostly of SMB, but you can get the odd walleye and laker, but in the summer they are not abundantly easy to catch. The basic idea is to find rocks in the main lake, out by the two islands (Gull and Parcher). Depending on the water levels which are controlled by Ontario Hydro, the rock shoals in front of the islands coming from the river are only a few feet below the surface and are usually marked with jugs. Lots of smallies and rock bass. Worms, minnows and crayfish are usually best. At the other end of the bay, past the two islands where the Madawaska flows in from Bark lake, drifting worms and minnows right on bottom in 20 -30 ft of water can produce some big smallmouth. There is a shed with a Canadian Flag painted on the door, that we used as a marker point. At the other end of the river, below Combermere, is Conroy's marsh. Good opportunities for Pike, LMB, Walleye, Smallmouth and numerous panfish. If you can get your hand on a fishing map of the area (I bought it in Barry's Bay at the bait shop), it would be more than beneficial. It helped me find the area in front of the shed with the flag on it. I probably sound like a know it all , but I always enjoyed the area, the fishing, the lake / river etc. There is over 90km of navigable water, just not sure how far you plan on travelling on a pontoon boat. Hope this helps! AC

Hi Brookster, I have fished the Combermere Madawaska river / Lake Kamaniskeg area off and on since 1983. Was last there in 2004. If you are on the river, close to Lake Kamaniskeg, your best bet is to head onto the big lake. The fishing consists mostly of SMB, but you can get the odd walleye and laker, but in the summer they are not abundantly easy to catch. The basic idea is to find rocks in the main lake, out by the two islands (Gull and Parcher). Depending on the water levels which are controlled by Ontario Hydro, the rock shoals in front of the islands coming from the river are only a few feet below the surface and are usually marked with jugs. Lots of smallies and rock bass. Worms, minnows and crayfish are usually best. At the other end of the bay, past the two islands where the Madawaska flows in from Bark lake, drifting worms and minnows right on bottom in 20 -30 ft of water can produce some big smallmouth. There is a shed with a Canadian Flag painted on the door, that we used as a marker point. At the other end of the river, below Combermere, is Conroy's marsh. Good opportunities for Pike, LMB, Walleye, Smallmouth and numerous panfish. If you can get your hand on a fishing map of the area (I bought it in Barry's Bay at the bait shop), it would be more than beneficial. It helped me find the area in front of the shed with the flag on it. I probably sound like a know it all , but I always enjoyed the area, the fishing, the lake / river etc. There is over 90km of navigable water, just not sure how far you plan on travelling on a pontoon boat. Hope this helps! AC

Mer has actually upped the Verado to a 350. Was reading about it in Bass and Walleye magazine last night. http://www.mercuryracing.com/verado350/

Evinrude Dude, I would like to buy a 25 -30hp Evinrude ETEC or Johnson 4stroke but I can not find any information on them. Can you post a link to a website that show there specs, price etc.? Thanks!

TJ, If you want to go to Cuba, take a look at this place. Spent a week in February and thoroughly enjoyed it. http://www.royalhideawayensenachos.com Older crowd, almost to quiet. AC

Hi Tree30eight, Have you checked out the optional mounts on Scottys website. This one here might work for you. http://www.scotty.com/marine/products/prod...ounts/1025.html There are others as well. All dimensions are given so you can hopefully figure out whats best for you. I have seen some pictures of guys using the extensions and mounting them to the inside of the boat. (Just be careful drilling around gas tanks and such) I used Scotty manuals until I got electrics and can tell you it helps to have a good place to stand when you need to crank a 12 lb rigger weight up from 100ft. AC

FishOn, I had a 2000 Honda 115. Good motor until it hit the rock under the water. BTW, there was a recall on the 2000 115/130's for the fuel injection system, not sure if it affected the 2002 model year. I replaced it with a 2004 Honda 150 . My Honda mechanic says basically what the previous posters say. Good quality name brand oil, 10w30 or 5w30, with no hesitiation about using a synthetic (his preference). He actually tells me to buy it on sale, and I just leave it in the boat for him. AC

Hi HH, With the V6 and the tow package, it is rated for 3500lbs but I tried to not push the 3500lbs. I usually am closer to the 2500lbs. It did the job quite adequately, and when I did put alot of weight behind it, I drove conservatively. Fuel mileage suffered, but I think that is normal. For the size of boat you are considering, I think it would be fine as the trailered weight should be in the 2500lb range, give or take. The Escape just had more trouble stopping than starting as the weight increased. It also has a shorter wheelbase, which does not offer quite as much control of the trailer. I found if had a light load, in high winds, and going over 100 kmh, it developed some trailer sway. Kept it at 100kmh, I had no troubles. A good travel cover on the boat helped the sway, as well as the mileage. If there is no factory tow on it, you might want to consider adding and oil and tranny cooler. The factory tow option includes these. I was considering replacing the '05 with an '08, but with some deals etc. I was able to get an '07 Edge for just a little more money. I have only trailered a little bit with it, and I seem to prefer it over the Escape, but it is a longer vehicle, bigger engine, but braking is about the same. Hope this helps, AC

Hi HH, I have had two leased Escapes (01 and 05), both had over 50k when I handed them back in. I can try and answer some questions, but before I do can you tell me, V6 or I4? FWD or AWD? Factory Tow package? Size and weight of boat you expect to tow? Only problems I have ever had (that were the cars fault) was a bad front wheel bearing in the 01. Fixed under warranty. I tow an 18' Aluminum Dual console, at about 2500 lbs, loaded up for two weeks away, closer to 3000 lbs. There was never any trouble with the V6 to get going, but stopping was the harder thing to do. I drove it more conservatively than most people probably would. AC

Smokercraft does supply the Riveted hulls, the all welded hulls are supplied by Monark marine. I have a 1999 Smokercraft 178 Fazer (Legend considered it at the time a V188). The centerline length is 17' 8". The gunwale length is 18' 8". Marketing

I went there end of June 2004. Fishing was OK, good amount of eating size walleye, but they were not easy to catch. We did not see any trophies, but caught a few very large pike fishing for waleyes, and the lakers were fun using downriggers. Usually enough to eat a few good shore lunches. It is a big lake. We stayed at Alwaki Lodge in their remote camp. We plan on going back some day.

Hope you enjoy your new boat. I have a 99 178 Fazer with a 150 Honda. I used to have a 115 Honda on it (long story on why I switched). You should be in the low 40's at wot with the 115. If you have any questions about the boat, I can try and answer but you made a good decision on the purchase and price appears to be fair. Good luck with the fishing!