Jack

My boat weights in at around 3500 lbs and I have a 8hp top speed about 6mph. I would recommend one of the High Thrust kickers with electric start , remote controls and tilt. ( i fish solo a lot and it's nice to control the motor from the helm, especially in rough weather) They have a bigger prop for more bite and a lower gear ratio in the lower unit so run at a higher rpm which is better for charging . I am also a big fan of the solid mount brackets , the 4 strokes are heavier then the 2 strokes and need a pretty hefty bracket. If you mount the motor on a bracket that doesn't move you can connect it to the main with a steering link and never have to mess around connecting or disconnecting the steering.( the steering links never seem to float) I added a nipple to my water separator filter and added the fuel line from the kicker to my main tank . Good Luck !

I just bought the 55L h/s from Tuna (nice reel). I would like to load with 450' of copper . Any idea how much 50lb braid I can use for backing ? Thanks for all the Great info!!!!

Hi ! Going to try making some fly leaders and was wondering if I should go with the single treble or double hook set up. Also wondered about adding the rattle or not ? Thanks

sold

Is the hole in the 533ls reel guide large enough to use inline swivels ?? When I look at them online it looks kind of narrow .

Hi ! On the Okuma Clarion 553 is the guide wide enough to use the inline swivels ? Thanks

FYI , found this on the net The electrical systems in a marine application are also extremely specialized. In an automobile, any gasoline vapors that accumulate will readily dissipate through the bottom of the engine compartment. However, a boat with its sealed engine compartment, does not have that luxury. Therefore, any spark could literally cause a boat to explode. All electrical components in a boat are either completely sealed or specially vented to prevent such a catastrophe. This includes the starter, alternator, distributor, and many other engine electrical components.

Great Job !

I have the Garmin 541 which has the coastal maps and includes Lake Ontario all the Great lakes and the coast. I believe the inland maps won't have the Great lakes but probably the finger lakes. Check their web site to be sure. The coastal map works great for me fishing on Lake O.

I think your right on the money getting a kicker . Trolling with a big outboard is like buying a NASCAR to deliver mail . If you have the money get a High Thrust with electric start , power tilt and remote controls so you can run the thing from the helm . You won't be sorry , plus it will charge your battery while your trolling . Good Luck !!

this might help http://www.championtrailers.com/DISC_BR ... RTICLE.HTM

I would try filling the holes with Marine Tex . http://www.marinetex.com/marinetexepoxyputty.html

http://www.mercstuff.com/lowershiftshaft.htm This site might help !

I believe the High Thrust motors have a lower gear ratio in the lower unit . So the motor will be running at a higher RPM then a standard motor at the same boat speed . The High Thrust motor won't have to work as hard as the standard engine would to push the boat. Plus with the motor running at a higher RPM the alternator will be putting out more juice. I have a Yamaha 8T on a 3500 lbs boat and it tops out at 5.5 mph . I usually troll at 2-3 mph so no biggie and never have to use my main motor in heavy wind or waves . Good Luck JT

I used a Panther Mount , very sturdy and the price wasn't to bad ($200). You can also adjust if you want. I made a steering link out of a 3/8 stainless rod , works mint. Good Luck !

Nice thought,but the water levels change with the seasons while on your GPS they remain the same. Very true, but when I'm fishing in Lake O in 100' to 300' of water I don't worry much about a couple feet. Between my GPS and temp probe I feel I can get pretty close to the fish . (plus seeing other boats around) The maps on these new GPS are amazing . I can see humps and drop offs before my FF ever does. It's just another great tool to help put fish in the boat.

I have 2 units as well. A 5" Garmin GPS and Ray Marine 5" FF . Garmin pretty much leads the way for GPS. If I had the money there would be a Furuno FF sitting next to my Garmin. Although a GPS won't show you fish the map on mine shows the depth with in a foot of my FF . So if I lost my FF I could still fish with my riggers with some confidence . Good Luck JT

If you can run a couple fans in the boat while it's in your buddies garage it will dry out in half the time. (box or window fan work great) Good Luck !

If you can I would buy the motor with electric start , tilt and remote controls . It's great being able do everything from the helm and charge your battery while trolling . I solo fish a lot and it's nice to start , stop, raise and lower the motor while never leaving the seat or having to hang off the back of the boat in bad weather . A big plus too when your fighting a fish to be able to control steering and speed form the helm. Good Luck !

My boat weights around 3500 lbs. Have a Yamaha 8hp high thrust , works great.

Got mine at Gander .

Hope Everyone has a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving !!!!

Copper rigs tend to be pretty long , so I would try to get a reel with a quick retrieve . I have a Shimano Tekota 800lc . Every turn brings in 33" of line and it has a sweet drag. I run a 300' copper and add dive bombers when I what to go deeper . This way I don't have to deal with so much line when I catch a fish. (100' copper = 22' depth + 1oz of diver bomber = 8' appox ) I figure 300' copper and a 4 oz diver bomber is down around 90'. Good Luck ! JT

Another vote for 4-stroke ! No matter what motor you buy I would highly recommend you use a stabilizer and a cleaner with every tank of gas . I would also make sure you have a inline water separator filter installed as well. It is cheap insurance considering the cost of a new motor or repairs. The gas we use today is not very marine friendly . Good Luck ! JT