Paulywood

Welcome!

I was just going to recommend what Frank said Steve. It would be better and easier to patch the hole and add on the outboard bracket in the back. If you look on the web you should be able to find some pictures of an Islander with a bracket in the rear.

Welcome Rick! Feel free to chime in and ask any questions you might have. I don't know anything about the area you fish but we have other members here who should. Hope you enjoy your stay.

I work at Dow in Midland and to me that report is a little misleading unless you read it carefully. Almost all of the waste that is produced in Midland never leaves the site. It is burned in the rotary kiln incinerator with the only byproduct being water vapor. Anything that leaves the site is carefully monitored by the federal government. They have equipment built right into any plant that releases anything into the atmosphere and the information is sent straight to Lansing. They also have atmospheric monitoring in Midland and the surrounding communities. In my short time there I have seen a genuine commitment to not only properly dispose of any waste, but to reduce, re use and recycle in any way possible. The two easiest ways to get fired are violating safety standards and violating waste standards. I know that large companies in general get a bad name when it comes to polluting but with what we know now, there is very little pollution added to the environment by modern companies. Most of what we have to deal with is from the past when people were less knowledgable about the damage they were causing. Places like the Detroit and Saginaw Rivers are the cleanest they have been in a century. And I support any effort to make the environment cleaner, just use caution when you read reports like these. It is always better to get the information you need from unbiased sources and then make a decision independently. Just my $.02.

I used the predecessor to this (can't recall the name right now) and it was a useful tool. Good to have as much info as possible.

Looks like I will be able to make the first 3 but the last 2 are out due to work. As far as Terry fishing, I don't have an issue with it. He's not a charter captain, so it doesn't violate the rules. I spend less time on the water than probably anyone but have still managed to do ok in these events (generally speaking). Besides, Terry won this league before he was working as a mate. Maybe his ability to catch fish had something to do with him becoming a mate? Anyway Kevin, I hope you fish because I enjoy competing against you but if you don't like the rules and don't want to fish that is your decision. Everyone knows the rules in advance and can make their own choice about wether or not to fish.

Brand New Summit Viper Climbing Treestand. Bought it to use bowhunting but it never left the yard. Still have the box. Comes with harness and DVD. Paid $250. http://www.summitstands.com/climbing-treestands/viper-ss Price: $200.00 obo

I installed one a couple of years ago. I really like it. The caveat is that I am on my 3rd unit. The clutch keeps going out. They have been great about replacing them but it's a pain to swap it out and not have it when you want it. I wouldn't go without an AP again though.

I prefer trees. I have been on boats with each. You can run divers off of trees in the lowest holder if you get one that is adjustable or has the bottom holder almost vertical. I don't though.

Check the Outdoorsman in Jenison, if they don't have it they will probably order it. Or the tackle shop in Saugatuck, can't remember the name.

Reminds me of something an engineer at my old job used to say: "If you're not breaking something, you're not working hard enough."

Might want to post this on the Calumet Marine forum. Frank might have some info for you.

I actually used to fish out a 20' Regal bow rider and one of my friends fished out of a 18' Glastron bowrider. We had the same issues as you did, but used 2 different solutions. Maybe this will give you some ideas. My friend went the route you are thinking. He made some 3/4" thick aluminum plates that he mounted to his swim platform. He drilled and tapped them to bolt his risers. He had easy access to the bottom of his swim deck so he used treated 2x8's underneath as backing. I went another route. I had some aluminum brackets made up that bolted where my cleats were mounted on the rear of the boat. This area was almost 4" thick with fiberglass and wood. These were 1/4" aluminum with aluminum angle iron welded as short risers that went to aluminum plates that my trolling board mounted to. I used diamond plate as backing. I had 2 downriggers and 4 rod holders mounted on it and it was as solid as a rock. After I had mine made I found out about a product called Eagle Feet (I think) that clamp on to the cleats. Then you can mount a board to them. I might have some pics lying around of both setups if your interested.

If you're drinking my beer, then you can't complain about how cheap it is.

If you want Bert's tracks check out Northwood's Wholesale Outfitters in Pinconning. They have a website. Best prices I have found. Traxtech is very good also. I don't know anything about Cisco but I am sure they are good too. Tracks are definitely the way to go, you won't be sorry.

I'd take the 2 Charter Specials and the 2 7' Shimano rods. I'll PM you.

In order to get the oil up through the cable you need to use compressed air to push it up there. That being said, you are probably better off replacing it as it is more than likely starting to corrode. I'm pretty sure that the Mercruiser controls are mostly universal. On my old boat, a 1993 Regal, I had the controls replaced and they looked like the ones on a brand new boat. Might want to ask Frank, propnut on this site. He can tell you what you need and probably order the parts and ship them to you.

Same as Ken. I use Tekota's for wire and Convectors for pretty much everything else.

I also have the X-5 and am glad to have it. That being said, if I had hydraulic steering I would have gotten a hydraulic unit. I have heard good things about Garmin, Furuno and Raymarine hydraulic units. You might want to ask Frank (propnut). I know he carries the Garmin line down at Calumet Marine and maybe some of the others as well.

Thanks Ed, I'll check it out. The one we liked was Lakeview on the north end of Hamlin. It's really what the wife likes. No matter what I will be a lot closer than St. Louis.

I know I haven't been around much this year but trust me, I have a good reason. This winter my son was born. Parker is now 8 months old and is acting a lot like his dad. I sure have learned a lot in the past 8 months. As some of you know I was also going to school and got a new job. I started working at Dow Chemical as a process operator in June and have been very busy learning a completely new job, industry and adjusting to a new working schedule (Shift Work). I actually like everything about my job, even the shift work. It was definitely a change for the better for my family and I. The building I am working at is going through an expsansion of our process and I have been working a lot of overtime. We are getting ready to bring the new process online and by next year we should be up and running. So next year I will have more time to devote to fishing. I am also still working on my bachelor degree online through Northwood. It's not really needed for my job but after 10 years of going to school I really want to finish it up. On top of all that I decided to take up bow hunting this year. I am actually able to hunt some Dow property during the month of November so tomorrow I will be going out on my first bow hunt. Labor Day weekend Shelley, Parker and I went all over the west side of the state looking at campgrounds. We decided to buy a travel trailer in the spring and will be setting up base on Hamlin Lake and I will be fishing out of Ludington and Manistee. We might just get the site for July/August next year as there is a waiting list for seasonal sites. After my fiasco during the Dreamweaver I never got the boat back out last year. I think that I have everything fixed so it should be good to go for next year. I did add a couple of copper setups so I am looking forward to trying that next year. I also plan on doing more walleye fishing next year since I will be closer to the Bay after work. We plan on relocating closer to Midland in the next few years so I have also been making some more upgrades on our house in hopes of being able to sell it. I'll still try to pop in when I can but my time will be limited for the rest of the year. It has been a pretty great 2011 for the Thelen's and we are looking forward to an even better 2012. Good luck to all the hunters out there and everyone who gets out fishing yet this fall!

Got any interior pictures Frank? Not looking anytime soon but I have definitely thought about the cats. It would be nice to have a little more stable ride.

I think your kids are fine Kevin. You on the other hand.........

Welcome aboard!

Ben had an extra net, the fish actually got the harness caught in the net and then twisted it up so I couldn't scoop it. Had to grab it and toss it in. And IMO wire is better in the channel, if you tangle with a pier guy or another boat, wire wins!