Misty IV

Sounds like a good plan, Red, including all the suggestions above. One thing I would definitely remember to do is ensure the lower unit is down so any water drains out and doesn't have a place to freeze. I place Damp Rid moisture absorbers inside my boat. It collects moisture in a small container and it's large enough to last all winter. West Marine carries them - white container.

Awesome job & great pics! Keep 'em coming!

I agree, Keith. No sense dwelling on those who didn't stop to help out. A lot of the times, the ones who stop are ones who have been in the exact same position before and are trying to repay the favor in some form. At least, that's how I felt when I pulled the Baha in over Labor Day weekend this year.

I've always stored with a full tank and StaBil. I'm going to give the new marine formula StaBil a try this year.

First off, glad everyone is okay and you made it back to port. I had a similar breakdown experience with my old boat about 7 years ago when I was under power, headed back into Mexico Point, about 4 miles out. My outboard started making all kinds of noise and died. I was dead in the water. I hailed for assistance, but nobody answered. I had 3 boats pass by me, but didn't heed my waving arms or jumping up and down. I finally gave up and called onshore to my neighbors. Luckily, one of them still had his boat in the water, which is a 27' Fountain offshore go-fast boat. He came out and towed me back into Mexico Point. It was a funny sight, I am sure. My new boat, an Islander 221, has a kicker as a backup powerplant, should the need arise. I also carry a backup VHF radio and an auxillary 12V battery which can power-up the electronics should something happen to the main battery. The battery is wired into the charging system, but is not a part of the actual electrical system onboard until I throw a switch. I also have a full compliment of distress signals onboard for both daytime and nighttime applications. Some people say I went a little overboard on the gear, but as long as I have been coming up to the Lake and the horror stories I have seen and heard about on the water, I like to be prepared for anything. I had the honor this season of helping out a fellow fisherman who was dead in the water in Mexico Bay. He had a Baha Cruisers, probably 28' long, and his engines both died. He later found out there was water in the fuel. All kinds of boats were passing him by, failing to stop and assist. I pulled alongside him and ended up towing him into the Mexico Point launch. He offered money, but I declined. I asked him in return for towing him in that he repay the favor one day to a fellow boater.

My neighbors at the lakehouse live in Oswego (primary home). When Harborfest comes, they avoid the town if at all possible and stay at the lake. They say it's a mess to get around and just not worth trying to. If I were you, I'd say find another place to launch from until the festivities are over.

I have (2) reels spooled with 20# FF line. All my others are 30# pink Ande. When I was up over the 4th of July weekend, the fleas were HORRIBLE!! I put the FF lines in the water and didn't have a single problem with water fleas. The Ande was loading up with a few, though. I don't use the FF unless I have to. I agree it tends to curl up over time. I re-spool roughly every other year, simply because I don't use it a lot. I have noticed that when I am respooling, the coating on the line leaves residue which wipes off easily. Otherwise, I have no complaints about the FF line. I like it and it works when I need it to.

It's worth a try. Give Beltzville Manor Marine a call. I needed a replacement part for my 2000 Islander 221. When I called Starcraft, they said the part was no longer available. I did some internet searching, and found a few dealers local to me, who all said the same thing. I even contacted the dealer I bought the boat from in upstate NY and they said not available. However, this dealer was very helpful and said the part was still available from the factory. Their phone number is (610) 377-3337 and they're located in Lehighton, PA.

I can't believe he actually thought he'd get away, what with the amount of police and sheriff boats on the water now-a-days. Can't outrun the radio!

It's captains like Bill Ruth that make this sport so enjoyable. He obviously knows his way around the lake and is always more than willing to help out a fellow angler with tips and suggestions. When it comes down to it, he's one of us, too. Glad you had another great summer with him.

I have a 4.3L V-6 with an Alpha One outdrive. My drain plug is on the port side of the engine's oil pan. It's a messy job to change the oil in my case. I've heard that Mercruiser offers a kit which replaces the drain plug with a twist drain and a hose which can be routed to the bilge drain plug hole, allowing you to open the valve and the oil drains through the tube to your bucket or pan outside the boat, keeping the entire job neat. Close the valve and refill the engine with oil until the next change time. The hose just coils up in the bilge until you need it.

I heard last week that by the end of the summer, gas may reach $5/gallon at your roadside gas stations. I can't even begin to calculate what that will equate to at the marinas. This is rediculous!!

Oh, wow, ok. What was the problem with 14? Is it a special channel the CG uses or is it one of those non-recreational channels? Interesting. Thanks for the info.

Is anyone trying out Channel 14 yet for the LOU members' "private" channel"? Is it working for getting in touch with each other?

Thank you everyone for the info! I knew I could count on someone here to know what I was talking about. When I saw these containers initially, I thought they were a perfect way to store all my flashers & dodgers, as well. Going to get a few of them. Thanks again for the replies.

While at a fishing seminar this January, I saw a couple of fancy storage containers the presenter used to store his flashers and dodgers neatly. They were a clear, Tupperware-like container with dividers inside to seperate the flashers & dodgers. I can't be sure, but I think they said Plano on the lids. I cannot find these anywhere. Searched online, in catalogs and nothing. Anyone know what containers I am refering to and where I can get them? They measured, I'm guessing, 6 inches wide, 12 inches long and about 3 inches high and had enough dividers to store 3-4 items. Thanks!

That was a great act you did. You may have lost a few hours on the water, but you are to be commended for assisting that boat in distress! Hope all is well on the other boat, as well.

I think the L.O.U. members having a dedicated channel is a great idea!!! I'll go program it into my scan bank this afternoon. 14 works for me!

Way to go! Great pictures!

That's right! I could start a war with this comment, but...... Go Jr.!!

Absolutely!! My truck runs better on Sunoco. Could be psychological sounding, but I typically get 30-40 more miles out of a tank when I'm using Sunoco than another brand.

I found a website which details which gas companies import Middle Eastern Oil and those who do not. Here's the rundown I found. I'm guessing these are 2007 numbers. These companies import Middle Eastern Oil: Shell: 205,742,000 barrels Chevron/Texaco: 144,332,000 barrels Exxon/Mobil: 130,082,000 barrels Marathon/Speedway: 117,740,000 barrels Amoco: 62,231,000 barrels Citco Gas comes from South America. The following do NOT import any Middle Eastern Oil: Sunoco, BP, Hess, ARCO, Conoco, Sinclair. I pass 2 Exxon stations going to and from work. Just in 9 hours today, the prices went up 7 cents a gallon at one station and 9 cents at the other. On the other hand, of the 3 Sunocos I pass, their prices stayed the same and are at the same prices they were Friday afternoon. I paid $3.21 today at one of the Sunocos. The Exxons were showing $3.43 and $3.49 for regular 87 octane. :shock:

NICE!!!!!

Nice job, Bill. Glad to see you managed to get out and the boat is running great. Saw the picture of her over on the GLA site - she looks awesome!

Nice fish! Way to kick off the season.