Fish and Ski Equipment Questions

[Ziggy Bones]

I just recently purchased a 17' ProCraft 170 Combo Fish and Ski with a 90 HP Mercury Tracker Pro and had some questions for equipment advise and if anyone knows where to find the dang ladders for this boat.

The receivers for the (from the pictures I've seen) stock ladder set up are at an angle toward the rear of the boat and I haven't been able to find any boating ladders at all that fit these receivers. I had a friend of mine recommend a collapsible rope ladder, and I found a few that look promising, but figured I'd ask around before I spent the $35.

I've also noticed buttons for seat pads in front of the windows on the front casting deck, but have been unable to find any online or at my local shops that have bottom buttons like that for easy removal. I've just been using my throwable PFD for a booty pad for my lady, but would like to have the real thing.

Last, but certainly not least, I have one of the base model Hummingbird fish finders that came with the boat, but would like to get a nicer one. The fish finder setup is located in front of the window, and is an SOB to see when the sun is in front of you. I guess I'll need to take the window off and move the receiver up on the console to make it easier to see. The Garmin Striker 4 was recommended to me by a friend, and it seems like a solid little rig, but I wanted to hear from someone who has some time with actual machine. ?

[fishnkamp]

I had a 1998 ProCraft 205 Combo. That was the best boat I ever owned.  I fished tournaments out of it and ski and tubed off it. There were factory sun pads for those boats for the front deck and the rear deck. ProCraft made them, those used the "button" snaps you mentioned.You would have to go to a marine upholstery place to get custom pads made today. I ordered my boat with factory sun pads as well as the factory Bimini top including the extra section that closed off the rear deck area.

I also purchased the ski pole and supports that went into the rear seat post and two support legs clipped into small brackets on the rear deck.  I had a great multi chambered "Bat Wing" style tube. Man that was fun to ride.  I had the factory ladder so I can not help much there. Sorry.

As for the depth finder I used a ram mount located right behind the windshield so my Garmin GPS/fish finder sat a little towards me and was easy to see and adjust.

 

I am sure you could do the same and a 5 or 7 inch unit should fit.

I hope this helps.

[WRB]

The obvious question is did you ask the seller where these items are?

Rope ladders aren't good for everyday use, get a folding boat ladder that hangs onto the gunnel or install a stern unit.

A ski tow bar keeps the ski rope higher off the water making towing skiers easier.

The Ram mount is the way to go for the sonar unit.

3M 5200 sealant will come in handy to plug any holes and seal any new installation screws.

Any competent boat upholstery shop an make snap cushions to match your boats buttons or replace them.

Good luck,

Tom 

[Catt]

Do a little wondering around on iboats website ?

 

https://forums.iboats.com/Boat-Parts/

[WRB]

24 minutes ago, Catt said:

Do a little wondering around on iboats website ?

 

https://forums.iboats.com/Boat-Parts/

Very informative link, thanks!

Tom

[Ziggy Bones]

Thanks for the replies fellers, I've been consulting with my fishing "Godfather" at work, and he mentioned much of the same, so now I'm off to the upholstery shop to see what sort of damage I'm in for!

[fishnkamp]

Since these were not as popular as the ProCraft bass boats you will not find as many anglers that have had them. I loved mine. It had a Mercury 200 and ran that heavy hull at 72 mph gps.  The ride and quality of the boat was terrific.

We fished and played on it for over a decade until I moved and ful got too expensive. I sold it and rigged an electric only boat to fish our local electric only reservoirs for several years. Out of the 7 aluminum rigs and 2 fiberglass rigs my wife and I have owned over 40 years we loved that boat the most. I wish I still had it.  Of course I am glad I only feed a 75 instead of a big 200 EFI motor.