You guys are all talking about the longevity and mileage of the vehicles. What about the safety of your child? I say a full sized sedan/or SUV with some weight to it.
Thank You! I maybe should have stressed that in my original post about some reasons why I was leaning towards a smaller SUV. Also, not all SUVs are AWD or 4WD.
Since you asked, My rule of thumb is to stay away from Polaris.
I know some love and swear by them but overall polaris has way more issues than any other MFGR.
Honda and yamaha have had great track records for me. I do not buy an atv for comfort and speed though, I buy them to last and am happy to sacrifice those aspects.
I have had no issues with my 2014 Polaris Ranger 900. I don’t have a ton of miles on it but overall it has been a good machine. However, probably hard to beat Can AM or Honda but most likely you will be paying more also.
Just got a new RecTeq 590 and it came with a pretty good dent on the barrel. Trying to decide what to do. Customer service has been very helpful so far and took my pictures and said they would compensate me if I tried to fix the dent myself or just live with it. Don’t love the idea of my brand new grill at $899 having a big dent but maybe I could live with it for a decent discount.
Any ideas on how to bend it back? Or could that potentially make it worse? It does seem like a quality build so the metal doesn’t flex easy.
Well, I ordered the same grill and it’s supposed to be delivered today. Hopefully I don’t have the same problem but I am nervous. Honestly, I would probably send it back or it better be almost free!!
You guys talked me into a RecTeq. Just pulled the trigger on the 590!
And… as I was checking out it offered me to add the 340 for $299 (normally $699). So I added that on and will have a second unit I can bring up to the cabin.
I just ordered the same thing along with the 340 for $299. Awesome deal.
I’d recommend the Rec Tec 590. I’ve had mine for 4 years and use it 3 days a week year round. Never needed to use their customer service but I’ve heard it’s top notch.
Holds a steady temp, gets hot enough to sear steaks, has an “Xtreme Smoke” function, and the WiFi controls are awesome.
Do you feel the 590 has plenty of space? Also – do you miss that it doesn’t have a top rack?
Recteq has by far the best customer service and temp controller and its not even close. Their controller is so good they had to take it down from their webstore because owners of all the other brands were buying them to replace their current ones.
Yeah, I really like the reviews of Recteq. I just cannot figure out why they didn’t integrate a top shelf???
Not sure you need to spend $1000 for a decent pellet grill, but if that’s your budget then go for it.
I have a Camp Chef DLX. I think they go for around $600 now.
Works like a charm. My igniter went bad after a few years. Wasn’t a huge deal to replace it though. I just use the Kirkland Brand pellets – $12.99 for 40 lbs.
I am fine not spending $1,000 but I just don’t want a “cheap” pellet grill that will be rusty and falling apart in a couple/few years.
Defenders are great tires for what you described. The Goodyear Wrangler Adventure AT is also a very good tire and will have much better winter traction. While being an AT tire with a touch more noise than the Defender they certainly not noisy and very capable. I work in the industry so if you want PM me and I can look up your size and make some other recommendations.
PM Sent
Only draw back is if you do not have a trust fund or a business you can only invest up to $10k. You would be making only $712 a year till May 1st when the rate changes or stays the same. Only have to pay federal tax no state or personal taxes is also good here in MN.
The average stock market gain over 20 years is like 8.5%
Where can you purchase I-Bonds?
It really depends what your expectations are with a skid house. This is my 15th season out on the Big Pond in a 10×20 shack.
Pros:
Almost always ready to go. Blocked, Banked & ready. Turn on the heat, drill holes, crack a beer and start fishing.
Getting first dibs on a “spot” over rentals & wheel houses.
Packing light. Change on clothes or 2, Minnows, Auger cooler with beverages and food. Most everything else I keep up there during the season.
Resort keeps the wheel house guys away unless I ask for them to make a spot for a buddy.
Go whenever I want (weekday/weekend) without having to hook up a trailer, ask for spot to be plowed. Once its on the lake, it stays on the lake. I spent 10 days out there last year. I don’t know if I agree the season is getting shorter. I say a very average year is 8 full weekends, which I’ve had the last 2 years, easily. could of had 9 weekends the last 2 years but opted not to due to other plans over New Years. I’ve been out as early as December 14th. BUT, been out as late as January 17th (really bad snowfall year on marginal ice).
Cons:
Not as easy to move, in a way. The resort WILL move you as much as you want, just have to pay for it. $$$
Drifting can be a hassle, but I’m sure it is with any rig. It’s taken me a few years but the plow boys finally know I want a parking lot around my house to keep the snow away and flooding to a minimal.
Blocking & banking. Blocking it back up when there was a big snowfall during the week only is a con because the banking gets Ice hard and can be a pain to shovel out. Nothing that can’t be worked around. Also, banking melting. Usually when I get there on a Friday, I’ll go around the house and stomp in any snow that has melted away from the house from the sun hitting the siding.
Dead storage. We have easy access to it but cannot be used for sleeping/camping in. But this is more or less resort specific.
Fishing. It can be hit or miss but that is any lake. Yes, this year is slow in terms of most year. There’s also 2 GIANT Perch hatches swimming around & lots of little Walleyes. I caught almost 30 walleyes 2 weekends ago. I know, it’s not LOTW or URL numbers. But it’s 38 minutes from my driveway at home, to my driveway in at the Shack.
FWIW, I love every second of having my skid house & will never own a wheel house. Its MY Solitude.
Thanks. PM Sent.
Get a better battery.
Done that.
Do NOT buy a pontoon where the fence/railing goes right to the very front or back of the deck. The little area outside the railing is helpful for docking, trailering, loading, cleaning, hauling miscellaneous rafts, coolers, etc. We’ve got probably 20″ of deck outside the railing on front and back of our tritoon and didn’t realize how much of a necessity it was until after buying.
Give the bimini design a good look too. I thought we wouldn’t have ours up often, but it turns out it is probably up 80% of the time. Some of the designs out there barely cover any usable areas of the boat with shade. Others are less than durable. Ours is NOT a power one, but our next one will be. We will ride with it open up to 20mph or so. Beyond that I bring it down although it would probably be fine at any speed.
Think long and hard about transporting the pontoon. If it’s going any distance I would highly recommend a bunk trailer over a scissors trailer. Be sure it has LED sealed lights, a decent step system, and buy a spare for it right away.
Lastly, have a storage plan before buying. There are different philosophies about outside, inside, heated, etc. Regardless of stance pontoons and tritoons are expensive. The buying craze for these the last few years has left a shortage of storage opportunities for those who don’t have their own. They take up a ton of space. The upholstery is vulnerable if not covered and kept out of the elements. I don’t care what manufacturers say about “durability” as the sun, extreme temperature swings, and moisture take their toll. Ours sits outside next to the house with a custom fitting cover that keeps 98% of rain out during it’s used season. In the event something does get wet I’ve got a fan in there immediately. I am under the cover every few days with the onboard charger, checking it is secure, and being sure no birds try to sneak in. Once it is put away in mid October until late April, it goes to an unheated shed with cement floors. That’s the bare minimum I’d do for offseason storage given costs and weather extremes in MN. Just my $0.02
Good points. Pros and cons about the fence/railing going to the front. Pro is more cushion/seating area for people. Cons were already stated.
How much of a difference does 8′-8.5′ really make? Does it add to performance or square footage?
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I think its just nice to have that extra 6 inches – feels more open. Of course if money is an issue and you will only have 4-5 people on the pontoon maybe it would make sense to save the money and the extra space is not needed. Always think resale also. When I was looking I didn’t even consider a 8′ wide sylvan but that’s just me.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Stanley wrote:</div>
I know the owner of Miller marine and he said he could have sold 2-3 times as many pontoons the last year if he could have got more. Also their service has been great for me.Tom is a great dude. They sell a ton out of there, but yeah its been tough to get anything. My son works for the auto dealership doing detail work and his first year there he was doing more work for the marine business at times because they couldnt keep up with all the sales. Now that the auto was sold to the Gillelands they dont do that anymore. He is happy because detailing a pontoon is a major PITA LOL
I went to Miller Marine late last Spring. They still had some in stock. The middle of the road 20-22′ Bennington with a 50 HP Yamaha was about $45,000 plus tax. Nice pontoon but nothing super special for that price. I went to a dealer close to home that sold Montego Bay and was able to get a 22′ Montego Bay with many upgraded options with a 115 Suzuki for $31,500 plus tax and they added a bunk trailer for $3,500. This was middle of May 2021. I thought the price was unbelievable. I will agree on the Sylvan pontoon also. I looked at them a lot before buying a Montego Bay. For price and quality I don’t think you can beat Sylvan or Montego Bay. But if you want the name like Bennington, Premier, etc you have to pay for it.
We are in the market for a 20-22 foot pontoon. When at the boat show, what brands should we take a look at?
From what we have seen so far the Sylvan’s seem to be of good value when looking at the Mirage series.
Sylvans are very nice pontoon for the $. In laws have one. Just make sure it’s 8.5 feet wide and not 8’. They sell a lot of 8’ wide ones also. Not sure if you have a Montego Bay dealer near you but I think they are better built and don’t cost as much as the Sylvans. Benningtons are nice but I personally think you are paying $15,000 more just because it says Bennington. Not worth it in my eyes.
I think you’re the one who is SUSPECT, Chad.
I’ve never even heard of you.
I have heard of you though………..
Selling my wheelhouse which still has a loan on it. What’s the best way to do this? Obviously the loan needs to be paid in full before the title can be transferred. Anything specific I need to be aware of?
I found a great deal on an Ice Castle fish house about 2 weeks ago. It had a lien with a bank in Coon Rapids. Seller seemed like a great guy but wouldn’t meet at the bank so I could pay it off and get the lien release. I almost did it his way because he was $5,000 less than any other fish house for sale. However, I moved on. Wasn’t worth the risk for me.
Cracked console issue with Alumacraft boats. Appears to be a common issue found online via help forums. If you can get in touch with Alumacraft, good luck. If you do get in touch with them regarding this issue, you will be told “the damage is not considered a defect in manufacturing and therefore is not eligible for warranty consideration.”
Also be sure to note the last sentence on their FB profile “The quality we put into our boats builds trust that lasts forever.”
Nope, nope and nope. Anybody wanna buy a boat?
I feel your paint. I have a 2017 Alumacraft Edge and mine starting cracking also. Alumacraft said they won’t cover it under warranty and obviously it’s not a cheap fix. Could they at least cover the part and maybe I would be willing to cover the labor???!!! I said I will never be buying an Alumacraft again. Pretty frustrated and if anyone has a “cheap fix” please let me know.
What platform do you use to buy it?
My MIL bought an 8522 DLX new in 2018 or 2019. I have been impressed with it. The only issue we’ve had was operator error. It’s been solid. She got talked into a 90 Etec on it. I’d prefer a 4-stroke, but the Etec has been really good, too. The vinyl and flooring have been holding up well.
Thanks Ralph. That is the same exact model we are looking at. It’s not at the dealer so we can’t see it first hand. Does the back or front have enough room for kids to jump from?
Marcum Recon 5+ crapped the bed. Starting looking at the issue and it’s amazing how many problems people have with the Marcum Camera. Only way I would buy another one is if it was a screaming good deal.
My recon 5 works perfectly in my house and it’s a fun toy for the grandkids.
When I try using it for its intended purpose on the ice (in the cold) all I get is the blue death screen.
I will never buy another marcum product. Buyer beware and they don’t care.
I agree. I own 2 Marcum LX7’s and will continue using them but I am not buying another Marcum product moving forward.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>The SCRATCHER wrote:</div>
Beachside seems great we went out from there last WednesdayOur place is a little north of Beachside & while I don’t ice fish I’ll offer a couple observations.
Ben & Tara’s crew are very active working the roads. 2 or 3 plow trucks & a SxS with a plow also.
They have a large laydown area plowed out on the bay that is full of wheeler (20+) houses that are stored there Sunday PM to Friday. If people are leaving their houses there vs trying a new resort it seems to me they must be on fish.
Bait (SiL fished this year) is for sale in their office.
You have 2 places to eat in Wahkon & the Mini Mart has a deli counter.
Good Luck!Thank You!!
Macs Twin Bay
My cousin has a perm. shack out there. Are they fine with plowing spots for people that just want a weekend pass?
Nice. How do you like the electric Jack’s and who put them in for you?
Thanks – Chad
I have a 18v hilti and milwaukee. Both work great. What works even better is the electronic remote that came with it
Do you mean you have Hydraulic lift?
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>IceNEyes1986 wrote:</div>
The east side will be very busy with Hunter Point hosting Perch Extravaganza.
Busy is an understatement! Are you looking for a place to stay? Ice house? or Just access?
I have a wheelhouse – just looking for access.
Bought one over the summer. It went back in less than a month.
What didn’t you like about it. We have a tempurpedic and it’s way too firm and hot while sleeping.
Last place I would take wheel house is Lybacks. He absolutely despises the invention and does very little if anything at all to accommodate. I inquired about going out of them a few seasons ago for a season pass and was basically turned away and I live just down the road.
Must be too hard to plow some roads and take peoples money.
Look to Beachside or Macs twin Bay.I just talked to Lybach’s and they have been very accommodating. Way more than beachside. I just wanted to let you know. Thanks. Chad
I think it’s humorous to watch the very team that whined all last season about the same hits,are now whining about being penalized for those hits this season.
They are not the same hits……check out videos around the NFL. Not just the Packers.
