I was at Chaumont bay 2 weekends ago when there was still ice. The level of the water was near what it was at the end of the season last year and there was no snow on the ground. My father in law and I are putting in a ramp at the end of this boating season. His uncle has been up there since the 40s and can't ever remember it being this low.
If you ran 3 boards that would work but mine are a good 16" apart. Being that close might make the boards unstable in larger chop and when a board flips it isn't a good thing....ask me how I know.
I am itching bad. The worst part about it is being a school teacher I have this next week off for spring break and am going to be in Florida (wife wanted a vacation) so I can't try out my new setups or lures... Although I will be bass fishing in 70* SUNLIGHT I guess I can suffer through it all.
If your transom stays in the water then you shouldn't have any real bumps at the back of the boat when running.
That is why they say the best ride is in the back of the boat.
Let me edit that: That is why they say the smoothest ride is in the back of the boat. Normally it is the wettest too.
I have one of these and are a great little unit. We were slamming salmon on it last year and held up with a 10lb weight. I added a longer boom just to get it away from the boat a little and seems to work great.
Is there a little lever that can be flipped down when the motor is at full tilt? It is generally located near the top of the transom mount. My bigger 88 johnson has one and my father in laws yammie too. I tried looking at a picture of the motor online and couldnt really tell if it had one.
My 8hp johnson (non hydraulic tilt) has a lever that says tilt on it and will engage allowing the motor to stay tilted up while running. Maybe you have something like that? I don't know much about those motors. but thought it might be an option.
The main reason is the added stress on the hydraulic cylinder. If you keep it up when trailering you will see premature failure of the trim tilt unit. The bumps on the road are completely different than the waves you hit while running.
Does the motor have a lock out when it is in full up position?
Why not buy used? If the gear oil is good and good compression there shouldn't be any reason why it wouldn't work. I wouldn't buy a non running kicker. Most smaller outboards are run for trolling or on smaller jon boats where they aren't ran for long distances. I have an old evinrude sport twin 10hp from the 60s that still runs like a top and has been abused for many years by my father in law.
Just my $.02
The tell tail only tells you the impeller is working that is the only purpose it serves, all your hot water goes down the shaft and out the prop. You shouldn't have any cooling issues idling the motor down low. If your worried take the lid off and put your hand right on the head, you should be able to keep to keep your hand there for at least 3 seconds.
Lower pitch prop will work. Look for a sail boat prop they are usually a lot lower pitch.
You could make your own trolling plate with some aluminum angle and a small sheet of aluminum. I would make it bigger than I need and take a pair of tin snips with me to fine tune.
That right there is funny. I can't believe they are supposed to protect us. By the way anyone get that e-mail about the elderly couple and a few burglars breaking into their tool shed? That is a prime example of the crap we as "civilians" have to deal with.