WalkaboutNC

Get the Marine Shield cleaner from West Marine - it's a RayMarine product - but it works great on stripping the scratchy purple glaze from Garmin machines. Used it on my 3210 and it looks like it's brand new. You may have to rub on it a little bit with the included micro-fiber cloth, but it will do the job. About the only thing I've found that works.

Anybody going this weekend? Looks a little boxed in with 3-5 on Monday. Last year I ran into 7-10 at about this same time - on a forecast of 3-5. Trying to decide to go or not go.

Had a Seahunt Victory 225 - nothing but good things to say about it. Perfect boat for our family. Wanted bigger - a little more room to actually sleep in - and to be able to go outside to blue water - so I moved up to the Sailfish WA 26'. Walkarounds are a very good compromise for all around boat. Takes more HP to go fast - because of the extra weight and the extra weight up front. But lots of fishing room in the cockpit - particularly compared to a similar sized cc. As mentioned, not ideal if you want to chase Kings around and around the boat - but I've caught 'em on both of WA's.

This is my second boat named "Walkabout." When I was looking at my first one - and told my wife I was going to buy a walk-around, she got it confused and started telling everyone we were getting a "Walkabout." When we were trying to decide on a name - escaping to the Australian outback - going "Walkabout" - seemed fitting. The name just stuck - it's definitely our escape from the everyday world.

"Yep - I know it's hard to believe - but I built it myself. I am gonna upgrade the fightn' chair to one of those with the cupholders in the arms though.

Love the classic look of the helm chairs on the 41'

All of them. 100+

I'm cati-corner from you - not too far from the airport - Leesville area.

Marine Tex is good stuff, too. Just never had anything fail with 5200 - and it's quick and easy. Almost too permanent. Don't want to highjack the thread - both will work for.

Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like there are some consistent favorites. I just have to make a choice. Before the good weather breaks. And I'm ready for that - to get back out there. Thanks.

Alright!! - NEW Sportfishing forum - Thanks for moving the thread over Wiley. Reel Tight Lines.

I was in the store in Raleigh on Saturday too. The above info is correct - at this point the inventory is owned by a liquidator, the same company that handled Circuit City I believe. This store was more stocked than ever, they're obviously unloading the warehouses into the retail locations. And if you notice - everything - and I mean everything has new price labels, which means a lot, if not all, did go up. Though I don't think it was a big mark-up, maybe enough to cover the initial 10% markdown round. In fact, I bought a bolt-on Taco rod holder and did pay about 10% less than it had been when i purchased the same unit late last year. With the amount of product that they still had on the shelves I suspect there will be some very good deals in another week or two. I'm sure the liquidators are working on a clock - to drive their cash to cash cycle. I doubt it's as long as July, but it would not be in their interest to tell anyone the straight scoop on that. There will likely be some very good deals over the next few weeks as they get more anxious to unload remaining inventory. At this point selection is still great. Tough deal - hate to see anyone going out of business - BW wasn't always perfect, but they were convenient for me, and I spent a lot of money with them over the last several years. Hopefully some of the smaller local operators will be able to do well in this economy.

I've had success attaching to "blind" fiberglass - where I didn't want to drill all the way through - with a variation on Chris's idea. 3/4 marine ply - painted with Brightside polyurethane - rough up the glass area and then bond on the plywood with 5200. (I didn't paint the wood where the 5200 was). I don't think you could get it off without ripping apart wood or glass - or both. You could do this with Chris's stud suggestion and be fine. Reel Tight Lines!

Thanks for all the good feedback. Guess I've got a number of choices. I like the Baitrunners and have good success with both Penn and Shimano conventionals - run a spread of TLD25's (with Allan Tanni handles that I like much better.) But now for spinning you've got me interested in the Fin-Nor OFS. Looks like they are bringing the quality back to Hemingway's brand of choice - and at a resonable price for the OFS. Notice they are quick to point out that you can run 100lb braid. (guess you wouldn't want to crank the drag down on it, but the extra lb's for the amount of line would be nice.) Looked at a lot of images and info - trying to scale the size of them - as there are a number of comments about how large they are. I know the drags are especially large - which is part of it - and would be a good thing. I'll have to find one locally that I can touch. On the other hand, I did see some images on "the other site" of busted gears. (can't help but wonder if that comes from cranking the drag down on the 100 lb braid) Anyway - thanks for all the good info. I'll let you know what I settle on. Reel Tight Lines!

Thanks Wino. Those are high on my list - also considering the Penn Spinfishers - but I like the secondary drag of the Baitrunners, so they're probably going to be my choice. Seems like a great all around combination, and lots of people have great things to say about them. I've used the smaller versions on others boats and it worked well. Does anyone know - is it advisable to run braid on the 4500B's - to get more line on the reel with some extra poundage. I know many of us do it on Conventionals - can these reels handle it? And how does the braid work for live bait drifting? Thanks,

Fantastic video Mark - luv the shots with the Sail'. Thanks for sharing.

Need to get a couple of good ones - for pitch baits, etc. Would like to get good set-ups for less than $200 each - don't want too big, but big enough to handle serious sized dolphin or sail. (30 lb test ?) Recommendations?

Great to see you over hear. I'm originally from Washington - been following your work on this one and the 22' diesel. Look forward to more pics. Reel Tight Lines, Braxton

Wiley, Great to see the new sight. Feel welcome already. Missed some things at the other "hang-out." Looking forward to some of the old... and the new! Reel Tight Lines, Braxton

Used them to catch Kings - and some unintended 'cuda. Just wire. Most anything will bight them - never had too much tracking issues - switch sides if they don't track the right way.

Buggs Island sunset -- Spring 2007

"Walkabout" - beached in the Cape Lookout Bight - Spring 2008. Ready to get back out there.