The boat showed up at the dealers 10 weeks from order. That wasn’t the problem; it was everything else leading up to this day starting with boat delivered without a trailer.. Please read my original post.

Because that kind of info could get back to them to fast. Remember I still do not have the boat, they do. I kind of relate it to a restaurant and sending your meal back to the chef. After I get things right and take delivery; I will let the world know which dealer.

OK; after over 4-1/2 months since I ordered my new boat the owner of the dealership told me to bring a truck on Tuesday. Since my last post all they had left was to install the PANTHER steering rod that connects the main engine and 9.9 kicker. I had them put the cover on and it didn’t fit properly with the kicker motor. I asked what other people had done with this type of cover and was told that it needed to be altered. I ask if they use anybody for alterations; they said yes and asked them to get it altered then. He had to have run into this on other boats and could have saved some time bringing that to my attention way before then.
Cover gets altered so at that time they attempt to install the panther steering rod and it doesn’t fit. They said it was an older model so they call manuf and they are sending an adapter to make it work.
Am I exited to get my new boat? No not really. This has been going on so long that that my excitement has dwindled.
Also to add to the issues with their service; there is a oil spot on the carpeted rear bench about the size of 2 footprint right in front of the kicker motor that they tried to clean up.
Big pain in the azz.

I am a roofing contractor serving Northern Illinois for the last 35 years. We too had a hail storm a few weeks ago. The storm chasers were there the next day. Its amazing how many homeowners sign up with these out of state people. We start getting calls as soon as they see the White van with no name on the side full of South of the border men and women with Texas plates on. Most people that call us want a FREE roof since the stormers credit their deductible and use the cheapest materials they can get away with. At the local building supply store I’ve heard these stormers say they will be “picking the low hanging fruit” before leaving town. A cousin of mine who works as a gutter installer for some of the chasers told me 4 years ago that I should get into the storm chasing game; that there’s alot of money to be made. I said cool; how do I get started. He said first I need to go to an area where I don’t live. I asked why; he said cause people are going to hate you and will need to leave town in a hurry. He said they just change their cell phone # and all is good. Sorry for the rant I could go on. Buyer be aware.

I understand the used boat thing. I guess when it comes to my boat; I’m kinda particular as to how it’s rigged. Someone has to buy a new boat to feed the used market. It wasn’t my first new boat and it may not be my last. I’m sure some can relate.
With that said; I stopped to check things out and they had the floor out and were preparing to run the 2 wires for the cranking battery from the charger. Great they got that figured out. Also they had the kicker put on and the 3 way fuel switch; setting on the back bench seat apparently thinking about the install. Radio is in with speakers mounted (not a big fan of a mounted radio; but wife insisted) and had the kicker hardware installed for steering connect from main engine to kicker. Progress I see.
Head mechanic is in the boat when I walk in and I say Hi hows it going. He didn’t say anything; just got out of the boat and left without saying a word. Kid sweeping the floor asked if I had a big weekend planned and told him I didn’t. He talked to me about his plans for about 15 min. Very personable guy. Head mechanic should take some lessons from him.
When they call for me to take delivery I will inspect every last thing to the tee. I will report in the upcoming week as the saga continues.

Have a great weekend

The owner of the dealership IS who I’ve been dealing with since the order on 1/31. I’ll be stopping by on my way home to see if anything has been done since this last Monday. I may just call CRESTLINER directly and give them hell too.

Right on; thanks for the info
H

Sorry I should have been more clear; this will be the main motor

OK; update on the coon hunter in my woods. I went there to scout for deer signs (and him) yesterday. I seen no signs of him and plenty of deer signs. Still gota keep an eye out but I think he must be running his dogs somewhere else. Were looking forward to a great season. So far a complete success. ———H

OK; update on the coon hunter in my woods. I went there to scout for deer signs (and him) yesterday. I seen no signs of him and plenty of deer signs. Still gota keep an eye out but I think he must be running his dogs somewhere else. Were looking forward to a great season. So far a complete success. ———H

Yea, we did buy the fifty acres. We dropped 120 large on it. Ill be going to do some scouting for deer hunting and to see if he’s been in there. It wont be to hard to tell since he exclusivley uses the ATV’s. A month ago when I posted the land, I made sure to put the in plain sight where his trails enter. Also wrote on the signs NO DOGS / NO ATVS. I hope he takes it personal. We dropped a ton of dough on this and I do expect to have a good hunt this year. Last year sucked; my son and I only saw a few does and I know of its trophy potential. Ive hunted this area for over 20 years and there are big deer in the area. Ill post after I scout a bit in the next few days and give you an update. Thanks for all the input; Im just trying to EDUCATE myself———————————-H

Yea, we did buy the fifty acres. We dropped 120 large on it. Ill be going to do some scouting for deer hunting and to see if he’s been in there. It wont be to hard to tell since he exclusivley uses the ATV’s. A month ago when I posted the land, I made sure to put the in plain sight where his trails enter. Also wrote on the signs NO DOGS / NO ATVS. I hope he takes it personal. We dropped a ton of dough on this and I do expect to have a good hunt this year. Last year sucked; my son and I only saw a few does and I know of its trophy potential. Ive hunted this area for over 20 years and there are big deer in the area. Ill post after I scout a bit in the next few days and give you an update. Thanks for all the input; Im just trying to EDUCATE myself———————————-H

Thanks for all the input. I went into the woods to post signs last weekend; it was full of atv trails; as I suspected. Then talked with the guy personally. He told me that he would TRY to keep his dogs out. Then he went on to say that the home range of deer is about 1 mile and that the only thing that would make them leave is building a parking lot in the woods. He then told me I was an uneducated hunter and I should ask some of the other landowners that welcome him in their woods since if it made their deer seek solitude they wouldnt let him in. He also added that the coons are the biggest preditor of pheasants. Guess I need to do more research but I did post the land. Any opinions on that 1 mile range? Thanks in advance——H

Thanks for all the input. I went into the woods to post signs last weekend; it was full of atv trails; as I suspected. Then talked with the guy personally. He told me that he would TRY to keep his dogs out. Then he went on to say that the home range of deer is about 1 mile and that the only thing that would make them leave is building a parking lot in the woods. He then told me I was an uneducated hunter and I should ask some of the other landowners that welcome him in their woods since if it made their deer seek solitude they wouldnt let him in. He also added that the coons are the biggest preditor of pheasants. Guess I need to do more research but I did post the land. Any opinions on that 1 mile range? Thanks in advance——H

Thanks all. Will tell how I do. Im taking my 17 yr old son trolling for 1st time. Hope to get some action so he’ll want to go again. My troll bible tells everything bout weights and speed but says nothing about speed and no weight. I’ll scan it again tonite; maybe I misses it.—————–H

You’ll love it. Get a good map.—————H

Yes it does get nuts out there on weekends. Your risking your life if your a skier or tubing. The maintainance dept. has one person that has been trained. This will be his practice lake im guessing. ——————–H

Deepest sis bout 30″ thats where the creek chanel is at. It is spring fed but also has a large watershed of farm country.———H

Everybody seems to have a pontoon or ski boat. We have a 17′ ski or fishing boat limit w/ 75hp max. Pontoons cant be over 20′. For cruising speeds or skiing; you must go in a counter-clockwise fashion or you are fined. As far as the amount of weeds its mostly in the back bays as of now. At the fish club meetings were told that one guy that lives in one of the bays is the one pressing the issue. And he happens to be a board member. Its politics in my view. Us fishermen are cretainly in the minority. This really burns me. Ive lived and fished this lake for over 20 years. It used to have alot more weeds untill about 13 years ago they treated the lake and didnt even tell anyone. After that you couldnt find a weed for the next 10 years. The last couple years the weeds have been coming back ; and the fishing was improving. Im telling you ist getting like a little Chicago out here. As for the fishing; its said that its the best managed lakes in the area. We have the state record tiger musky; Ive personally caught 4 walleyes over 30″; Largemouth bass to 25″; 10″ gills and 14″ crappies. Oh I should mention; all this was before they killed the weeds the first time. They used to run 2 of them weed cutting boats 5 days a week. The assoc. has said they want to “nip it at the bud” Politics They do have a no wake time on the lake from 8pm to 10am————–H

Northernaire houseboat trip on Rainy lake. Ill be heading there for the 5th time this upcoming spring.

It happens warm or cold. Last time the dealer replaced what they refered to as a bushing. The noise comes and goes. Mostly while powering up or backing off———H

Hey there; what area of the V park are you going to. Im heading to Rainy lake on Friday to do the houseboat thing with the wife. 4th year in a row. Its a great place. Certainly would like to try the fall bite up there. Sure im intrested. Ive got a good boat; good gps/sounder. Ive always went to the far East basin. Kettle falls pool.—————pm me if I might qualify—————-h

As far as the vaulted cielings; check the roof ventilation. This area should have some sort of ridge vent. If its there then pull up the ridge vent and see if the roofers felted over the opening that should be cut 2″ on both sides. They may not have even cut the opening. Seen it many times; this area must be ventilated properly or the condensation will do damage in short order. Hope that helps—–H

OUCH

SUZUKI; you renting a houseboat or kettle falls. If houseboat which one do you use ; northernair or doughertys
gb

The wife and I have been doing the houseboat thing on Rainy in June for the past 3 years. Started out as a honeymoon; now were hooked. Great fishing on the East end; have never fished West end. We like the isolation. And the lower fishing pressure. Like any other place; weather plays big part and water level. 2 years ago water level was 4.5 feet low. Made it quite hazardous to say the least. But its all part of the adventure. Hope for good weather and id say fish the many reefs or humps. If there is good current in the river heading to Kettle falls; the fishing can be awesome. If no current; skip it. We will be in that area from 6/25 thru 7/2. Cant wait to go to Kettle falls and play a game of pool on that awsome pool table.

Hey there Troy; good to see ya made it. 23 feet is a long ways down. Teds a good guy; he once dived into the water while we were icefishing to save his pole, turned out to be mine Im from your area and hope youll be well enough to hit your lake this spring. I like to fish round Madison and Kosh and L. Wisc. Just wanted to say HEY

Ive never fished in tournament. Ive always wanted to but as someone mentioned; it can get costly. Im self-employed; have somewhat flexible time and have the resources. Ive got what I feel is a ton of money wrapped up in chasing walleyes. My question is wheather or not there is tax deductions for any part of the costs such as lodgeing; fuel, equipment; boat? Bait? Any insight would be usefull. If there is any I may just go for it. Thanks in advance.

off-shore is what I use; along w/ the tattle flags. When using larger cranks I use larger springs. only takes a second to change.

Another thing to check is the tail-lights. Some lights have their own ground wire that must be grounded to some cheap metal in which the light is mounted to. I to had problems with my trailer and it took hours to find the little bugger.