What you doing to boat this winter

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by steplift20

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
.

[bgreene]

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

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by bgreene

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.

[SkunkBoat]

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...

[bgreene]

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

:)

[Dschaffer]

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?

[Duke01]

Originally Posted by Dschaffer

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?

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.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

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.

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

[Destroyer]

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.

[Blue_Runner]

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.