New boater with used boat

[cvtech1]

Re: New boater with used boat

Scutly, what trouble did you have and what kind of radio did you have to call? Also is that towboat towboat available everywhere? Thanks.

 

[scutly]

Re: New boater with used boat

Scutly, what trouble did you have and what kind of radio did you have to call? Also is that towboat towboat available everywhere? Thanks.

i bought my tow insurance from Boat US which is affiliated with West Marine. buying insurance from Boat US gives you the "West Advantage Gold Rewards" membership at West Marine.
http://www.boatus.com/towing/default.asp?WT.mc_id=400003

it was the same price as Sea Tow, the other tow company that works my area.
http://seatow.com/.

i believe both companies pretty much cover all the US and i know its a whole lot cheaper for the freshwater areas.

as far as the radio, i have a fixed mount VHF radio with a 8' antenna. sorta like a CB. highly recommended on any boat. or at least a hand held if you boating close to shore. i believe the hand held ones have less watts and less range. common monitored channel is 16. there's some awesome new technology now that integrates your VHF and your GPS so you can transmit location to the Coast Guard. takes the "search" outa search and rescue.
http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Fixed_...3176008--**********.973339140--view_id.248104

also if ya have a half hour to kill and want to learn about VHF technology check this out
http://www.boatus.com/foundation/dsc/player.html

now as far as my trouble, that's a whole nother thread
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=354223

 

[cougar1985]

Re: New boater with used boat

i have absolute 100 percent confidence in my motor.never worry, and when i start to, its time to buy a new one.carry the usual saftey stuff plus a few tools and parts for emergencies but otherwise for get it and have a good time or you will go nuts coming up with WHAT IF,S!

 

[cvtech1]

Re: New boater with used boat

Ok Cougar1985 must be nice. I will just have fun and enjoy. Thanks.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: New boater with used boat

If I plan on trolling I have a 9.5 kicker to get me back. If not I got a cheap 36lb electric that I put in. I dont always have a deep cycle but on the lakes I fish the hybrid marine battery would get me to shore with no problem. And there is always a paddle just in case. Even in a boat most of the fishing I do is 100 yds from shore anyway.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: New boater with used boat

i have absolute 100 percent confidence in my motor.never worry, and when i start to, its time to buy a new one.carry the usual saftey stuff plus a few tools and parts for emergencies but otherwise for get it and have a good time or you will go nuts coming up with WHAT IF,S!

I agree with this, you cant have doubts in the powertrain or you will drive yourself crazy constantly checking things. Just do thorough preventive maintenance so you know what has been changed and when, and thats about all you can do. My boat gave me some real trouble once i couldnt figure out, so it went to a shop. $400 later, it ran great. And they checked the whole thing over and told me what to look for. so worst case scenario, it comes down to taking it in to a shop and them fixing it and telling you its good as gold. then, hopefully no more worries for ya.

 

[jdlough]

Re: New boater with used boat

Or you could do what I did. It gets expensive, though.

My skiff sank in a storm tied up at my dock last year.

So, this year we bought a 21' Seaswirl DC. And a boat lift, so it wouldn't sink at the pier.

Then the wife says we need a second boat, to rescue the first if needed, and also so the teenagers could use it.

Then we figured we needed a second boat lift, so the second boat wouldn't sink at the pier.

So far...
Pier - $18,000
1st boat lift - $7,000
2nd boat lift - $4,000

1st boat - $6,000
2nd boat - $2,300

The boats are the cheapest part of the equation. Whichever boat is out takes a cell phone along. If there's a problem, a quick call home will send out our own private boat towing service.

I'm broke now. I buy fishing tackle from the thrift store, and dig bait worms from my yard.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New boater with used boat

yes but you have the right approach "A man can't have too many boats." I call mine the varicose fleet b/c they are all broken vessels.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: New boater with used boat

Thanks guys I am in Houston so I fish in Galveston bay so I go out pretty far( a mile or so) and dont know what alternate motor to take, my 2hp yamaha or get a trolling motor. I just want to get a better piece of mind.