NorthernBasser

Well, this sucks. So, right now I'm living in an apartment where I have one parking spot....a single car garage. So my plan this whole time was to rent a storage unit to keep the boat (when I finally find one). Well, as it turns out, there really aren't any around that have power outlets. And I need that to charge my batteries after every use of the boat, right? I don't know what I was thinking. I thought you could get them with outlets. But I guess it makes sense that they don't have them, for liability reasons (fires). Super bummed. Any ideas? How big of a pain would it be to take both batteries out after each use, and bring them back t my garage and put them on a battery charger. Would that even work?

As long as it isn't cold out, I like wearing flip flops. I just picked these up at Cabela's last week, They seem well-made. And the traction on the bottom is better than most other flip flops I've had in the past. For $20, you can't go wrong IMO. https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjXleT9go7aAhUPcX4KHU9ABG8YABAMGgJwYw&sig=AOD64_2bFe-K1v8sHSRjl0U9quoGOSzPqw&ctype=5&q=&ved=0ahUKEwjlst_9go7aAhUP62MKHb-cDEwQ9aACCLAB&adurl=

I've fished Lake Wisconsin once. The lake (widening of a river) I was talking about was Lake Puckaway. Madison chain a few time. I've always relied on friends with boats before. but many have moved away and now I want to get my own. I'd like to fish them more (for smallies and skis). I know they catch huge muskies on Monona. Will do, thanks!

I'm definitely prepared to drive 5 hours for the right price. I need to take a break from looking for a day or so though. Now I've been suckered into looking at this (but I really don't think I want a payment). https://www.leadersrpm.com/default.asp?page=xInventoryDetail&id=3665087&p=2&at=boat|personal watercraft&s=Year&d=D&vt=boat&fr=xAllInventory

I'm learning quickly that once a nice deal is posted, it doesn't last long.

OK, I'm dumb. The Fishhawk is a Crestliner model...which I was looking at. I thought you meant it was a sister company of Crestliner. My head is spinning from all the research I've been doing lately.

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for Fish Hawks. I don't think I've seen any in all the time I've been scouring the internet, but maybe I just overlooked them. And I can't remember if I asked this or not, but is welded hulls better than riveted? Or doesn't it really matter?

Well that Crestliner sold. Bummer. I'm in WI and he was in MN so I couldn't get there to look at it til this weekend.

Beautiful! I definitely fish LMB a lot more than smallies (tho there are plenty of smallie lakes around me), but not much matches the fight of a smallmouth. Those goby's in Lake Michigan really fatten them up.

Oh man, I've been wanting to fish those clear waters of Door County for trophy smallies for years. And even muskie.

I definitely don't fish huge lakes. The biggest lake I fish is actually a widening of a river, and it's 5,000 acres with an average depth of 3-5'. I'll definitely be fishing deeper lakes as well, but acreage-wise, nothing huge. Maybe up to 2,000-3,000 acres.

I'd say if it can go in 14" I'd be good. Thanks.

Those who jumped on this, good luck. That's one heck of a deal if it's legit.

OK, one last thing (for now). I thought I read somewhere that'd I'd want to get something like this? Yay or nay? https://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Tightener-Anti-Rattle-Stabilizer-Hitches/dp/B0001CMUV4/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1521263267&sr=8-7&keywords=Hitch+anti+rattle

Another thing. I like to get in the shallows often like I'm sure most of you do. Will that Crestliner handle it well being a deep V? Obviously the Tracker would be better in that regard.

Ah, gotcha. Again, I appreciate all the help on this. I'm learning and wanna get the right boat. Now, on that crestliner, it looks like the battery storage up front for the trolling motor may only fit 1 battery (I could be wrong). A guy I know said if I get a bigger trolling motor, I'd want 2 12V batteries. If that's true, I'm not sure how I'd make that work.

Yeah, that's what the OEM one is from the dealer. I think I'll go the cheaper route, which is class 3.

That's crazy. I got mine last year on ebay for $110 I think. Is it a reputable dealer? And looking at your profile, it's eerily similar to mine.

Thanks again guys. I contacted the guy with the Crestliner. I asked him him what pond thrust the trolling motor is. He said he doesn't know, which seems weird. Regarding that Tracker with the mod-V. I realize those probably aren't as stable as the V's (or as wide), but are they still pretty stable boats? I've never fished out of one.

Appreciate all the info guys! Like I said, I don't have much experience into what brands to avoid, what outboards are better, V vs flat bottom vs mod-V, etc. How about this one? Are Crestliners good boats? What about the price point on this one? https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/d/2007-crestliner-1600-fish-hawk/6540676303.html

Hey guys. I'm still shopping. What's your thoughts on this boat? It has a kicker motor. From what I gather, aren't those used for more heavy boats? Or not necessarily? I don't want anything too heavy (for tow capacity reasons). https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/boa/d/2003-fisher-165-pro-avenger/6541893951.html Or how about this? Thoughts on the flat bottoms vs V's? This seems like a good deal. https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/boa/d/2013-bass-tracker/6542741032.html

Are you talking something like this? https://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-Vehicle-Wiring/Jeep/Grand+Cherokee/2018/HM40975.html?vehicleid=201821870

Dang. Maybe I should wait. I'm worried about waiting because some of the baits in my cart may end up selling out by then. There's already a bunch that I wanted that are already on backorder. But my cart is over $600 right now, and 15-20% off sure would be nice.

Thanks. What kind of sales usually run around holidays/tax stimulus? Certain baits? Or a % off your order?

Yeah, I figured I'd let someone else do it to make sure it's done right. I haven't gotten the boat yet. But I definitely want a 16ft aluminum with around a 40HP motor. Been scouring Craigslist. Something along the lines of a Tracker, Alumacraft, Lund etc. I got 2 quotes today for hitch installs. The dealership can put the factory one one, which looks nicer. It requires some cutting of the rear bumper, and the hitch will be higher. It's a class 4 and it'll cost $800 installed (yikes). It'll look like this: Or another place who specializes in towing can put this one for $300 installed. It doesn't look nearly as neat IMO, but it's quite a difference in price. This one comes out under the bumber, instead of through it like the factory one. Does it matter that it'll sit lower? They'd also be installing a 7 way connector? Does that sound right? Again, thanks a bunch. Don't tell me that!