I just bought my first boat

[bass buster]

Re: I just bought my first boat

I had my maiden voyage yesterday, and I'm happy to say, that it went pretty well. My first time with my first boat!

We caught fish, and the motor ran very well, very dependable so far. We cruised for about 45 minutes, and the Merc was running good.

I handled things well while launching and loading at the ramp. I was a bit nervous about this, but I had a little experience with this some years ago, and it just sort of came back to me. Yes, it was kind of busy too, being a Sunday and very nice weather here. I don't think I made anyone mad, even though I'm a rookie.

I learned a lot about what NOT to do at the ramps, from this forum. I've also learned a lot about boating in general, thanks to all of you! I still have much to learn though!

One mistake I did make though, was forgetting to raise the trolling motor, while cruising WOT with the outboard! Nearly lost my brand new trolling motor to the lake! :redface:



Thanks again everyone for the great info here!
Happy and Safe boating to you all!

 

[Plainsman]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Glad to hear you had a fun and safe outing!

 

[bass buster]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Thanks Plainsman!

I thought i'd try to post a pic of my rig. It's nothing fancy, but it's in pretty good condition, and is set up nicely for fishing

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: I just bought my first boat

That's a clean looking little rig; should provide many hours of good times on the water!!!!​

 

[aspeck]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Looks like a lot of fun there! Just try to stay out of the poor house. And the idea about taking the old man out fishing sounds great! I bet you will have a new fishing partner ... and you will learn a lot from him. Let us know about the trip, and congrats on a new obsession.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Thanks Plainsman!

I thought i'd try to post a pic of my rig. It's nothing fancy, but it's in pretty good condition, and is set up nicely for fishing

Wow! That looks very similar to me own SeaNymph 14 footer.

We bought ours, (it used to be my Dad's boat) new in 1985. It was the "heavy duty" thicker gage aluminum with high gunnels (like yours also looks to be in the pic). We ran a 1974 Johnson 25 short shaft and then I bought a 1996 25 hp black boat anchor short shaft (like the one you now have). The prop rated Merc is much faster then the old Johnson was and 20 lbs heavier or so. It took me a while to get used to the single contol (shift and throttle), and the turning the choke control to prime it, and increase the trottle fer cold starts. but now I have it down pat! The boat is very fast, (I would guess 35 mph where the Johnson was 30 mph plus), light, easy to manuver, and very dependable. The only thing to really watch is inadvertantly gunning it in reverse due to those goofy shift and throttle controls with the black anchors. You have an advantage not being used to the Johnnyrude style of controls. Have fun, I sure do with mine!!! Welcome to iboats. JR

 

[bekosh]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Yup, surrender the wallet to the sea. You are right were I started at.

12ft Gaycraft with a 1963 Evinrude 5.5hp
Sometimes I miss the old girl.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Yup, surrender the wallet to the sea. You are right were I started at.

12ft Gaycraft with a 1963 Evinrude 5.5hp
Sometimes I miss the old girl.

Nothin' like an ol' aluminum boat n' and old Johnnyrude ta take ya where ya wanna go!!

My problem is once I own 'em I never can let 'em go, n' the fleet gets larger every year!!

That's a problem if ya have an island n' run old boats n' motors, (especially the black boat anchors), with lots of kids, (n' ya don't like swimmin' to yer island when one of the old motors won't start so ya fire up another one while ya fix the one that would not start from yer parts motors). I actually have fairly good luck with me anchors, but I am prepared for the worst. I just hope the Liberals don't come after me old motors!! JR

 

[Pony]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Judging by the picture I assume you are in Milwaukee or a suburb of it. This makes me a bit curious........Which Lake did ya go to? Lots of them to choose from.

I would've gone out Sunday as well but I was camping up in the Kettle Moraine.

Your rig is very similar to mine. I have an 14ft 87' Alumacraft with an 88' 25hp Johnson. GREAT rigs for fishin around here. Perfect size for the inland lakes.

 

[Modified]

Re: I just bought my first boat

I started out with some flat bottom boat with a 9.9, just loaded it in the truck bed.

 

[bass buster]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Thanks for all the comments, guys!

Pony, yes, I live in West Allis. We went to Upper and Lower Nehmabin lakes, in Waukesha county. I'm sure you know where that is. We caught some nice gills. Thats a nice boat you have!

bekosh.....thats a nice Wellcraft you have! Someday I will have a big boat like yours. I thought it best to start out small and learn the ropes about boating before making a big purchase on a bigger boat.

Hey Oldmercs....so you have a Sea Nymph also? It must be similar to mine, my boat is a 78, motor is 85. I hear you about the shift and throttle control, same things with my motor. The boat is very fast for its size, I would guess about 35 mph, with me and my 2 kids. Good fun in a small boat!

Here are a few more pics.

This is a pic of the bow mounted fuel tank. The guy I bought it from did this himself, says to save space in the rear. Note the white PVC pipe which contains the fuel line leading to the motor. Good idea, I thought. The only small boat i have seen with the fuel tank in the front.

I wanted to ask you guys, about this piece of plywood that is used to mount the motor. Is this typical? There seemed to be a little flex in the transom when I'd hit the throttle hard. Is that normal?

More pics will follow.
Thanks everyone!

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Wow Your boat is in very good shape. I have three Merc 25s. Does yours have a square choke or round? My oldest one, (don't know the exact year has a square choke and the kill switch on the starboard side of the power head like yours, my 1989 and the 1996 has the round one that you turn for both priming and additional cold start RPMs, and the kill switch on both the 89 and 96 is at the base of the powerhead front center). I don't have any rug, paint or extras on mine like you do. I do not have the wood where the motor is either.

My transom does not flex at all. I would find out what is wrong there. I think mine is aluminum over wood, (not sure though, as I never had to work on it at all). I have abused and overloaded my boat carrying things to my island a great deal, and it does not leak or cause me any problems: ever. I luv that ol' boat.

I would cure the transom flex ASAP (if it were my boat). Find out if there is wood under the aluminum. If so it may be rotton and need to be replaced. I wrap my old fiberglass transoms with 3/16 welded aluminum, (the transoms are solid before I do that though). It cost me $250.00 the last time I did it (about one month back), for my son's 1981 115 tower o power on a 1978 Fiberform. A transom wrap on your boat would be very easy, (once you figure out why the flex), and it should solve the problem permanently. Good luck JR

 

[Pony]

Re: I just bought my first boat

Yup I have fished Upper and Lower Nehmabin lakes a few times. I'm not a huge fan of the launch there. If the water is too high, getting into the lower lake is a pain, and if its crowded the launch can get backed up in a hurry. Last week I went to Pine Lake which is only 10 minutes north of there and caught a bunch of 18"+ smallies and a mess of Largemouth.

I fish for bluegills a lot during the summer. If you get a chance, go out to Rock Lake (In town of Lake Mills) or Lake Monona. Lots of gills in the 9-10" range suspended out there.