04-04-2009, 06:29 AM
[quote flygoddess]My motor has the gauge on top, but the fact remains...you have to pace your battery for multi day use.
We definitely fish different waters. I have floated rivers but for the most part stillwater.
[.IMG][url "http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/FlyGoddess/Daniels%202008/37400.jpg%5B/IMG%5D"]http://i44.photobucket.com/...2008/37400.jpg[/IMG][/url]
as you can see, the chance of running into another boater is not an issue.
There is never that many people that concentrated.
A quick glance over a shoulder ONCE and I can cruise full speed and not hit anything, or anyone. And the beauty, I don't have to turn my body or head, one strong kick with one leg and I can make a beautiful circle.
When I am on the water I am in no hurry to go anywhere.
In fly fishing, standing is the preferred. Not to mention a little sight fishing.
I teach newbies to cast either sitting flat on the ground or from a chair, this way they get the feel of a toon or a tube.
Shore fishing is very easy. Practice casting into the wind, and once you get that down, you can handle anything.
Now, solar power...great idea, but not at a cheap price.
I will stick with the good old Marine Deep Cycle batteries, the hubby works on fork lifts and cranes all day and is not a big fan of those fancy batteries, for obvious reasons. Exercise is GOOD. I am not young, but I am in great shape. Ask Tube Dude about his scuba fins, he swears it is low pressure all the way. Tried his style this fall, and it works!
It is interesting to me that people have no problem spending $180.+ for a battery, $100. for a motor and then put it on a $150. toon. I guess it is all in Priorities. Who does that? This is America with craigslist, ebay, etc. where hardly anyone pays retail prices. I use batteries from my Lithium cordless drill or camcorder that would sit idle otherwise. My homemade motor is based on the prophish trailing shaft style and cost $20 in parts, 12 years ago. Pontoon frames are quality, heavy duty, reinforced or homemade. All pontoons are quality and have been purchased as closeout discontinued like the solar panel, for pennies on the dollar in most cases. I don't consider cost of considerable tinkering time which is one of my passionate hobbies.
As for the picture, We met up with some guys last year on this lake. They had there clothes on and cruised with the motor. The storm moved in slow and they had to turn the motor up a little higher to hold position. NO OARS. I heard one yelling for help....HIS BATTERY DIED and he couldn't get back to shore. Wonder what became of those poor suckers.
Yes, some don't understand batteries and electrical systems and forget to charge batteries or test things before going out. I carry bear spray and a cell with removable chip on my outings programmed with game warden and sheriffs numbers when alone in remote areas. Also backup battery, motor, tools and parts if in unfamiliar territory. Always use a checklist and been lucky to never have a serious incident in 40 years, even have rescued a few.
Plus here in UTAH (and parts of Idaho), the wind is famous for circling. You would have to be dang good or lucky to know when tide out and tide in was going to happen and what direction. You obviously know what you like, and how to do it. So kudos, go for it, life is short!
Pon
As you said, you fish rivers.[/quote]
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We definitely fish different waters. I have floated rivers but for the most part stillwater.
[.IMG][url "http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/FlyGoddess/Daniels%202008/37400.jpg%5B/IMG%5D"]http://i44.photobucket.com/...2008/37400.jpg[/IMG][/url]
as you can see, the chance of running into another boater is not an issue.
There is never that many people that concentrated.
A quick glance over a shoulder ONCE and I can cruise full speed and not hit anything, or anyone. And the beauty, I don't have to turn my body or head, one strong kick with one leg and I can make a beautiful circle.
When I am on the water I am in no hurry to go anywhere.
In fly fishing, standing is the preferred. Not to mention a little sight fishing.
I teach newbies to cast either sitting flat on the ground or from a chair, this way they get the feel of a toon or a tube.
Shore fishing is very easy. Practice casting into the wind, and once you get that down, you can handle anything.
Now, solar power...great idea, but not at a cheap price.
I will stick with the good old Marine Deep Cycle batteries, the hubby works on fork lifts and cranes all day and is not a big fan of those fancy batteries, for obvious reasons. Exercise is GOOD. I am not young, but I am in great shape. Ask Tube Dude about his scuba fins, he swears it is low pressure all the way. Tried his style this fall, and it works!
It is interesting to me that people have no problem spending $180.+ for a battery, $100. for a motor and then put it on a $150. toon. I guess it is all in Priorities. Who does that? This is America with craigslist, ebay, etc. where hardly anyone pays retail prices. I use batteries from my Lithium cordless drill or camcorder that would sit idle otherwise. My homemade motor is based on the prophish trailing shaft style and cost $20 in parts, 12 years ago. Pontoon frames are quality, heavy duty, reinforced or homemade. All pontoons are quality and have been purchased as closeout discontinued like the solar panel, for pennies on the dollar in most cases. I don't consider cost of considerable tinkering time which is one of my passionate hobbies.
As for the picture, We met up with some guys last year on this lake. They had there clothes on and cruised with the motor. The storm moved in slow and they had to turn the motor up a little higher to hold position. NO OARS. I heard one yelling for help....HIS BATTERY DIED and he couldn't get back to shore. Wonder what became of those poor suckers.
Yes, some don't understand batteries and electrical systems and forget to charge batteries or test things before going out. I carry bear spray and a cell with removable chip on my outings programmed with game warden and sheriffs numbers when alone in remote areas. Also backup battery, motor, tools and parts if in unfamiliar territory. Always use a checklist and been lucky to never have a serious incident in 40 years, even have rescued a few.
Plus here in UTAH (and parts of Idaho), the wind is famous for circling. You would have to be dang good or lucky to know when tide out and tide in was going to happen and what direction. You obviously know what you like, and how to do it. So kudos, go for it, life is short!
Pon
As you said, you fish rivers.[/quote]
[signature]