Boats...Love/Hate?

[nofearengineer]

Having a boat is the worst thing ever...except for not having one.

I got all my new batteries hooked up this weekend. I went to slide them into their trays and fasten them down (I have to do this after they are hooked up....stoopid battery compartment ).

Lo and behold, my cranking battery tray is different. It's slightly smaller; i.e. Group 24 size. Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle...my old cranking battery was a 24 instead of a 27. Same amp specs and everything...just less reserve capacity. So now I have to buy a new battery tray.

Oh well, not an expensive thing...just one more delay. Boat maintenance never seems to end LOL. At least now I'm thinking about moving my trolling batteries over to the rear port locker where the charger is. I fish by myself a lot, and it would help balance the boat. (Now maybe the scum line on my boat will be more level...easier than a diet. )

[carolina-rig-01]

I know exactly what you mean Bryce. We finally got our fuel problem solved last summer and exactly one day later, we developed trailer light issues. Finally got the trailer light issues taken care of and a week later we started having some cranking battery issues. We fought the cranking battery for a few months before getting it lined out. Then the trailer light problems came back within a week. Now this weekend after our tournament I pulled the drain plug and battery acid came running out so it looks like I have more battery problems now.

It never ends!

[bamabassman]

no BOAT problem here......electronic problems, EVERYWHERE!!lol, but that comes with buying an older rig i guess. one day i'll have her in ship shape..........if i live long enough. lol.

[nobass]

you know what they say a bost is a hole in the water you throw money into. and getting there to fish is just half the fun.

[TN_Bassin]

Originally Posted by nobass

you know what they say a bost is a hole in the water you throw money into. and getting there to fish is just half the fun.

True that. Boat is in the shop right now getting a new powerhead on the yamaha (and no wonder, since the motor had over 500 hours on it and used almost daily) and trolling motor put on. Luckly warranty will cover the first, not the second.

[CamG]

Yep...it sucks. Spent $220 today on new bearings for the trailer.

[JESTERxHEAD]

Just now putting my motor back together from blowing it up last year racing another basser.... haahaha WONT happen again (hopefully)

4k later I have a hot looper v6 maybe 300hp at the prop.... but besides that. yes boats are the biggest money pit ever!!!!

But ya know what guys..... I wouldnt trade it for the world.....

I find myself and meaning of life when I am casting a line, so its all worth it in the end.

[nofearengineer]

Holy smokes, Jester....300 hp.....

[bamabassman]

<<<note to self..........NEVER get in boat with jester. lol.

[JESTERxHEAD]

naw...its only on a stratos. It will go mid to upper 70's loaded.

ESPECIALLY with my fatness in the boat.

I have a problem...

...Hello my name is Jester and I cant leave anything alone....

step one...I admit I have a hp problem with everything I own....hahahahaa

step two....ahhhh forget it!

[rrw4258]

Well up here BOAT stands for... Break Out Another Thousand....

Ryan

[bassboogieman]

I fish by myself a lot, and it would help balance the boat. (Now maybe the scum line on my boat will be more level...easier than a diet. )

Or you could convert your Avalanche to LEFT HAND DRIVE.

Be the only one on your lake. And it would certainly cost more and make the Boat Monkey happy..........................

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by bassboogieman

Or you could convert your Avalanche to LEFT HAND DRIVE.

Haha...you know, I've always wondered why since the majority of automobiles have the wheel on the left (a few exceptions worldwide), why the predominance of the starboard cockpit on bass boats?

Probably the good start of a great debate.

[Bob Smith]

No-Fear, I had the same problem with my C-battery. I cut one end of the tray off, problem solved. Not enough room in the compartment for the battery to move around anyway. I haven't had any battery leakage issues, so it seems to be alright! (been that way for about six years now!)

[MississippiBoy]

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

Haha...you know, I've always wondered why since the majority of automobiles have the wheel on the left (a few exceptions worldwide), why the predominance of the starboard cockpit on bass boats?

Probably the good start of a great debate.

That piqued my curiosity, so I went looking for an answer. Or at least, I typed "Why is the steering wheel on the right side of a boat?" into Google. Turns out, nobody (apparently) really knows.
One theory is that on older boats, the prop torque would tend to push the right side of the boat up, so the weight of the driver/controls/cockpit was put on that side to partially counteract that.
Another theory has to do with the right-of-way laws...the boat to the right has the right of way, so it's easier to see the boat you're giving way to if you're on that side. If the pilot was on the left, he would have to look through any rigging, masts, and whatever else that might block his view.
A third theory says that many of the ancient ships (this one's really stretching...) had their steering boards on the right side of the ship. Also, this supposedly gave rise to the nautical terms of port and starboard. "Steering board side" was shortened to "starboard," and the other side was "port" because that was the side that the ship was moored on...they couldn't moor on the steering board side, because the boards got in the way.
One last explanation says that a right-handed person has an easier time with the controls on their strong side, so the throttle is placed on the right side of the boat, and the rest of the cockpit follows.

Of course, all of this could be bullcrap, but it's interesting, anyway.

[nofearengineer]

All good theories, Daniel. I like it.

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by MississippiBoy

One theory is that on older boats, the prop torque would tend to push the right side of the boat up, so the weight of the driver/controls/cockpit was put on that side to partially counteract that.

This is the theory I have always heard. But like you, I have no idea if that's the truth or just a fishing story.

[triglet]

i know the feeling. im fishing out of a 84 lowe 16 footer with a 60 horse. been passed down from grandfather to my uncle and now i can use it whenever i want. This year i upgraded the trolling motor from about a 20#thrust to a 40#. night and day difference. It needs rewiring as the old fuses under the console are so corroded sometimes bilge and livewell dont work. I have to take a moment and crawl under it take some sandpaper to it to get it to work. Also could use some new seats and carpet! Also had to redo the trailer wires last year. But hey i cant complain the boat is free to use well except for the gas and oil. Boats almost 30 years old and it makes it hard for me to even think about buying anything but a lowe!

[nobass]

i have also always heard theory one

[nofearengineer]

Originally Posted by MississippiBoy

One theory is that on older boats, the prop torque would tend to push the right side of the boat up, so the weight of the driver/controls/cockpit was put on that side to partially counteract that.

OMG...I just realized...I don't need to go on a diet...I just need a bigger outboard!

[MississippiBoy]

[Donutman]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamnnnnnn...
behold the birth of the motor monkey!

[bamabassman]

donutman..........check out the video of these monsters man. awesum!!!!

[66KingFisher]

Ohhhhh baby, what an outboard.....I wanna ride.....Please!!!!

[bamabassman]

micheal........it ain't a ride.............more like FLYING on water. lol. not me bub, nope, never. lol!