OK, I settled on a boat :-)

[JBplusThuy]

OK, I settled on a boat, which means my questions will now switch from "What should I get?" to "What should I do with this thing?" :-)

It's a 12' Livingston, 15 HP Mariner pre-mix 2-stroke, 2 gas tanks, galvanized Shoreline trailer.  Needs a bit of cleanup on the inside, in very good shape on the outside. Has a pedestal seat in the front, a low seat in the back, and a spare pedestal seat.  Put my deposit on it, now I just need Honda to get the parts in for my Honda tow package so I can get it installed and go back to pick up the boat, hopeful to do it this weekend.

In a cruel twist of fate, it's been warm enough to fish this week, but is supposed to be cold on the weekend, or I could try it out. OTOH, not sure if I want to step into that cold water at this time of year to launch a boat :-)

My first plans are to augment the gas motor with an electric, since there are no oars and I do want some kind of backup, in addition to the quiet maneuvering of an electric.

Thinking to go with a MinnKota Endura 30. The cost is hard to beat and the quality seems better than other low cost motors. 30 pounds should work well in this boat.

Now I'm in the "hole in the water into which you pour money" club :p

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

There you go.  First thing, do not let any but the Storm of The Century keep you and your boat from the water. After all, nothing is worth doing half as much as messing about in boats. You simply must get the thing in the water and run it around. Get some wading boots and a parka and have at it!

[JBplusThuy]

I don't even go outside if a parka is required ;-)

[chris]

Congradulations on your boat.

You know the happiest days in a boat owners life is

the day you buy your boat & the day you sell your boat. LOL

I hope you get to spend many a days on the water. one thing you will want to add to your

tackle box, is extra shear pins for the prop.

They do not cost much, but if you ever hit a stump or big rock. and are stranded across the lake.

they are worth more than their weight in gold. I know this from personal experance.

Get her cleaned up and on the water.

Go to you local DMV. they will be able to give you a list of mandatory things you have to have on the boat. Like PFD's, an oar ect.

Again congrads. have fun.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Note to self - prop shear pins.

Thanks Chris.

[Lord of the Fly , Rods]

 I actually tape extra shear pins on my tiller handle .   LOFR

[JBplusThuy]

That's a good idea, I'll tape extra shear pins in some secure spot in the boat. PFD is a must with me - as I wrote earlier, I don't go out in a boat without mine on, no matter how hot it is.  I'll pass on oars unless they are a legal requirement (didn't see them in a quick parse of the guidebook) since I plan on having both an electric and gas motor. If they both don't work, I probably have problems bigger than I can solve with a set of oars.

Getting my hitch installed tomorrow, will pick up the boat this Sunday. Can't wait to clutter my garage with it :-)

Jonathan

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Never assume on the water. Take some paddles.

[Leo Nguyen]

Congrats Jonathan. Did you managed to get a hitch and wire harness installation for the minivan?

[JBplusThuy]

Being installed tomorrow. After pricing non-Honda options of everything that's required to preserve the warranty, I held my nose and went with the Honda tow package in the end. Now, this boat is so light that I'm sure I could tow it even with my Mazda 5 (Mazda says not to, but the European models have a 2000 pound tow rating and a smaller engine, so I'm sure I could), but overall the Odyssey is the best tow vehicle so I'm setting that up first.

[JBplusThuy]

Budget trolling motor: MinnKota Endura or Motorguide R3?

Thoughts on anchors: what type, and one or two? If two, opposite sides of the bow, or one at each end? What about anchor pulley systems?

[Leo Nguyen]

MinnKota Endura. I've researched in the past between MinnKota Endura's vs Motorguide's motors, MinnKota Endura users preferred 3 to 1 over Motorguide. That's why I went and got the MinnKota Endura 55. Really nice motor.

 

Fluke type anchors, both ends, with a 1/8 to 1/2 lbs slip egg weight on the line near the anchor eyelet. It will fasten your anchor into the bottom in your water's sandy bottom real well, without the use of chains, destroying habitats as the chains get dragged from side to side.

[JBplusThuy]

You have a 55 on your pontoon? Do your kids waterski behind it?! lol

I think I'm going to go with the C2 30, it's a bargain at $99 and enough for a maneuvering motor on a small boat like this. If I were only using electric power, I might go for a pair of them and build one of those Arduino + Nunchuck systems. Those things are too cool!