CarolinaBoy4Life Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 I have finally purchased my first boat! Got 1996 17FT Quest center console with a 70HP Johnson. Looking forward to learning the local lake's and being out as often as possible. Got a lot to learn but looking forward to getting off the bank and on the water! 1 Quote
Super User SPEEDBEAD. Posted October 22, 2014 Super User Posted October 22, 2014 The two best days you own a boat....the day you buy it and the day you sell it. B.O.A.T Break Out Another Thousand LOL, that's what he means. 4 Quote
Super User tomustang Posted October 22, 2014 Super User Posted October 22, 2014 Nice, this thread is worthless without pics Quote
Super User slonezp Posted October 22, 2014 Super User Posted October 22, 2014 Nice, this thread is worthless without pics Agreed Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted October 22, 2014 Super User Posted October 22, 2014 Agreed Agreed Quote
CarolinaBoy4Life Posted October 22, 2014 Author Posted October 22, 2014 Sorry I'm at work I will upload them tonight. I tried to prepare as much as possible for extra costs and upgrades. Got the boat for a steal and still had a good amount left over for any extenuating circumstances. Quote
CarolinaBoy4Life Posted October 22, 2014 Author Posted October 22, 2014 It continues to tell me file to big to upload.. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted October 22, 2014 Super User Posted October 22, 2014 That's what she said 2 Quote
bighed Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 Condolences for what? Boats are great. I have a couple and love them both. When I bought my first boat I began to learn the depth of the addicition of fishing. Every year it's gotten worse. Now my stock of plastics take up my entire master bedroom closet, I've got new rods I've never fished and find new tackle in the garage I dont remember buying. My wife crys when I spool my reels, the dog doesn't know who I am. Enjoy, take the wife or SO if you can, finda balance between fishing and everything else. 4 Quote
CarolinaBoy4Life Posted October 22, 2014 Author Posted October 22, 2014 I appreciate the help Wayne! My work computer is horrible and slow. 1 Quote
desmobob Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 Nice looking rig!! I wish you much luck with it and the fish you chase with it. Tight lines, Bob Quote
CarolinaBoy4Life Posted October 22, 2014 Author Posted October 22, 2014 Thank's guy's! Took a long time to save up and find what I wanted but it's been worth it Quote
flipin4bass Posted October 22, 2014 Posted October 22, 2014 Boats are great. I have a couple and love them both. When I bought my first boat I began to learn the depth of the addicition of fishing. Every year it's gotten worse. Now my stock of plastics take up my entire master bedroom closet, I've got new rods I've never fished and find new tackle in the garage I dont remember buying. My wife crys when I spool my reels, the dog doesn't know who I am. Enjoy, take the wife or SO if you can, finda balance between fishing and everything else. OMG that sounds so like somebody I know. Congrats on the new boat, may you witness many sunrises and sunsets from your boat's deck. Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted October 23, 2014 Super User Posted October 23, 2014 Congrats and enjoy! It'll open up a whole new aspect of fishing for you. Quote
Brian6428 Posted October 24, 2014 Posted October 24, 2014 Nice boat! Personally, I have never gotten the "two best days in a boat owners life are the days he buys and sells the boat" quote. I get a big grin every time it see my boat in the garage, whenever I go to hitch up the trailer, whenever I fire up the outboard, etc. Everyday is the best day to own a bass boat! 1 Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted October 25, 2014 Super User Posted October 25, 2014 Like you getting married, not sure if if I should congratulate you or send my condolences. With either one, get a good one and they are great, get a bad one and they can make your life miserable. Quote
Super User Sam Posted October 25, 2014 Super User Posted October 25, 2014 CarolinaBoy, congrats. You will have many fun days on the water and get to learn many bodies of water and where the best places are to fish. Just a few suggestions now that you are officially in the "Boat Owners Club." 1. Learn all you can about all of the systems on the boat. Know what each button controls. Listen to the motor so you can tell when something is not right. 2. Have your local Power Squadron check the boat to make sure it meets all state safety and equipment rules and guidelines. Will save you some money if you are stopped and checked by your game wardens and you are missing something. The Power Squadron inspection is free. 3. Before having the boat checked by the Power Squadron check with your game and fisheries for their list of what you have to have on the boat depending on its length and motor horsepower. 4. Always be safe and not sorry. If the weather is going to be a challenge you stay home. No reason to use the boat to pull a tube for your friends. NO alcohol on the boat at any time. Always wear your PFD when the big outboard motor is running. Go slow in waters unfamiliar to you and always be on the lookout for floating logs, trees, debris, etc. 5. Have a checklist of the equipment you will need when you go fishing in addition to a checklist as to what to check before you leave home. You may want to start your motor for a few minutes before heading to the lake and make sure your trolling motor is working. You will need to have the "ears" connected to a hose to supply water while in drydock. And be sure to keep your batteries always plugged into the battery charger at all times the boat is home. 6. ALWAYS REMEMBER THE PLUG! Easier said then done. I put the plug in the boat when I leave for the ramp unless it is raining. If it is raining I stay home. 7. Know how to work on the motor and hull. If in doubt bite the bullet and take the boat to a certified marine mechanic or someone you trust to check it out and make repairs and spend some money to have peace of mind about the problem being corrected. 8. Never, ever let anyone else drive the boat. This means friends, girlfriends, family members and business associates. You are the captain and you run the boat. 9. And take the boating safety course in your state. In Virginia everyone 45 and younger needs their Safe Boating Certificate to legally operate a watercraft and everyone operating a jet ski must have their Safe Boating Certificates. 10. One last suggestion: Buy $1,000,000 of watercraft liability insurance. It may seem like a lot but the additional premium is not that much over lower limit levels. By having the $1,000,000 limits you will not have to worry about any accidents on the water that are your fault. Call your auto and /r homeowners agent for a few quotes. Have many safe days on the water and remember to practice those wonderful words when you are fishing with a friend in your boat: "Get the net!" Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted October 25, 2014 Super User Posted October 25, 2014 Yep, the day will come when you forget the drain plug. Just don't panic when it does happen. If you notice it at the ramp and have access to it from inside the boat. Just stick it in, load it back on the trailer and let it drain. If it not so deep in the boat it's dangerous, you can just drive the boat, once it's moving fast enough keep the water off the back of the transom (about 10 mph or so) it creates a vacuum an pulls the water back out, then just put the plug when it's all out. As mentioned, the best time is to make it part of the hookup procedure. I hook to it, connect chains and lights, trim the motor up (I keep my motor down when when parked) and putthe plug in. Now, when I take the tie downs off, i always double check to make sure the plug is in. Several years ago, we came in late, was going back out befor daylight, so I didn't disconnect the boat. Since I didn't go through my normal hookup procedure the next morning, and I always take it out when I load the boat. It was not until we stopped some 15 miles from the ramp the next morning I heard the blig pump come on that I realized I hadn't put the plug in. The problem with that was mine screws in from the outside and a foot back under the transom. So guess who had to strip and go swimming on a cold morning in some cold water. 1 Quote
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