Conference wahoo::fishing

    OK Jeff, just what is the Show Time?  Is it simalar to a Blue Shamrock?
    I take it your now in hock up to your eyeballs?  Ah, the American
    way.
    

    Not quite like the Blue Shamrock...
    and I'm(we're) in hock up to about the chin...
    
    We got a 18' modified V jonboat with a 71" beam, and a 20hp Merc.long
    shaft...

    Congrats J&L!  
    
    I'll reccomend ol' faithful, the MinnKota 565M... works for me,
    and thousands of other people too...  28lbs of thurst should be
    enough for the alum. boat...  remember to use heavy guage wire when
    you wire it up...
    
    donmac  
                  
   

Jeff,

I agree with Don.  My 565 works great.  The only problem I have with the 765 
models (the ones with the motorized unit to turn the shaft) is that they 
don't have the "battleship" mounts like the 565.  The battleship mount is 
nothing more than 4 heavy-duty springs that are designed to absorb the shock 
of an impact.  Instead of bending the shaft, the entire shaft flexes on the 
mount.  Despite the large diameter of the 565 shaft, I know that it's saved 
me from bending the shaft on several ocassions. If you fish a lot of waters 
like Hopkinton Lake (aka Stumpfield), then you'll know what I mean.

The obvious advantage of the 765 is that the long, flexible line to the foot 
control allows you to control the bow of the boat from the stern.  It also 
makes some sense if you don't have a bow platform or deck as the 565 control 
line is rather short and not too flexible.  I do like the idea of a real low 
profile of the foot control as I suspect you don't get as much foot or leg 
fatigue (cause you're standing/balancing on one foot with the larger foot 
controls).

I haven't seen Keith Dilsworth in here lately, but he has the motorized unit 
on his Ranger and I'm pretty sure he likes it.  I guess, like everything 
else, it's just a matter or preference and what makes sense.

Good luck...congrats on the new boat...and have fun customizing it.  I know 
I had fun doing mine!

-HSJ-

BTW...does this mean Lorene won't be my partner now?

    
    Joe,
    
    re: Partner/Lorene...
    
    You'll have to ask her...who knows..I might have to find a partner for
    one of these up,and coming tournies....%^}
    
    Thanks for all the replies everyone...I guess the next step is
    1-800-BassPro.
    

    How about Northern Bass Supply in Brentwood.N.H., they carry both
    Minn Kota and MotorGuide. I'm not sure how they compare in price
    to Bass Pro, but I do know they are having a Christmas sale on a
    wide range of items. A friend of mine works there (Billy L.), there
    number outside of N.H. is 1-800-BASS-032, and in state is 642-4088.
    
                                                  
                                                        Guy

You guys brought up a subject that has bothered me for some time. Most of
the newer trolling motors have built-in "maximizers" - and that presents
a problem to me.

When I bought my Lowrance X-16 there was a poop sheet in the box that (a)
warned me that maximizers could damage my chart recorder, and (b) if that
happened my warrantee was no good. That sobered me; then a couple of
months later they sent me a letter directly, with more warnings about
maximizers. 

I know enough about hardware to understand how the things work;
basically, they use a timing circuit and a Silicon Controlled Switch
(SCS) or some other switchable solid state device to rapidly turn the 12v
on and off. The problems arise in the inductance of the motor windings;
the rapid switching causes overshoots, ringing, inductive kicks, and
voltage spikes in general.  These spikes are felt at every point of the
12v distribution on your boat, including your electronics.  And that's
what Lowrance is talking about.

Did Lowrance go overboard with their warnings? Is anyone out there using
maximizers on the same circuits as their electronics? Have you had your
LCR or chart recorder fixed?

Art

    Note 88.* discusses the maximizer's effect also... don

    I thought you guys were talking about REAL trolling motors. You
    know, the kind that push a boat along looking for Salmon, Trout
    and all those good fish. The five to ten Hp. units. But, what do
    I find? Guys trying to sneak up on those "Warm Water Weed Suckers"
    by "Running Silent". Oh well, I'll just have to go look for another
    note to keep my interest up till spring!
    
    (I can't wait to read the replys)
    

    Have used my Hummingbird all this past year on the same battery
    with a 3HP Minn-Kota and have had no problems. 
    
    Ed