Priority1

Blake, Fantastic! Thanks for the report.

Jim, Been there.

I didn't have much time to do anything yesterday but managed to jump onboard Priority1 and do a few things. I removed, cleaned, and set the gap on my plugs. I use the SS marine grade plugs. I have a spark plug cleaner and I make sure to blow the grit from the plugs with a blow gun after cleaning them. I always put a little bit of anti-seize on the plug threads. Anti-seize is especially important with SS as it has a tendency to gall. Skipping the anti-seize can lead to a major repair. The plugs looked very good except for some hard baked on carbon that came off when they were cleaned. I notice more carbon on the plugs since the ethanol mix entered the picture. Before installing the plugs I shot a a little bit of Engine-Stor in the plug holes and rolled the engine over. I usually put new plugs in every couple of years. I have a new set onboard with gaps set and anti-seize on the threads. An Altoid tin is just right to hold 4 plugs. A couple of weeks ago I changed the engine oil and fogged the engine through the carburetor. I had some help a week or so ago so the outdrive was drained and removed. The impeller was checked and the gimbal bearing replaced. I was getting a slight vibration at low speeds near the end of the season. The bearing was noticeably bad. The outdirve has been reinstalled and I'll refill it with gear lube soon.

I hear you on the funds. I used a Pertronix on my 140 Merc for a few years. I was able to sell that set up with the distributor for $100 and then bought a complete Delco system Dist, Coil, and Wires for $200. I think the Merc uses a quick ignition kill for the shift. I only had one issue with shift interrupter using the Pertronix and 0 issues using the completed Delco kit. Good luck with the move.

Terry, Check with one of the local shops that sell them or cal Big Jon tomorrow. (231) 275-1010 Maybe someone here has their boat handy and can measure one for you.

There is something about shipwrecks that will always be intriguing. A window to the past.

Jim, It's good to hear an honest report on mechanical problems from a respected mechanic like yourself. I know what you mean by parts changers. I try and do most of my own mechanical stuff because if I do have a problem on the pond I have a better chance of diagnosing it and possibly fixing it to the point where a limp in is possible. After the limp in a thorough repair is mandatory. I do keep a few extra parts onboard and a few tools. I do have one question that I know you'll have a good answer to. Is there a reason why you have not opted for electronic ignition? Points and condensers can be a PITA. I know the electronic stuff can go bad also. Thanks in advance. This is a very good thread.

Terry, Nothing better than that. My wife would fish with me if the action was 50 ft off shore. She just don't feel comfortable too far out.

I'm beginning to think that boat is for Sarah. No matter who it's for is a beauty.

Jim, I'm glad you are back in business. GJ on the fish and you'll surely hit the ground running in the Spring.

Terry, She's a nice looking rig. It looks like she got a lot of TLC throughout her life. Now's the time to buy one.

Jason, A warm aboard. Just holler if you need any help.

A warm

Good news the lake levels are up but this information is about 27 feet off. I'm pasting this in from the news clip. "As of September 12th, Lake Michigan/Huron were recording lake levels at 579.17 feet. That is above the mean level of 579.11 feet and the long-term average of 579.09 feet. Even though levels are only a few inches above average, they are two feet above levels this time last year and thirty feet above the record lowest level in September." It should be three and not thirty. A thirty foot drop would eliminate most of the Saginaw Bay.

Good Luck with the sale. She's a nice rig.

I took a youngster fishing. In this case the youngster onboard was 67 yo. Yep just a kid. I fished with Tom T, and Don M, and took a three man limit and farmed 4 VN keepers at the end. I fish with a lot of different people and I'm always looking to expand my list of fishing friends. We started just a couple of miles off the cans in Au Gres and in 1-1/2 hrs of fishing we had 7 nice fish. Not a record setting pace but very acceptable. The bite died and all we could catch were some future keepers from 7-13 inches long. Our future shines brightly. Priority 1 was itching to head SW so I gave her free rein. We hit on some active fish and soon added another 3 more. We then hit 4 more quick fish and was looking for our last one doubling back over the last flurry. We needed 1 and hit 5 more quick ones to end our trip with 19 nice eyes making it to our net. Tom never fished with me before and there is definitely a learning curve because we do things a bit differently than most. Some accept what we do and others reject it. By the end of the trip our team was clicking like a well oiled machine. 2 oz bouncers off 7 Offshore boards and 3 oz bouncers off two down rods. 1.5 MPH with an occasional slow down and speed up of a couple of tenths. All of our fish were caught deep. Color at first mattered with glow, and hammered nickel blades out producing the others. After we made our move color wasn't a factor. Our depths today were 26-34 FOW. It was a beautiful day to spend on the water with good friends. Get on out there the fishing is still fantastic. This will probably be my last trip unless my arm get twisted. All my fish were given away. Gotta Luv Dat Bay. Oh!! We did catch a couple of VN perch. The rest of the story. I was up at 4 AM to check the weather because I had a friend coming from the big D area. 18 knot gusts off the Shoal and #1 had me giving Tom E a call to give him the news. I didn't want him driving 3 hrs to get shut down. We were lucky the wind died down and we were able to fish. Sorry Tom.

I fished with Mike T, Bobby, and JJ. It was a beautiful morning to start with and the fish were coming at a reasonable pace. The Wind picked up sharply and the bite got a little bit tougher. We ended the day with 16 walleye and a perch. 30-34 FOW pulling BB and meat. Water temp was about 70 and our speed was between 1.5 and 2 MPH. A good trip with good people. I kept 1 walleye and a perch for dinner and everyone else went home with a limit. I'm reasonably sure we could have filled up if we would have stuck with it. JJ had to be on the road for the UP tomorrow and had to get some stuff on a pile. We pulled lines about 12:45.

Update I'll be fishing tomorrow and Mon.