Gerry

I spend most of the summer on Red Cedar.....I've go a place there. There are several camping spots on the lake and a public launch 1/4 mile from Red Cedar Camp on Hwy 64. You could always launch and park your car at Red Cedar Camp or at Temagami Riverside Lodge for a small fee.

Get your steering assembly checked, could be a ball joint. I've also noticed this in my 2006 F-150, intermittently. I had a 1999 Expedition and the ball joints practically fell out at about 100k kms. Fords are notorious for weak front ends and wheel bearings. The rest of the truck is good, you just have to be aware of these weaknesses and have the truck serviced and repaired. Let us know how it goes.

Are you sure about that?

It depends on a lot of factors. First, if you're looking for a used boat then the selection is far greater in the U.S. As for prices, well you still have to be careful....if the deal seems to be too good to be true, then it probably is. I know of some who have rushed into the deal and got burned with bad motors. Second, if you're buying a new boat then there should be no difference, all dealers buy their boats from the same places and pay the same prices for them. They all have to make a profit on resale otherwise they wouldn't be/stay in business. Smart dealers don't carry a lot of inventory simply because of the fluctuating exchange rates. If buying new or used, patience is a virtue. I purchased my 2006 Ranger used from an individual in the U.S. in Nov. of 2007, when the CDN dollar had peaked at $1.10U.S.. I did good because of the exchange rate, but at $0.80 it wouldn't have been such a great deal. Bringing it across the boarder is easy but be prepared to pay both taxes at entry to Canada. And don't lie about the purchase price, getting caught could prove to be a nightmare. Carry proof as to the purchase price. i.e. the advertisement, original invoice, etc..

You had better hope and pray it isn't the ACL because if it is, it'll probably alter your life.....it did mine. Depending on your age reconstructive surgery is the only way to repair it otherwise you'll have to wear a large, metal brace most of the time....not fun. The surgery option requires extensive rehabilitation often taking up to a year. An ACL is pretty hard to tear and is usually caused by some sort of accident or while playing sports like football, soccer, skying, etc.. When an ACL tears completely you usually hear/feel a pop/snap, did you get that? Also, when it lets go the knee usually comes apart, that is, the tibia (shin bone) moves forward relative to the femur (thigh bone) followed by shearing of the cartilage and very intense pain. If not, then you probably have something else like a torn cartilage/meniscus. The best way to verify if you have a torn ACL is with an MRI and/or arthroscopic surgery (a scope). Good luck.

Nice boat, Lew.

Sure, but the guy giving you the referral might need a wee bribe!

That's for both, correct. I have a sticker on the truck and one on the trailer.

I'm now legal, got my sticker.....cost me $99.

The scope itself is not that big of a deal but get her to walk on it ASAP and get physiotherapy. I have a torn ACL (3 yrs ago) and so my problem is a bit different but I had a scope 2 years ago and getting the 2nd one soon. I was back at work in 3 days when I had the 1st one, albeit it was still tender but a week later I was pretty good. It depends how much cutting and twisting of the knee that they have to do. In my case I was on the table for quite a while because when the ACL popped it did a lot of damage to the meniscus. In my case I thought the general anesthetic was the worst. I still have to wear a huge brace because of the ACL.

Thanks Wayne. Lew, thanks for the info but I'll be staying at my brother's at West Arm or at the in-laws in Sturgeon Falls so I won't need a cottage. Of course, I might need a cab (or wheelbarrow) to get me back to my brother's place.

Wayne, it's only money!

I'm thinking of joining up with you fine folks but need to know what kind of ramp they have. Can I launch my rig there?

Wayne, My feelings exactly. The guy with the undersized tow vehicle is far more dangerous than guys like us. The problem with the way this rule is set up is that we'll be relying on the individual cop for using 'good judgement'....a highly questionable situation. So, until this law gets modified you and I will have to get the annual inspection costing probably $130+. I've booked my appointment and with my luck I'll get nailed on my way there.

It is the GVWR or the actual weight, whichever is highest: Here's an image of the actual description of the rules: I didn't know this either and I'm way over when I have the boat hooked up. Here are my GVWR numbers: Truck 7200 lbs Boat trailer 5000 lbs Total 12,200 lbs

These things are tricky to install which is why most are installed at the factory. My factory installed keel guard came apart in a few places on my previous boat and the dealer didn't want to touch it. The boat company reps happened to be in town so they did the repair....it never came loose after that.

Congratulations on the new arrival. Here's my fishing partner in action, she was born in 1980:

I've been following that story also, Lew. It brought back memories for me too when in 1994 my wife received a call from her sister in Timmins that her granddaughter was on route via air ambulance from Timmins to Sick Childrens. The 1 year old grandaughter was unconscious and there was no room for the mother or any other adult on the flight and we were the closest to Toronto. When we arrived the wee thing was clad in only a diaper, on a ventilator, in a coma, and her brain was dying. The doctors didn't know what was going on and they were doing all sorts of tests. She looked identical to my own daughter at that age (who was then 10 yrs old) and it crushed me. The grandaughter died 3 days later after a heart wrenching ordeal in assisting the parents with the decision to donate the organs. That day changed me.

Ok. You probably have a grounding issue, i.e. short. As has been suggested, try running a new wire direct from the battery and see if that eliminates the problem.

Is it just the sonar(s) or are talking about all the gauges too? Do you have the keypad type or do you have the key ignition?

Here’s my penny’s worth. Owing a truck is like everything else in life, its about compromises. The new Dodge is a very nice looking truck and I looked into getting one last fall. I really like some of the new features like the dual tips and storage lockers in the box. But, that’s where it ended for me. The new coil spring system is one design feature that I am really suspect about. Yeah, they say that rail cars have coils and so do all of the racing cars, i.e. Nascar. Well, a truck isn’t a rail car and I’m not at Daytona every day. There’s a very good reason why trucks have leaf springs, and that’s to reduce sway. And sway is very important when towing something heavy. I own a 2006 Ford F150, FX4, 5.4L. I bought it new and have about 75K kms. I’ve had no issues with it so far, and I tow the beast that you see in my sig. I do expect to run into some repairs as I get near or over the 100K mark, but based on many reliable sources, these should not be major ones.. The 5.4L isn’t as strong as the Hemi, but it’s easier on fuel. This is the compromise that I mentioned., smaller engine = less power and less fuel, bigger engine = more power and more fuel. The other issue is reliability....I believe Ford is more reliable than Dodge. Some posters have said that they have had good luck with their Dodges. My brother-in-law owns a 2003 Ram 1500 with the Hemi and he has had some major issues. Steering box early (40K), tranny, and finally the engine let go at about 140K kms among many other issues. I’ve also heard of many others complain about reliability with their Rams. If you’re the kind of guy who likes to grunt like Tim the Toolman Taylor, then by all means get the Hemi. Do expect however, that this will come at a price. There is only one situation that I wish I had more power and that is climbing the hill after getting on the 401 at Trenton. That 3 km hill while towing my heavy boat keeps my engine RPMs in the 4K range until I reach the top. Nowhere else do I need more power. So, do I accept the price on having to buy more fuel all of the time just to be able to have more power at my disposal for that 5 minute run? I think not. But I really like the looks of the new Dodge.....life’s full of compromises.

Water temp is 71 degrees as of 2 days ago....haven't checked since. OK, just checked....its 73.9 degrees at Clearwater Beach.

And so am I. I'm in Clearwater.

DO NOT buy a Magellan. I have had one sitting in basement and gathering dust for a few years. Had it replaced 4 times and still croaked after just a few outings in the boat. I'll never again touch anything with that name on it. Absolute garbage.

From someone who has had both I see no difference in quality with the universal transducer.