What you doing to boat this winter
 

Boat ...... nothing major planned

Trailer....... replace brake pads

Outboard.....seasonal maintenance

So plan is to be ready for the early Raritan Bay striped bass bite this year.

Trying to get all three of them wet.

Grouper season closes last day of December, still dealing with hurricane mess. Then got hit with Christmas season, weather windows have been very limited and narrow. So hope to get out before New Years

Not sure...
Looking to upgrade to a larger boat, so that means we need to sell our current boat. If we aren't successful selling, there won't be much to do other than basic beginning of the season maintenance.

Complete conversion from an old worn out soft hull to the same year model with hard floors, gas hatch, foredeck and transom...the 2018 Yam 150 is hanging on the "new" boat and now all the hardware, dashboard, batteries (4), etc, etc will be switched over...not going fast as it is an hour down the interstate in the storage shed...but it will eventually get done and will be SO worth it!...:sun:

Ozzy, I'm SO JEALOUS of that new Yam 150 4 stroker. Can't wait to see it in action. :sun:

Relocate my trim tabs on the V21. (I put them too far outboard from center)
Other than that not much. :head: A good cleaning, wax and polish as the weather permits. Everything is covered for now, so hard to do anything till we get some warmer weather and the threat of snow is gone.. :head:

I've got to sell our 23' Wellcraft before we start doing anything to our V20.

I do have lots of projects to do on our Stamas.
Remove the old Raymarine plotter/fish finder/radar and install new Garmin equipment.
I've got to do something to stiffen the inside cushions because they kill my back.
New curtains on the front and sides with improved smiley zippers and if i have time and $$$ I'll do the back curtain.

23’ vs 20’ V - ride performance differential ?

Bgreene,

First off the hull of the V 20 is more refined. It's a better hull and more predictable in my opinion. That's not to say that the 23 footers hull is bad it's just different.

If I was running 20 miles in crappy conditions I would want to be in the 23 footer because it's a little longer (very little) and the steering positions is much further back then a V 20 cuddy. If I could give you a comparison of a center console V 20 that might make my choice different.

However if I was running a rough inlet I would much rather be in the V 20. The V 20 hull is just more responsive to me.

Someone else might give a totally different answer but that's my opinion after owning both.

Just some afterthought............ the V 20 cockpit is like a pick-up truck and the 23' Wellcraft cockpit is tiny compared to the V 20. However the 23' Wellcraft has a roomy cuddy with a vacu-flush head,sink and single stove. Two different boats made for two different purposes in my opinion.

MIGHT be splash ready when you're here...MIGHT...:sun:

Likely replacing shift / throttle control with new Xtreme Cables and new side mount shifter.
Will report on performance differential in spring.

Going to snow tomorrow and then be -5 for a low the next day. Ill stand next to the wood stove and just look out the window at the boat. I need a bigger garage.

Bgreene I fish the same area that you do, what boat ramp do you use? I use Atlantic highlands municiple ramp

I avoid the big muni ramps - prefer using a few of the much smaller marina ramps scattered around...... Keyport Marine Basin or Wagners for fishing Raritan Bay.
Bry's Marina ramp for fishing out of Belmar -shark river inlet to the ocean.

I either use the Laurel Hill Park free ramp in Secaucus or Leonardo State Marina for fishing and boating Sandy Hook area.

Destroyer,how long does it take you to get to raritan bay from secaucus ?

You run down the Hackensack, make a left at Shooters Island, take the Kill Van Kull out to the Hudson and then go under the Narrows bridge. As I make it, it's just over 18 1/2 miles to the V.Narrows bridge, and 25 miles if you want to get to the Tin Can Grounds in the middle of the bay at the NJ/NY border. There are a few no wake areas that I have to slow down, but normally it's about 30-45 minutes. (Less than if I was to take the Turnpike to the Parkway and get off at 117 exit and then go to Leonardo which is 42 miles from the same starting point in Secaucus) I use more gas of course, but I don't pay tolls there and back, and there's no launch fee. So all in all I think it's a wash. But the important thing is there's no bumper to bumper 2 plus hour drive Sunday traffic on the Parkway going home.

There's another nice launch ramp in Woodbridge Township called Captain Carlsen Park. Free launch ramp, nice area, limited parking, single ramp so there's usually a line to launch/retrieve. Brings you out between Tottenville, Staten Island and So. Amboy. I've only used it once and that was years ago, so can't speak of how busy it is now, but it impressed me the time I did use it. Worst part will be finding the place I think :head:
.

Forget long ride - either of the two I mentioned is 5 minutes to mouth of bay from ramp

Perhaps, but for me it's 35-42 miles to get to where you mentioned. Why drive those miles in weekend traffic (about an hour drive) plus pay tolls and a launch ramp fee when when I can boat 25 miles to get to the the middle of the bay with no tolls, no traffic and no launch ramp fee?

I think I used Bry's a while back. Very convenient for Shark River. :head:

took advantage of the 50 degree Feb day and did some boat work...and a lot of staring and dreaming....

Spliced three 200ft shots of anchor rode together. They had been tied together with "That'll work knots"....

I still need to spice in the chain.

I re-did the grommets again on my hardtop mesh life jacket holder thingy...
Last year I bought grommet kit at Harbor Freight. They were brass colored so I assumed they were brass....they were rusted by the end of last season.

Bought a new kit at Home Depot, tested them with a magnet...brass!!!! Got it done!

Looked at my hydraulic steering which has been giving me some grief. Appears to have a slow leak in the helm. I need to get on that. I want to add power assist and maybe autopilot if it doesn't cost me a testicle...

Auto pilot ? Got a V boat or a 60 Viking Sportfish ?

:)

1). Repair the coolant leak. (Cam shaft sleeves)
2). Locate and repair the leak that is allowing water to mix in the trim reservoir.
3). Rebuild or replace the trim pump.
4). Add deck lighting.
5). Find and install new rod boxes.
6). Buy a 4 stroke 15hp kicker.
7). Buy and install a troll master speed controller for the new kicker.
8). Hope and pray the outdrive is in good shape.
9). Buy and install a Fish Hawk.
10). Buy and install Lenco trim tabs.
11). Install new big Jon rod holders.
12). Upgrade downriggers.

After the Cam shaft seals and trim pump, it pretty much became a wish list in no particular order. Hey, is there anybody on here in that lives/fishes in Northern Michigan?

:clap:I'm with you, Paul...long boat run beats a long car ride every time!

Good to see you were able to get back into the site Oz. (Thanks Blue)

I figured it out and it's just about a wash for me as far as dollars go. The tolls and Launch ramp fees are crazy around here. But it's a pleasant trip on the river and most places there is no speed limit so it's a reasonably fast run going home.

Welcome back Oz!

What have I been doing to my boat all winter....let's see....staring at it? Yeah, that's about it. Hasn't been in the water since last April. I plan on changing that soon.

Thanks again Blue!...:clap:...you IS da MAN!...:sun:

What you doing to boat this winter
 

Replacing the old style glass fuse block with a new (12) cir. Blue Sea block and new ground bus.

This seems straight forward anything to watch out for?

Ken

I assume its going in cuddy or under dash. Just make sure you feed it with heavy enough wire for the run....I had 8 awg. Put a 30A terminal block fuse on that at the battery. There are posts here about that project, just do a search for thread "new dash ideas"

What you doing to boat this winter
 

Yes 1990 cuddy 3.7/165 hp Thanks for pointing me in the direction of "new dash ideas" great infor. and well done

Ken

Hello Dschaffer,

Just saw your post. I purchased a 1978 V20 Cuddy in 2017 and keep it in East Tawas. As expected, my project list is long. My maiden voyage was in Aug of last year. I ran about 40 miles on Lake Huron as was really impressed on how this 20 ft boat handled.

It has a 1980 200hp Merc which ran well at cruising speed, but idled terrible. I purchased a 10hp Tohatsu kicker which seems to be a good fit. I was able to mount in directly on the transom. My biggest concern is that the boat is stern heavy, so I moved my batteries forward. With the kicker was splash well drains were below the water level - pretty surprising. Hopefully this helps.

My list of projects for the spring: New fuel water seperator and in-line filter (there wasn't one); work on the Merc carbs; intstall new Cannon down riggers, tite-lok rod holders (I have a planner board set-up for walleye); new Blue Seas switch board, new deck mounted search light.

Last year I ripped the cuddy carpeting out, put new seats in her, installed a Raymarine Wi-fish set-up, etc...

This year, I hope to start walleye fishing in Saginaw Bay and salmon fish in Northern Lake Huron. May take a trip to Manistique (?).

This is such a great site...good people and a wealth of knowledge.

On the subject of kicker motors - a 10 horse is certainly adequate for slow trolling and backup power under normal conditions but I went with a 15 to have some extra juice in case I needed the backup power and had to fight a head wind. Just my opinion but I’m happy with the choic so far.

Hey! A fellow Michagander!!! I ended up buying a new honda 9.9 powerthrust with a 25***8221;shaft, electric start and trim. I***8221;m pretty stoked to get out there. I also picked up 3 used cannon mag 10TS***8221;s, a new ship to shore, some rod holder equipment and am rewiring some stuff and adding lighting. Unfortunately, I have yet to make the cam seal leak repiar and now have a lower end, possibly trim line, leak to figure out. I believe I can get another season in without having to repair the camshaft leak but am really concerned about the outdrive/trim leak. I should have a better idea of what I***8221;m up against this weekend. Thanks for chiming in! The cohos/browns are hot out of St. Joseph and were starting to see some laker action up here. Lots of jumbo perch too if you know where to go.

Scott. Do you have any added weight to the bow? I believe we have similar set ups in regards to the I/O and kicker. My new kicker is probably a good 40-50lbs heavier then what I had on last season. I’m also adding another downrigger. I’m a bit concerned the bow will be riding higher then I’d like. I plan to add trim tabs but that won’t do anything for trolling speeds.

I have an anchor with about 10’ of chain, my tool box and misc. stuff. The tool box is probably a little less than the weight of a battery. I don’t notice the bow riding too high on the troll but if it’s a problem, I know some guys have moved their batteries to the caddy (I run two batteries and that would make a difference). If you do that, be sure to fuse the battery cables right at the batteries (you probably don’t need to be told that but it’s important enough to mention).

Thanks. I think I will put some heavier/usable items in the caddy this season and see how it goes. I am considering installing an ipilot setup at some point and that could help out a lot with the two batteries in the bow.

So with the help of my son, I put the Honda on the boat today. I thought that I had read it weighed 115lbs but after consulting the manual, my exact model weighs 129lbs dry. My kicker bracket is rated for 125lbs max. Should I be concerned? The bracket functions great and seems solid.

I think stuff is pretty over-engineered so if I felt like it was solid, I’d probably go with it but I don’t want to be giving you advice that could end up with your new motor on the bottom. Spareparts or Ferm are a lot more technically knowledgeable than I am and have a lot wider experience.

There was a bracket on mine when I got it but a friend took it apart to fix it up and made such a mess of it that I couldn’t figure out how to make it right again, so I saved the stainless bolts and got rid of the rest. A local shop here welds up aluminum box type kicker brackets that make a little sink for hand washing and (for more money) plumb so you can divert the pee stream into the sink and have warm water for cold weather fishing - it’s a really nice feature.

Fishing’s been so lousy here that I haven’t had the boat in the water for a couple of years. I’m hoping for some improvement and trying to get the boat in really top shape,so I can get out in the ocean for some bottom fishing ***127907;.

Hi Dschaffer,

Looks like a nice setup, but depending how she sits in the water you may want to give some consideration to moving the batteries forward. My 9.8 hp kicker weighs 90 lbs, plus the old 200hp Merc weighs 365 lbs. Both are mounted directly on the transom. I have moved my 2 batteries forward to mid-ship in a storage compartment next to the helm on my 78' cuddy. I don't have her in the water yet...maybe in 2 weeks. That will be the test. Prior to this, my splash well drains were 2 inches below the water level.

Does the 15hp Honda have electric tilt?

Hoping to start walleye fishing in couple of weeks..if everything goes well at launch. Right now I am waiting for a main jet carburetor plug that I busted off last week while cleaning the carbs on the old (1980) Merc.

Is there a backing plate on the inside with the same footprint (or larger)?

I feel the same way about the over engineering. The bracket functions great and shows no sign of being overly stressed.

My kicker is a 9.9 power thrust. It does have power tilt.

Not at the moment but it will before it's put into use.