Recent content by zimm

Thanks for talking me off the ledge! Phew. I'm moving to Miami next fall, so I'm looking for a boat to take my two boys out on all spring/summer here in VA, then florida after that. I retire next summer, so I'll have lots of free time on the weekends to play on the water!

I was at the Annapolis boat show yesterday. I went to compare the Grady 180 and the Key West 189FS. I like the Key West because a potty fits in the console for the kids and a full bench seat across the back, plus its a few hundred pounds lighter (I have tow vehicle limits). But they didn't...

Nope, sold the tow vehicles. Down to a '15 Wrangler 4 door. Granted it's got 4.10 gears, 270hp, and stiffer springs and shocks from the aftermarket suspension.

That might be an option. I'm also looking into the Key West 189FS as the hull weight is only 1650 vice 2150. I'm also toying with the idea of buying an old expedition or other tow vehicle, then getting a bigger boat. The problem with that is the money outlay on a tow vehicle will delay or...

Dry weight 2150 F150 500 Fuel (50 gal x7) 350 Battery 50 Anchor/dock lines/coast guard gear 50 Cooler with drinks 50 That gets me 3150# The Yamaha performance report shows: 3429 lb. (including persons, fuel, water, gear, engines & accessories)- so that's right if they add 2 people. Trailer...

Anyone know the weight of a 180 with F150 power on an aluminum trailer? I'm limited to 3500 pounds with my 4 dr wrangler, but I'm moving to Miami next summer so it'll just be a flat tow to the ramp or maybe the keys at 35mph.

With a 741XS, you can get a second 741 (without sounder) for cheaper. I'm not 100% sure, but with them networked, you should be able to see data on either screen. It would depend on how much cheaper you could get a 741 for. If it's only $100 difference, I'd get two 741XS- if you sell them to...

With your budget, you're stuck with a 7". I went with a SIMRAD 7" because the 9" was double the cost. I maximize screen size by using the smallest info bar. I could have went with two 7's and that would be ideal for using GPS and sonar at the same time. I went trolling for the first time...

It works, but need to mount the VHF pretty high for it to clear so you can swing it up. Also my VHF hole was too close to the edge so I had to "customize" the mounting bracket to fit. If I did it again, I'd order the blanks, but do the holes myself to make sure everything will fit. Here's the...

Think about black starboard to cut down on the glare. I had mine flanged with a router so it would sit more flush. I re-used the hinges, but if I redid it, I wouldn't. I can access the electrics from the door in the cabin anyway, no need to lift up the panel. flmarineplastics did it for me.

I left the hinges on. In my case I can't fully lift the door. Plus it puts a lot of strain on the wires. Best off re-thinking the "glovebox" part of that. Can you access the box from the cabin like on a 226/228? I can put stuff in there if I need to, but I don't. It would make for a nice...

I do know there are come models that are "surface mount" and you only have to drill a small hole for the wire and mounting screws. I'd rather do that. Once you bore a big hole- it's going to be difficult to eventually replace the light (they won't last forever). And we all know how long these...

Your welcome. I'm personnally not a bazooka brand fan, but they sound fine for what I use it for. I am sold on the idea of wakeboard speakers under there because they are self contained and don't require large holes. Once you bolt in a bracket- you can always change out speakers down the road...

I finally got pics of the bazooka wakeboard speakers in front of my seats.

You could also put a "T" on the water intake before the water pump and a couple of bronze ball valves. You can then shut the raw water intake and open the T and put a hose into a few jugs of RV/Marine antifreeze. Run the motor until you get the pink stuff coming out the exhaust. Done.