Something to think about.
I added a second bow eye to my 1981 MR180.
It makes for an easier way to connect the safety chain on the trailer.
It also works well for the bow line when launching and loading, since there are no cleats available. I just drilled, inserted, sealed, added backing...
Commercial bass tournaments are meant to advertise products and make money for the sponsors.
That includes the guys selling those big go fast boats.
It would be counterproductive for them to have some guy in a $4000 rig winning the tournament.
I thought the idea of snap in carpet was so you could easily replace it when needed.
Or to remove it when it could get real dirty, like when fishing.
Remove it before taking it in for service, or the tech will probably get it greasy from his hands.
Yeah, remove it before going boating, cover...
Way too many wires connected to the batteries.
1 cable from battery pos to the battery switch.
1 wire from battery pos to the bilge pump if set up with an automatic float switch.
Everything else should be powered by a pos wire from the battery switch to the fuse panel, then to individual...
A good bluetooth equipped stereo will sync with your phone, play your music library, internet streaming sporting events, podcasts, audio books, etc., and answer your phone calls.
I do the same thing only without a stereo, I just use a bluetooth speaker.
If the installation, or the price is...
Battery, jumper cables, compression tester, wrenches.
That boat has not been stored inside or under cover. The finish is gone. It is currently sitting bow down and catching/holding all the rain water.
The trailer MAY be worth $500, can't tell.
The motor May be worth $300, can't tell.
But the...
If you are fishing smaller local tournaments, boat size and speed will be less of a factor.
But all tournaments will have boat requirements.
Some require boats to be 16'+. HP limits, and in some cases speed limits. Legal seating space for 2 or 3 people, Fuel systems, bilge pumps, livewell...
Some of the best boat trailers available are made in Fox Lake WI.
Karavan trailers.
Check out their site.
Find a dealer, they will set you up.
Won't hurt to get a trailer a little longer than needed. It will help with launch and load, and keep your tow vehicle out of the water.
Need to eliminate other causes before focusing one one area.
Spark..... Compression.... or fuel...?
You need to check for spark on all 4 plugs.
Then do a compression test.
There were a couple years and model that came with driveshafts of different diameters. Make sure you get the right part # impeller.
Serial number is needed to order the part.
Those crazy multi-millionaires up on the Three Lakes chain will put a rifle round into your engine if you disturb them with too loud of tunes. I never heard if they caught the guy, I suspect not, but I know of 2 boats that didn't start the next day.
So your tires were 5 years old, what condition was it in last week, or last month? Was it properly inflated?
Right side tires hit more curbs and potholes.
should I run from this boat due to porpoising issues or be confident that it’s a good boat?
You will find that out on the water test.
No test drive, no sale.
What makes you think it will porpoise?
Porpoising is usually a weight distribution or propping issue.
Well, you can see all the amenities and options, There is no warehouse stocked with parts for a 1988 model boat. If I recall, owe has been owned/operated, by several companies over the years. Its not unusual for all old data to disappear when a boat company is bought out.
You clean them with...
If it was cheap enough, run it till it sinks, wear a life jacket, say a prayer, Make all passengers sign a waiver, carry lots of liability insurance, and go have fun. It may last a few months or 5 years. Then junk it and move on.
JMW2Cents
