One Cold Boat

[Tail Chaser]

Was thinking of looking for things to check out and maybe upgrade on the boat.
Would like to get out for the only third time this season before my fishing lic expires.
Kind of motivated for some Butt and WSB chasing now that the fuel cost have dropped.
Looked out the window, Conditions did not look so good.

Plan B...
Take the dirt bike out.
Made it about 130' before sinking in a 3' snowdrift.

Plan C...
Keep the fireplace going.

[one_leg]

Great report. Too bad about the poor snowbirds.

[smartcaddie]

did you winterize your boat???? its an inboard!!!! your block is going to crack if you didnt.. the water left inside will freeze and expand and crack it.. you better get to it if you didnt!

[Tail Chaser]

I usually have a heater on in the bilge.
Did not expect this storm. A nice toasty 24 Degrees this morning.
The outdrive is wraped up. Keeping things a little warmer. And the water is drained out of the engine.

It should be OK.
Will fire the engine up before I go buy more rod holders, 1k transducer,and fresh water washdown pump and maybe new seats.:Cool:

With fuel cost at 1.70 gal :Dancing Banana:
Really getting the fever to run the boat again.
And do a few more upgrades also.

Got Butts and WSB on my mind :Cold Fishing:

The Snow Birds are not flying around yet.

[seahonk]

Tail Chaser dont let smartcaddie scare you :Bug Eyes:, All inboards and some outboards have freeze plugs that will expand out and will prevent the block from cracking, hence the term freeze plugs :Thumbs Up: .

[Tail Chaser]

No...
He did not scare me. I'm aware of freezing pipes and cracked engine blocks.
Two years ago. There was a very bad deep freeze out here.
Lowes and the Depot ran out of pvc pipe and insulation after that freeze.
Lot of fresh water boats had cracked blocks. Freeze plugs seem to work only some times.
Maybe having a little salt in the engine is more forgiving.
This is my 5th winter up here with this boat.
When temps drop mid twentys and below. I get concerned.
I usually turn on a 500w bilge heater when it gets below freezing.(didnt this time)
1/2 the time it trips the on board circuit breakers anyway. :Shocked:


I need to keep this engine together for two more seasons.
A repower before that time, and im screwed.
Then I will upgrade to a....
260/300hp Volvo diesel D4 duoprop or...
325 hp Merc 383ci Bravo 2 drive

A diesel repower will give me the range to fish the Cortez Bank.
A gas repower keeps me at San Clemente island.

[one_leg]

I need to keep this engine together for two more seasons.
A repower before that time, and im screwed.
Then I will upgrade to a....
260/300hp Volvo diesel D4 duoprop or...
325 hp Merc 383ci Bravo 2 drive

A diesel repower will give me the range to fish the Cortez Bank.
A gas repower keeps me at San Clemente island.

You're gonna wanna go with the Diesel. :Big Grin:

[Tail Chaser]

You're gonna wanna go with the Diesel. :Big Grin:

Think so too.
Fits better then the V8 gas motors.
More room between gas tank and front of engine.

Talked to a skipjack dealer.
They claim there 26' flybridge gets 3.1 mpg with the 300hp D4 duoprop.

Only cost 15k more :Bug Eyes:
A 30k option. Not counting labor and taxs. :Dog Piss:

[Tail Chaser]

Makes me think.......
How many fishys could I buy at the fish market for 30k.

O'Yea......
Thats right.
Its worth it.
I like Pvt boating :Beat Stick:

[karlow]

Oh yea!
Where do you ride?
I have the same choices W/O the white stuff.
XR, or the Tracker, the Skippy is still down.
Gormen is way too cold!

KP

[Tail Chaser]

Oh yea!
Where do you ride?
I have the same choices W/O the white stuff.
XR, or the Tracker, the Skippy is still down.
Gormen is way too cold!

KP

I ride out of my backyard in Acton a lot of the time. Gorman Closes to much of the time.
Hillclimb out of the backyard.
Then a single track ridge route heading north towards Palmdale.
Lots of vertical single track trails/hillclimbs on the Palmdale side.Most of which I do not make it to the top with my 2001 Honda CR 500 :Angry:
Going west toward Canyon Country. Have single track and ridge routes getting to Rowler Flats (Texas Canyon) Riding area.

I love riding Gormans Backcountry like snowy trail. Fun to try and complete a loop after a snow.
They allways close the backcountry down after it rains or snows now days.
It was always open 10 years ago no matter what the weather.

Hey karlow,
What kind of Skippy do you have thats out of order?

[karlow]

She is a 1985 20ft open. The fuel tank sprung a leak. I just got it back in this week. I pulled the back to back seat, and put it in the shop. It was just too ratty to put back. $220 to get the tank welded and panted, $300 for the seat. Gas is cheep, but it's not doing me any good.
The season will be through, before she gets wet again.

Kp

You have some quality riding range in your back forty there!

[Tail Chaser]

She is a 1985 20ft open. The fuel tank sprung a leak. I just got it back in this week. I pulled the back to back seat, and put it in the shop. It was just too ratty to put back. $220 to get the tank welded and panted, $300 for the seat. Gas is cheep, but it's not doing me any good.
The season will be through, before she gets wet again.

Kp

You have some quality riding range in your back forty there!

Ive heard a lot of people use this place for gas tanks www.americantanks.net
PH# 619-462-4076

Bummer your boats going to be down for a while.