T-ville boat break-in help...anyone wanna go for a ride?

[cra97]

I need to break-in the new team boat I have and, to be perfectly honest, I have no idea what I am doing...lol I figured I will take it up to t-ville, since I live in Louisville, and try and get the hang of loading and un-loading while I break it in. I was wondering if anyone might want to "show me the ropes", so to say, and join me on this adventure. I could obviously stop for some fishing here and there, but the main purpose is to get the boat broken in and learn how to use this fine machine properly. If anyone has any interest, that has the experience and patience to work with a newbie, please let me know. Thanks.

Rob

[Stanley_p]

Rob,

What kind of boat did you get? Length? Motor? Jackplate? Have you measured the height of the motor, to the boat? Are you wanting speed or just a cruiser? Prop. size?

If none of that matters and you just want to try out the boat and practice loading, I could meet you down there. I'll bring a couple poles.

I've owned many boats since I was a teenager, I'm 44 now. I'm no expert
but I've had a few boats in my time.

Stanley_P

[jcclark]

T'ville is up 3' right now,
I would suspect there to be a lot of debris floating, as usual.
Be sad to hit something your first time out.
May want to consider somewhere else this week

[tr186man]

Sure I wouldn't mind helping you out. I have a Triton TR186 w/ 175 EFI Merc. Bought it new in '02. I am not an expert either, but am patient. I won't be able to get away until Saturday though. My boy has baseball practice in the evenings and a game early Sat. morning. Besides, if wanting to go to T-ville, it would definitely be better to wait a few days for the debris to clear out. I know T-ville fairly well. You will need to bring your motor booklet since it is new. Most have certain rpm ranges and amount of running time for each range before opening it up.

Just let me know what you want to do. I live in PRP so it's no big deal to run over to T-ville for me. I would suggest putting in at Settlers since it is a big ramp and not as steep as Possum.

Andy M.

[raincheck]

Did the sales man give you any tips,most do.I've been around boats all my life and most of all just be safe.Make sure the plug is in and every thing un hooked before you back it in.Go slow till you get used too it.If it don't have a hot foot get one.Any questions call me you can find my # on my home page.I will be at Rough sat and Nolin sun. if you happen too i'll help.
Terry Adolph

[fishincreek]

I'll second the plug thing. You are doing the right thing by taking someone along- there can be a lot to know (or learn) that unless someone teaches you that you find out the hard way, esp trimming a motor and getting a feel of driving a boat on its "pad" safely. If you end up going with your spouse, be sure to tape her backing in (or giving you directions) so that the rest of us can have some comic relief. No place easier to get into a heated exchange with your significant other than on a boat ramp.

[cra97]

I did not realize t-ville was so high, nor the debris such an issue, so I may wait a bit to take her out as I agree with the comment about screwing it up the first time out. To answer the questions on the boat, it is a 2009 Skeeter 200 ZX, with a 200 hp Yammy. I have not measured the height of the motor, to the boat, and honestly would never thought to do that anyway.

I did not deal with a salesman on the boat, it came in from TX as part of my team deal (yes I did buy/own it, but still no salesman), and they forgot to put the "Manuals" in the boat when it shipped. They are in route but I do not have the yet. On the new motor, I am supposed to keep it under 3500 rpm's for the first hour (already has a 1/2 hour on it from them "testing" it at the dealership) and then under 4500 for the second and third hours, with bursts of short full out, then during the 4th and 5th hours I can run it all out but not for "long periods" at a time. Man this stuff is confussing as all get out to be honest.

I appreciate all the help guys, I really do. I am going to try and contact a couple of you and see what we can work out for a time/place as I have 4 kids (2 playing b-ball) too. Thanks again for all the good input and I WILL film the first trip to the water with the wife and post it if it is funny.

Rob

[keepersize]

Been on T-ville twice in the last five days and logs floating has not been a problem. Hope this helps. Nice boat, take it easy until you learn how to handle it,

[Stanley_p]

You always measure the center line of the prop with the bottom of the boat. If you have a low water pickup you can run the center of the prop higher than the bottom of the boat for speed. If you don't have a low water pickup on the lower unit, you will have to run it below the bottom of the boat. The higher you can run a outboard without losing water pressure will make you run faster.

It sounds like that everything is going to be setup for you. So just ignore everything I mentioned.

[Mitchell-Ranger Boy]

Rob,

It is good to hear that you are back on your feet in just a short amount of time. That sounds like a dream boat. It sounds like the Lord has really blessed you quickly. I wish you all the luck in the world and I trust that you will PAY it forward after all the nice things people did for you!

Ryan Mitchell
606-833-8837
740-237-6114

[bigrod]

Interested in what the words Team Boat mean? I think it means you bought it at a discount but how do you go about doing such a thing and do you have to fish tournaments to get this or what are the arrangements. How do you go from not having any boat and begging to fish with people to getting a team boat 2009. Just interested to know. I have time to help you pretty much whenever you need I work for myself although it would prefedrably be in morning after kids get off to school. I have a tr-21 with a 225 optimax if that matters on what I know or don't know. Good luck with your new boat and enjoy every minute of it because they don't stay new long!

[cra97]

Bigrod,

Fishing tournaments is just ONE element of getting sponsored on a team, not the most important at all, probably the least important. I do know that the "Nitro Team" has openings for members on their team currently, as I spoke with a guy at a tourney about two weeks ago who inquired if my partner and I were interested. If I were you, and had a desire to get on a "team", that is the place I would start. I know the head of the Nitro Team is fishing the R&W Marine series and has been coming to the events, so you may be able to check it out with him at one of those if it is something that interests you.
As far as ME getting on a team, I cannot say a whole lot about it because it was really a series of events that fell into place and ended in a Blessing from God. I cannot explain it much better than that brother. I did get fortunate in that while I was "begging to fish with people", I got replies from some VERY GOOD fishermen who taught me a lot and we did pretty well in the events we entered. Last year was the roughtest year of my life as far as finances and mental health are concerned, and I stuggled waiting for the VA, Army, ect to decide my fate. I have never had to deal with being "broke as a joke" like that in my entire adult life and it took its toll on me. I credit the men on this board for helping me get through it, as I had never given "competitive" fishing a thought until I came here. I had always fished, but never like this. The void left in my life by the things I lost while in combat has largely been filled by this sport and has improved my mental state emmensly.
I appreciate the offer to help, and I would guess with a boat like you have you MUST know what your doing for sure I would be happy to answer any other question s you might have about the "sponsor" stuff if you would like to give me a call sometime. I cannot tell you much about MY deal, but I can try and help in any way I can if you like. Thanks again and my number, if you wanna call or just go out fishing sometime, is 502-689-5528.

Rob