Check with Plastics International in Eden Prairie. When I was a machinist at 3M we bought almost all of our plastics there. Definitely cheaper than McMaster-Carr.

I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear in my post. My insurance didn’t cover any of the cost. No coverage for rot, only if an accident caused it to happen. Paid all the bill out of my pocket.

So I got my boat back Friday from George’s boat repair. They did a transom replacement. They did a really nice job. Where they cut the aluminum cap off and rewelded it and painted it looks perfect. Matched the paint perfectly. I was worried it would not the greatest but I was wrong. I would recommend them to anybody. It wasn’t cheap, $3,600. Only problem was partly my fault. I checked with my insurance to see if there was coverage for it and they pulled it out of their 3 week turnaround cycle and didn’t tell me this. When I called them to see if it was done they said when you got the ins. Involved it pulls you out of the rotation until we hear back from you. Then they promised it would be done in a week. Called a week later, we will start it next week. Got a call from them a few days later and the guy tried to convince me to let them do it as a winter project, I said no I was promised it would be done in a week. Other than that I am very satisfied.

Dropped the boat off at George’s boat repair in East Bethel. I’ve heard they do pretty good work. they said it will be done in 3 weeks. We’ll see then

Thank you for all the responses. I have had quotes of $2,500 using composite, $3,500, and $5,000 using marine plywood that is resin bonded and sealed. Pretty sure I could do it myself as I am a retired journeyman machinist, so I have the skills. Don’t think I want to tackle it though. Don’t have access to a welder for the aluminum cap. I would guess a body shop could do that and the repainting. Now I am torn on the wood or composite. Original one lasted 19 years, if the new one lasts that long it would put me through the rest of my fishing years.

We are steering clear of that line of GM products. Not worth the risk. If we had one with the timing chain issue she wouldn’t be able to afford the $2000 repair. Looking at highlander and pilots and Acura MDX. I know they have to have timing belt changed at 80-90 thousand miles so that will be on my radar.

Thanks for the quick responses. This is a difficult process. Sure don’t want to buy someone else’s problem vehicle.

My friend and I discussed going to Mazaska, but it didn’t happen. Maybe next outing

Went there today. Targeted only bass. Got 3 in about 4 hours of fishing. Biggest was 16 1/2″. 2 at 8-10″. Pretty shallow lake around the perimeter and around islands. Wasn’t great, wasn’t a bust either.

Turtle Pecan cluster for me.
I’ll have to give the salted carmel blondie a try. Sounds like it might be similar flavor.
Salted caramel ice cream is awesome
X2

I used to own the auto glass store in Hastings. Windshield replacement isn’t as expensive as you might expect when you are paying cash. Probably $250 or less. Call Gordy’s Glass at 651-480-0404. Tell Shelly that Tom Loesch ( pronounced Lesh) said to call for a price. They will mobile to you to install. They are closed until July 5th. Call then.
Tom

I will have to look into the Carlile load range D tires

I looked at the load rating on my tires. They are load range c. Rated for 1480 lbs. each tire. Don’t know if I can get the 13″ in load range d, but will be checking that out. The Hirun tires are made in China. Time for some research ????

Checked out the Goodyear endurance. Does not come in 13″ rim size. The Hirun tires I bought from my brother in law who owns a Goodyear dealership. Told me there is no warranty on them. ????They were exact size for size replacements for what came on the trailer when new. He said he’s had good luck with them. I’ve never ran them under inflated. Someone on a travel trailer site talked about Maxxis tires. Anybody know anything about them?

I have had a Cabelas 3 bank charger made by promariner. I have had it for 6-7 years without any serious problems. Would buy another one

I have about 15-20 trails total. Half are from the lake in Canada where I fish every year so it would be nice to keep them. At least the waypoints marking underwater rock piles transferred! I have a 2 GB sd card I got on Amazon. Just checked out that GPS babel program. Looks like that might do what I want. Will let you know. Thanks

Has it worked at all this season? If not did you pull your battery out for the winter and forget to hookup one of the motor leads?

I was thinking the same thing until I started pricing them. Will be waiting too

A good second note here is I carry a backup regular life vest in case the inflatable would arm itself or get submerged. Especially if you are going on a fishing trip. That way if you don’t have a rearm kit or can’t find one you can still fish.

Installed the update today. No glitches. Lowrance said it will improve map refreshing rates. It is a noticeable improvement, still not great, but much better than it was!

It is bobbin shaped part that dissolves when submerged. I think it is made out of molded salt. I have 2 friends that have them too. We bought the 3 pack of bobbins for $15 off of amazon and each took one. They have a date printed on them. Need to be changed every 3 years. Takes about 5 minutes to change it. It also has a pull cord to arm it too.

I have had the Cabelas 3500 series for 5-6 years. Love it. Very comfortable. Wear it all day long fishing. Does not interfere with your movements. Bought the replacement dissolving bobbins off of Amazon 3 for $15. Always bring a backup regular PDF along just in case the inflatable would arm, but never had to use it.

Will the unit recognize the file? I remember having to unzip Lowrance update first. Then installing. Tried to unzip this file with no luck.

I had 4 3/4″ in my rain gage in Hastings. My swimming pool went from the bottom of the skimmer to over the top of it. Told my wife yesterday we should wait to add water and see how much rain we get. Good thing we waited!

I haven’t been on the sight in many months, but was surprised when this post of mine from 10 years ago is still getting some action!?

With all of these different options listed, do you need internet service to make them work? If so where are you going for that?

Thanks for your replies. I will be calling Ricky in Brainerd.

That’s why you never see them. They are all in storage!

Right now the boat runs 38 MPH WOT at 6000 RPM. I could easily over rev it because I still have throttle left. I would like to run it at about 5800 RPM and should be able to go somewhere in the mid 40’s for speed. Hole shot isn’t real important but I don’t want to plow a bunch of water before it starts to plane out. So general performance. Friend has the same boat with a 115 4 stroke Suzuki and he is at close to 48 MPH WOT. So I am comparing MPH to his. His prop. pitch is 23 so the Suzuki lower unit gear ratio must be quite a bit different than the Merc.

Sorry I left out a couple of details. It is the 1750 length and current prop is aluminum. I live in Hastings so if you know any dealers around there that have a test plan that would be great. Should I stick with a Merc brand or have you guys used other brands. I was looking at Solas brand, anybody using that? Lower unit gear ratio is 2.07. It is not the newer larger 2.38 command thrust lower unit.