craigdritchie

Problem is, you really can't say all Fenwick rods are good/bad, or all St. Croix rods are great/awful, or all Shimano rods are wonderful/terrible. Every manufacturer out there has some specific models that are pretty good, and some that could stand improvement. This applies at every price point -- even to factory Loomis and Sage rods. There are many reasons for this, but it mainly comes down to the way rods are mass-produced today.

Five grand????? Are you kidding me?? It doesn't even cost that much to go to Saskatchewan. Shop around, my friend, because no Ontario fly-in is worth that kind of scratch.

Keep the van for towing, and buy a cheap econo-box for the commute.

Economically, it makes sense to be a de-tuned 25, but wow, the size and weight issue sure is curious. A Merc 15hp four-stroke is 115 pounds, a Yamaha four-stroke 15 is 114 and a Suzuki 15 four weighs 97 to 105, depending on features (power trim, etc). Amazing to see three brands of four-stroke all weigh less than a two-stroke - who would have ever thought! Bernie, Buster ... thanks for the info and pics. Will check it out more closely when I'm down again tomorrow.

I'm annoyed with myself for missing that one at the Boat Show, since I made a point of stopping by the BRP booth. Interesting you should mention the size. It used to be that two-strokes were typically smaller than a comparable four-stroke. I guess when it comes to meeting low emission standards, that's no longer the case. I'd like to know the weight of the engine, since it didn't say in the report I saw.

Here's a little bit of news for E-TEC fans ..... BRP has unveiled a brand new 15 horsepower E-TEC. The text below is copied from a published report. No pictures, but apparently there is one on display at the Toronto Boat Show (which I missed seeing when I was there earlier). Bombardier Recreation products (BRP) has introduced an all-new 15 horsepower engine in its popular Evinrude E-TEC line. The E-TEC 15 HO is built on a 35.3 cubic inch, two-cylinder design that is CARB 3-Star, EPA and EU compliant. Both versions are available with an adjustable tiller handle or as a remote control model, each incorporating a high-speed tilt component supported by a heavy-duty bracket system that deploys at a speed said to be three times that of standard systems. The unit includes the company’s exclusive Touch-Troll feature that provides accurate electronic RPM speed control for improved fishability, while a 15-amp alternator delivers best-in-class charging power. The unit requires no scheduled dealer maintenance for three years or 300 hours. “We’re delivering on our commitment to expand our Evinrude E-TEC line-up,” stated Yves Leduc, Vice President and General Manager for BRP’s North America division. “The new 15 horsepower HO model gives the consumer the best of both worlds – the largest displacement, which delivers the maximum get-home speed, and the direct-injection fuel system which offers the optimum ability for slow trolling.” The Evinrude E-TEC 15 HO engine boasts many of the same features and benefits found on its bigger brothers in the Evinrude E-TEC line-up. Low maintenance, cleaner and quieter performance, durability and reliability through design and components including NASA-developed alloy pistons, a high-thrust reversing exhaust propeller, and fast rise inductive ignition (IDI) for sure starts and longer spark plug life. BRP will highlight the Evinrude E-TEC 15 HO engine will be highlighted at select boat shows in key markets across Canada and the US, including the Toronto International Boat Show, the Houston International Boat Show, the Seattle Boat Show, the Minneapolis Boat Show and the Miami International Boat Show. The new 15 HO model will be available as a limited release production to authorized Evinrude dealers beginning in May 2010. BRP's Evinrude E-TEC engine line-up now includes 98 engine models from 15 to 300 horsepower.

The other consideration is that there's a lot of brand-new 'old' boats still in the pipeline. Some of the dealers are still selling brand-new 2008 models. Right now Lund even has a special rebate program on 2009 boats. Buy a brand-new 2009 Pro V this month and you get $1,500 back. They will also give you a rebate on a new 2010, but it's not as much money. They want to get rid of the older boats first. There is so much new 'old' stock floating around right now some manufacturers are talking about eliminating model year designations altogether. The outboard manufacturers have already done this. With the dollar at 96 cents, very low finance rates and all kinds of incentives from dealers and manufacturers alike, this really is a great time to buy a boat.

Part of the reason you're not seeing many bass boats this year is because several of the manufacturers are in various stages of bankruptcy. For example, Genmar Holdings, the parent company of Ranger, Champion and Stratos, was formally dissolved in US bankruptcy court on Friday afternoon, with all three brands sold to a finance company based in Beverly Hills, California (Platinum Equity Corp.). This does not mean that Ranger, Champion and Stratos are out of business - but it does mean they are momentarily not allowed to spend any money buying display space at boat shows. It also precludes them from paying a dealer to represent them at the show, as is normally the case here in Toronto. Ranger and Stratos will likely be back next year once they get the legal mumbo-jumbo sorted out. Many people probably don't realize that by December 2009, almost half the people working in the North American boating industry found themselves unemployed. Last year brought record numbers of bankruptcies and factory closures across North America. If you think the auto industry has had a rough ride, that's nothing compared to what the marine guys have gone through.

If the water's still liquid, it ain't that cold!

Still nowhere near as bad as Bronte. Compared to PetroCan Park, the spot in the video looks like it has way more room to fish. Plus there's no garbage or coils of old fishing line lying around, and no half-rotten, maggot-encrusted, sliced-open chinnies to step over. Looks like the guys in the video take their salmon home to eat, so they at least value them on some level -- unlike the goons at Bronte who just slice them open and leave them flopping on the bank to rot. And as irishfield notes, everyone seems to get along and try to stay out of one another's way. Definitely not like Bronte at all. Bronte has to be the biggest toilet on the planet. Even the Dirty Burt has more going for it.

That was an entertaining game to watch. Both teams absolutely deserved to be there, but Allen didn't seem as focused as he has been in previous games. Nerves, maybe? Doesn't matter - a silver medal is nothing to sneer at, so all the kids should be very proud. And, congrats to the American team on playing another really solid game. Bill's right - next year in Buffalo will be awesome!

Traveling to Florida on business in mid-February, and have booked a day of trolling for dolphin, king mackerel and (hopefully) sailfish while I'm there. Going back to Kentucky in April for a few days of muskie, bass, stripers and crappie fishing. Traveling to Vancouver Island on business in May, and have tagged on two days to fish with a friend out there (halibut, salmon, and possibly some drop-back steelhead). I'd like to go up to the Ottawa River for catfish again in the summer. No real plans beyond that.

Biggest issue relates to image size. Lenses for a 35mm SLR are designed to cover a piece of film measuring 24mm x 36mm in size (standard 35mm negative or slide). The sensors in digital cameras are physically smaller than this, so the peripheral areas of the frame are not recorded when you take the picture - you get the center 'core' but lose the edges. The amount of loss is generally around 50 percent. In practical terms, it means you lose some wide-angle capability. If you're trying to shoot a photo in the boat, your 28mm lens no longer provides 28mm coverage, but is about equal to a 42mm lens (28mm plus 50 percent - or 14mm). If you want to take wide-angle shots in the boat, you'll need to buy a wider lens now ... something in the 16mm to 18mm range. A 16mm gives you the equivalent of 24mm, while an 18mm lens gives you about 27mm if you think in 35mm film terms. On the positive side, your telephotos change too .... that 200mm now provides about the same angle of view you would get from a 300mm lens. Your 300 is now approximately on par with a 450mm. You can buy digital SLRs with 24mm x 36mm sensors, but they're very expensive. Picture quality is better, particularly in low light. The coverage issue aside, your lenses should work just fine otherwise.

Beyond that, you may not be able to get a new policy come spring. Most insurance companies no longer offer seasonal coverage, and take a dim view of people who create their own by simply canceling their policy in late fall or early winter. In spring, they may refuse to cover your boat. Or, as GCD says, they may charge you much higher rates as a result. It's not a good idea to list the boat on a rider to your house policy, since any claims on the boat (like hitting the lower unit on a rock) will directly affect your house coverage. Keep the boat on a separate policy with full replacement-cost coverage. If you only have cash-value coverage, you will be in for a shock if you ever make a claim. Hit a rock with your lower unit and they will only cover the depreciated, pro-rated value of your old lower unit. If they figure it's worth $250, and a new one costs $2,000, then you're left on the hook for the difference. When people say they got screwed by their insurance company, this is usually why. Full replacement cost coverage only costs a microscopic amount more (like maybe five percent more), but it is worth every penny. If your boat is over 20 feet or has an engine over 50 hp, it's best if you deal with a broker that specializes in boat insurance. Robertson & Robertson (Toronto) or Northstar Marine Insurance (Barrie) are both pretty good.

I know a few people on this list as well. Considering the ridiculous hours they put in each and every week, they earn every single penny.

Survival suit would be more like it. In ice water, all a life jacket will do is make sure they find the body. Pretty dangerous to go out on the lake with no survival suits, a wonky motor, and an offshore wind. You guys are VERY lucky there was another boat out there to tow you in.

Heh ... I didn't write that press release, I just passed it along. I'm personally more fond of four-strokes. I only posted it for those who might be in the market an E-TEC.

Could be a very interesting winter if a certain rumour I heard is true.

Received this press release from BRP - anyone looking to buy an E-TEC this winter might be interested. Consumers who purchase an eligible Evinrude ETEC outboard engine of 25 horsepower and above will have the opportunity to take advantage of the ‘Get an Early Start Sales Event’ retail promotion, which runs January 1, 2010 through April 15, 2010. The sales promotion offers the consumer a five-year BRP factory-backed limited warranty (three-year factory warranty PLUS an additional two-year B.E.S.T. coverage). In addition, consumers who take delivery of an eligible engine to repower their existing boat during the promotion are qualified to receive a discount on select rigging packages (Analog, I-Command and ICON) with a retail value up to $1,100. “We understand the need to continue offering our dealers and OEMs traffic-driving programs and are meeting that need with this promotion,” stated Yves Leduc, vice president – general manager for BRP’s North American Division. “Our successful extended protection plan has proven consumers are looking for added peace of mind when buying an outboard. This promotion, along with the added incentive for repowering and the award winning Evinrude E-TEC product all deliver what consumers need and want,” Leduc concluded. The ‘Get an Early Start Sales Event’ promotion is supported by a comprehensive marketing campaign designed to boost exposure for the program. Online advertising, television and mass email campaigns are all beginning early January. Dealers are provided custom ad slicks, online banner ads and professional radio scripts to promote the program in their local markets. In-store merchandising materials are also available to authorized dealers. Evinrude engines’ reputation for dependability, quality and reliability coupled with the fact that Evinrude E-TEC is the only outboard with no dealer scheduled maintenance for three years or 300 hours makes the decision to power with Evinrude E-TEC an easy one. Having the lowest operating costs of any outboard engine means that powering with an Evinrude E-TEC can save consumers up to $1,600 per year in fuel and maintenance costs. BRP's Evinrude E-TEC engine line-up now includes 110 engine models from 25 to 300-horsepower. All engines are available at Evinrude dealerships worldwide. Visit www.evinrude.com or www.repowerwithevinrude.com for more information.

Dude, you so should have bought that red Lund in Lewiston. With the $14,000 you would have saved, you could have paid someone to go get it and deliver it right to your driveway, and still had at least $12,000 left over.

They remind me of the Jamaican Bobsled Team. So ...... any thoughts on how gar they get before they need to be rescued?

Saw this on a newswire today and just had to pass it along. There is a picture to go with the story ..... I didn't copy that, however. NAKED ROWERS DELAYED BY STORMS England may be known for its chilly winter weather, but charity rowers Rich Hume and Tom Barnes, both from London, are about to feel even colder. The pair plan to spend the winter rowing across the North Atlantic in a small boat. What’s more, they plan to do it naked. The pair are competing in something called the Woodvale Race, a famously grueling ocean challenge completed by Ben Fogle and James Cracknell in 2005. Hume, 27, and Barnes, 30, will spend more than two months at sea in a bright red row boat the size of a minivan. Named the Red Arrow, the boat offers minimal living space and no toilet, with only the ‘bucket and chuck it’ method for relieving oneself. The pair hopes to raise at least £100,000 (about $173,000 Cdn.) to fund research into the brain condition ataxia, a degenerative neurological disorder that affects walking, speech, and coordination which has left a friend of theirs in a wheelchair. Neither has ever rowed a boat for more than a few hundred yards. Hume notes “by taking on this massive challenge, we hope to raise awareness and money to help find a cure for ataxia. Crossing the Atlantic is a lifelong dream of both of ours, and we’re so pleased we can do this in aid of Ataxia UK.” But the buff-naked British boaters hit a snag before they even got out of port, as heavy storms this week - with waves in excess of 60 feet - have delayed their departure. The pair have now elected to embark just after Christmas, when sea conditions are expected to settle. Although the pair will face winter storms and possibly sharks on their two-month voyage, Barnes says his only real fear is “seeing Rich naked.” To sponsor Hume and Barnes, visit www.justgiving.com/rowingtheatlantic

While most seem to agree cougars are likely found in Ontario, no one - MNR included - seems to be able to confirm it. If the big cats are here, they are extremely few and very far between. That being the case, no one should be shooting at the damn things. Deer decline? Where? Whitetails are almost out of control in Ontario.

Beyond that Rick, our dollar is still hovering around 96 cents in spite of the Bank of Canada holding the line on interest rates (new rate announcement is coming tomorrow - just watch, the rates won't budge). Once people get their January credit card bills, the US dollar will dip and the Loonie will hit par again, probably by mid-February, right in time for the spring fishing show. That would be the time to watch for deals, especially on used boats. Things are pretty quiet for boat dealers between then and May, so many will be inclined to deal.