Tracker 2018 Heritage/2019 Classic edition boat

[Mw Michaelis]

I cant take a picture today but I plan to pull the boat out tomorrow to give it a bath and vacuum then finish cleaning it up and do some organizing. But on the front of the seats on that plastic just cut the proper size hole I used a hole saw for it since I have one the right size you can use a jigsaw anything you can get to fit. then you just mount them up with the screws.

[Mw Michaelis]

On 3/13/2019 at 7:44 AM, mcarrico82 said:

Can you take a pic of the speakers?  How are they mounted?

Here is a picture of one of the speakers where I mounted them.

 

 

[Sporteus]

Minnow,

 

I was thinking about doing the same with my boat this spring (assuming Spring ever comes).  But in thinking about mounting the speakers there, I am concerned about losing structural support for the seat (and my fat arse).

 

Did you do anything to reinforce the seat base around the speaker?  I was looking for some sort of metal mounting ring that would support the vertical force so the speaker's not taking that force.  Was also thinking of just doing a plywood backing to reinforce it.

 

Probably worried about nothing, but I have a tendency to over-engineer and it usually works for me.

[Mw Michaelis]

The base is thick wont hurt a thing. I am 6' tall 250 pounds no issues.

I did go to a 51/4 inch speaker over the 61/2 inch ones that came with the stereo just so I didnt have to cut such a big hole. Ive taken my buddy out couple times and he is 6'7 350 these seat bases are tough.

[jaimeastin]

Installed the recessed foot controller tray.  Very easy... The hardest part was digging ng out the foam.  I suggest a garden tool to do it. Very easy then too bad I didn't think of it until I was almost done.  Jigsaw also makes cuttin the wood easy.

 

I made a guide out of cardboard, taped it down, cur the carpet, the wood, then dig out the foam.

 

I will run the drain tube tommorow morning.

[SeriousBlack]

Looks great Jaime!

[jaimeastin]

37 minutes ago, SeriousBlack said:

Looks great Jaime!

Thanks.  We need to make a wiki.  

. first thing you need to do, cut the deck.  There is a general amount of space to move the uning front, back, side to side to get it where you want.  This needs to be done before tackling the trolling motor.  Once the deck is cut, you can put any trolling motor on you want because you will have all the space you need.  This the same if you need to run wires up front.

[mcarrico82]

18 hours ago, jaimeastin said:

Installed the recessed foot controller tray.  Very easy... The hardest part was digging ng out the foam.  I suggest a garden tool to do it. Very easy then too bad I didn't think of it until I was almost done.  Jigsaw also makes cuttin the wood easy.

 

I made a guide out of cardboard, taped it down, cur the carpet, the wood, then dig out the foam.

 

I will run the drain tube tommorow morning.

Looks good.   I need to get up the nerve to do it....

[jaimeastin]

1 hour ago, mcarrico82 said:

Looks good.   I need to get up the nerve to do it....

Just do it.  Getting he box from eBay sold by GPS City.  They are on Amazon and sell from their website.  I have bought a lot of fish findee accessories from them over the years.  Fast shipping, mine was here in 3 days 

 

Ry hard to mess it up.  You do not have to worry about hitting any beams.  I will make some actual instructions and post them soon.

[Mw Michaelis]

I haven't decided if I really want to put a recessed tray in.Not to sure I would like it. Would hate to install one and not like it.

[SeriousBlack]

Bought a full engine cover. Nice quality! Fits perfect! I'll need to remove the engine support to zip it up but wanted to see how it fit first.

 

 

[jaimeastin]

15 hours ago, Mw Michaelis said:

I haven't decided if I really want to put a recessed tray in.Not to sure I would like it. Would hate to install one and not like it.

Well, I like that it keeps the foot controller in place.  I just screwed my pedal down a few weeks before going all in.  I decided it's just wood and I can cover it with an aluminum plate if I don't want it. After Currington into it, I have learned so much more that there is no fear of the deck at all. I will make a video of under the deck and such as well as provide instructions for people.

 

With that said, as beautiful as a day it is today, I am still outside working... Changed the oil Ina. Couple of our cars, doing yard work now, going to do the 100 hour service on the boat... Yeah instead of being on the water testing, I am working. Tomorrow will be different, I will have all of my work done and can fish without regret.

 

 

[Mw Michaelis]

That would be nice the write up of installing the pan. Yea I like the idea of it being secure and out of the way just havnt made my ind up yet. Has easy is it to work if sitting in the seat?

[jaimeastin]

2 hours ago, Mw Michaelis said:

That would be nice the write up of installing the pan. Yea I like the idea of it being secure and out of the way just havnt made my ind up yet. Has easy is it to work if sitting in the seat?

I will test.  I use a put seat and tall pole.  I will put the other seat in later...  

 

i sliced my finger open earlier working on something for the boat... went to get stitches, line waaaaay too long, so I went to cvs.  Will see how it goes, lol!

[Mw Michaelis]

LOL hope your finger is ok. I spent good chunk of today vacuumed cleaned washed waxed serviced wheel bearings polished motor got the boat ready for next outing. which is so far off april 19th next time. when wife gets back from canada. I hope to have a few pics from that trip lol.

[mcarrico82]

How can you all even get outside...pollen is horrible down here in Georgia...lol.  I slice my fingers all the time ..I work in the med field and have easy access to docs to stitch me up however many times I just get steri strips and some liquid bandage.   I stay up to date on tetnus shots also.  Not saying I am the smartest but haven't lost a finger yet lol

While I am thinking of it.  How the heck do you get the seat pole from unscrewing and squeaking?  Already tried white lithium grease ...it is so aggravating

[Mw Michaelis]

8 hours ago, SeriousBlack said:

Bought a full engine cover. Nice quality! Fits perfect! I'll need to remove the engine support to zip it up but wanted to see how it fit first.

 

 

Where did you get that cover at?

[SeriousBlack]

8 hours ago, Mw Michaelis said:

Where did you get that cover at?

 

[ratman]

19 hours ago, mcarrico82 said:

How can you all even get outside...pollen is horrible down here in Georgia...lol.  I slice my fingers all the time ..I work in the med field and have easy access to docs to stitch me up however many times I just get steri strips and some liquid bandage.   I stay up to date on tetnus shots also.  Not saying I am the smartest but haven't lost a finger yet lol

While I am thinking of it.  How the heck do you get the seat pole from unscrewing and squeaking?  Already tried white lithium grease ...it is so aggravating

Never had problem with seats unscrewing i just put them in good and tight. As for the squeak bought boeshield that jaime recommended in and old post and it works amazing.It used to drive my dad crazy,sprayed it on over a month ago,been on 5 trips and not one squeak.

[Mw Michaelis]

13 hours ago, SeriousBlack said:

 

Thanks!!!!

[jaimeastin]

Finally got the boat out of the garage and on the water for some testing.  Everything worked, Which is great!  

 

The maxxum is very nice.  In comparison to the edge, I love the variable speed.  It felt so smooth and the power was nice.  At Max, it pulled me at 3mph.  I installed a G-force cable to replace the rope cable.  It was a little windy, so I still want spotlock, lol.

 

I love the recessed tray.  It was very comfortable.  The foot controller stayed in place.  This should be standard.

 

I never thought touch screen units were that big of a deal... Until today.  It made navigation and usage so much better.  Garmin has a great setup as menu options are always available on the lower portion of the screen.

 

I used RAM mounts on the console and the bow.  The worked good enough.  I may need to upgrade to more robust models, but so far this GS stayed in place 

 

The panoptix livescope worked in the position I had it in on the trolling motor.  I liked being able to look around hands free.  I might keep it on the trolling motor and not make a side Mount/pole for it.  Notice in the pics, I ran the sheilded network cable and the livescope cable in the gunnel.  Both cables are very thick, so they are masked/protected by right-angle aluminum.  It think it looks really nice.

 

The panoptix livescope blackbox (gvc10) is mounted under the console.  I originally had it in the front storage hatch, but I wanted better access, better temperature management, and wanted it closer to run the power to it.  It is accessible and out of the way at the same time.

 

My homemade network switch prototype worked flawlessly.  I am working on making it small we and self contained with different parts.  I decided to put a power on/off switch on it.  I have it zip-tied to kydex under the console.  

 

Other parts I added a blueseas fuse box.  On the battery terminals, I have a Marinco quick connect block.   I finally mounted my battery charger.  My third battery was previously kept in a minnkota power center.  Now it is mounted and secure.  I have more room for storage back there. Probably tools in a dry box

 

Finally, I will do all the maintenance this week.  I purchased an hour meeter, which still.needs to be installed.  

[jaimeastin]

Finally got the boat on the water to test the upgrades.  

 

[SeriousBlack]

Awesome video and great job with the boat! Ultimate setup for sure! Very impressed!

[jaimeastin]

Don't want to bombard, but here is another video on maintenance:

 

[Mw Michaelis]

Good video Jaime. If you don't mind I would like to give you some info that will make your next oil change and lower unit service a tiny bit easier.

The screw driver is from snap on and is special made for the lower unit drain and vent screws. They run like 25 to 30 bucks off the snap on truck. the yellow item you put under your oil filter it sits on the motor on a little lip and the housing works great for catching any oil. I do still put a rag under it though. If you buy the oil kit that comes with the filer and oil in the box you get this tool along with new drain plug seals etc.

Last but not least. When draining your oil here is a picture from the service manual raise motor up and turn it then remove the drain plug and let it drain lot less chance of a mess and it all drains out. I hope this may help you and others on servicing their motors. Ok they change part numbers and price they are 35 bucks now but here is link if your interested.

 

https://store.snapon.com/Marine-Plug-Screwdriver-Large-Marine-Plug-Screwdriver-P893034.aspx