Alpster & Speedbead need some help..............

[Alpster]

I posted this sad story on the Guntersville Roadtrip Sticky thread and am re-posting it here in case it is missed there. If this is out of line, I hope a mod will fix it, move it or delete it.

Speedbead and I need some help if anyone can....

I have my heart set on pulling my boat behind the BassBus to Guntersville for Wayne & I to fish in for the week. It's a 16' aluminum V-hull. I do not own an outboard because you can't put an outboard in fresh water where I live, all the lakes are electric only.

I have rented several motors in different places on my trips to Canada. However,  I have called every place I can think of in my area and in Alabama and have drawn a blank. It seems no one rents an outboard alone.

I am hoping that someone in NJ, Eastern PA or anywhere along our route to Guntersville (I-81 SW to I-40 to I-75 to I-59) has a small outboard we could use for the week. We don't need much. A 9.9 or 15 hp kicker with a tiller will do. The boat is rated for up to 40hp so anything up to that with a tiller, would be great. I am happy to pay rent, make a deposit and I will be fully responsible for the motor. I will treat it like a baby and return it better than I got it.

If you have one or know of someone or a commercial rental along our route, Wayne & I would greatly appreciate if you can help us get hooked up. If I have to, I will even look at buying a used motor on ebay or whatever, but consider this a last resort as I would promptly sell it as soon as I return. I can't justify owning, storing and maintaining a motor for use once a year.

If you can help a brutha out send me a PM and I will be in touch. TIA

Ronnie

PS- I had no Idea this would be so difficult.

[flechero]

I wish I had a free connection for you guys...  If enough people will respond, I'll throw in the first $25 towards a used motor purchase... and you can sell it or raffle it to a mamber after the trip.  

I remember all too well what happened with rickey-   >  

[Zel]

Alpster, Can't help you, wish I could. If no one offers you one to use, consider contacting some local marines. Many have used motors for sale. Who knows, maybe they will even rent you one (the guys at M&H Marine are pretty good at helping people out in a fix). And coming from a marine, you can be reasonably assured it will run. Here is a listing from the local marine I use, located in Lehighton, PA (and I think they have more than is listed on their website).

http://www.mhmarine.com/Inventory.ivnu

[Alpster]

Hey Zel,

Believe me, I have thought of this. I live right on the Jersey Shore and I have called every marina in the phone book. A few will rent both a boat and motor launched out of their dock only. As soon as I mention a motor only and taking it out of their parking lot, all bets are off. Keep your ears open and thanks for wanting to help out. I will give your marina a call. They have a used 10 HP for sale for $395. If they will guarantee it for 7 days, my problem might be solved. LOL

Thanks!

Ronnie

[Alpster]

I wish I had a free connection for you guys...  If enough people will respond, I'll throw in the first $25 towards a used motor purchase... and you can sell it or raffle it to a member after the trip.  

I remember all too well what happened with rickey-   >  

I want to be very clear about what we need. I really appreciate Keith wanting to chip in $. I have also received a couple of PMs offering the same and I am extremely grateful for the support, but money is not the issue. Availability is the problem. If I could run down to 'Billy Bob's rental and give him a deposit and $250 rent for a weeks motor rental, problem solved. That doesn't seem to be an option.

The best case scenario, in my mind, is a member in reasonable proximity of the route to AL has a sailboat or salt water sportfisher with a kicker motor that doesn't run much. We pick it up on the way to Guntersville, give it a little exercise and return it with enough money to get a new prop for the big boat or make the monthly payment. Everyone wins!

Thanks guys!

Ronnie

[roadwarrior]

I will see what I can do around here.

8-)

[Catt]

Ronnie, I've sent an email to a friend who lives near Guntersville, he will either leave an answer here or email me.  

[SPEEDBEAD.]

You guys are all AWESOME!!!!!!!

Flech, thanks for the offer but as Ronnie said, the main issue is finding one.  I never imagined it could be this difficult.

I have a 9.5 sitting in my garage right now that a buddy loaned me, thinking it was good to go.  Unfortunately, I spent Sunday attempting to start it with no luck. So, we are still in the same predicament.  After looking it over, I dont know that I would trust it for a week of fishing.  The last thing I want to do is watch Ronnie paddle across Guntersville using his hand as an oar.      LOL

Thanks again for the support fellas.

[Logan]

Gentlemen,

I understand your issue and can only think back when I lived up north where one could rent a motor only. I have lived in north Bama for almost 20 years now and have yet to see a dealer rent a motor only. There is a dealer in Guntersville, AL named "Lake Guntersville Boat Mart" where they rent pontoon boats with motors in the summer. You may want to contact them just to be sure.

Here in Huntsville about 40 minutes from Guntersville we have no marine dealerships, just 2 repair shops. We used to have 2 but the last one a Champion dealer closed up 3 years ago and he now works for Mercury in California.

Please contact me if you should need any other help.

Bama Bass  

[GitRDoneIke23]

I wish I could help!!! Hope it all works out!!!

[flyhatch]

id check out craigslist

i see many outboards on there reasonably priced

you could pic one up and resell it or donate it

e

[roadwarrior]

Still nothing for you, but I'm fishing with some guys this weekend that might have an idea.

Will keep you posted.

[senile1]

If you can't get an outboard and you're stuck using your trolling motor, I'll ship you a couple of paddles to save the batteries.    No, no.  Don't thank me.  It's the least I can do.   :

Seriously, I wish you luck on finding that motor.  If I were on your path to Guntersville, I'd let you use my 70 horse Johnson on my old boat.  I haven't sold it yet.  

[heathen]

Alpster,

Where are you guys picking I-81 up at?

[Alpster]

Alpster,

Where are you guys picking I-81 up at?

I will pick up Speedbead in PA and we get on I-81 off of the PA Turnpike just West of Harrisburg, PA.

Ronnie

[bassnleo]

Too bad I'm so far off your route.....I have an 18 hp Tohatsu tiller that would suit your needs. I'm 60 miles South of Erie PA, in order for you to get it you would have to go way off your path.

Wish I could help

[heathen]

I will pick up Speedbead in PA and we get on I-81 off of the PA Turnpike just West of Harrisburg, PA.

Ronnie

I am about 2 hrs off your beat and path, but if worse gets to worse and you want I can arange to meet you somewhere 1/2 way or something. I have a '92 Johnson 9.9. It hasnt been run in a year, but its always been a great little motor and I have owned it since it was new. I would definatly trust it. I use to use it all the time, but the 2 main lakes I fish now are trolling motor only so it doesnt see much use. It also has a brand new prop thats never seen the water.

Tommy

[Alpster]

I will pick up Speedbead in PA and we get on I-81 off of the PA Turnpike just West of Harrisburg, PA.

Ronnie

I am about 2 hrs off your beat and path, but if worse gets to worse and you want I can arange to meet you somewhere 1/2 way or something. I have a '92 Johnson 9.9. It hasnt been run in a year, but its always been a great little motor and I have owned it since it was new. I would definatly trust it. I use to use it all the time, but the 2 main lakes I fish now are trolling motor only so it doesnt see much use. It also has a brand new prop thats never seen the water.

Tommy

Tommy,

You are now on my list of possible solutions. Thanks for wanting to help us out, you guys are the BEST!

Ronnie

[heathen]

No problem bud, glad to help in any way I can.