Stef

I had a very enlightening conversation with a "full timer", who sold his house and went all in to the lifestyle, in a pool in Florida a few years ago. In short, he stated full timing was absolutely wonderful; when he started. Saw new places, new friends and was great for about 10 yrs. Then his wife got sick and there was no stability during hospital stays, old friends were now different after he had been away for so long. The motorhome had depreciated to almost nothing and cost a lot to keep up at that age and the money he got for his house was pretty much gone. Neither of them felt much like travelling anymore. Anyway, not to be a downer but just some things to keep in mind while deciding...

The West Arm will be somewhat different than West Bay for fishing simply because the water is generally deeper here. I'm a walleye fisherman and don't target Musky but I used to in the 70's and early 80's in Georgian Bay, Ottawa River and the French. My Muskie tackle and some baits reflect that period and it was trolling mostly as we didn't have the reels of today for casting. Still, I get a lot of incidental fish when I go for pike or have pickerel chewed up pretty bad trying to get them away from a hungry Musky. The Top 50 pike tournament is tomorrow here and I'm in it, checked out some spots yesterday and formulated my attack plan, seem to get a Musky every second year or so during the tournament and am not happy when it happens because getting them in and released uses up time...

Muskies are still here and hungry, try rock structures and lots of shoals out there....

I live on the West Arm. As mentioned, water is on the high side for this time of year, weeds are down from normal and a bit lower than last year, which means basically no weeds yet but they should be started by the time you arrive...

Yeah... motor mount to position the cavitation plate not being correct sure fits the symptoms being described to a tee. Prop pitch changes are a fine tune item about 200-300 RPM per inch of pitch change so not likely. Also, I had one coil pack go out so it was running on 3 cylinders on mine, same symptoms but running a bit rough which the OP might not detect as he has not had any experience with the motor running properly yet. It will start and run on three cylinders with no problems...

Check the height of the motor on the transom. Many so called marinas just drop the motor onto the transom until it rests on the bracket and bolt it up. Properly, the motor should be mounted so that the cavitation plate is at the bottom edge of the stern or so. Most installs mean your bracket is not touching the edge of the motor well but sits 1-2 inches above. If you can fit some fingers under there you're probably good to go, if not lift the motor and re-bolt in some of the other holes...

OK I'm not a big poster, but I see some people on here are frustrated at not being able to stop smoking. I'll get to the point... if you started smoking with the thought that you would quite some day and think maybe that day is near, read a book first. Don't use willpower alone, nicotine gum or patches or other drugs. Just read a book. Continue to smoke while you read it, but do read it to the end before you put out that last smoke. No big health scares, etc. but you will want to stop and will be able to stop relatively easily when its done. I know, I didn't believe it either when I heard it and thought what a load of ... I've seen it work with me and three others I have provided the book to... they all agree they can't believe it. The books name is "Stop smoking the easy way" by Allan Carr. Goggle it if you want, It'll cost you about $30 at Chapters... don't try to figure it out, just do it. If you have already quit and find the going tough, get the book, you'll have a completely different outlook that will make things so much easier (but don't start smoking again while you read it LOL). Don't say Bull... just do it!

Added my name to the sign up list Joey...

OK Joey... saw your request on the other post RE: needing 4 more, put me down for a team,,,

The nets were cut. I feel a lot better with natives farming commercial fish than I do with gill netting wild ones. Its a sustainable fishery, cutting the traps is a criminal act. There are some natural occurring releases from wind damage, etc. and the stock does get mixed up anyway...

I will add a few personnal observations from living on the West Arm for the last 13 years, a relatively short time perhaps but I have noticed changes. This area has seen a collapse of Whitefish and now Cisco. When I first moved here Whitefish were caught in the winter in very small mumbers, all very large ie. 7lbs+ and old. Over the past 5-6 years I have not seen or heard of any caught. Discussions with longer term residents indicated Whitefish of all sizes were plentiful 20+ years ago. Ciscos used to be everywhere and easily caught in great numbers. Even caught them incidentally in the summer. The past 3-4 years the catch has decreased to practically none. Older residences can relate the decline from years ago and it has accelerated. These are cold water fish, not netted in this vicinity and other than some limited winter activity not targetted by anglers, certainly not enough to cover the rapid decline. Coincidentally, the winter temperatures have dropped each year I have been here and precipitation ie. snow also declining to the point where it is difficult to maintain snowmobiling as a viable sport. Water temps in the summer also seem higher although I haven't kept track of this and its anecdotal. It seems that the west side of the lake is in a state of very rapid change. Just some observations.........

I've owned aluminium tillers, dual console and side console boats. My last two have been side console 16-17' range. I fish primarily by myself and like to drift with jigs so that has a lot to do with my choice. Tiller is nice to fish from, clear unobstructed swing of the rod, only need one fishfinder which is mounted close, fast ans easy engine control. Negative - Almost all the weight is in the back and only select boats move the gas tank to mid-hull for more even distribution. Dual console gives good wind protection and usually has a top for travelling in the rain. Good overall balance. Negative - less open space in 16-17' models and leaves a quarter of the boat to fish out of, needed second fishfinder rear mounted and the top was always in the way, even folded and not in use. Take the top off and then why bother with a dual console. Side console gives some wind protection, you get wet in the rain, still need a second finder at the rear but fishes well with a full 180 degree plus arc and has similar good balance of the dual console.

If you're short I'll give it a go, added my name to the roster page......

I have an Abu Revo Premier purchased the first year they came out, it was the top of the line for Abu/Revo then. Light weight, low profile, very smooth and no problems. Its the best of the five or so baitcasters I own. As to whether you'll catch more fish with a quality reel, probably not. But, if you enjoy fishing and CAN AFFORD IT, you'll gain your moneys worth in pleasure casting a high end reel (of whatever make turns you on) and won't be sorry to have spent the extra....

I've got a 16' Fish Hawk with the 60HP 4-stroke. Its my second one, use mine a lot as I live on the lake and am retired. like to trade every 4-5 years. As I mentioned, its my second one, so I must like it. If you have a choice, check out the Northern Package vinyl floor as mentioned previously, easy to keep clean and durable.

I have fished a lot on the beaches in the area and in Choctawhatchee Bay on the rocks off of the Hwy 331 causeway. Used to stay at the bungalows at Topsail until they put the prices through the roof, usually for the month of April give or take a week or so either side. Off the beach catch Pompano, Whiting, Redfish, Flounder (all good eating) and Cravelle Jacks, Lady Fish, etc. (not good eating). Also some Mackeral, Cobia and others available. Easiest way is to use a long rod, sand spike rod holder and a "Pompano rig" with sandfleas as bait. Pompano rig is three hooks snelled to a main line, add a 4-5 oz pyramid sinker which digs into the sand on bottom and keep a tight line over the tops of the waves coming in (hence the long rod). Some use a float rig made up of a balloon, heavy weight and a shrimp for bait, let the wind and waves carry the bait out further than a cast. Most days I would walk the beach with an 8'6" steelhead rod and 4000 size Sedona with 40lb braid and a 1-2 oz feather jig and sight fish to schools or on openings in the sandbar. Same things on the Bay but not as nice scenery and difficult to walk the rocks, pull the car over to the side and get out a lawn chair or cast. Some tips: Get a book to help identify saltwater fish. There is a Bass Pro in Destin and the Walmarts in the area usually have knowledgable retired guys working sporting goods. Walk the beach once and talk to the guys fishing, they will almost always be happy to explain techniques, help identify fish, etc. Saltwater kills tackle, rinse in fresh water after use and don't use expensive stuff. Non-residents need a licence to fish off the beach in Florida, not so on the piers. There are sharks along that stretch, lots of them, shallower than you'll ever imagine and you don't swim before 9 or after 5. Swimmers (note the plural) are hit every year and its not discussed much because its bad for tourism, its a migration route and the deep water is very close to shore. Don't fight fish standing in water deeper than your knees and back out as you get them closer to you. Wear Polaroids and if you get a chance take a walk along the shore as the sun goes down, you'll see them... If you want to throw a jig, its usually the longest cast you can make plus about 10-15' further that you will see the schools (wade a bit, heavier jig and just frustrating to see your lure hit the water short). Look for light grey areas in the clear water moving along the bottom, again Polaroids and hat to shade eyes. You'll also see easily spotted black fish shapes moving quickly if you can get a cast in front of them and Cobias look like small 4-6' sharks. Ladyfish are a blast to catch but full of bones. Salt water fish are hard fighters and if you get into them you will eventually be to tired to cast anymore, but what a way to go. If you get bit off have a steel leader and re-tie with that, some of these guys have teeth and there're usually big. You'll have a ball...........

Nice shots Dave. If you haven't checked it out yet, have a look at Picasa from Goggle, a free download program that will allow simple yet very handy post processing until you get something better. It is fairly easy to use and is an excellent picture database to keep you organized, well worth the time and a lot of fun to use....

A 75 Merc is a larger block size than a 60 and weighs a lot more but the added width of the boat makes carrying it level better. Some things I would check are location of gas tank, weight of fuel affects the balance, like one running up the centre or near front better than across the back. Aluminum thickness, PrinceCraft may be built as a price leader. Quality of trailer, even if used just for storage. You may get some "extras" with the used boat ie; sonar, extra prop, anchor, bumpers, etc. New boat "bugs" have been worked out already on the old boat, is the PrinceCraft dealer close if you have to haul out and make the trip. Is there similar instrumentation and I assume both have power trim/tilt. Lots of fun...

I've owned both Smoker and Crestliner hulls over my life, my last 2 boats have both been Crestliner and both with the 60hp 4-stroke. I don't think there is a lot of difference in quality in either, they are both good. Consider the width of the boat, wider at the transom will support the weight of a 4-stroke better (even though the 60 is pretty light as far as it goes) and get on plane quickly and a reverse chine is a benefit that will give a nice dry ride. I'd look for this over rivet/weld differences, both boats are probably lifetime hull warranty anyway. Motor condition may be a factor, engine hours are maintained by the engine and can be read by a dealer. Prop/skeg condition may be telling. If they both come out equal, what colour do you like better?

If you look at the blades on most augers you'll find they are produced or similar to the Normark/Mora blades you can get at Canadian Tire. I somewhat doubt that each company make their own and would outsource to the swedish manufacturer. Take your blades in and compare them to the packaged ones in the store and I think you will find the bolt holes and angles line up. The pictured ones look like the manual auger blades, power curve blades have the slots in them and the flat blades are a different shape altogether. My Strikemaster and my "Eskimo" both use these blades and also the spiral shafts by the same manufacturer. Jiffy augers run in the reverse direction to these due to the gearbox and I have no experience with them but may also be similar. Worth a look see..............

Don't forget to call MNR, register it and get your # for the outside....

Moosebunk... well written, honest and I think the best summary of the situation I have read. Applies to the whole social assistance "welfare" dilema, not just to Attawapiskat or Kash. I don't have to go to James Bay, I just look in my own neighborhood. We have non First Nation homes and families here in similar situations. I think there isn't a person on this site who wouldn't put out their hand to help out someone who's fallen on hard times and give them a lift back up... and do so happily with great self satisfaction. But I also think there isn't a person on here who feels they must hold on to that hand forever, to the end of this generation and then unto the next as the children emulate the circumstances and conditions they have grown up in. Dependancy isn't a natural human trait except for a baby, its a learned thing Its a question of whether to give a person a fish or teach them how to fish, building "self worth" as you mentioned (the individuals themselves) and changing the infrastructure (the governing bodies) to allow people the time and environment as well as the encouragement, opportunity and need/reward of making that change. To fix the James Bay situations you have to fix that whole other question as well... a long process. What to do for people in immediate need is more pressing.

Another link (video report) with a point of view... lays much of the blame on the locals and wonders where Charlie Angus was over the past seven years he has been the member there. http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/1305119208001#.TthH0YE5rm0.email An interesting discussion, I see a lot of validity in what Moosebunk has to say.....

Make sure it's not wider than the plow. Also, will mean you will have to wait to get it out until the ice is strong enough for a truck, or catch it when the snow is down..... Lots of the big huts here have removable skids, fairly deep, jack the hut up, pull out sled component and then lower hut to blocks.

Thats going to be a big, heavy but comfortable hut. Consider (if I guess your plans right) that you can traverse about 6" of snow before you start plowing in front of your hut when towing.....