Shawk

Well???

Ordered a 798 today... should arrive mid week. Can't wait! Thanks Wayne for the many emails returned... holy cow, this guy was a HUGE help.

I've been reading through the archives here and it looks like the 798 will be my first purchase for the bow of my boat. I'm typically fishing waters from about 3' - 15'. I love the idea of the side imaging. I have a 747c that came with my boat that will stay on the console. Any thoughts/advice? What else do I need to pick up with it when purchasing? Of course, I'm looking for the best price and best unit for the money otherwise I'd go larger... but I think this will fit my needs well. Others to consider for the same money? Do we have any sponsors here to buy from? Do I need to buy an additional transducer to work the side imaging? Any & all thoughts please... Thank you!

Fishing is slow since I bought the boat... did better from the shore a month ago... But it'll get better. Trying to relearn the waters since it's been quite a while since I've done any serious fishing. In the mean time... the boat is a perfect fit for what I was looking for. To my surprise I can't find a single piece of wood in the boat... LOVE IT! Pics attached of my first mod to it (it's hanging on the back of the boat). Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket btw... tried out a bait caster tonight as well... holy cow this thing drove me crazy! Back to the spinner.

Thanks guys! I have a little project going already... will post pics when done... Fun stuff!!

Funny... It DOES look really small... In reality for the lakes that I'll do most of my fishing it, it'd be fine though. I fish pretty small waters. I'll run the 9.9 to be 100% sure it checks out, then probably pass it on to someone else who can put it to use. The 40hp will end up on it...

Well... the search ended quickly today guys. Thanks to all who replied to my other thread. I had plans to make a 4+ hours drive to MN today to probably buy a newer Tracker PT175 (it was actually an 05', I had it posted as 06') for $5300. While I still think it was a decent deal, I started to question with it being out uncovered for the past 2+ years what I would end up seeing. Soooo.... my I sent a few emails out this morning to a few other boats and one of the guys called me with the he had an hour from me and has everything serviced local to me. We actaully met up at that shop and I was able to talk with them regarding the motors which was really nice! Long story short.... I'm done looking. I'm assuming I'll be in the water more than expected but if not, I don't have much wrapped up in the boat which was what I hoped for when I started looking. . Specs on the boat are... 92' Alumacraft Maverick 17' (identical size to the 2000 Tracker 175's I looked at). 92' Johnson 9.9 hp motor (put this motor on all year this year for his favorite lake which is a 10hp lake or less... I know the lake ) 93' Johnson 40 hp motor 94' Spartan Trailer New rubber on the trailer 1-2 year old 55lb MinnKota front troller 1-2 year old Hummingbird 747 Color finder Paid $3400... not a steal IMO... but I'm satisfied with it at this point. Flooring, carpets and seats are in very nice shape for the age of the boat. It's also got an additional seat not in pic which looks excellent. It's always been undercover with this guy and stored in over the winters. The original owner kepts it garaged year round. It has the setup inside I like as well... I like the bigger livewell and it has a 2nd as well up front. Will go through and give it a complete clean this winter and should look even better. This guy has owned the boat for about 5-7 years???... and he knew the previous owner (good friend I believe). DONE! Shopping isn't as much fun as it used to be... It was nice to buy something close to home... Pics here http://s33.photobuck...mview=slideshow

Thanks guys... Hooligan... excellent advice and I'm trying to keep that in mind (regarding another will come along). I realize I'm in a great position with fall & winter just around the corner. I'd like to find something asap but in reality, it's not a huge deal if I don't hit the water with it much yet this year. My kids are going every direction anyway, so it wouldn't see a lot of use even if I wanted to. Though I'd certainly make some time. We were planning to make a run tomorrow to look/buy.... but I do have some reservations on the 06' and it's a pretty good drive from home... so I'll sleep on it and see how I/we feel in the morning. All the best!

Thanks Lund... mostly small lake fishing and possibly small river fishing. An occassional road trip to larger water possibly down the road but not likely more than 1-2 times a year if even.

Ok guys... almost there. Here are my final choices... my thoughts are the 06' PT175 but I'm a little torn still.... We're planning a run tomorrow as all of the boats I've been interested in are of course out of town... Leaning toward the 06' PT Tracker.... 1) 2006 PT175 Tracker w/2 stroke 50hp Merc, new Blue tracker color standard troller 42lb, 2 standard finders along with all the other typical stuff... haven't seen it but current owned kept outside uncovered for the last couple years... and stored double covered and outside for the Midwest winters. I'm assuming since newer, if I clean it up if it needs it and keep it in my garage from this point forward it should hace a long life. can be had for $5600 2) 2000 and a 2001 Tracker Pro Crappies with standard stuff again... same as above regarding 2 finders and standard 42ish lb troller... I'm not big fan of the smaller rear deck in these compared to the other PT models or smaller livewells... 1 with a 40hp Merc and 1 with a 50hp Merc. Nothing extra or updated. Probably $4200-$4600 ish both appear very clean. 3) 2004 Crestliner CX1754... in pics and according to owner this sounds/looks like the cleanest rig. newer 70lb troller, 1 finder, 60hp FOUR stroke Merc (don't know if this matters to me but may in a few years if I sell it-of course I'm paying more now), always kept in... just looks sharp. $6500 bottom dollar 4) 16' Lund Pike... is a local boat... guy responded to my local Wanted Ad... 89' Pike in decent used shape... 3 yr old Merc 2 stroke 50hp motor... I would refloor it, ad front and rear decks, expand the livewell a bit and just customize it more toward the above rigs. Trailer is fair at best and older 42lb front troller. So I would spend money on flooring, carpets, possibly a couple new chairs, and probably paint the exterior. Trailer needs a pair of tires at a minimum. He's trailered the boat a couple hours a few times last year to his fav lake. Catch here is it can be had for $3k... to me, the motor is worth that... I've always been handy and worked on things, refloored & carpeted a ski boat 15 years ago but I don't know if I want to to that again. It'll probably/realistically cost a grand to get it where I'd want which pushes me back to the 1st boat... My initial search was for a $3k boat... because I know it won't be used a ton... though it may if I get hooked again. The 1st 3 would be all the boat I'd ever want for a fishing boat. Spending the little extra gets me there. Honest thoughts? I'm ok with the extra cash.... assuming they'll hold value as well now that the initial depreciation should be gone if I sold it in 2-5 years (if not getting used). Mostly Bass, Pike and some Crappie fishing. Be honest... or none of the above and wait for something different or better... I'm set on an aluminum... EDIT... ended up with this. http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d65/shawk00/92%20Alumacraft%20Maverick/?albumview=slideshow Will post in new thread... thanks guys!

Thank you!! I agree... and that's my debate is how much extra cash I could have if I spent less. However I also don't want to start dropping to much into the boat if I decide to go a difference direction next year. I'm looking/working on a 06' Tracker PT175 now that can be had for what appears to be a decent price. We'll see... I'm going to head off tomorrow to take a peak at it. I'll be sure to post back with whatever I do. I'm sure I'll be hanging out here a little more now and on the golf forums a tad less.

Thanks Slonezp... There are a few things I would want to do to the boat... I would add a front and rear deck, and replace the flooring which isn't horrible but would do it while doing other things. I don't want to dump a bunch of money in a boat but I want a boat that worth what I have into it when I'm finished... Boat can be had for $3k today. I have a few other contenders I'm thinking about as well... 04' Crestliner CX1754 w/60hp Merc 4 stroke... $6500 seems steep but books out... has new 70# troller and looks really clean. 99' Alumacraft Maverick M 17' w/40hp Mer 2 stroke... I think the power here is a little weak... new finder, new troller and appears clean. 06' Tracker w/50hp... waiting on pricing, may make a run out of town for this one tomorrow depending on price... asking $6500

Anyone? Thanks!

Hey guys & gals... 1st, this is a really cool forum... lots of great stuff! Started my search for a boat a while back. Used to fish a ton... kids getting into it a little bit but I'm ready to start getting out a little again. I won't fish a ton at this point but who knows down the road. My initial search was for a $2k-$5k Bass Tracker 175, Lowe Stinger, or similar boat (also ran across a Alumacraft Maverick MC that looks like a good boat but not seen in person. Which leads me here.... guy answered a local "wanted" ad I have... older guys buddy told him about my ad and he can't fish anymore due to health. So here's what he has... 89' Lund Pike 16D on a trailer... has steering, livewell under seat, decent storage, typical red aluminum Lund in average shape, probably 8-10 year old bow mount Minn kota trollering motor, older depth finder, but the gem is a like new 2008 2 Stroke 50hp Mercury with Tilt/Trim running the boat. I would probably add a higher front and rear deck to fish from and leave the center low??? It won't fish as deep of water but... priced decent. Priced at $3500... he doesn't have it listed and recently is deciding to sell. Said $3200 will buy... I'm betting $3k will easily pick it up. I'm thinking even if I decided to go with something different down the road, I could pull the motor and put on another boat... thoughts?? Thanks in advance! All the bets! Steve