What you doing to boat this winter

[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.

[scook]

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.

[Dschaffer]

Originally Posted by scook

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.

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.

[Dschaffer]

Originally Posted by Duke01

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.

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.

[steplift20]

Duke01 where did you mount your batteries? I also would like to mount mine forward but I not know where.

[scook]

The recess in the cabin floor would seem like a good spot. I’d make a frame out of Ipe or some hardwood to keep them from sliding around and anchor them down. A few stainless screws through the frame into the sides of the recess should hold it down fine - with batteries in it, it’s not going to be very inclined to lift up.

There’s a drain hole to the bilge in case they leak (and you can rinse them off if needed). It’s as low as they can go so keeps the center of gravity low and I’d think you can drill a hole up high on the side of the recess and fish the cables along the side to the engine compartment in the stern (I’d pull a rod box and confirm that before doing any drilling). Before drilling, find a rubber grommet to protect the wires where they pass through the wall and drill the right sized hole for it.

Just thinking out loud but it’s what I’d be looking at doing.