some questions about the V20
 

Alright guys, I'm trying to get some work done on the V and had some questions.... has anyone had any luck with buying a cover from somewhere like bass pro or other mail order. know of any covers like that who actually fit? also, I slow troll for stripers, real slow. and was wondering what pound thrust trolling motor i need, what thrust and shaft length do you guys use on the v20? Thanks in advance guys! I can't wait to finally get some work done on the V.

Our esteemed member Reelapeelin has a trolling motor setup for stiper trolling...I'm sure he'll be a long shortly with specs on it....Good question about the cover...I think I may invest in one myself this year as l'm tired of looking at the big ol gray tarp on it every day.....Iboats sells covers by model and for a V-20 they recommend one made for a deck boat which would make sense due the large rounded bow our V-20's have....would like to know for sure from somebody who has already bought one that it fits nicely before springing for one though.

In regards to the cover, I went down the costly road with a Canvas cover which I ended up giving it to my neighbour. Its heavy, catches water and grow mildew like you will never imagine.
Note my neighbour had no cover so he does not mind the issues I mentioned.
I found at Bass Pro and found an awesome cover for which I paid 199.00 thinking it was a good deal, purchase it and it works perfectly. Its light and made of Polyester even a support pole included.
I will post pictures later including the exact make and model.

thanks Mack, I am looking forward to a little protection and not having to clean as hard when i use the boat!

I don't know about electric motors I troll a lot for trout at 1-1 1/2 MPH I used a Nissan 8hp short shaft with a 4 blade hi thrust prop..........

The problem with most tarps is they are thin plastic, and they are square, which means that you always have a lot of extra cover hanging all over the place. And then you have to use bungie cords, weights, etc, etc to try and hold them on....yuck!!
I don't use a custom fit cover, but I've had great luck using a swimming pool cover. They are extra heavy duty plastic for safety reasons, lightweight, last forever, and, if you buy an oval one, they fit very well....Plus they come with a wire cable and winch that you can use to hold the tarp to the boat trailer nice and snug... And, compared to custom tarps, they are dirt cheap. The one in the pic is two years old, was $57, and it covers the V20 perfectly.:news:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l1.../wellcover.jpg

Trolling Motor
 

I am installing a 36V 101 # thrust trolling motor on an auxiliary bracket for trolling in the jetties & offshore.,. primarily for Tarpon..

Using 3 12V batteries mounted in the cuddy cabin with 2 gauge wire to a troll motor plug on the transom. Helps with weight balance...

Thirdcoast

Destroyer,

That's a great idea! :clap:

rkc

X2, why didn't I think of that! I always used the blue 12' x 24' from wally world for 20 - 25 bucks. They last about 1 season. I stuffed rags up between the tarp and corners of the windshield.

Dad recently built a 40 x 40 metal building with two 10 x 10 garage doors. My baby is sleeping in the left bay comfortably out of the elements. :beer:

I'm trying to get one built behind my house but I can't ever get the contractor people to do anything. I guess they just don't make enough money off my cheap *** to make it worth it to them. Had a grading estimater come out and look 3 weeks ago. Still no price. Had the building contractor come out about 1 month ago. Still no price. I just about give up.

This is what is looks like on my Boat..
Make Classic Accessories Storm Pro Type F , Fits V-hull runabouts (outboards and I/O) 22'' - 24'' D, beam to 116'' W
You can see my neighbour Boat in some of the pictures with the canvas cover on it.
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c.../DSCF01067.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF0113.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF0112.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF0111.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF0110.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF0109.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF0108.jpg
http://i527.photobucket.com/albums/c...s/DSCF0107.jpg

Here is an exact Make/Model on Ebay for 169.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/Classic-Accessor...item5d293c1517

Damn, I gotta admit that's a sweet looking cover!!.. I love the vents in the back for air circulation. Good choice!! :clap: (Is you neighbor jealous yet?) LOL

Thanks Rob!!...I slow troll live herring & shiners w/this...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90.../95V-21008.jpg

It's a 72 lb Minn Kota w/Auto-Pilot and Co-Pilot...sounds like a lot of hokey stuff, but it all works great and I wouldn't be w/out this set up for what you are gonna be doing...if the 72 is no longer available, go w/an 80 lber...get a 60" shaft...you'll want some extra when the wind kicks the water up down there...I was down off of Shull Island a while back in a breeze and mine was comin outta the water..I've lengthened the shaft for this boat and don't expect that to be a problem anymore...you'll need two big batteries(Group 31s) independent of your cranking battery to run it...and I really suggest an onboard battery charger to easily keep them HOT...these auto-pilot units are great, but they don't tolerate low batteries or poor electrical connections...I've had a Guest 2620 double-leg 10 amp per side charger on my boat for 10 years now w/out a problem...it has kept the same batteries hot for 8 years...I think they add to the batteries' service life, so the charger will pay for itself over time...SO much easier...

The pool cover looks great and I also really like NYMack's cover as well..I'm gonna have to do something myself as the new 21 won't go under the carport like the old 74 did...

If you need any more info on the trollin motor, just holler...get a good quality stainless steel plug(Marinco) and leave UNPLUGGED while charging...be sure to turn off the auto-pilot before you raise the motor...just a couple of tips I've learned the hard way over the years...:hi:

Under Cover
 

I have to second you on the Winter pool cover Destroyer.:beer: I use them as a Winter storage cover with a 2x4 frame running amidships, bow to stern.
My current project boat was under one for three years and held up. When I took it off, the boat was in the same condition as the day I covered it.
They outlast even the best of the poly tarps the chain stores sell. Besides being made of a heavier mil poly, (available in different thicknesses) they contain a UV shield that stops the Sun from breaking it down (the others end up looking like cheese cloth after a couple of months).
The oval shape is the way to go and you can find all sizes on ebay (cheap!)
Even if you buy the canvas cover I recommend a Winter pool cover to put over that for the off season. It will keep the Sun and other elements off the one you want pretty for boating season.
Speaking to trolling motors, I use a my boat for saltwater fishing and have a 1980 Johnson/Evinrude 15hp.w/power prop. The 9 -15 uses the same chassis (about 70lbs) so you can choose the power to weight ratio. I found a rebuilt Electric model (ebay/$375). It has a 2amp. alternator that keeps up or even recharges the batteries in the event of trouble. She truly serves double duty- (trolling / auxiliary).
Heck, with fuel prices the way they are I'll be doing a lot of trolling this season.
Hope this helped...

Fishwisperer is 100% correct. That is a winter pool cover I'm using. I wasn't aware that there was a summer varity, so never thought to make the distinction.
If you should decide to go down that road just make sure that the one you buy comes with the vinyl covered steel cable and the tightening winch. Some of the cheaper ones just come with tabs at the edges that you tie a rope to. As he said, you can find them on eBay, which is exactly where I got the one in the pic. My previous one held up for 4 years and probably would have gone longer except for that pesky (almost 3' dia.) maple tree that toppled over in my yard and wiped out my pool, split rail fence, pool cover and boat under said pool cover. I guess the covers have their limitations......:head:

What size pool cover is that?...:head:

Reel, it's a 12' x 24' Oval. I bought it from National Pool Wholesalers in Florida.
(nationalpoolwholesalers.com) It's their "Ultra Armor Max Gold" Winter Cover. Comes with a 12 year guarantee and it cost $45.97 + tax and shipping.

THANKS!!...I'll probably order one soon...I don't think a better deal will come along...:beer:...I notice you put yours on w/black side out...any particular reason that side out and not green out?...

Not really...that was the side that was was on top when it was unfolded.

But if you're going to use it during the winter, then putting the black side up will help with thermal snow melting. There doesn't seem to be any difference between the two sides besides color and where the seam is folded on the edges.

Down south we are more worried about reflecting heat than using it to melt snow......too bad they don't come in white.

Nod* I used to live in St. Mary's, Georgia. I know only too well what you mean. I couldn't put up with the heat, humidty, fire ants, tornado's, hurricanes and really large lizzards down there... Came back up north. I hate snow, but (to me) it's better than the alternative. When I finally retire I'll probably move to southern Virginia or northern NC... But for right now NJ is fine with me. :) :beer:

Yeah...RB's right and that's what I was thinkin...black side turned out down here in summer would heat that thing up pretty good...

I wonder if you can paint it. Or...better yet, check with the companies that sell them and find out if they come with a white or a silver side. I know you can buy heavy duty tarps from Home Despot that are brown on one side and silver on the other... Maybe there are such tarps for pool covers also? I really don't know, have never had the need to investigate....but for you southern guys it might be worth the hunt.

If it were canvas then I'd say to paint it with Fabspray. I've used that stuff on car seats and it works really, really well.. but that's for fabric... not sure how (or if) it would work on plastic...especially poly... :head:

Krylon makes a paint specifically for plastics. It is called Krylon Fusion.

Hey Reel how did you lengthen your shaft. and how long will your trolling motor run slow trolling for stripers. I usually go reallllll slow, but for a long time.
Thanks for all the help guys!

These Minn Kota motors are super efficient when run on half speed and less...w/the Co-Pilot, I'm usually on 1,2 or 3 depending on wind and at those speeds I could run all day for a couple of days if I had to...but as mentioned before, they like HOT batteries and will start to act up when power dwindles...on a day w/little or no wind, I'm on 1...just enough to keep those free-lines out behind the boat and the side-planers spread...

I know a LOT of striper fishermen around the southeast and MANY of them use these motors...

Only way I know to lengthen the shaft is to write a check to a Minn Kota dealer/tech...he orders a longer shaft from MK, lengthens all wires, etc, etc...to lengthen mine was around $150

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/1761418482.html

Is this the MK that you'e using? and is this a good price?

He doesn't say if it's an Auto-Pilot or if it has Co-Pilot remote control...after using AP & CP for several years now, I wouldn't get anything less...if it's got all that, it's a helluva buy...specially w/the two batteries...

Ordered one of Destroyer's pool covers today. Gonna see how it fits and probably order one for the Chaparral 21 too.

Hey...let us know how it fits...hang up some pics if ya can...:party:

Pics? :head:

:pic:...Yeah Man...pictures...one of the last things I heard ya say at Folly Bch was you were gonna getta digital camera and post some pics...LOL...If this old fart (me) can do it, Brother I KNOW you can...:pic:

Depending on which grade you buy I think you'll like that pool cover. I've found that the cheapest ones they sell are good for several years, but you have to take extra care about projections (like bimini fittings) puncturing through under extended intervals of heavy pressure. It's the old adage... if you buy quality you get quality. For myself, I like their gold series..... good cross between cost and quality. With the northern winters we get up here the sliver line just doesn't hold up that well...4-5 years at most.

All that being said, even the cheapest cover from them is still a great deal, especially when you consider that a "custom" cover can run hundreds of dollars and usually doesn't last as long.

LOL Getting closer everyday. Want a basic one that takes decent pictures and makes calls, and can post stuff on craigslist, thats it.

Don't need gps, all them apps and stuff people have, texting stuff. BLAH!!!

I should have been born about 300 years ago, or anytime before the industrial revolution would be fine with me.

:pray2:That is fantastic. What a great tip. Do you think that would fit over a T-top CC?

Well, I really don't know.... but having said that, I think it probably will. I have a center tent rail made of heavy wall 1 1/4" pipe that runs the length of my boat that I put the cover over so that I get a wall tent effect. This way the snow slides off and to the ground. That center pipe is about two feet above my windshield. Even at that point, the pool cover extends down to my tires over the side of the boat. So it probably will fit. I'd be a little concerned about a "T" top though, not because of the cover, but because of the flat surface area. Since you haven't posed your location, it's hard to know what your winter conditions are. You get a good snow, that's a lot of weight that's going to be laying on that "T" top. My personal opinion would be that you'd either need to remove it for winter storage, or put 2x4 braces under it for strength. And again, I stress that I really don't know. This is just an educated guess, based on my experience with my boat. Since I don't know how high or how wide your "T" top is, I really can't be certain that it will fit.