FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

THE SEARCH IS OVER,,,,,, I'VE GOT A 1983 23'SUPERFISHERMAN CC. SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY!! YOU MIGHT SAY SANTA CAME JUST A LITTLE EARLY. AS Y'ALL MIGHT KNOW, A LITTLE MICH LIGHT WOULD BE CALLED FOR, BUT I'M GOING TO TO GO FOR A LITTLE KENTUCKEY SOUR MASH INSTEAD! BOURBON FOR THOSE OF YOU WHOM ARE NOT FAMILIAR, WITH A COUPLE OF ICE CUBE'S, NATURALLY.
IT'S THE ONE THAT SKEETER'S MARINE HAS HAD FOR A WHILE. THEY FINALLY TOOK AN OFFER I HAD MADE, WITHOUT THE MOTOR, BRACKET, AND RIGGING. THE PICTURE'S MAKE THE BOAT LOOK BETTER THAN WHAT IT REALLY IS, BUT IT'S NOT AS BAD AS A LOT THAT I'VE LOOKED AT....... UH OH, THE ICE IN MY GLASS NEED'S COMPANY,,,, DO YA THINK IT'S TO LATE TO ASK FOR A YAM 250HPDI FOR CHRISTMAS???? AND AN ARMSTRONG BRACKET????? HMMMMMMM
LT DAN

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

http://www.striped-bass.com/vbulleti...s/beerchug.gif

All right LT! Let us know how the work goes on the new ride [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

LT - congratulations on the purchase. Rigging that boat with a flotation bracket will be the way to go to get the ass end up a bit. I wish Santa was delivering one of those 250 HPDI's to my house this year. Maybe in a year or two.

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

LD,

From this board, this is the best you're gonna do:

http://yamaha-motor.com/products/otb.../info-hpdi.jpg

You could make a lifetime of ice cubes from my dock right now!

Merry Christmas,

Otto

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THANK'S GUY'S. I'VE PRETTY MUCH HAD MY MIND MADE UP ON A SINGLE MOTOR,BUT FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, YOU CAN RIG WITH SMALLER TWIN'S FOR THE SAME $$$ AS A YAM 250HPDI. I KNOW IT'S A LOT TO ASK,BUT ANY FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE, OR THOUGHT'S ON THE PRO'S AND CON'S OF PERFOMANCE OF EITHER WAY TO RIG WOULD BE A BIG HELP. TOP END IS NOT CRITICAL TO ME, BUT A GOOD HOLE SHOT IS A MUST. I'M USED TO TWIN'S, BUT LIKE THE IDEA/SIMPLICITY OF A SINGLE. RANGE IS NOT AN ISSUE, BUT I REALY DON'T WANT A GAS HOG. HOLY CRAP I SOUND WISH WASHY! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] O.K.,LET'S PRETEND WE ALL HAD 23'S. HOW WOULD YOU POWER IT FOR THE BEST COMBO OF CRUISE, FISH, DIVE,,, IN THAT ORDER, WITH 100 GALLON'S OF FUEL,3 ADULT'S, AND GEAR.
BOUGHT SOME JUMBO STONE CRAB CLAW'S YESTERDAY WHEN I WENT DOWN TO PICK HER UP [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] . JUST POLISHED THEM OFF WITH A LITTLE PINOT GRIGIO RESERVE (WHITE WINE,,HEH,HEH), GOOD STUFF. THANK'S IN ADVANCE FOR ANY INFO.
LT DAN

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Dan,
If I was gonna add a flotation bracket, like the wide Armstrong, I might go with twin Honda 130's, they would be hard to beat for mileage, reliability, smoothness, etc. The Suzuki 140's might be cheaper, although I don't have any experience with them, others seem to love them.

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

LT,
If you're not traveling long distances/offshore, then twins would not be necessary. Weight is a factor - 1 big 2- or 4-stroke weighs less than twin 2- or 4-strokes, plus with a single you have only 1 engine needing potential repairs/maintenance versus 2. Gas consumption should be lower with 1 engine at a comparable cruise speed/boat load. From what I've heard, you're not going to get a great hole shot out of a 4-stroke, either single or twin. Guys I've spoken to say they are slow getting a boat on plane, but their midrange power is excellent. I'm not bashing 4-strokes or twin setups, they are the right choice for certain situations. From what it sounds like, you only need one engine - go with the 250 HPDI.

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

My twin little 115hp Suzuki 4 strokes are a SWEET set up. Why? PRICE, only $14,000 rigged with props. RELIABILITY, my local boater's club report the 2 strokes get about 700 hours of use before a major rebuild or blowup. 4 strokes in their club easily obtain 2000 hours. Think about it, if your 4 stroke car averages 45mph over its lifetime of driving, and you can get 150k out of one that would translate to 3333 hours, and we could easily add another 500 hours just sitting in traffic, waiting at a stoplight, parked and making out with the heat on(for you northerners). PERFORMANCE- Remember I have had a 225 johnson, twin yam 130's and now these Suzukis. The suzuki's burn the least fuel, have a top end and cruise only 1mph lower than the 130's, (25.5kts and 38.5kts top now.) I have had not one problem in 200 hours. SPEED, yes I get out of the hole quickly! It literally jumps on plain with ease and I'm turning 14x23" props. My old 225, with any more than 3 people on board was a dog. You can't beat cubic inches. The 250hp HPDI's displace 3.3 liters. I displace 4 liters and will probably match fuel burn, top end, and beat it on price, total hours, hole shot and price AND I DON'T HAVE TO EVER BUY STINKY 2 STROKE OIL. Over a 500 hour period I don't have to buy 71 gallons of oil at $18.00 per gal or $1285.00, besides, we all know 2 stroke oil will leave deposits. When's the last time you "decarbed" the wife's Accord? Argument over!

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I was recently on a dive boat ... 25 foot tub that had 12 divers on board....30 tanks ... tons of gear weight belts etc...people and gear alone are easily 3,500lbs !!! and the boat had twin 140 Suzuki’s on it....Well let me tell you ... At idle you could only tell they were running by the telltales …. Then I think the Divemaster thought he was an Indy race car drive....that setup had no problems what so ever with planning... cruise speed you name it.....They put the engines on to conserve fuel as it costs a whole lot more to put fuel in a boat over there then what we have to contend with ... they said this thing now sips fuel instead of guzzling it.....If I were to do twins I think what Briguy has is pretty nice!!!

Twin 130 Hondas (I ran a 20 foot center console with one of them on it) are really nice but even with a float bracket thats alot of weight (about 200 more lbs) not to mention what they want for them $$$$ [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] 1,000 lbs on a bracketed 23 seems to be a lot…well at least to me

If I'm going the single motor route....250 HPDI

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Hmmm - I have been thinking that when I repower I'd go with a 250 Ficht, but it's hard to argue with Briguys logic here.I'm real surprised that the twin 115 4's would get out of the hole faster and get similar top end to the old 225.Good info Bri.Curious though why 115's, why not 130's 0r 140's (whatever Suzuki makes) instead? Weight, Cost ? Would seem that that would put you up into the mid 40's, and I would kinda like the extra speed.

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WELL I KNEW I WAS ASKING THE RIGHT CROWD FOR SOME INFO!!!!! THANK'S GUY'S [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I BROUGHT THE RIG OVER TO MIKE, AT WILDFIRE MARINE IN STUART FL, HE'S DEFINETLY THE ONE I'LL BE USING FOR ALL REPAIR'S AND MODIFICATION'S. THE CAP UP FRONT IS SOFT, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, HE SAY'S IT'S SOLID AS A ROCK [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . WE'RE GOING TO STRIP HER DOWN TO BARE, MAKE SOME MOD'S TO THE ALREADY CLOSED TRANSOM AND REPAIR'S AS NEEDED, DO A COMPLETE PAINT AND RIG. HOPEFULLY I'LL BE READY FOR SUMMER. MIKE'S GONNA LET ME WORK WITH HIM, PARTIALLY TO DEFER SOME EXPENSE, BUT MOSTLY BECAUSE I'M A HAND'S ON KIND OF GUY. I GOTTA SAY I'M LEANING TOWARDS TWIN'S. THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF 200 HPDI'S AROUND HERE COMING BACK WITH PROBLEM'S, AND THE 250 IS BRAND NEW THIS YEAR [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] IF I CAN RIG THE BOAT FOR CLOSE TO THE SAME $$$$$ WITH TWIN'S AS A 250HPDI, GET BETTER PERFORMANCE(HOLE SHOT- TOP END),CLOSE ON THE FUEL BURN( LESS WORK FOR 2 TO DO THE SAME JOB AS ONE), LESS WATER NEEDED TO FLOAT THE BOAT BY A GOOD 10",ADD TO THAT THE FACT THAT I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY EVER COMPLAIN ABOUT A SUZI 140 THUMPER, OR GRIPE ABOUT TOOOO MUCH HORSE POWER! AND I THINK THIS BECOMES A NO BRAINER.THE WEIGHT ISSUE [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] ?, I DON'T THINK THERE IS ONE. A WIDE BODY EXTRA DEEP ARMSTRONG SHOULD ADD ABOUT 1200lb'S OF LIFT. A PAIR OF SUZI'S ARE 820lb'S. THAT'S ONLY 280lb'S MORE THAN THE 250! IF THERE'S ANYONE ON THIS THREAD THAT'S RUNNING ANY KIND OF TWINS ON A BRACKET, I SURE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. HEY JOHN, IF YOU'RE READING THIS,I DON'T OWN A DIGITAL CAMERA, BUT I'M GONNA SIT ON SANTA'S LAP REAL SOON. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, I'LL BE TAKING PHOTO'S THE REGULAR WAY. HOW WOULD I GET THEM ON HERE. I'LD LIKE TO DO THE BEFORE AND AFTER STUFF,YOU KNOW, LOT'S OF EMPTY MICH LITE BOTTLE'S WITH THE OLD SC IN THE BACKROUND,AND THEN POW!! A PICTURE OF ME PUTTING DOWN VERY CARFULLY AN ICE COLD BOTTLE OF MICH, SO I CAN PICK UP THE ROD WITH THE SCREAMING REAL, ON A BRITE SHINEY 20 YEAR OLD SEACRAFT,,,CRAP I NEED TO GO FISHIN'!!!! CATCH YA'LL LATER
LT DAN

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

congrats on your new baby! did you happen to see the 23' sceptre that skeeter has been advertising for $5900? if so, did you get a chance to look it over?

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Hehehehe...

BTW - if anyone (including LT) is looking for a cheap, dang near disposable digital camera, OfficeMax has a 2 megapixel Kodak CX4200 digital for $150. This is an newer version of one I had stolen a couple years ago and offeres decent images for short money - probably the best buy out there for less than $200

http://www.officedepot.com/shop/cata...S1992T5&PP=301

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

414, I DID GET A GOOD LOOK AT THE CUTTY AND IT'S WELL WORTH THE $$$ FROM WHAT I SAW. THE OLD YAM 200 THAT'S ON IT RUN'S! THE HULL HAS BEEN CLEANED SINCE THE ORIGINAL PHOTO AND LOOK'S 10 TIME'S BETTER THAN THE PICTURE YOUR LOOKING AT. IF YOU WANT A CUTTY, THAT HULL SHOULD BE A DEFINITE CONSIDERATION. IF THEY TAKE NEW PICTURE'S FOR THE ADD,I'LD BET IT SELL'S RIGHT AWAY.LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY. I DIDN'T LOOK REAL CLOSE AT IT BECAUSE A C.C. IS ALL I WOULD BUY, BUT BASED ON WHAT I DID SEE, IF IT WERE A C.C., I'LD ALREADY OWN IT.
GOOD LUCK 414,AND MERRY CHRISTMAS. LT DAN

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HEY JOHN, IT TURN'S OUT I DO OWN A DIDGITAL. IT WAS AT MY OFFICE. I GOT SOME QUICK INSTRUCTION'S,TOOK SOME PICTURE'S,POPPED OUT THE FLOPPY(IT'S A SONY MAVICA W/ 31/2 FLOPPY), PUT IT IN AND GOT THE PICTURE'S IN MY COMPUTOR,BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THEM ONTO HERE. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] LT

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ltdan, email them directly to John, he'll post'em.

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Yeh - what he said

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

OK - here it is LT's 23 (stripped of that dagnasty bracket):

http://www.theboatzone.com/albums/lt...001f.sized.jpg

http://www.striped-bass.com/vbulleti...s/beerchug.gif

The rest of the pics are here: http://www.theboatzone.com/gallery/lt23

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

itdan, Congratulations! I was in your shoes about a little over a year ago, contemplating between a single and twins. I spoke with a guy here in Key West that has onwed over 20 different boats and 3 of them being Seacrafts he told me that in his opinion 23 Seacraft is the best single motor boat ever built, although I think if you run long distances I would rather have twins it all depends what your uses are.Mike at Wildfire is very knowledgeable with Seacrafts and glass work. he closed in my transom and made other changes to my boat that made all the differece in performance and cosmetics.I wish I could of been there like you are to work with him.Ask him about the Rabud scuppers they work great.I'm thinking of repowering this year with a new Fitch 250, I hear that Bombardier has fixed all the problems the motors were having.My neighbor works on these motors thats why im inclining that way, but Briguy has a great point,Im going to go to the Miami boatshow and look at the 4 strokes. Jason also mentioned that Suzukis 250 were pretty nice, my problem is service.Mike should have some pics of my boat,maybe you'll like the way its set-up,Jason is going to post some pics in the next couple of weeks. Also Armstrong makes a great bracket like someone mentioned you'll squat less because of the buoyancy and get out of the hole quick.Say hello to Mike for me, and tell him I might be bringing him a 20 CC. RS.

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itdan,Im guessing you have a livewell in the floor, I dont know if you fish live baits but Mike can build you a drop-in or fixed livewell in the transom. I was looking at the 005 picture you can drop in right between the 2 corner hatches.Just an idea.RS.

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John R, hey buddy your finally going to see them pics. Jason took them with him and hes going to post them RS.

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RS - thanks [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

How was the fishing?

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THANK'S R.S.. DO YOU HAVE A 25" SHAFT, OR 30". IF I GO WITH A SINGLE IT'LL BE A 30", WITH A WIDE BODY EXTRA DEEP ARMSTRONG. I WANT THE MOTOR TO STAY HIGH AND DRY.IF YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHT'S ON IT, LET ME KNOW,,,,PLEASE! I HAVEN'T MADE MY MIND UP ON THE BAITWELL. I LIKE TO EMPTY A NET ON THE FLOOR AND KICK THE BAIT DOWN THE HOLE, THAT'S WHEN I LIVE BAIT,WHICH ISN'T THAT OFTEN. I'M THINKING OF CUTTING OUT THE CORNER BOXES AND ABOUT 16" OF THE MIDDLE OF THE TRANSOM TO LEAVE IT AN 8" CAP STRAIGHT ACROSS THE BACK. I LIKE THE EXTRA ROOM. MIKE SHOWED ME THE PICTURE'S OF YOUR RIG,,,SWEEEEET! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] I'VE GOT ALL THE DECK PANEL'S OUT,T-TOP,CONSOLE,HARDWARE AND GOT ALL THE FUEL OUT TODAY [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] . THE TANK ACTUALLY LOOK'S GREAT, INSIDE AND OUT(FROM WHAT CAN BE SEEN). BUT I WANT TO PULL IT TO BE SURE,MIKE'S IDEA. IT'S FOAMED DOWN BOTH SIDE'S,,,,,GOT ANY IDEA'S THAT DON'T RUIN THE TANK, ENCASE I GET LUCKY [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] .I'LL TALK AT'YA LATER. LT DAN

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JOHN, YOUR TOO C [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] L. THANK'S FOR THE HELP. BY THE WAY,THE TOP SHELF IN MY GARAGE FRIDGE HAS YOUR NAME ON IT DUDE [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] . LT.

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John, The fishing was lousy on friday it was blowing a solid 15. I wanted to get some Blackfins but they would'nt come up even though we had some beautiful live pilchards, I wanted to anchor out there but it was to rough. We ended up with Cudas and a couple of cut-offs. On the reef the current was against the wind which is worthless.
Itdan my motor is 25 in.I would think you can put a 30 on the bracket, Mike would diffenitely Know.Yes,I also like the livewells on the floor for that reason it easier to drop the bait in.When I repower im going to be changing my tank just in case ,I think its a good idea to check it while your doing all that work. RS.

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ITDAN iLL BET YOU'LL GAIN ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM WHAT YOU HAD TO THE ARMSTRONG, YOUR GONNA LOVE THE WAY SHE FLOATS, GETS OUT OF THE HOLE, THE LOOKS.IT WILL RIDE LIKE A DIFFERENT BOAT.YOU'LL EVEN BACK UP MUCH EASIER WITH THE FULL BODY THAN WHAT IT HAD BEFORE.RS.

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LT, congratulations on the purchase, she looks great. Is that an F150 I see in the pictures that you're towing her with? Just curious because I'll be getting a pickup in the next few months and I'm trying to shop around for the right one. How does the F150 handle the 23? What engine do you have - 4.6L or 5.4L?

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THANK'S R.S. IT GIVE'S ME A LITTLE MORE CONFIDENCE TO HERE YOU SAY HOLE SHOT WITH A SINGLE. I SKIP OVER TO THE BAHAMA'S ONCE IN A WHILE AND DO FISH OFFSHORE,,,, BUT I RARELY, IF EVER CROSS WITHOUT ANOTHER BOAT ALONG. AS FAR AS OFFSHORE, YOU NEED TRAFFIC LIGHT'S UP HERE,TILL ABOUT 20 MILE'S OR SO OUT. MY POINT IS, I REALLY DON'T NEED TWIN'S, BUT I STILL WANT TO POP OUT OF THE HOLE WITH RELATIVE EASE IF I'M NOT OVER LOADED.THANK'S AGAIN FOR THE INPUT.TALKED TO MIKE TODAY,SAID HE GOT YOUR MEASAGE ON SUNDAY. I TOLD HIM HE COULD START ON YOUR'S AFTER HE'S DONE WITH MINE [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] LT DAN

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THANK'S SCOTT, DON'T GIVE THAT F150 A SECOND THOUGHT,,,,JUST DO IT! IT'S A SUPER CREW LARIAT,4X4, TRITON 5.4,WITH 373 LIMITED SLIP DIFERENTIAL. SHE PULLED HOME MY PRODJECT FROM BIG PINE KEY TO JUPITER(230 MILE'S)@70 MPH,WITH THE CRUISE CONTROLL ON [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .THE HULL IS 3300LB,THE TRAILER IS 600LB, AND SHE HAD A 100 GAL'S OF FUEL.THAT'S GOT TO BE 4500LB'S+. NOT A WIMPER FROM THE TRUCK [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] LT DAN

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Scott - I had a 98 F150 with a stick and the 4.6. I never towed more than 3K with it but I wanted some more go juice... I'd get the 5.4 if I had to make the same choice...

Unfortunately, I'm on the fence now as that 98 150 was the sweetest truck I've ever had and I'm thinking about a new truck now. She glided on the sands of the back beaches and Islands like a M1A1 in Desert Storm. Awesome truck. The problem with the Ford is that style has been out for 6 years now and is going to get redone this summer. This is the last year of that style. Plus the Extra Cab is smaller, the styling is a little long in the tooth. Just not as up to date as it could be.

So now I'm looking at the Avalanche (without the hideous body kit) or a Silverado/Sierra 1500 with the 5.3 as it's been out for a couple years and won't significantly change styles for 3-4 more years. I don't have much faith in the Dodge based on experience a few freinds of mine have had with the older trucks and the Toyota just doesn't feel truck enough for me (and I am a Toyota Fan)... My choice is to go with the GM next month or waiting 6-8 months for the new 150 to be out a little...

Just need to sell my Bronco 1st [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

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Cool Dan yours first, If I get this project 20, ill take it to Mike and he can take his time,im not in a hurry.I forgot to call him today.I thought I saw your boat posted in the Big Pine Winn- Dixie a while back.
John that was 1 of the reasons I went with a chevy because the ford look has been around awhile.The 5.3 will pull it easy especially with the tow button.The truck runs like a dream,smooth.The ford 5.4 like Dan says is an animal.RS.

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

LT - it's good to hear you like the F150. Right now a couple dealerships are offering the '03 F150 extra cab 4x4 with the 4.6 for the right money. If the 5.4 is not too much more, I'll go with that.

John - I'm familiar with your truck preferences through Striped-Bass.com. I read a rather long-winded "conversation", shall we say, between some members about the superiority of the Dodge Ram over everything else. Hopefully that discussion isn't still going on. Thanks for the feedback. I'm partial to the Silverado/Sierra myself, but Ford seems to be offering better rebates right now, probably because of the model change you speak about.

Have a happy New Year guys.

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Scott - that thread was a pain. It was too much to bear and I was guilty of feeding that fire... Are you registered over there under a different name?

I can't complain about that Ford. It was the best truck I've ever owned and only had 3 problems. A coin got stuck in the console lock and jambed it -not Ford's fault, the pass side door sill moulding would never stay on, and the scary one: the throttle cable froze northbound on the Expressway in Dot at 75 mph & 3500 rpm. I had to quick shift down the offramp to get it off the highway. Turned out condensation had built up around the linkage and froze under my high speed run down the X-way. Also probably not Ford's fault.

Right now the rebates from GM are great too - 3K.

I just have problems buying a vehicle in it's 1st or last year of a particular generation. So I'm up in the air too.

Later,

John

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Great Boat Dan congrats! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] You are very lucky top have Florida weather to work on it this winter. Send a little North for us NewEnglanders! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Jon G

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John, I'm not registered at all on your board, although I should because I visit it quite a bit and know a lot of the members there. That frozen throttle thing must have been quite scary - I'd consider that Ford's fault, not yours. That should happen only in the most extreme situations, not by going a very normal (by today's standards) 75mph on the highway.

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

What ever you do and like others have said .... get the largest motor you can and a trans geared for that type of weight if you plan on pulling the boat around alot..... and as I’m sure you are aware....less stress on the tow vehicle...

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I agree with scott, get the 5.3 on the chevy, or 5.4 on ford, I woul'nt go any smaller. I heard today Ford is offering 0 % for 4 years. That sounds very nice.RS.

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Scott - it was about 10 degrees out and I was doing 75. It was a cold snap and whatever moisture melted when the engine warmed refroze on my little stroll down the highway [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . Where a bttere design would probably prevent that it does get into the realm of more extreme conditions...

The nice thing about the rebates right now is that with many banks you can get below 6% normal rates instead of the 2-4% from the factory. Then you grab the good outside rate AND the factory rebate and you're even more ahead. 0% interest on a 30K truck is more $$ than 5% interest on a 27K truck (but not by much [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] )

And that's OK - we get plenty of lurkers [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Re: FINALY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

RS, in this past Sunday's paper I saw adds for 0% up to 5 years for F150s.

John, AAA members can get 4.39% for '02 and '03 vehicles, so your idea sounds like the way to go. You sacrifice the rebate for the 0% factory rate, so instead get financing up front, walk in with a check and walk out with the rebate. According to my math, even with 6 or 7% financing, you still spend less money getting the rebate than using the 0% financing from Ford.

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Hey JOHN R-

What year is your Bronco? I have a Black 1996 XLT Bronco with the sport package (leather seats, grille/bumpers/ mirrors painted to match body color), 5.8L engine and the towing package. No rust, either.

It is a complete workhorse and regularly pulls my Mako 231. I've had a few minor problems (oil leak, rear window motor burnt out) since I bought it 2 years ago but nothing major. Have you had much problems with yours?? I know the rear window motor and the fuel pump burning out early are common problems on the Bronco but I was wondering what other problems Bronco owners were experiencing.

Speaking of Ford pickups....my buddy Jodi (the guy that owns Wilco Marine Restorations in Newbury) has a Black 1999 Ford F-250 with the V10 and the club cab. It is really, really nice and he hasnt had one problem with it and he regularly hauls boats to and from the dealerships in the area. I think it is warrantied through Ford for 100,000 miles as long as he has them do the oil changes. Firestone even replaced his tires with new ones even though they were not part of that EXPLORER recall.

-Ed-