Dutch

Yeah, buying can be really frustrating, but when you find the "one" quite satisfying.

Just some general notes:

Don't be in a hurry, make sure you only buy what you want. Don't compromise just 'cause there's nothing else out there.

When you do find one you like - have cash in hand and be ready to buy or someone else will take it.

Spring is not a great time to buy - a lot of others are looking to buy and competition is high. Prices are higher as a result.

Always water test. Couple of guys I know bought with no test recently - they are paying for it now. Expect to pay for some minor repairs - budget for maybe $500. They are beyond that and then some.

Test ALL of the on-board systems from bow to stern. All lights, pumps, wiring etc. Everything. Again don't be in a hurry! Check it all out or you'll pay for it later (literally).

Selection in Ontario is anemic and people ask way too much. Only boat I would most likely buy is a new one in Ontario, unless I came across a killer deal (which is exceedingly rare).

It really is very easy to buy in the US, you should think about it.

Yes, you are wasting your money.

If you are using the boat more, all the better - ethanol in fuel isn't that bad, it creates issues when it sits for long periods of time.

If you are worried about separation, I found a recipe for a mercury fuel cocktail - it includes seafoam, marine stabil and mercury quicklean. Look it up.

Another thing you could do is install a fuel/water separator.

The needle jumping around means the battery is fully charged, I think. That's what happens with some other chargers I have seen.

13 amp reading on a fully charged battery is normal.

If in doubt, take to a battery shop for a load test.

This year's Chronarch is basically last years green curado for $30 more.

Looking at a reel of that vintage - I'd pay maybe $40-50 if in great condition. If new old stock a bit more.

Yes my a car allowance is a taxable benefit and I can and do write off the associated expenses but can somebody show me some documentation stating that my company paying me back money that I spent on gas to do company business is a benefit to me and therefore I should pay tax then fine, I will make sure I get my moneys worth out of this so called taxable benefit.

Guess who`s gonna be paying the gas for the Jeep and the Stratos this summer.

This is the part you need to understand:

""Automobile and motor vehicle allowances

An allowance is any payment that employees receive from an employer for using their own vehicle in connection with or in the course of their office or employment without having to account for its use. This payment is in addition to their salary or wages. An allowance is taxable unless it is based on a reasonable per-kilometre rate.

This section explains common forms of automobile and motor vehicle allowances.

Employees receiving a taxable allowance may be able to claim allowable expenses on their income tax and benefit return. See Employee’s allowable employment expenses.

Reasonable per-kilometre allowance

If you pay your employee an allowance based on a per-kilometre rate that we consider reasonable, do not deduct CPP contributions, EI premiums, or income tax.

The type of vehicle and the driving conditions usually determine whether we consider an allowance to be reasonable. The per-kilometre rates that we usually consider reasonable are the amounts prescribed in section 7306 of the Income Tax Regulations. Although these rates represent the maximum amount that you can deduct as business expenses, you can use them as a guideline to determine if the allowance paid to your employee is reasonable.

We consider an allowance to be reasonable if all the following conditions apply:

•The allowance is based only on the number of business kilometres driven in a year.

•The rate per kilometre is reasonable.

•You did not reimburse the employee for expenses related to the same use of the vehicle. This does not apply to situations where you reimburse an employee for toll or ferry charges or supplementary business insurance, if you determined the allowance without including these reimbursements.

When your employees complete their income tax and benefit return, they do not include this allowance in income.

Reasonable allowance rates

For 2011, they are:

•52¢ per kilometre for the first 5,000 kilometres driven; and

•46¢ per kilometre driven after that.

In the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut, there is an additional 4¢ per kilometre allowed for travel.

Per-kilometre allowance rates that we do not consider reasonable

If you pay your employee an allowance based on a per-kilometre rate that we do not consider reasonable because it is either too high or too low, it is a taxable benefit and has to be included in the employee’s income.

Note

If you pay your employee an allowance that is unreasonably low and your employee does not claim allowable expenses on his or her income tax and benefit return, you may not have to include it in his or her income.

Flat-rate allowance

If you pay your employee an allowance based on a flat rate that is not related to the number of kilometres driven, it is a taxable benefit and has to be included in the employee’s income.

Combination of flat-rate and reasonable per-kilometre allowances

If you pay your employee an allowance that is a combination of flat-rate and reasonable per-kilometre allowances that cover the same use for the vehicle, the total combined allowance is a taxable benefit and has to be included in the employee’s income."

============================================

You mentioned that your vehicle allowance is included in your T4, but you are reimbursed for gas? I'm assuming you aren't deducting the cost of the gas that you are reibursed for as an employment expense. Also - you are probably being re-assessed because of an audit at your employer's place of business."

The reason you are having to include the reimbursement in income is there is no way to tell how much of the gas was used for employment and how much was personal - therefore it is deemed to be an allowance not based on k.m. and that is what makes it taxable. Do you have to provide receipts for the reimbursement? If the employer is paying 100% of the gas, then why not give you a corporate purchasing card and the Co. pays it directly and cuts you out altogehter - no tax implications at all.

Best deal on the net right now:

http://www.amazonsupply.com/noco-gen3-genius-battery-charger/dp/B003JSO1X2/ref=sr_1_3?sr=1-3&qid=1317011366

Free shipping in the US, I drove across to get in Niagara Falls NY (www.cbiusa.com). Very good reviews - Bass Cat and a few other manufacturers have used NOCO chargers. I declared the charger coming back across, but did not ahve to pay the taxes - border guy must have been in a good mood. Talk to Billy Bob - maybe get it shipped to his place and go for a visit.....lol.

I have been a sales rep for more years than I care to remember anyways up until a few years ago I always had a company car and company gas cards no issues, now I recieve a car allowance and I am reimbursed for the gas I use to conduct company business thats all fine and dandy until this tax year when the nice folks at revcan decide to make the gas reinbursments I recieve from my company a taxable benefit and thus I have to pay tax on this so called benefit so for every dollar I spend on gas to do company business I recieve 65 cents back.

The way our company accountant explains this to me is revcan figures if I stop off at walmart on the way home then I should pay for this which I agree with but the 2000 dollars I get dinged in tax buys a lot of gas.

I think I am going to have to think of a creative way to get my 2 grand back!!!

 

End of rant

No need to be creative. If you are in receipt of a taxable car allowance (allowances are always taxable, a per k.m. reimbursement is usually not) you can deduct the actual costs incurred which are typically higher than the allowance.

You need to get a T2200 filled out by our employer and you also need to have an idea how many k.m were personal and how many were business related. Take your total expenses and multiply by the business use percentage, you will get the employment related expenses which you can then deduct from the income.

PS - you should talk to your employer to see if they will reimburse you at a per k.m. rate, then it is usually not taxable. You employer's accountant should have known this could happen. It is a pretty common and basic principle of income taxes. They should shoulder the blame. CRA is just holding them accountable through your reassessment.

Crappies usually pick up later in the season. Water temp needs to be in the high 50's/Low 60's before they really turn on.

Way too early to get numbers yet. You'll get scattered fish, but that's it.

With water temps int he range they are now - low 50's, they are staging in deeper water. They will start moving into the bays as they heat up quicker once the temp gets a bit higher.

Congrats.

Charge 'em up and maybe do a quick load test. They'll probably be just fine.

I find it interesting that people use braid smaller then 30lb on their baitcasters.

 

Line diameter is very important for braid on baitcasters, smaller then 30lb and the line with its smooth surface will bind down on to the spool resulting in some nasty backlashes that do not want to come out.

 

Something to consider when you spool up the baitcaster.

I find that braid binds if it doesn't go on the spool tight.

Also - if there is a difference in casting distance with different braid ratings/diameters I don't think it would be all that significant.

Tip wrap isn't the fault of the the braid - it's the user 98% of the time.

Accuracy is a lot more important than distance, especially in bass fishing. Frog fishing may need longer casts, but if you need more distance, just get a longer rod and make sure the lure rating is correct for the rod so the blank is loaded properly.

I replaced the transom in an aluminum boat I owned. Time consuming for sure, lots of satisfaction when it was done though.

Make sure you use the proper materials - marine grade plywood, stainless hardware etc.

Not sure about the Saturday, but Peterborough Bassmasters will be on Rice on the Sunday.

RIP.

Condolences.

Use the holes from the 3 vehicles that have gone through the last couple of days.

Whatever kind of grouper that is, it's a hawg.

Thanks for sharing.

Simply amazing. Thanks for sharing 'bunk.

Not sure which border crossing you use, but i have used this company many times. Very easy access and very good to deal with. Located in Niagara Falls, New York.

 

http://cbiusa.com/

 

Cheers

 

Craig

+1 for CBI. I've used them 3 times now with NO PROBLEMS whatsoever. Very easy, they take all sizes and weights. Also they have a physical address and no PO box worries. They are known by USPS, UPS and Fed Ex. and get multiple deliveries from each everyday.

Just curious what most do when buying their fishing license. Do you buy a 1yr or 3 yr and why? I buy a 1 yr license because we don't get a discount and why give the government extra money. Like most I frequent numerous shops to pick up a license at my convenience.

Last renewal I bought a 3 year for my wife and myself, that way I beat the HST ! That was the only reason, figured it was the easiest and only legal way to cheat the government out of some tax money...even if only for a few bucks.

Do you guys cheat on your taxes as well?

Some information for you - license money is the only funds in the MNR budget that goes directly to fund Ontario Sportfishing Enforcement and protection. So, it's not extra money, or cheating them from money, it is taking away from the resource we all love and cherish. I always buy a sport fishing license and always have, since I turned 18 and needed to buy a license. I always try to buy 3 years at a time, just to avoid the hassle of renewing. Since I now fish with a BASS club and have done a couple of tourneys over the past couple of years I have needed the sport license, but before that time, a conservation license would have sufficed. I bought the more expensive license because I have always known that money goes directly back to fishing, unlike some other fees that the government charges.

I dislike the conservation license aspect of Ontario legislation. It makes no sense, there is no less work that has to be done depending on how many fish you want to keep.

I encourage those that can choose betwen a conservation license and sport license to buy the latter - the money goes directly back into our passion.

Problem with Boattrader is that 90% of them are dealers.. You aren't going to save $$$ that way. Private sale is the way to go.

I got my boat through a dealer as well, better deal than any of the used boat sites as well. Just need to be ready to commit to the right deal.

Second vote for boat trader online.

Walleye Central has a lot of boats, but many of them are very overpriced. The ones that aren't go VERY fast, so keep your eyes peeled and be ready to buy if a deal shows itself.

If you are looking for a bass boat - bass boat central is a place to check out.

Sorry to hear Stoty.

I was in at Sail today for the first time, I liked it and so did my wife surprisingly.

I only picked up a pack of Trokar hooks ($8 vs. $12 at BPS), I would probably go again when I am in the neighbourhood.

The customer service seemed reasonable, I was asked by at least 2 people in the fishing section and one in hunting if they could help me out. Much better than most other places.

Opportunity for you Stoty, good luck with your search.

I've fished the Mayan in December. I am very lucky that the resort we go to has a lagoon directly to the south that has about 2 k.m. on essentially undeveloped shoreline fronting iron shore and small reefs. No need to worry about other guests swimming. Depending on your resort and the available beach where there aren't people hopefully you can find someplace to fish from shore.

I saw some people fishing from hobie cats as weel, to get out away from the crowds.

Be warned - it is usually VERY windy this time of year with almost constant winds from the sea. Honestly, I don't see much point in having the fly rods unless you are going to do a guided trip, even then, you'd have to go up closer to Cancun and fish the lagoon to get out of the wind. I'd suggest trying to arrange that ahead of time, if you can't just take a medium or MH spinning outfit with some hooks and different sizes of weights. Wash your gear in non-salt water at the end of every day.

As for Charters. I'm not surprised someone here has mentioned Rick's. It is probably one of the most well known charters. Even those that have never fished with Rick's reccomend them as they probably know or have heard of someone that has fished with them before. I don't reccomend them - too commercial, not enough rod time.

I reccommend going to Akumal Beach and asking at one of the co-operative fishing huts. Real mexican captains that will give you a realistic introduction and experience with deep sea fishing. You'll most likely have to do deep sea fishing due to the wind, but if you get a calm day, they may take you jigging off a part of the reef somewhere.

Another tip - use google earth to check out the shoreline near your resort. It may tell you if there is a sheltered bay or lagoon somehwere that you could exploit for some great fishing.

The time of year you will be there is not high season for fishing, that's in the spring. For deep sea you are probably most likely looking at 'cuda or maybe dorado. From shore probably looking at snapper and smaller reef-type fish, like our pan fish.

I used shrimp from the buffet, but it doesn't stay on the hook well. Calamari works better as it is more dense and stays on the hook better. When I caught a small panfish, I used a small swiss army knife I took in my checked baggage to cut it up for bait. This was by far the best bait. Get more than a couple of casts with it, especially with the skin on. Use the shrimp/calimari to chum with after you get a panfish or two it greatly helps the numbers of fish.

There is a mayan forum called loco gringo that you may be able to get help with tips about your actual resort, but a word of caution MANY, MANY will say there is no fishing from the beach, which couldn't be further from the truth (for most resorts). Most are vacationers that dissapprove of fishing from the beach, but there should be some truth tellers that may be able to help you.

That sounds more reasonable for what you want to do with it.

At 1500, I would stick to my original comments.

If you are looking for a family boat, you may want to consider a glass boat over aluminum. The ride is considerably better IMO.

I too would reccomend staying away from Tracker boats, although I don't think they are as bad as they are made out to be. I truly believe the result of much of the cracked welds are due to power loading the boat on a trailer, which is specifically advised against by the manufacturer. Those boats are not meant to be power loaded on a trailer.