Why I don’t post much

[Snow Shovel]

Got a very courteous and well written email from Wiley saying I should stop being a slug, get off TDC and start posting more on the forum. So I think I shall. But first I’d like to explain why I don’t post much.

1. I am a slug. Jungle sloths have more energy than I do.

2. I tend to limit my comments to something I would consider a contribution. So if I see someone asking a question that I know the answer to, but someone else has already answered, then I won’t post the answer.

3. With the exception of making payments on my boat, I haven’t done anything boating or fishing related for the last four years. Four years ago, after fighting for 9 years, I got custody of my son and he just wasn’t that into fishing. If we took the boat out once a week that was plenty for him. I had been used to going out 6 days a week and I just couldn’t justify the expense of keeping the boat in a slip if I wasn’t going to use it much. Also, I found that when I did have time to take it out I would be working on it instead. The boat just didn’t like to sit there unused. So I parked the boat on its trailer, and parked the trailer in the driveway.

My son is off to college this fall so I expect to start back to work on the boat then. From years of non-use there are a lot of repairs needed and there are some modifications I’d like to incorporate. Had been planning on blogging my progress, but I’d just as soon post my progress on this forum.

So I guess this is my long-winded way of saying hello.

[pmagrady]

Hi

[crash1371]

Hello and welcome

[240 LTS]

Post your location, find someone near by that has the same interest as you in fishing that can not afford a boat but may be willing to help you on yours.

Maybe they have a boat but your is more suitable for certain conditions and theirs for other conditions, types of water.

Sometimes people with larger rigs would like to fish smaller waters and vice versa.

You get help, keeps your interest on an upbeat note, share cost (maybe) etc, etc.....

They get to be involved in something they can not afford to buy out right, can give you the kick in the pants to keep you motivated, maybe join a fishing club.

There are plenty of nice people that see you in your boat and think, you are so lucky to have a boat and maybe say to each other, "I wish I had a boat or could go out with that guy (you)"

There are freeloaders out there but plenty of boat lovers that would be willing to share the love for fishing and boating.

It's a win, win.

Capt. Jeff

[Snow Shovel]

Thank you for the welcome and the advice. I am very happy with how things are right now. I had worked for many years so my son could live with me and I could fix some of the problems his mother caused. He accepted the challenge and worked like crazy to square himself away. Right now it is a pretty sweet time: he graduated high school earlier this month and he is getting ready to go to college later this summer. It is time to enjoy his achievements and company because it won’t be long and he will be out of the house.

All that said, I’m going to have time on my hands this fall and I’d like to get my boat ready for next spring. It is a 1991 Proline 260 Walk. The boat is in great shape with no hull or deck damage but it is a little long in the tooth.

Need new electronics. Don’t need the loran anymore, like to upgrade the caveman GPS to something modern, I’d like a VHF that has DSC.

Planning on getting a new engine. I don’t trust a 20 year old 2 stroke.

Going to cut out the live well and bait sink and put a large, functional bait sink in their place. Below the bait sink I am going to install a large tackle storage cabinet. I want something I can put umbrella rigs in and stop relying on 5 gallon buckets. Inside the cabin there is an alcohol stove, ice box and fresh water sink and all that is wasted space. I want to cut all that out, reinforce the structure and make it into upright storage for fishing rods.

And that 20 year old porta-pot needs to be replaced. It still works but it won’t come clean anymore and it stinks to high heaven.

I know that is ambitious, but we’ll see how it goes. I’d like to post progress on this forum as I work through the project.

[crash1371]

Please do keep us posted on your boat and congrats on your son achievements. This forum is here to help and learn the ends and outs of boating and fishing, there is always someone that has experience to help point in the right direction. To help save you money and time We value all members and by the way I'm up for adoption sounds like you are a great dad. We commend you

[SCAngler]

keep posting and do the blog on your boat upfit on ReelBoating .Thanks for posting

[midway]

Hello and welcome aboard.

[Snow Shovel]

Funny how things work out. I just now (30 minutes ago) got back from taking my son to college in Vermont.

13 hour drive with my sister's boyfriend who wants to help me with the boat project. We had a lot of time to talk about requirements and make plans.

Sometime during the next couple of days I'll pressure wash the boat and take stock of what I have to work with.

[welder]

This will be a great build and I will follow it , always can learn more by seeing what others do.