forrest

yes they are and I have several Rapalas and I have seen Rapala in a lot of posts, but, this last week a few posts looked a bit too much like someone was advertising for Rapala......"look at this great video on the Rapala site....I am going to buy me one of those" and big pictures of Rapala products in another post. I was reminded about advertising. On top of that some guy is shamlessly promoting Budwiser forrest

Yes, undercover marketing is a much better description. Examples from the last few days in this forum this forum: ' am getting an x-rap, what colour should I get?' 'have you seen these Rapala videos? I am going to get one of these' 'I have used this Rapala jointed Shad (big pictures) will they work for muskie?' forrest

??? I am getting a sense that there is some guerrilla marketing ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guerrilla_marketing ) taking place with the Rapala X-Rap series. Anyone else notice? forrest

2.5Kg

Lower unit removed! All it needed was a little bit more oomph in the mallet blow (used a wood piece to direct blow). fishinfools weblink: http://www.themarinedoctor.com/ is a good one, they had a great video on LU removal. Shift linkages: for Evinrudes and Johnsons they have to be disconnected up by the power head and can be located in some funky areas (get specifics). Mercs do not have to be disconnected. thanks to everyone who replied...all good stuff. I will be sure to need some of it when putting it back on. forrest

hahahahahahhaa I think that the Bass Pro staff were too stunned to do anything. Guaranteed that if management found out the cops were called. forrest

thanks. I posted and got a response from the administrator. There was a video on the board......sounds like a dowel is a bit stiff, I just need to apply a bit more pressure. Wish me luck! forrest

OK I will give it a shot and report back. No amount of home bonding will do. A skeg protector is a no go on this job. Weld is the only way. I was a sad sad sad man when it happened. forrest

yeah...but how do they look in a sweater?

OK this is what I have so far....I think it may help: The red,white and green circles I suspect that they may be the solution and are only on this side of the motor but will not touch them until I know they are: top one is an allen bolt. the bottom is a regular bolt.....(I really do like reading the service manuals so many mysteries, they are better than books) The yellow circles are where I took out visible lower end bolts...there were 2 more on the opposite side. The blue circle is for the nut under the trim plate. forrest

Just the 5 I mentioned.....I did not see any others.

I was looking but did not see one....this is the first outboard I have worked on but I suspect that you are heading in the right direction about the shift linkage glen..... "just loosen the bolts on the bottom end and it will come loose" :wallbash: forrest

Doing a little cosmetic work on the skeg I always buy the manual.....Merc parts take a few days to come in but Mercury happens to think that people don't need a manual so a 4 week wait time for one should be acceptable. :wallbash: I would certainly be putting it back on with the use of a manual. Loose bolts and over torquing are no fun for piece of equipment. But as for taking it apart everyone said...thats easy! Just undo a few bolts and... That was the first thing I tried....no go. Then again I was being delicate. I think I was going for #3 "hope someone here is familiar with that particular unit" I need a wiseman here....not a wise guy but the tips on caution are always welcome....so far I have not lost my cool or forced anything so I am good. forrest

Having a bit of trouble dropping the lower end of my 40HP merc (2007) and need help: -removed the vent screws -removed the 4 visible bolts off -removed the nut under the trim plate -put the engine in neutral (I was told this did not matter) -the prop end of the lower case drops a few mm but the front end seems locked in good -gave a little love tap with a mallet to loosen it up a bit (thats how the back part freed up). -Mercury manual is STILL on order...I am not happy about that....so I am stuck without one right now. What now? forrest

Alabama may be catch and release but for a lot of Southern Ontarians that would be blasphamy. How long would it take for the Bass population to be decimated in the GTA if there the fishing season overlapped the spawning season? I think the Ministry of Natural Resources are doing a good job, care about their job and are always looking for better ways to manage fish stocks. forrest

Can't have it all! The boat is 14 ft.....it looks like it fits 2 very comfortably (after mods). 3 biggies might be hard on the weight limit without the deck also. forrest

Nice job! Any higher res pics? How much weight did it add to the boat? And what happened to this handy gizmo?: http://www.ofncommunity.com/forums/index.p...c=14037&hl= questions, questions questions..... forrest

did you try the wreckers?

I have been told that eyelets that are not durable or built for the braid will cut. Maybe someone else can give better info on this. forrest

Oh yes, save yourself A LOT of grief: if you have a spin cast learn how to put the line on properly so twists are avoided.

from http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/faq/other.htm#boating: New boating safety regulations have been introduced by the federal government to help reduce the number of boating fatalities and accidents that occur each year. Highlights of the changes include the introduction of: * minimum age limits for operating power boats above 10 horsepower and personal water craft; * mandatory operator competency requirements, being phased in over 10 years, for operators of powered boats used for recreational purposes; and * new minimum safety equipment and operation standards affecting all boats. Like oncogene said....thats gonna change is what I hear too. forrest

Are the sinkers in it made out of that nerve/brain killing lead sinkers? If so, get another kit or better yet put together a kit, too bad there is no faq here on a basic kit. Why, because fishing is for men: -chart on fishing knots -2 slip bobbers. I guess you could get those spring loaded ones, the wood ones, not the plastic ones -1 package of slip bobber stoppers/beads...this is one type: http://www.enticertackle.com/index.php?categoryID=9; cant remember the other better type -1 package of swivels -1 package of mixed snelled hooks (those CTC starter packs are good) -1 mixed amount of non-lead split-shots -1 bag of white gulp grub twister tails, put a split-shot at the top so it looks like a jig -1 nail clipper (for cutting line) -1 el-cheapo CTC multi tool -a couple of popular rapala hard baits($16 total) -1 dozen worms -1 bag of patience for a rod: -have a good drag -if its panfish and bass get a light 5ft rod combo ($40 or so or more?) and put 6lb line on it....its way more fun.. -for larger pike, carp get a medium action rod and put 12 or 14lb line on it. spend $15 for floro-carbon leader material thats my 2 cents forrest

I called a local Legend/Mercury dealer.....they picked up the phone...I did not expect that and asked my question. I remember working for a store chain at their Oshawa location in the 90's.....it was dead dead dead....did not make 1 single sale. Toronto= busy Durham = dead forrest PS....I did not work.

No references for you, but, when I read up on geo-thermal last year it worked out to be more expensive than traditional energy sources. The systems only last for so long before they have to be redone. I was talking to a guy at work yesterday who is now heating his pool with a solar type system. The sun heats up water in a black barrel and the heat is transferred to the pool. forrest

Someone get this kid a calendar with important fishing dates. forrest