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"]

Here's my "grumpy old man" position on boat poles.

2lbgill is right, they are often referred to as boat hooks - which is only sometimes correct. The pole can have several different working ends - some have hooks, yes, and some do not. Others utilize a hybrid of both. So I use the name "pole" singly, and on purpose. For small boats, I prefer a hybrid hook-and-foot design or second choice, one of each on each  end.

Telescoping poles, on the other hand, are taboo for the well fitted boatman. Leo in his tubes, that's probably all right. And for very casual use, okay. But I've learned that most people are a little too casual when it comes to boats.

You've heard of Isaac Newton? Well, he had a little notion about equal and opposite reactions, if you'll recall. When you push a loaded boat with a pole, well... the pole has to be able to take the full displacement weight, plus whatever forces you exert upon it.

For these reasons, I'd recommend a solid, hard-wood handle TWO feet taller than you are. This is the traditional boatman's pole, and I'd make room for it on the boat. I'm not really big on do-all tools, when there is a lot riding on them. And when it comes to boats and you on the water - there is a lot riding.

[Leo Nguyen]

True, true. Remember, my pontoon already have 2 of the 7" oars. I'm constantly using it. The backup paddle is just that. Backup. I do have fins to kick just in case I need to recover one of the oars. To hook up with other boats, I have plenty of ropes and tools on board to do latch onto other vessels, if I need to do some item exchange, raiding, or a tow back to shore because I pull all my muscles for doing back flips while performing the River Dance.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Leo, you are a trip!

I know I get a little stressed when it comes to boat stuff. But it's because of foolish things I've done, and from learning the way small boats have been done for centuries. A few years on the big water - US NAVY - and time in sailing boats has also taught me a thing or two.

I worry sometimes about the nimrods, those who get the boating 'glint' in their eye. Caution is often second, when it most needs to be first. I probably get too carried away. Bear with me.