Woodsie

ALLSTATE !! My 2009 boat was stolen last year, and stripped overnight. It was a nearly total loss. Allstate had a Surveyor go to the tow yard and complete a loss list. He determined that the cost of replacing & repairs exceeded the value. I had replacement value coverage, so the Surveyor calculated the replacement value, less 3% depreciation per year.. I supplied all the original documents and title, and I was sent a check. Excellent customer service from the communications standpoint. I purchased another boat and Allstate has my policy. I could probably save a couple hundred bucks by shopping the policy, but the price to be paid is harsh.. I learned the easy way, not the hard way. Woodsie

That other big forum went down today. Check their FB page for refund info.. F/S had a China Syndrome this year, too. Is it the servers shorting out ? W

I helped a friend shop for a new boat. He wanted a 35ft+ CC with trips so he could fish the Central Bahamas. We went to factories from Ft. Pierce to Homestead to Tampa. We rode on hulls for sale. We attended all three boat shows and did in-depth comparisons. We even chartered several Captains who ran the short listed hulls.. The buyer's final choice was a 36 Invincible with trip F300 Yams. The build was flawless, and the cored & bagged hardtop came out perfectly. The performance & economy far exceeded his expectations. Bravo, Alex & Team !!

Wahoo ! And plenty have been landed this week. Best I have heard of was 77lbs, which is a Studly Mackerel !! My son picked up this decent Wahoo and the Dolphin on a quick trip last Friday.. BTW, There has been an invasion of garbage-can lid sized Jellyfish.. all over the reef and inshore.. They make the wire line jump all over when trolling thru them. Locals say it is the Buffet line for sea turtles.. Life is good here !! Woodsie

You will find the max RPM's to be 5500. It sounds like carburetor cleaning to me too.. The Ethanol issue made a number of my fishing friends VMaxes run poorly and not at all. rebuild the carbs, check the bulb and fuel line, and do the filters. Dump out the main filter and see how much crud is in it. If it is half full of gook or better, you will have other housekeeping to do in the fuel system.. Good luck, and be patient. That VMAX will be a brutish motor when you get clean fuel in it !! Woodsie

Between the Honda and the Opti ? That's a big, heavy lookin hull. You will burn a lot of gas if you don't put enough power on her.. The Hondas are fine IF you have a good mechanic close by and a source for parts.. If I were you, I would buy a simple & solid Yamaha F250B, and learn to change the oil,filter and lower unit lube to save the $. My $0.02. Nice hull for anything you like to do in the Keys !! Woodsie

Those carbed 150's are brutes. How big a sled are you hanging it on ? The only issue with them is the standard carburetor/water crapola where they get hard to start. That block was used for the 175hp and a few of the 200 hp models. It has plenty-strong internals. They do burn some gas.. You would be more efficient with an HPDI..

I had my way with this special.. We are going to the Keys this week, and I have a big tank and a truck to fill. It is a huge savings.. I cannot believe it is not more popular at my Publix stores.. I had to go to Jax for a funeral last weekend.. I got gas in Cocoa.. $3.36 for Regular. With the gas card, I paid $2.89 for a tank of gas.. Who cannot appreciate that ? Wow... Should take six cards to fill my boat, and get 20% off !! Thanks, Publix !!

I am sure OJ will send her a telegram of congratulations.. I am so angry I could spit. Geraldo made it worse.. That poor baby didn't deserve anything but love. Our Justice system is what it is, and we must abide by it. Don't hafta like it !! Marc

I agree ! Facebook sux for discussions and long photo-journals on builds. These Forums are the place to hang your hat !! Thanks for creating the environ.. Woodsie

I, for one, resent seeing Prop get 'scolded' on this Forum. Rickf, If you wish to be holier than thou, keep it to yourself ! Send prop a PM or a postcard decrying his actions. Swear to me you didn't run with scissors as a child, or STFU ! Some people unlike you take risks: People like Evil Knievel, Bill Gates, Dale Earnhardt Jr.. This is how you learn to run a boat that will go 75 knots. Sometimes people that get very good at a skill can hang it out. Prop has demonstrated his abilities, and his love of speed. He is not a stupid kid or a YooTube video fool. He did this one time. Deal with it. I have always disliked people that cite rules & criticize others openly, Yet contribute nothing themselves.. I am sorry to bust you, but please keep your social conscience to yourself. Woodsie

Ride on the Maverick, the lil Ranger, and the Pathfinder for big grins. Listen to the motor at top revs for the music.. It should be a fun day at work... Woodsie

You've been in the marine industry for a long time. Do you own a boat ? How do you pick the one you want ? I am lucky: I live in S Florida. I never miss a boat show in Lauderdale, Miami or West Palm Beach. They are events, each with their own appeal. It seems that I always have a friend looking to buy a boat for these shows. It is an ideal place to develop ideas and decide on features and electronics. Plus, the water tests open up more possibilities. For example, this year I was with a buddy who bought a trip/36CC. He was looking at all the big CC consoles to see where he would set the wheel, gauges, the electronics and controls. We water tested a similar trip CC boat and asked the V. competent captain what he preferred.. You cannot get any of this online. Then, to see the electronics you are considering and mess with them on the demo strips.. Then there are the engine makers, promo discounts, plastic surgery, warm beers, booth Ladies.. It's all good. I do fall victim to impulse buying as well... Marc

How very Cool !! Wiley.. Next year, get on a scooter and buzz the length of the brokerage show and capture the essence of that tradition ! I know when the show is over when I see the big boats on trailers northbound on I-95 about 5 minutes apart. I saw the Freeman 33 going north on Tuesday morning. You can't miss that hull sitting way up on a trailer !! It was a very good year at the MIBS... Woodsie

Good eye there ! The paradox there would be two 90 degree turns in the power & torque.. We will see in a couple more days ! I love a Miami boat show with some Buzzzzzz !! Friday still for me.. In-the-water first for a test ride, then to the big barn for the rest of the day.. Marc