Which boat would you buy?

[dragonfly]

when buying a new boat installing a tr-1 is a no brainer it can do way more and is easer to operate has the throttle control with it plus you can operate it any where on the boat with the remote tether . between buying a 80lb thrust trolling motor, 2 batts and a charging system you are close or at the same price as the tr-1 and you don't have to mess with charging or worrying if you will have enough batt for the day or enough time to recharge for the next day. also you can fish without constantly checking and steering so you can fish and just keep an eye out or sit in the cab out of the weather. that said I just bought a minn kota for my bow and only plan to use it when the wind gets to much for the tr-1 so I can fish thru the wind. dfly

 

[SuperD]

Everyone's fishing style is a little different. I have never heard a single negative thing said about a TR-1 system so they must be good. But to assume that everyone wants to spend $3K on a steering control system is a little bold. I use the electric most of the time and only use the kicker under adverse conditions when someone will likely be at the wheel anyways.

 

[mrmike]

Yea were talking quite a few more dollars with the bow mount elec /plus adding Tri 1 system your talking a lot more money here/ I just see so many guy trolling with and extended handle out to there kicker on there platforms just a poor choice that my personal thought. Its close to 4 grand for the TR1 system with installation another 2 for the elec with batteries with installation. Its some thing he should look into when he makes a choice. I did look at his Lund looks to me he got it equipped nicely /He mentioned SALMON fishing you would not be using a elec bow mount or your DR system if he anchor up some were on the CR they will get in the way. You can go off your big motor with your kicker for steering, but how about throttle control He will have fun trying to figure how and what he wants to fish for from what he mentioned he going to a bigger boat to fish different types of fish. I went to guide model sled because of what and how I fish. Works best for me I have nothing on my gunnels that a Salmon net will hook while attempting to net a fish when Salmon fishing . There are numerous thing I see other folks do I won't its just personnel choice I like my DR up in the middle of my boat I don't want to be climbing over everything to net a fish. It took me 4 boats before I got it the way I wanted it. He listens to us he will be so confused he keep his Lund

 

[dragonfly]

Dave what I am saying is by the time you spend 1500 on a trolling motor 350 - 400 on batts 300 for a dedicated charger and another 250 - 300 for the remote throttle control for the kicker plus all the misc.. hold downs and mounts and installation you are almost if not past the cost of the tr-1. then you have the inconvenience of charging if you are at a site with power otherwise if's a generator (another expense) and if moored you have to pack the batts in and back. while the tr-1 is always ready with a push of a button so it is a wash with a lot more connivance, if you are adding it to a new boat not to mention the re sale. dfly

 

[SuperD]

My view is that the electric is a given and not a price spent versus the TR-1 but in addition to. I'm not a TR-1 expert so I could be totally clueless but the tracking and anchor features of an iPilot would be an automatic on my next boat.

 

[dragonfly]

the tr-1 on my boat was put on in '02 and basically like ordering a car with cruse control with navigation.it does every thing the minnkota does plus more, except hold stationary. the feature I wish it had was the spot lock but the yamaha motor would have to be able to turn 360° and is one of the reasons I am adding the minn kota which can be added any time while the tr-1 is better installed before you run everything else. I don't really need the minn kota except in the bad wind to keep the nose straight and for the spot lock other wise the tr-1 dose it all. dfly

 

[Mharri333]

The way the Lund is set up now I use the I-pilot 95 percent of the time. I use the kicker to help when it gets windy. The throttle control on the kicker made a huge difference as far as ease of use. I have the kicker linked to the main so I can steer with the wheel if necessary. Not a bad set-up at all. Not a TR-1 but the throttle control I put on can have the steering mechanism added but I chose not to do that. I just wanted the ability to in the future because I know me too well.

 

[Bogey]

The way the Lund is set up now I use the I-pilot 95 percent of the time. I use the kicker to help when it gets windy. The throttle control on the kicker made a huge difference as far as ease of use. I have the kicker linked to the main so I can steer with the wheel if necessary. Not a bad set-up at all. Not a TR-1 but the throttle control I put on can have the steering mechanism added but I chose not to do that. I just wanted the ability to in the future because I know me too well.

This is exactly how I operate. Sadly, (sort, of, tooexcited) I just ordered a new Lund Crossover 1875 and now my Nissan 6hp 4-stroke SHORT SHAFT won't work, and my 55 lb Terrova I-pilot is a little light for the new bigger boat, so I'm going to have to buy both new - YIKE$$$$ (I'd NEVER be without an I-pilot)

I'm going to blame you for all of this Mharri333 - I kept following this thread last year and I knew at some point I was going to switch from my duck/fishing boat to a straight fishing boat, and your thread nudged me that way - I'll just be happy when I get it all paid for and can enjoy using it!!

Keep us posted, I've really enjoyed YOUR buying experience!

 

[Mharri333]

Well if any of you have been to the Seattle boat show I am looking at the 18.5 red Thunderjet that is at the Master Marine booth (off shore bracket). Man it is good looking but it is expensive. I am working out options with them now but I have to think over the number tonight to see if it makes sense. An awful lot of money for a few upgrades.

I am taking your feedback though and having them upgrade to the Suzuki 140 over the 115, which comes with a 3 year plus addition 3 year warranty. I am looking at matching it with a 9.9 Suzuki with remote (at helm) controls/tilt and T-1. It has the spray down system. I am also looking at a 80lb bow mount trolling motor with I-Pilot autopilot. Then I am matching it with a 3 battery system and an on board high output charger. The last thing is that I asked them to wire it for my down riggers that I will move from my old boat. Other than that I am going to add my Humminbird 1198 from the old boat too since it is only a year old. And work on my own lighting.

It's only money right??? We will see what happens.

 

[Bogey]

Ya, it's only money alright - but I need to go print some!! The extras really add up fast. I've heard nothing but good things about Suzuki. I just now saw your post above about MM, glad to hear it's overall good, but I'd of freaked too, both because they had my boat for 3 weeks, AND because it was outside!!!

Like I said before, my buddy's Thunder Jet is NICE!!

Spring is coming....

 

[DLM]

I am taking your feedback though and having them upgrade to the Suzuki 140 over the 115, which comes with a 3 year plus addition 3 year warranty. I am looking at matching it with a 9.9 Suzuki with remote (at helm) controls/tilt and T-1. It has the spray down system. I am also looking at a 80lb bow mount trolling motor with I-Pilot autopilot. Then I am matching it with a 3 battery system and an on board high output charger. The last thing is that I asked them to wire it for my down riggers that I will move from my old boat. Other than that I am going to add my Humminbird 1198 from the old boat too since it is only a year old. And work on my own lighting.

It's only money right??? We will see what happens.

I've ordered the exact same engine combination on my boat, Suzuki 140 and Yamaha 9.9. I am not really sure what all types of fishing you are doing but in my situation, lakes for Kokanee, the TR-1 AND the I-Pilot would be a duplication maybe. I don't know all that much about TR-1 capabilities. I went with the 80lbs I-Pilot with a troll master throttle control on the kicker.

 

[dragonfly]

Dave the tr-1 can do everything the I-pilot w I-link does plus you can program in other maneuvers like clover leaf. circles working out in a spiral, s-turns and zig-zags and how far and what cycle you want to do them in etc. plus you can program it to go to a spot and it will take you there no mater the wind or current or follow a track back and you can use any fishfinder/chartplotter with 0183 conn. while the minn kota I-link will only work with the hummingbird ff and maps for that feature. if you have the I- pilot minn kota like I have it will work but it will not hold corse it will keep going north (lets say) but if you have a west wind it will push you into the bank even though you will still be going north. the reason for me installing it, is when the wind gets bad and pushes my cab it will help keep the nose straight so I can fish longer. also I think I will like the spot lock. so far I have only used the tr-1 and will supplement it with the minn kota in the bad wind, so I am not worrying about charging batts when on extended fishing trips

 

[SuperD]

I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford a new boat again in my life time but if I can, the mental wrestling match that I will have about the TR-1 is, why would I spend that money on a control system vs. 2' more boat? I think I would lean towards picking the 2' bigger boat. I never fish alone, so, someone is usually at the wheel in rough seas and keeping watch for other boats.

 

[dragonfly]

Dave the tr-1, up here any way, the most I have seen it run was 4000 installed the minn kota if you want it to even come close to the performance of the tr-1 you would need the I-pilot with I-link a "hummingbird" FF with map, 2 batts with the hold downs and cover, a charger, all the I-link cables, etc and that's over 4000. then you would have to have someone to install it. you will then have the extra weigh and inconvenience of getting and keeping it charged. for me it is mainly the convenience of not having to do that and replace the batts every 4 years which you have to add in at 400 dollars or an extra 100 bucks a year to put out, sort of like rent to run it. other than the spot lock it still won't do what the tr-1 will do all day long day in and day out with out messing with it. ether way they both cost about in the same in the short run. but like you said you are stuck with the boat length but you can add accessories later. dfly

 

[Mharri333]

Drum roll please..... I just ordered a boat and put down the deposit.

Now I would have to say this is about as patient as I have ever been and some of the most research I have ever done prior to buying something. That being said it reminds me a lot of a saying my dad had... "There is no such thing as the perfect car". Well, there is no such thing as the perfect boat either. There are some awesome ones out there but they all specialize in some sort of fishing. The problem is that I like the shiny marble and I need to try new stuff. I want to catch one of everything there is to catch.

So here goes. I appreciate all of the comments and feedback. I appreciate the PM's that offered guidance in the background as well. I feel good about the product I am getting and I am confident that it will give me many years of service. Heck, I may even own it some day...

I ordered a 2014 Thunderjet Explorer in Sunfire Red. It is an 18.5 foot with an offshore bracket.
Upgraded the motor to a Suzuki 140hp and a matching 9.9 kicker. It is the new model kicker with the electronic fuel injection and forward mounted controls at the helm.
I am having them install a Terrova I-Pilot LINK 80lb, a three battery system and a high output (45amp) onboard charging unit.
They are going to put a TR-1 on the kicker (I am very excited about this)
I am having 4 plugs added for down riggers.
It comes with a wash-down system, bench seats in the back, locking glove box, dual wipers, swim step, full canvas with sides and back drop etc etc...
With a folding tongue it will fit inside my garage and should do just about everything I want to do.

I had to make one compromise. The kicker mount is at the back of the offshore bracket so it can be linked to the main for steering. I know most like it right at the back of the boat but that just wasn't in the cards for this one and I liked it better than anything else I looked at. With the Tr-1 and forward controls it shouldn't be a big issue.

I guess I already mentioned that I am going to put my 1198 Humminbird on it as well as my current down riggers.

I am worn out. Been thinking about this for the past few days. It is finally ordered. I should get it at the end of February. Just enough time to get it rigged prior to my Lake Chelan trip the first week in April.

I am pretty sure this is Bogeys fault..... I will post pictures when I see it next.

Thanks again for the help!

MH

 

[SuperD]

Congrats MH! That's very exciting. On the TR-1, are they still corded or have they gone wireless? I am really envious of the fuel injected kicker. I have had more than my share of carb problems with kickers. Fuel injection would be sweet!!!!

 

[Mharri333]

Wireless. The Tr-1 wasn't 4k like mentioned previously. It was more like 2800 then when we started shaving price it was 2500. I realize a lot of that has to do with the trade value and other things but the initial cost at 2800 didn't seem as bad as I thought.

 

[dragonfly]

they still have the tether for programing functions and controlling the boat or you can add the wireless pendent that just controls the speed and turning plus mob that returns the boat back to the spot where you pushed it. I love the wireless remote you can be in the bow and steer and control the speed while watching for others or debris or turn the boat while fighting a fish in the water. if you can 333 take the boat out with the installer and have him show you how to sync it to your FF and program it and go over the functions it will cut hours off the learning curve because most people just use the base function of point and go which is quick and easy and you will use it the most but to be able to program way points and back track is very productive in rivers and for kokanee fishing. dfly

 

[Bogey]

LOL!!! Look in the mirror to see who started all this!!! Either way, CONGRATS!!!! It's kind of gut wrenching to commit to that kind of money, but once you've said yes, then it's time to just be excited and look forward to all the fun!!! Sounds like a great set- up! Did you end up trading yours in? Looks like we'll both be sporting shiny new floats up on Chelan come April!

Looking forward to the pics and again, CONGRATS! (did you stay married during this process?)

 

[DLM]

Drum roll please..... I just ordered a boat and put down the deposit.
MH

Congratulations! I know what you have/are going through, one of the scariest and most exiting undertakings can be buying a new boat. The next few weeks will flow by like cold lava, hang in there.