Small Outboard Engines

If you can accept that electric outboards will limit your range and speed, and you want to troll quietly, then it might well be the option for you. If you rely on your engine to stem the tide, you should stick to your petrol engine for a while longer.What to look for - Twist-grip tiller throttle - look out for good labelling and robust construction. Friction control - should be tight enough to leave the engine to steer itself. Stop button and kill cord - it’s possible for the lanyard to get tangled up when you spin the engine. Mounting bracket - must have a nut or nut wing, or a captive pin. Screw clamps - look for loops in the end of the screw clamp handles. These can be padlocked to deter... [Read more of this post]

Bass Tracker Upgrades (part 2) - Trolling Motor Installation

In the past, when I thought about fishing gear I was only thinking about reels, rods, soft baits, crank baits - basically hook line and sinkers. But now after I have owned my boat for over a year, I find there is a lot more involved with fishing gear. I have a 16 foot bass tracker and it is around 20 years old and the original equipment had a 28# foot control Minn Kota trolling motor. This unit worked great but when the wind picked up I would just have to stop fishing or drift fish because I had little control in high winds. So after a lot of consideration I decided to upgrade to a 50# Minn Kota trolling motor. When I looked at the recommended installation instructions I found that I had more... [Read more of this post]

Marine Audio - Instant Lake Party

Now it is easier than ever to equip you boat with the latest in marine audio and video. These products can enhance a day on the water and turn an ordinary outing into a lake party. But there is one thing to keep in mind. Not everyone shares your taste in music, so please keep the volume reasonable around other boaters; especially fisherman. It comes down to basic courtesy, I love to fish and I love loud music; just not at the same time. With this little cautionary statement out of the way, lets look at how we can make our boat bound for sound. The basic components needed to make your boat rock (or country, or jazz) are a stereo receiver and a set of speakers. Wiring a boat for marine audio is... [Read more of this post]

Learning How to Sail - Safe Boating Tips

Learning How to Sail - Safe Boating Tips Here are a few hot tips when learning to sail that will make your boating not only enjoyable but safe too. 1. Be Wise to Read the Weather You must be wise enough to check the local weather before you depart for boating. Radio, TV, and coast guard forecasts are sure source of information. If you notice, rough and volatile changing winds, darkening clouds, or sudden dip of temperature, it is an indication for you to play safe with the weather. Watch the barometer readings for sudden changes if you have one on board. 2. Adhere to the Pre-departure Checklist Being prepared for any eventuality in the water is a way of maintaining proper boating safety. From... [Read more of this post]

Marine GPS Mapping Software – Buying Tips

Marine GPS Mapping Software is the heart and soul of your GPS or GPS/Fishfinder Combo. Many gps and combination units come preloaded with simple maps of major lakes and bodies of water. While preloaded maps are getting better all the time, many people opt to buy additional mapping software and “upload” it to their gps. Not only can you mark waypoints and track your course, some of these more expensive map versions offer detailed information on water depth, contour and even fishing hot spots. The first thing to be aware of is the design of your gps or fishfinder. While some come with preloaded maps as mentioned above, some of the cheaper models do not offer a way to add additional... [Read more of this post]

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