Ted

It feels real solid. All aluminum storage area and deck I believe. I go for a test run with the dealer, at a local lake, Feb 10th. I can hardly wait.

I am out here in California where 2-stokes laws are do not allow for all makes and models. The only 2-Stroke, that I am aware of at this HP rating, that is 3 Star compliant is the E-Tec. You can't even get a 50 hp 2 stroke from a dealer here. Also my old Toyota truck needs a lighter boat to tow. Plus I will be fishing lots of stick-ups and shallow so the durability of a tin boat draws me. These lakes around here are small with 35 mph speed limits. This boat is perfect. Thanks for the advice however!

I put a refundable hold deposit on it and will test drive in a week from Saturday to see if I want it. It is a 2005 Lowe 160W. I think the price is VERY good at $11,999. It is a new boat, from a dealer, and full warranty's will apply at date of purchase. It has the Evinrude E-Tec 50. What do you think? The seats are kinda "off color" but oh well. I am a bit excited I found this.

Thanks for all the advice. That boat is a bit too much for me to tow around in my old Toyota truck plus the lakes here in SoCal are small and the speed limits are 35mph. I now have turned my attention to the G3 165 or 175 in the 60hp range. Lighter, less expensive, and will suit my needs just fine. I know a local bass pro who works part time at a boat dealer here. My name is now on a list in hopes that a trade-in comes in to the dealer. This is good, I think, on many fronts. The dealer will go through the boat thoroughly both mechanically and the title. They said they sell their trade-ins at 15% below NADA blue book. Is that good? I forgot to ask if that was high or low BB. Anyway, thanks for all the advice. I have my fingers crossed!

Thanks for the advice!

I have a chance to get this boat: 2002 G3 HP 170 Yamaha 115 4 stroke The guy says it has very low hours. Any advice or tips I should look out for? He wants to "pay it off" and says that would take around $10,000. I have researched the heck out of this boat and with that engine, if it checks out, it sounds like a very good deal. I have never bought a boat. Obviously I should have him start it up. I will go through it thoroughly. Should I get a test ride if possible? Again, this appears to be a good deal. Any advice is more than welcomed. Thanks!

Thanks again. I took my Curado 100B apart and cleaned/lubed it today. The bearings in question appear to match the Scorpions.

The 2 bearings you are referring to are BNT2143 (crankshaft support), and, BNT2170 (pinion support). Boca does not have a crossover for those two bearing packs. For ceramics you would have to remove them and measure the packs then goto their site and enter the dimensions to see if they even build a ceramic in them. It will depend on the year of the 100. The 93 100A doesn't have the support bearings you are seeking even the cast control bearing pack is a different number and not the BNT194.Tight Lines!!! Thanks RM. Where do recommend I get these 2 bearings from? I wrote pro-fishing.net and Japan Tackle but no response.

Thanks for the tip. My question however, was regarding the 2 bearings housed on the handle-side of the reel. They are different then the spool's bearings. They are thinner. The small one is attached to the end of the handle/drag shaft and the other is a bit larger and surrounds the pinion throw-out gear. I hope that the Curado 100 is compatible. I have a Curado 100 and I am going to dismantle and sevice it soon. I will see then.

Thank you Raul!

I took them completely apart and the 2 bearings were rusted pretty bad. NOT the bearings for the spool but the one at the end of the drag shaft and the one where the gear rides that engages the spool. They are thinner than the spool bearings. I soaked them in lighter fluid and spun them many times and lubed them. I think they are scored from the rust but I haven't tried the reels out yet. Where could I get parts for these reels? Thanks

Thanks!

I have 2 Shimano Scorpion 1000's. One of them is worse but they both have "scraping" sound on retrieve. I have cleaned and lubed them but still they are noisy. I can't see any sign of the spools rubbing on the frame. Have any of you had this issue with these reels? Very frustrating. I may have to tear them apart completely and see if I can find out what is going on.

I want to get more versatile as a bass fisherman. Sometimes I get "hooked" on certain baits. For the longest while it was plastic craws, then Fat Ikas, and now Senkos. I am thinking of developing a "time limit" for each bait. If I don't get bit within a certain time, then switch. Do you guys ever do this? How long do you give a bait and/or technique?

I've been wondering; what is the minimum age/size that a female LMB has to reach for reproduction capability?