Saved by 2 whole inches and not a bit more.
I got my new HOOK 7 fish finder today. It was a royal PIA to get the transducer wire routed on top of the pontoon through wire holes in the framing when you head does not move. Crawling under the boat while sitting on the trailer was a real issue with limited head movement.
I had to drill a new hole in the floor of the console for the transducer wire, there was zero room left in the existing cabling hole for it to pass through. When done I had no more than 2 inches of transducer wire to spare. It was a lot better than being 2" too short. It is now wired to a switch, the transducer is mounted and it powers up. Saturday will tell the tale if it works or not.
I was sweating bullets over the transducer wire length, it was just enough; if it was a 22 foot pontoon boat it would not have worked out at all.
Fishing gear is loaded, poles are on board, second battery is installed, tackle, fire extinguishers loaded, life vests, signal horn, tools, rope, anchor and what not are all onboard. Now I need more stuff to put into the five empty storage compartments! I will get the automatic battery charging system hooked up tomorrow after work.
Going to Wally World tomorrow for a porta-potty and bungee cords to hold crap down. Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be on the water!
A word to the wise, I carried a 5 gallon portable air tank when I picked up the boat. The tires were low and one had a leaking valve stem. I got the valve stem replaced today at one of my customers shop. These are 20.5X8X10 tires (205/65/10) The ones on the trailer are brand new, load range C. The trailer sticker calls for load range E (10 ply) i ordered them today to switch them out to the correct tires next week. Tires exploding will ruin your day!
Check the spec's on your car or truck door pillar for the correct tire ratings and FOLLOW IT. Same goes for any trailer. NEVER, EVER use car tires on a trailer. Use ST rated tires, they are designed for trailer use, car tires will not last long or be safe on a trailer carrying a load.
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Check your local laws, but here in Michigan, you have to have a rated throwable life saving device on board or pay a fine ( ask me how I know)). A pathetic story but useful in it's own way.
Two weeks before I hit Erie again, but can't wait!
I hope you enjoy your new boat!
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Thanks for the well wishes to smooth sailing!
I have three fire extinguishers, two throw-able USCG approved devices, and even life vests rated for any one aboard weight wise. Up to 300 pounds.
Living in Alaska taught me that redundancy is good but having triplicates may save your life or the life of another.
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Careful, in some states it would show up on your record as an "LSD" charge. (Life Saving Device)
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“Going to Wally World for a porta-potty and bungee cords to hold the crap down”.
Bruce, why do you need the bungee cords? Just close the lid on the porta-potty and the crap should stay put!
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You beat me to it!!! 😂
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+1^
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I have a little bit of experience with this. Not much but, when it comes to PFD s if any of your passengers are children, you'll need appropriate sized PFDs. We were boarded by the Pa F&B officers once and they wanted to see a PFD for my granddaughter who was basically an infant. We were lucky, there was one. It was a rental pontoon and honestly we never checked before we started. We were boarded because they saw my son riding outside the deck railing. Another no-no. They were also looking desperately for any alcohol but we don't drink so they gave verbal warnings and advice and left.
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Good luck........enjoy
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The Hook 7 is a nice graph. I put that on my son's bass boat when we bought it in the spring. Sounds like you are ready to go. Be safe and enjoy your boat but remember it is a holiday weekend. There will be a lot of people on the water.
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