porkpie

I’ve used Navionics for many years. It’s was decent to start and I find them pretty good in Ontario waters these days. Occasionally they are way off but for me that’s been the exception not the rule. No experience with the other one.

Considering plastics cost a couple hundred for a front or rear, I'm not surprised. Last time I was looking for plastic parts for my Yammy due to an unfortunate incident it was either dealer or ebay. You can call Royal, but I want to guess they don't stock plastics or lights. Given how popular that Grizzlys are they probably have some aftermarket stuff on ebay.

I had a 1997 Chevy 1500 that gave me good service and is one of my favourite body styles and drives of any 4x4 truck I’ve ever been in. I had 11 good years out of my 2010 F150 that replaced the Chevy and I had very few issues. So either way I really couldn’t say one was better or worse than the other. Both where gassers. I can’t speak much to the diesels but a buddy of mine did have a Ford 6 litre diesel circa 2006 that ate a couple of head gaskets and gave him some trouble. He plowed with it and used it as a work truck though so it didn’t lead an easy life. I thought I’d try the dodge this time and see what happens.

Jam cardboard under the baseboard. Works like a hot damn over carpet. Pretty much impossible over anything else but carpet has enough give.

When you order through bass pro or cabelas they include everything. I haven’t ordered from the US in over a year, but I have had many orders from both over the years and never once been hit with extra duties. Other retailers not so much but BPS and Cabelas have it figured out.

To close this out, I have a 21 1500 classic Hemi Warlock in the driveway. I like it quite a bit, although to get one in stock I had to get quite a few more options than I ever would have, it sure is nice having heated seats and auto start though. So more stuff to break. It was a sad day leaving the old F150 on the lot. It was a good truck. I couldn’t quite sell myself on the V6 although I nearly pulled the trigger on one with 3.55 gearing. Here’s hoping it does well. If it’s in the shop much during warranty I’ll be moving it along no doubt.

Yeah I just have a portable speaker. My radio is cooked in the boat.

This is the safe approach. I’ve been at news events and when I’ve read the reporting afterward it was laughable. There is no credible media these days. No matter what side of the table you sit on.

Well that’s no good!

Plenty crappie in the channels on shrewsbury side, at least there used to be.

Your 1996 merc 40hp block was likely made by Yamaha. My old 1996 30hp mariner block was a yamaha. It’s still running on my buddy’s (my old) Lund SSV 16. That said count me as unhappy once with Yamaha. I bought brand new 2 stroke 20hp off the dealer that wouldn’t run in the cold, or it would run terribly and take 100 pulls to start, this was for a duck boat lol. Yamaha Canada warranty was a joke, and they told me they weren’t meant for colder temps (head office, true story). I sold it in the summer to a dude who just wanted it for the cottage. Ran great when warm out. Anyway anything else I’ve owned by Yamaha has been great. Mind you my Suzuki DF140 started with one turn of the key this morning and it’s sat since deer season. No complaints with the zuke so far!

Yeah the eco booms have been nothing but trouble for a couple friends that had them, and we had them in explorers at work and they went down often enough there too. I’m still rocking the old 4.6 and it’s been a great combo. Not tons of power but it’s been a reliable ride and tows anything I want to perfectly. My buddy is on his second Coyote powered ford and hasn’t had any issues. I’m surprised to hear that guys have had trouble but I guess anyone can make a lemon. I always thought Ford was pretty good with 5.0’s.

No doubt some of it is Corona related. I’m pretty sure that some people that have recently been trying trucks and minivans on the ice are probably really new to ice fishing. Perhaps it’s even a new hobby this year for something to do. I’ve been on the ice on a quad in plus temperatures many times and even gotten my boots wet getting off the ice on a bike on more than one occasion. But I’ve been doing it a long time as have many here. Knowing what I saw Ice wise from the start of this season until now, there’s no way many of us would’ve been caught out there in full size vehicles. However if it was your first rodeo, and you read ice charts that show vehicles OK on a foot of ice, but don’t know the difference between a foot of crap Ice vs good ice and the effects of runoff etc I guess I can see it happening. You would think at some point a warning bell would go off in the brain, but I have seen many examples of people absent that bell.

The tin boat is launching Monday morning! I’ll be removing the tarp from my flip over and drying out the pop up on Sunday. My most abysmal ice season in 30 years is officially over. I am astounded that guys where trying trucks on the ice over the last few days. While I feel for them, I can’t help but think there was some colossal misjudgment.

That’s a bit too flashy for me brother lol.

Thanks all for the input good or bad. I’ve been pretty happy with my ford but just want something different. I think I’m looking more towards the hemi in the warlock trim at this point.

The old saying “buy it cheap and stack it deep” doesn’t just apply to ammunition. There is a reason I have pegboard on the walls of my shop. I haven’t had to buy anything other than fish hooks a few bags of lead and spawn mesh fora long time. If I see a deal on something I regularly y use, I buy as much as I can reasonably afford.

LOL alright pal deal!!

It's a great upgrade and super easy to do! Enjoy.

The reason I'm asking for real world examples is because rated towing capacity from the manufacturer seldom lives up to expectations. And while weight wise my boat is no issue, that sucker has high sides and a big profile so it's a real kite. Anyway, thanks all for the input. By the sounds of it shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks fellas, I’m not worried too much about mileage while towIng. It’s all the rest of the driving where it matters. I’m just concerned that it will pull the weight without issue.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm kicking around the idea of a Ram truck... I've been a Ford guy for the last 11 years, and before that had a Chevy. Neither have owed me anything. Is anyone here towing with the 3.6L pentastar V6? I'm pulling 3500lbs fully loaded with gear and gas. I will never pull more than that unless it's a one off, and I won't be getting 2 footitis any time soon as this boat is as big as I'll ever need. My starcraft is a bit of a kite with high sides, but the 4.6L I'm currently pulling with has always been plenty. It looks like the Pentastar makes more HP and just slightly less torque than my current engine. The furthest I'll tow the big boat is to North Bay on a semi regular basis, but I'm planning to leave my tin boat up there this summer so I won't pull my big boat up all the time. Otherwise I travel weekly to lake Erie or Ontario which can be up to a solid 2 hour run for me. I'm also looking at the Ford 3.3. I won't buy an ecoboom as we had a bunch of failures in the vehicles at work so that's out entirely. When I'm not towing it's a daily driver with a 20 minute commute, and the most I'll haul otherwise is an ATV in the back or a double sled trailer from time to time. I'm questioning the need for a V8 with the tech that's available. Anyway, thoughts on those who've towed with the current generation V6's are appreciated. Input from mechanics on these engines and drivelines also appreciated. I think this is fishing related as my primary concern is towing my fishing boat!

I did vinyl plank throughout the entire top floor of my house, excluding bedrooms. There is no way I'd do a staircase. I didn't find it the most forgiving stuff. It is easy to cut however but overall I don't think I'd do it again. Laminate is easier to deal with. Frankly I'd never have anything but carpet on a staircase. It only takes one mother in law slipping and breaking an ankle to convince you to never have a hardwood or non carpeted staircase. Ask me how I know!

I sincerely hope your able to make your trip. Just as we'd like to make the fall steelhead seasons south of the border! Not all Canadians see this the same way.

My last trip took a skunking. Had to happen. Plagued with snowmachine issues this season. One issue after another. As for lockdowns. Well, for all I know I could be dead next year for some reason or another. Life is short and unpredictable. I’m living today. Your mileage may vary.