Wanna built a boat?

[casts_by_fly]

the motor came in already and the boat is on site.  They were trying to work out a rigging slot.  Since I was able to get these in, it might rig up next week which would imply picking it up next weekend.

[Motoboss]

Update and pictures!

[casts_by_fly]

4 hours ago, Motoboss said:

Update and pictures!

talked with the guys this week. It’s in the shop this week and should finish next week. We decided on mounting options, chargers, etc. I think I’ll pick it up on Saturday the 22nd. 

[casts_by_fly]

It’s in the shop getting wired up and mounted. Pickup Saturday.  Both motors are on. Today was fish finders. We were going to flush mount the explor 9 in the console but it’s too deep for the space so it’s going on a ram mount (I was 50/50 on that choice anyway). The pirhanna in the dash is coming out and a plate going in (any clever things I could put in its place?). Saturday is gotcha day. 
 

 

[casts_by_fly]

Happy gotcha day!

 

 

 

It fits.  Just. 
 

 

I put rods, gear, and tackle in as a start. It fits basically exactly what I thought it would. About a dozen rods in the locker, about a dozen 3700s, a half dozen 3600s, and a couple speed bags. Tools, safety equipment, etc fits under the seats. 

I’ll get some more and better pictures the first day on the water 

[Cabinlife]

Very nice!!  Best of luck! 

[Motoboss]

Very nice but now your out of the kayak tournament game.

Enjoy!!

[Swamp Girl]

It's a beautiful boat. It looks stable. I also like its compact size. Bigger is not always better.

 

I also love your driveway. That's a lot of pavers! 

[casts_by_fly]

12 hours ago, Motoboss said:

Very nice but now your out of the kayak tournament game.

Enjoy!!

Thanks!  I was never in it in the first place. I have no interest in tournaments other than to track the local ones so that I’m not on the same lakes the day of a tournament. 

 

1 hour ago, Swamp Girl said:

It's a beautiful boat. It looks stable. I also like its compact size. Bigger is not always better.

 

I also love your driveway. That's a lot of pavers! 

thanks!  It should be really good in the water. We’ll see later this week. 
 

it’s a LOT of pavers. The pad in front of the garages is 3-car wide plus buffer and 30’ from garage door to grass. Then there is a 100’ x 10’ driveway to the road (plus another 5’x60’ sidewalk to the front door).   And then before we redid the back porch it was all pavers also- 100’ x 40’.  If you’re ever making a choice, don’t choose pavers. The original owner put them in (at what must have been incredible cost). They move. The paver base erodes away with heavy rain. Blowing snow on pavers is awful because they aren’t level and the skids catch all of the time. And more pressing here is that I have two dips from tire tracks getting into my middle garage bay. The pavers are a solid 2” lower than the concrete. To get the boat into the garage I have to line it up and get a head of steam to roll it over the lip. If you miss,

it’s like the bowling ball arcade game where you're stuck in the divot. For sure, the next 60 degree sunny day we get I am pulling up a couple dozen pavers and relaying them into new paver base. 

[Swamp Girl]

2 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Thanks!  I was never in it in the first place. I have no interest in tournaments other than to track the local ones so that I’m not on the same lakes the day of a tournament. 

 

thanks!  It should be really good in the water. We’ll see later this week. 
 

it’s a LOT of pavers. The pad in front of the garages is 3-car wide plus buffer and 30’ from garage door to grass. Then there is a 100’ x 10’ driveway to the road (plus another 5’x60’ sidewalk to the front door).   And then before we redid the back porch it was all pavers also- 100’ x 40’.  If you’re ever making a choice, don’t choose pavers. The original owner put them in (at what must have been incredible cost). They move. The paver base erodes away with heavy rain. Blowing snow on pavers is awful because they aren’t level and the skids catch all of the time. And more pressing here is that I have two dips from tire tracks getting into my middle garage bay. The pavers are a solid 2” lower than the concrete. To get the boat into the garage I have to line it up and get a head of steam to roll it over the lip. If you miss,

it’s like the bowling ball arcade game where you're stuck in the divot. For sure, the next 60 degree sunny day we get I am pulling up a couple dozen pavers and relaying them into new paver base. 

 

I've laid a few paver patios and sidewalks and I've seen the driveways, sidewalks, and patios laid by pros. I've only seen a few professional jobs that equaled my amateur efforts because pros want to make as much money as possible, which means they don't spend as much time on the base beneath the pavers. Dig deep enough and compact your sand long enough and your pavers won't sink.

[casts_by_fly]

40 minutes ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

I've laid a few paver patios and sidewalks and I've seen the driveways, sidewalks, and patios laid by pros. I've only seen a few professional jobs that equaled my amateur efforts because pros want to make as much money as possible, which means they don't spend as much time on the base beneath the pavers. Dig deep enough and compact your sand long enough and your pavers won't sink.

yeah, I’ve fixed them in a few places already and they are good after fixing them. But it’s a real pain to do it.  

[Swamp Girl]

7 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

yeah, I’ve fixed them in a few places already and they are good after fixing them. But it’s a real pain to do it.  

 

Heck, yeah, they're a lot of work. 

[Fishingmickey]

Deleted my comment.

FM

[Darth-Baiter]

that tiny boat guy is killing it.  i would love to build something.    but i have zero skills, zero patience.  not that much money. 

 

recipe for disaster. 

 

your new boat is sweet!!!  a huge hurdle for me is that i drive a toyota tacoma (just bought it actually) .   and i dont think i can stomach the gasoline consumption of a big boat.  

if/when i am going in the direction you did.  but with a bigger motor.    

 

congrats.  

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

that tiny boat guy is killing it.  i would love to build something.    but i have zero skills, zero patience.  not that much money. 

 

recipe for disaster. 

 

your new boat is sweet!!!  a huge hurdle for me is that i drive a toyota tacoma (just bought it actually) .   and i dont think i can stomach the gasoline consumption of a big boat.  

if/when i am going in the direction you did.  but with a bigger motor.    

 

congrats.  

 

thanks!  I did consider a custom build- take a 16'-17' jon or V, keep it a tiller and deck it out.  Then I could have the layout I wanted (rod lockers, proper storage space, minimal livewell) plus the ability to use a 9.9 on the lakes that need it and have a little bigger motor or an electric on the back for other lakes.  Alas, it would have cost me the same or more to build it out in the end and I'd have had no warranty or after support.  I gave up a little flexibility on motor swaps (which really doesn't limit me much) and a little bit in layout (I really don't need 2 livewells when I'll never use 1) but I got 95% of what I wanted with a full warranty and support.  And I didn't have to build it out myself over months.

 

In the 16-18' segment there are so many aluminum boats that will range from $15k on up to $85k (maybe more) that there is something for about everyone.

[Darth-Baiter]

@casts_by_fly  i showed a picture of your boat to my wife last night.

 

she didnt say no!!!    for me, similar set up with a bigger motor and shallow water anchors...i could get it done!!  

[casts_by_fly]

8 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

@casts_by_fly  i showed a picture of your boat to my wife last night.

 

she didnt say no!!!    for me, similar set up with a bigger motor and shallow water anchors...i could get it done!!  

Strike while the iron is hot!

 

I don’t know your storage space, but I was limited to a 20x8’ garage which is about 2-4” shorter than that each way.  When I looked at this one in the showroom, on of the guy there had just upsized from the 1600 to the 1700 and had the same sized garage as me. With the 1600 in and the door down, you can slide between the door and the folded tongue. With the 1700 you have to step over the tongue. I considered the 1700 and if they hadn’t had the 1600 floor model cheap I would have gone 1700 for the extra storage hatch. Both would have fit. 
 

if you have a bigger garage, the xfc is really nice. I ogled one in the showroom. 

[casts_by_fly]

Maiden voyage today went well. Finished the first break in of the motor. Now just have 7 more hours of not running wide open for long periods. The gas motor ran like a champ once I primed it. I think I want a new prop though.  This one is the pro kicker which is designed for lower speed control.  I had to get it because I needed a long shaft but wanted power tilt. This prop is a 10x5 and I was topping out at 6.8 mph when it was calm. always good to have a spare prop also. 
 

The ultrex is a machine. It pulls the boat along at 3.5 mph if I need to.  Power steering is crazy awesome. My biggest hangup with cable steer motors is resolved. And, with the mini remote I can treat it like I did my kayak and not even use the foot pedal. I don’t have a recessed tray, and I don’t like a front seat so the remote will get some work. 
 

The xplore units are nice. The touchscreen is awesome. It’s faster to adjust things  than the helix. I need to reread the manual now as there were some things I wanted to change but couldn’t figure out how.  The menu system is a bit different to the helix even if the terminology and functions are largely the same. Mega live 2 is better than 1 for sure. I still have a lot of tweaking on it. 
 

on the whole, a successful break in trip. It loads onto the trailer easy and pulls like nothing. 
 

 

 

[Junger]

Is that the Ultrex Quest? If so, it's worth the investment into the new LCD remote so you can use driftmode, and set OneBoat Network buttons on it. I hated the old Ultrex color LCD, but the new one is more basic cosmetically but so much more functional.

[casts_by_fly]

1 hour ago, Junger said:

Is that the Ultrex Quest? If so, it's worth the investment into the new LCD remote so you can use driftmode, and set OneBoat Network buttons on it. I hated the old Ultrex color LCD, but the new one is more basic cosmetically but so much more functional.

not a quest. I thought about it, but I was on the terrova path initially. I ended up with an ultrex because of the cost of live imaging mounts for a terrova. Going to the quest would have been another step up in price. 

[kschultz76]

CBF congrats!! Beautiful boat, and best of luck with her. I’m guessing you took her to Round Valley or Spruce Run for that maiden voyage?

 

Being in SJ and fishing primarily in SJ up to central Jersey, and NE PA I know the conundrum of needing a boat that you can legally run in our smaller HP limited and electric only lakes but want that room for storage and fishing comfortably. Looks like you found an awesome option to manage that. 
 

I went with a Tracker ProTeam 175 TXW last year, ordered with the Merc 9.9, and picked up end of August from my dealer. Maybe should have looked more at Crestliner but at the time it was the largest boat I could find that I could still order with a 9.9.  Didn’t want to go down the two motors with a 9.9 kicker route bc a larger motor would never get run often enough.   I’m really happy with my Tracker and I’m sure you will be with your Storm. 

 

Here’s a few things I’ve done to make life easier as I’m often fishing alone, or with family where I’m doing the loading/unloading on my own. 
 

1. Added a tilt switch at the outboard wired in under the cowl. My boat came rigged with one at the console and the bow. Just made a couple y pigtails to integrate into oem wiring under the cowl with an inline fuse holder off the 12v hot stud. Makes getting the transom saver on and off a breeze. They should install these at the factory. 
 

2. Added a set of Omega boat steps to the trailer. Garage storage not an option for me. But looking at your trailer there are options for mounting that will preserve your swing away tongue. 
 

3. For electric only lakes I like a transom mounted TM. On my transom there’s just enough room to mount one next to the outboard. I picked up MK 24v model and wired up a quick disconnect plug and separate circuit breaker. 

 

Hoping to get out in the next week or so myself. 

Photos of the TM plug. 

Photos of the steps. 

[casts_by_fly]

23 minutes ago, kschultz76 said:

CBF congrats!! Beautiful boat, and best of luck with her. I’m guessing you took her to Round Valley or Spruce Run for that maiden voyage?

 

Being in SJ and fishing primarily in SJ up to central Jersey, and NE PA I know the conundrum of needing a boat that you can legally run in our smaller HP limited and electric only lakes but want that room for storage and fishing comfortably. Looks like you found an awesome option to manage that. 
 

I went with a Tracker ProTeam 175 TXW last year, ordered with the Merc 9.9, and picked up end of August from my dealer. Maybe should have looked more at Crestliner but at the time it was the largest boat I could find that I could still order with a 9.9.  Didn’t want to go down the two motors with a 9.9 kicker route bc a larger motor would never get run often enough.   I’m really happy with my Tracker and I’m sure you will be with your Storm. 

 

Here’s a few things I’ve done to make life easier as I’m often fishing alone, or with family where I’m doing the loading/unloading on my own. 
 

1. Added a tilt switch at the outboard wired in under the cowl. My boat came rigged with one at the console and the bow. Just made a couple y pigtails to integrate into oem wiring under the cowl with an inline fuse holder off the 12v hot stud. Makes getting the transom saver on and off a breeze. They should install these at the factory. 
 

2. Added a set of Omega boat steps to the trailer. Garage storage not an option for me. But looking at your trailer there are options for mounting that will preserve your swing away tongue. 
 

3. For electric only lakes I like a transom mounted TM. On my transom there’s just enough room to mount one next to the outboard. I picked up MK 24v model and wired up a quick disconnect plug and separate circuit breaker. 

 

Hoping to get out in the next week or so myself. 

Photos of the TM plug. 

Photos of the steps. 

very nice. I actually went to Hopatcong. Spruce run is 17’ low and the ramp is not usable. And with 15+ mph wind I was worried it would be a little wild up on RV. I don’t like hopatcong but all of the other gas motor lakes around are closed to fishing due to trout stocking and even though I wasn’t fishing I wanted the option. So I just went for a nice boat ride in the sunshine. 
 

Good suggestions for add ons.  The steps are on my possibles list.  Yesterday I crawled down over the front and onto the trailer frame. Then hopped into the bed of the truck and stepped over the edge onto the tire to stay out of the water. It worked and I’m young and spry enough to do it. But the steps would prevent the inevitable slipping off the wet trailer that I know is going to happen. 
 

I don’t have a motor toter (dealer said not needed with just a 9.9) so I don’t miss the motor mounted tilt switch. It is weird that they don’t put one on. My dad’s 20 has one on the motor. 
 

I do need to grab a spare tire though. It didn’t come with one and that’s a no go for me. 

[kschultz76]

Darn SR still down that low? Hopatcong is good fishing as long as it’s not the busy weekends like you said. Your boat and mine are big enough to handle the bigger lakes as long as we can stay out of playing frogger with the big boats. 
 

Spare tire always a requirement. I’d reconsider the transom saver even with the 9.9. We always had one on my dad’s fiberglass boat with a 9.9. Cheap insurance and minimal inconvenience to take stress off both the transom and the motor mount and tilt components when trailering. 
 

oh I also added stainless steel trailer mounted retractable transom tie downs. Another good investment. 

[casts_by_fly]

1 minute ago, kschultz76 said:

Darn SR still down that low? Hopatcong is good fishing as long as it’s not the busy weekends like you said. Your boat and mine are big enough to handle the bigger lakes as long as we can stay out of playing frogger with the big boats. 
 

Spare tire always a requirement. I’d reconsider the transom saver even with the 9.9. We always had one on my dad’s fiberglass boat with a 9.9. Cheap insurance and minimal inconvenience to take stress off both the transom and the motor mount and tilt components when trailering. 
 

oh I also added stainless steel trailer mounted retractable transom tie downs. Another good investment. 

15’ below full pool. If we get the 2.5” of rain forecast over the next week that should pull it up 3-4’ but that’s still not enough for the ramp to be usable. The water line is about 6’ lower than the end of the ramp and then it has to come far enough up the ramp to launch. 


 

 

 

boat buckles would be nice. They offered them as an option if you ordered new, but this one didn’t have them and I didn’t ask to add them. Two straps are no biggie and I can just throw them in the truck side boxes easily enough. 
 

The first year I had my kayak I fished hopatcong a bunch. I’d usually launch around 3-4 am and get a few hours before it got crazy. Even still I’d run the kayak everywhere on the lake. Head on a swivel. This boat will be more than enough to be safe on the lake but at < 7mph that’s a tough go for a lake I don’t actually like to fish. The fish are there but if you don’t like to fish docks or deep weed lines you’re pretty stuffed. 

 

[kschultz76]

I haven’t been able to fish Spruce Run since 2018 or 2019 and miss it loved fishing there. Round Valley was a blast last fall, all kinds of submerged trees and shrubs now. Want to get up to Merrill Creek this year too. 
 

Lazy was the name of the game for me with all these small things like the boat buckles. Less parts to lose and move around at the boat ramp while also keeping track of the kids.