some questions about the V20

[Destroyer]

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

[reelapeelin]

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



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...

[Fishwhisperer 180]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

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.

I have to second you on the Winter pool cover Destroyer. 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...

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Fishwhisperer 180

I have to second you on the Winter pool cover Destroyer. 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......

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

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......

What size pool cover is that?...

[Destroyer]

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.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

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......I notice you put yours on w/black side out...any particular reason that side out and not green out?...

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

THANKS!!...I'll probably order one soon...I don't think a better deal will come along......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.

[randlemanboater]

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

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by randlemanboater

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. :)