Raycaster

From what I have seen from other older boats is that the Expanding foam Injected eventually will become saturated if soaked for a long time. I am not 100% sure on my boat frame but most are sectioned off for strength underneath. This is all speculation as I have not seen any build pics or info. I may take a peak in the winter as shifting everything in the boat to the left side still doesn’t level the boat even with a full live well, 2 27 batteries and 80 minn Kota on the left side. I do realize the boat is shallow so even if the foam is soaked on the right side it shouldn’t be a huge weight but given there is only one console and starboard has a wider gunwale the boat would have a natural starboard tilt especially with a 200lb driver. If bored I may cut a bit in the winter for a peek. Secondly patching the front right hole inside would be reassuring for the next year.

Thank you for all the replies. I generally have been going out at 7am on non-wind days. i have tried spoon, flies and meat. I think the fish hawk will zero in on the depths with dipseys. if I get the downrigger set I can stack 2 on that by myself. I have been reading all the updates on spoonpullers also. I will next time get out at 5am with a heavy weight and try to respool some rods. I have been targeting with the bait fish but those HUGE marks at 75 or deeper are very tempting!

I finally have a boat to take on Lake Ontario on nice days so being 20 minutes from launch I'm dreaming! I am usually a pike/bass/wally guy so fishing in 120fow has been a eye opener for sure. After watching 100 hours of salmon/trout trolling on Lake Ontario I'm still 0-4 on trips so far. I have my eye on a Fish Hawk TD because I have no real idea how deep the dispys are running and water temperature would be nice. I have a few line counter rods with 20-40lb mono that I'm not even sure would set the dispys off. My downrigger weight is too light (3-5lbs?) so I just can't setup properly. At 2.4mph I can't see the ball on sonar as it drags way back because its too light. I have 3 questions to ask the pros. 1) Do most people go wire with dipsys and does it make a big difference? 2) I have 3 dipsy "0" ( 1 with a ring) and have them out around 125ft - 175ft with a flasher and spoon etc. but not sure how deep they are running. I think the fish hawk would let me fine tune and figure out proper line lengths. 3) I have been setting up above the thermocline but when I see a few BIG arcs at 75ft down should I target that? I see lots of bait and small arcs above the thermo but nothing huge. Sorry to throw everything up at once, just hoping to have some success. thx ahead.

Just bought a "new to me" boat and the first thing I did: 90 minutes ($125 in parts): Changed Oil and Oil Filter (4 Stroke) Changed Fuel filter Changed lower gear oil Changed Plugs Took Prop off and on to check for fishing line or junk. Testing the engine saw the water pressure ok so I will put impeller job off till Fall. I am NOT a professional (as shown on this board frequently) but they were all common sense jobs with a hint or 2 from Youtube.

Anyone seen these kits available in Hamilton area? BassPro in Barrie has limited stock but unable to track down any in my area. The fun of getting a used boat is finding the first hole in the hull right underneath the life jacket storage cubby. Open it up to find the self inflated jacket the other day! (At least I know it works). The last time I bought a kit I found 1 at the CT in Brantford. Installed great but realized the expiry date WAY old. Could order online but trying to save shipping.

Trim motor up, of course! Will watch water pressure for sure Thank you. You guys are awesome.

Terry you are probably 100% right. When I got it I replaced plugs, oil, oil filter, lower gear oil and fuel filter. Haven't done impeller but its on my list. A tech tuneup in the fall is probably a great idea. I still never resolved the disconnected 2 wires but that's a different thread and that tech tuneup would fix that too. BTW, Its a 2004 Mercury 25hp 4 Stroke Big Foot. I only have had a 1982 Yamaha 30hp 2 Stroke to compare.

The 27s are 2016 and I think 90 minutes is about right as its probably pulling close to 50Amps at 8 or 9. On can go a whole week on Balsam just holding position etc. but keeping between 2.2 and 3mph on Lake Ontario does pull some juice. I find my 25hp struggles to stay under 3mph but I'm just still learning the ins and outs of the boat. Actual used a drift sock last time out to slow down.

I'm getting 22mph max on calm water, 20 with a passenger. Compared with my old pontoon with a 30hp I am lightning fast now! The boat has a Canadian rating of 40hp max and US 50hp max. I may grumble later but coming from a old pontoon boat I'm happy with the speed. I may get 2 more batteries for the trolling motor as the 80 Minn Kota lasts about 90mins at 2.2-2.4mph for trolling on Lake Ontario. There is a battery tray between the 2 middle storage (under pedestal support) so maybe 1 there and 1 to the left side of the front middle storage.

MisFish I totally agree that I have no idea how long that hole has been there. The previous owner warned me that it had a tilt but its still 50/50 if he knew about the damage. A more diligent buyer would of seen that but its a lesson learned and no use dwelling on it. Cast-Away thanks for the heads up. The floor and console look removable easily enough if it gets worse or I get bored. I'm heading to Balsam for a week in August with the boat in the water for a week. That will help the decision also as sitting in the water may highlight any other problem or if my patch was unsuccessful. The front right storage is directly above the patch so I would be able to get at the area (cut square patch out) and remove insulation from that pocket and patch from inside. I will keep an eye on it, drive with a full livewell and switch trolling motor side. I think Lew's suggestion that there really isn't a ton of foam down there to cause a massive weight shift and Leaf4 noting that this lean may be design related and normal will slow down my attack mode of pulling the boat apart asap and I will wait and see. The Balsam trip may provide some answers. Thanks to everyone for the input.

No it does not level out unless an adult sit front port side. Moving battery to port side really isn't an option as the gas tank sit back port side. Would love to move main battery to front storage but wiring might be prohibitive. I probably will move trolling motor to left but probably not a huge change as the head balances it out.

Thank you for replies guys. OK, I won't tackle that right away and will see if the "fix" settles things. Yes, I should of mentioned the XCite 164 is not a Deep V boat so not much depth under floor for sure. Also didn't mention I usually have livewell empty (port side) which would add weight also for balance. The Legend does look like the floor is removable as the center metal panel is accessible. I could remove that but boat lower frame may block off from each side probably. I could easily just cut a nice square patch out of the front starboard storage floor to look below, its directly above fixed leak. Big thanks to members here as hearing someone with comparable situations or experience can REALLY calm a "New to Me" boat owner.

I ended up with a used 2003 Legend Xcite 164 (16ft Aluminum) this summer and fairly happy. Of course with all used boats there are expected problems and mine is that the boat leans to starboard pretty good. I have 2 trolling batteries (27s) in the front left and try to pile everything to counter the lean but its still prominent. Nothing looked out of whack on the boat or hull and beside my 200lb I could never figure out the tilt. Well, I may have found it. I usually try to balance the boat and even sit on the edge of the seat to flatten out boat but flying out the other day I just put up with the lean and flew out towards the skyway. Half way there I noticed I was taking on an unusual amount of water. Long story short, went home , filled boat with some water to test and notice a slight leak along a bend in the front starboard side.Repaired with Marine JBWeld (I know not permanent) but looks decent. Okay, story getting long... My main reason to post this is does anyone support my reasoning that due to this gash the foam has become waterlogged on the starboard side causing the tilt? I've heard waterlogged foam can add 100 or 200lbs easily. Nothing else with the boat structure looks like it would cause the tilt so this may be it? Now the million dollar question... Has anyone dismantled a 2003 16' legend to get at the foam? The one thing that I really liked about the boat is the floor is screwed in (very few rivets) and all metal besides tops. It looks like I can be done over the winter but having someone that has done this already would give me some confidence it can be done. The boat is bone dry right now in the driveway but I think 90% of all articles I have read say only ripping it out will fix it and 1000 fans won't do it.

Just looking for a easy launch to get on Lake O for some trolling. Could launch from Hamilton Bayfront but my boats not the quickest and paying boat ramp fees is probably worth it. I saw Fifty Point mentioned but bad reviews? ($$$). I have launched from under the skyway before with friends in past years. I’d rather stay on the Hamilton side instead of Burlington. Only have a 16ft so have to pick the days with the weather network. Going out next week with daughter and gladly will accept any hints for trolling success. Grabbed a salmon last week in 100ft of water off Fifty Point last week with a friend. Thx ahead.

I inquired at the plastic place downtown Hamilton and waiting for the email reply. I think a 45” x 20” piece should be ok. Did up a quick design and looks not too hard. Will probably round some corners too.

Isn't there a wrecking yard between Hamilton and Port Dover filled with some boats?

Actually took out yesterday on choppy Hamilton Bay. Over 20mph quickly with 2 people total. Not sure if windshield would of prevented me from getting soaked but would look better for sure. On a side note and not on topic, the 16ft Legend leans heavy to the right. I know a 200lb. driver doesn’t help but the other person 150lb. sat on left side. Also had 2 heavy trolling motor batteries in front left side. There is a empty live well on left side might level boat a bit. Will have to research more, will be looking for comparable boat during summer to ask Owner questions.

Just purchased a used 2003ish Legend Xcite 164 and wondering about replacing the console windshield that is missing. As usual, the funds are pretty low so looking for as economical choice as possible. I’m wondering if a DIY plexiglass heatgun project would do it? I love DIY but if it’s going to look sketchy than not a option. Custom windshield online sound scary $$$ so any suggestions are welcome. Maybe scouring boat graveyards might be an option.

This thread can be closed - SOLD on kijiji and installed my old Raymarine Dragonfly. The DragonFly is fine and shows pretty good structure etc. just BRUTAL slow maps. Zoom in on map .... 30 - 45 seconds, and Navionics wants the chip updated but it just works.

Thx Garnet, no go. Have tried everything.If times were different I’d drive to Basspro to see if they could connect to check but new display models probably don’t use these connectors and I’d understand them not wanting to touch outside units. Stupid thing is they are old but within reason I’d pay to repaired but that isn’t even an option. Maybe just sell the transducers etc. Separately and put towards new unit...

Just off the line from support (Navico). Basically 2 yr warranty, rebates on replacements next 3 yrs. They were courteous but in the end said: Too Old, No repair options, Zero rebates, you are SOL.

I will give them a a call tomorrow but I’m already thinking that the whole setup may just be thrown on Kijiji. Not sure what the 3 units are worth non-working but being offered 20% off new units by Lowrance still is way out of my budget right now.

Read a few threads on other forums that basically said that Lowrance rarely repairs items and either replaces or offers rebates on newer equipment. This may be a myth as details were sketchy at best. hmmm. Will call Lowrance support tomorrow and see if what options are available.

Ok, spent way too much time with these. If there is someone in the Hamilton area that has time to look at them pm me and $$$. They are over 5 years old so not worth sending to LOWRANCE. I think the HDS5 is fine but button contacts probably corroded inside and need cleaning. The HDS7 looks brand new but will not turn on at all. The StructureScan HD module has shown life, probably ok.

Thanks Garnet there is actually a yellow wire un-used right now. I connected the red and black but left yellow. Maybe its a hi/low signal if boat key is on? Will look into it. 5 mins later... Quick google confirms the yellow is a signal switch, now to figure that out...