Nalod

Best of luck on this trip this year, Larry. I look forward to catching up when you return. Oh, don't forget to snap a couple Big Cat (non-fish species) pictures for me! --Joe

Thanks for the responses, guys. I just got my boat back from the mechanic last week...motor broke down earlier in the summer. I am hoping to work on this sometime this week/next. I have bought the primer and the color-matched paint, so I am going to try the sand/feather/paint approach. I will try the paint first and then will resort to decals if it looks bad! haha! Spending Overtime: I really like my boat. It is a 17.5' boat, walk-thru windshield, extremely wide, and deep. I sometimes wish it was a little heaver for bigger water, but I feel very safe in anything on inland lakes and anything under 3' on erie/ontario. My boat is an all-weld. I have not had any problems with this, but I know some guys prefer the rivets and others like the welds. Honestly, I think either could give you a problem at some point... Hope that helps! --Joe

Sold!

Minn Kota Terrova iPilot, 24v (80-lb thrust), 60" Hey Everyone, I am selling my 24v Minn Kota Terrova iPilot trolling motor with 60" shaft. This trolling motor is in great condition and has been a dream on my boat...it is just time to upgrade to get more communication between my trolling motor and my fish finder (I am a technology nut). Features: iPilot technology GPS Anchor (Spot Lock) record tracks for future auto-piloting cruise control Autopilot - Keeps the boat heading in a certain direction Advanced Autopilot - Keeps the boat heading in a certain direction on the exact path/track that the boat was heading when the Advanced Autopilot was activated (wind will not blow you off of your path) Remote Control Foot Pedal Owner's Manuals with Remote Quick Reference Price: $1000.00 + shipping. (I am in the Buffalo area and am willing to meet up in Buffalo or near Rochester to save on shipping -- I visit Rochester often, so I can bring it along when I head east next time) Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions. --Joe

This is a big reason as to what intrigues me about this setup!!!! Thanks for all the replies everyone! Great information --Joe

I will make sure to let you know if I decide to upgrade, Youngblood. Thanks. --Joe

Thanks, but I already have iPilot in my Terrova and am looking to upgrade it to iPilot Link for connection/capabilities with my fishfinder. --Joe

Big motor on...Bow-mounted trolling motor on? I have been reading a lot of techniques lately where trollers have been using their main motor for propelling the boat and their bow-mounted trolling motor for steering. Does anyone here do this? I am curious if there are any chances to damaging the trolling motor as well as how fast you can go with this still being effective? I have been thinking about upgrading my Minn Kota Terrova to iPilot Link, and some of the features I would gain would basically turn my trolling motor into the Autopilot I have always wanted! Thanks! --Joe

It is amazing how some things will irritate you to insanity...and yet nobody else even notices (or frankly cares)! I was fishing a tournament last year and left the boat at the dock overnight (for quick deployment the morning of the tourney). Unfortunately, the winds picked up, the motion of the boat pushed up my boat bumper and put it up on the dock and then the dock rubbed and rubbed and...well, you get the idea. I have been told to stop over to a Carquest to have them use their computer to get a close match of the color and then make up a spray can of that color. Then I should sand the area, prime, and then paint (thin layers, feathering the paint to help it blend in). I was excited to give this a try until the rep at Carquest recommended that the feathering should be about 3 feet around the (about) 8 inch spot! Now I fear that I am just going to make it worse than it already is. Anyone else go through this process already? Thoughts and/or other options are always appreciated. Thanks. --Joe

I really like that bow trolling motor mount. I have had a few friends have their trolling motor deploy on them while on plane which caused some big (and expensive) damage to the trolling motor...looks like that would keep it locked down no problem! --Joe

Big cats, Larry! The furry ones that scare the crap out of you when you see them walking around near you --Joe

Any big-cat encounters this year, Larry? Great looking photos! Those fish look amazing! --Joe

Absolutely awesome! I enjoy my "boat tinkering time" and have been thinking of getting into some aluminum work for some new bases/rod holders on my boat. Yours look great! Do you mind me asking where you get your materials from? It is not something the big box stores carry. Thanks for sharing! --Joe