kjfishman

I prefer to paddle. Keeping it simple works for me and paddling is good exercise. Most states if you put a motor on a kayak you have to register it. I have a bass boat but spend more time fishing out of the kayak.

Costco had the best deal last time I checked. Usually Costco, Sams or Walmart have best deals.

Sounds like the OEM batteries that came with the boat are bad.

If at all possible I would mount the transducer to shoot thru the hull. No need to worry about damaging it on rocks and stumps. Mine is set in plumbers putty behind the seat.

I would rather have the speed with my sit in than the extra effort needed to paddle the heavier hull designed for enough stability to stand up. Currently have a Loon 100 and Loon 138 sit in yaks but would not mind adding an Old Town Predator MX sit on. If I could only have one I would get the new Old Town Loon 126.

If you use adjustable rod holders that let you stow the rods horizontal to the water long rods aren't a problem around low hanging branches.

I am over 60 and find I use my aluminum deep v less and less. As we age we need to stay active and kayaking is a good way to do that.

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I used to car top my Loon 138 but I am not getting any younger and hoisting something 75 pounds and almost 14 foot long was getting to be a pain. It was time for a new vehicle anyway so I traded my Jeep Liberty for a Dakota pickup and use a Harbor freight bed extender with added lights. If I didn't have a pickup I would get an inexpensive Harbor Freight trailer.

I am bad about wearing a PFD. Cabella's has the inflatable life jackets on sale this week and may get one as they aren't as bulky.

I was launching at a smaller electric only lake in the fall when the water temps had dropped. I have a rope I attach to the boat and tie off on the trailer. With the rope attached as it should I backed into the water the boat floats off as it should but when I pulled forward the tension on the rope caused the old rope to break at the clasp on the boat end. The boat starts drifting out and the water is too cold to swim out to it. The wind blew the boat all the way across the lake and I had hike a good distance to retrieve the boat. Plan B was drive home get my kayak and paddle out to the boat. The lesson I learned is when you melt the frayed ends of nylon rope so it won't unravel it weakens the rope.

Fuses are cheap, why spend $30 or more for a breaker. You have $30 dollars for other accessories. Some fuse holders come with a place to store a spare. FYI my 54lb thrust came with a 30 amp fuse and I have never had to replace a trolling motor fuse.

Worked on the boat today and seem to have the problem solved. Didn't find any shorts ended up disconnecting the yellow/ red wire that goes from the ignition key and the same wire at the solenoid and back in business. Hopefully I can get out on the water and test it out next week.

Headed to Mark Twain Lake today but the 2002 50hp Mercury won't start. First time it let me down in 15 years. It blow the 20 amp fuse under the bonnet as soon as you turn key to the run position and the power trim quits also. I was able t Something is shorted out but haven't found it yet. The fuse has 12 volts to one side as it should but as soon as you turn key to run position there is 12 volts on the other side with the fuse out so of course the fuse will blow. Anyone have wiring diagrams or suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I fish out of sit in and happy with it. Someone mentioned concerns about being trapped in the kayak if you dump it. Not a concern if your fishing out of a kayak with a large cockpit.(yes I know from experience) Also when the weather is on the cool side you stay much drier. And when i when it is extremely hot you stay a bit cooler when your legs aren't completely exposed. I wouldn't trade of my Loon 138 for a sit on. There are times a sit on would be nice and if I bought an additional yak I would get one. You should find some folks from this forum in your area that will let you take their yaks for a spin and see what will work for you.

I do what minnow said and step off on the trailer to hook up the winch. I have a plastic board that is bolted to the trailer that has has a no slip surface. Bought it at Bass pro I think. I added no slip that I cut into strips and it sticks to the top edge of the trailer. The no slip is skate board material, cheaper than stuff in Lowes. http://www.basspro.com/Plank-Trailer-Walkway/product/44922/?cmCat= You could make the same thing from wood or metal and add a no slip surface.

I use an 8' Tomato stake from Lowe's with a pvc 3/4" T glued to the end. They are plastic covered steel poles less than $8 for the pole and T.

Maybe adding a swing away tongue to the trailer will give you the room you need to get it in the garage. If my boat didn't have the swing away tongue it wouldn't fit. I have about 2" clearance with the tongue folded and the motor down.

I have been known to take extreme measures to recover lures, often come home with more lures than I left with because people didn't bother to retrieve them.

15 years for me. I don't think I could wear out the Loon 138 if I wanted so will need a good excuse to convince the wife a new one is needed.

Lead Acid batteries cost more than that, sounds like a good deal.

That had to be exciting!

When I updated the unit on my bass boat I put the old unit on my yak. Mounted the transducer inside, shoot through the hull, so I don't have to worry about damage. I didn't need anything fancy for the yak only want to see what kind of structure and depth.

For many years I was dog on a short leash, on call 24 x7, so I fished small electric only lakes close to home, Now I am retired and the price of gas is high so again I find myself on these small lakes frequently. In Missouri we have some "no wake lakes" also so you can motor around. I fish the small lakes from a yak also but the bass boat needs to get out of the garage.

I have had problems like that with Motor Guide trolling motors never a Minn Kota. The problem was a bad coil in the motor. Since you have warranty let them fix it.