Eyefull

Great job! I'm so jealous, still a week or so away from splashing the Eyefull II.

Very nice! Glad you found a new girl:grin:. I hope to be ready to fish by the weekend.

Rods snapping? I hate that! I'll get with you on a gameplan to remedy that problem. If you need a rigger rod in the meantime, you can use one of mine, I won't be needing them until later this summer. Let me know.

Nice job Grant! Hey give me a shout Monday, I am home from Florida and will have everything off the boat on Monday. I gotta get moving, missing out on some great action everywheres!

Yep, that is the first good look I got myself. Someone told me to look at that video so I could see the boat. That was before I had pictures sent.

Update: All of the Big Jon holders are sold. The two Scotty Downriggers with the long arms are spoken for as well. That leaves the planer boards and the two short arm riggers. Make me an offer on the boards. I also have two 18" trolling bags, make me an offer on them as well.

Patience and some dumb luck Bob:grin:. I almost paid too much for a different local boat. The dumb luck part was that someone above was looking out for me. I couldn't get a bank to touch the other boat, priced too high. I almost borrowed the money from my 401K, then the "Don" called me about this boat being for sale. Bob, I may stop by and kick the sand with you and have a look at your trailer. I plan to trailer like you do and I may have to add a "helper" roller to the trailer to get the bow started up properly, so it clears the front rest. Water levels at ramps aren't helping.

Thanks Ed.

All five of the Big Jon rodholders are sold.

I am not sure on the model. Is there a place on the rigger that has the model number? I have always had Cannons so I don't know anything about these, hopefully someone can help with the model? The booms are telescoping on the 6' ones.

Thanks, I'll be seeing you guys the end of July for a couple weeks.

Ken, Boaters World is where I got the stripe. It comes like you see it, in a 50' roll for $23. Thanks Frank, now gotta find time for the other side and back before heading to Florida Friday.

After taking inventory of what was left over from my other boat, and some re-rig plans coming to light, I have some items from the Eyefull II that I need to sell.

I have four Scotty Electric Downriggers in great condition. Autostops, swivel bases. Two with 6' booms, two with 2' booms. $450 each or $1600 for all four, actual shipping charges extra.

I have 5 Big Jon Heavy Duty Diver singles. $50 each or $200 for all five. Actual shipping extra.

One pair of planer boards. Made of Cedar, very good design with flags. $100 for pair.

Shipping charges are extra on all items. Very willing to help out by meeting and hand delivering within reason.

I got one side rubbed out, waxed and restriped today. Arms are sore, sunburnt face, but very happy with results.

Wow! You won't miss your old boat long! Very nice.

Ken, I won't spoil it for Bill, but he does have a very nice ride coming soon. I spent the whole afternoon getting cozy with a high speed drill, rubbing compound, and buffer. The Eyefull II shined up like a new penny! All the blue sides paint luster is back and she shines, shines, shines:D. New bottom paint maybe next week if weather holds. Having that part done professionally, no reason for me to mess it up at this point.

Bill, it still hasn't worn off yet. I know exactly how you felt yesterday, I watched my first love drive away in November. Actually, truth told, I had to go inside the house because I couldn't watch her drive away. Thanks for a great day on the water and being the perfect salesman. Not a single question, unanswered fully (even the dumb ones:lol:). I have a photo that Ray took of me driving the boat that I chose not to post. It shows my excitement level, but too well, I'll keep that one just for me, pretty goofy. Kind of like a three year old with a giant sucker LOL!

Friday was just like the saying goes, "The best two days in a boaters life is the day you bring your boat home, and the day you sell your boat". Back in November I sold the Eyefull. Yesterday I brought home the Eyefull II. After three months of looking at at least 35 potentials, I got real lucky and found this boat. It is a 1987 Trophy 248 Hardtop. The previous owner took excellent care of this boat. It is tournament rigged in all aspects. It is layed out and set up almost exactly as I would have done it. Having said that, it will recieve a little re-rig. Going to swap out the Big Jon holders and the Scotty riggers for Traxstech tracks/holders, and the new Vector riggers. Here is a photo of her taken yesterday right before we splashed her in Muskegon Lake for a very nice trip despite mother nature.

After hearing about this boat from Don Johnson, the only concern I had about the boat was the transem and stringers. When I called the previous owner, I was relieved to find out that it was actually in the shop getting a brand new transem and stringer system installed. The end result was a brand new bildge, transem and stringers. Me and my good buddy Ray arrived Friday morning right as the boat was ready to go in the water for the first time since the repairs. Everyone crossed their fingers as Bill turned the key, it started right up perfect. The whole day would go exactly like that. Everything worked great on the boat. The only problem we experienced was the trim tabs didn't work. When we got back to the marina, the mechanic took a quick look and found that the hydraulic pumps ground wire had been clipped when the engine was pulled. A quick connector was installed and problem solved. I have to give the guys at Advanced Marine a quick shout out for their great work. They did excellent work on the transem and stringers, and the only hic up was the ground wire.....that is amazing for a project of that scope. No leaks or anything!

Our fishing trip on the North Muskegon nearshore banks proved to be fruitless. The water temp had already reached 54 degrees, having the browns heading out already. The real focus of the trip was to learn as much about the boat as possible and Bill made sure I did. He was awesome at showing me everything about the boat. We even agreed on trading walleye for salmon trips this summer. Couldn't get any better for the day, took a great boat home and made another great fishing friend. Here is a photo of me at the wheel for the first time. The picture doesn't even come close to showing the excitement inside me at that time.

I'll post some photos as I get the boat tweaked to my program and as things progress. Bottom paint will be redone in the next couple of weeks, plus a good wet sand/buff and polish. Thanks Bill for a great deal on a great boat, and a great day on the water.

Maybe I won't be able to put this on the list of banned sites for me:lol:

Here is a very cool miss from a late season steelie trip offshore with Don Alofs. You can see the spoon fly right over Don's shoulder.

http://youtu.be/rmD4xW8qntA

I am picking up a pair of the Amish Outfitters bags for my 24' Trophy Hardtop. Looking at 36" or 38". I hear that the owner has pretty good advice on size for specific boats.

Frank, I'll take them. I think we are close enough for a meet/greet/pay type thing, maybe at Franks or somewheres for lunch?

It just makes me wonder how they can sell below MSRP pricing? The prices that all retail stores have to maintain per their merchant agreements. Some say that they purchase bulk quantities of "out of business" stock. BS-there isn't that steady of a supply of that stuff to keep their shelves stocked and full year round. Its one thing to have a spring sale, or show special, but year round sub MSRP. If it smells like a rat........

I agree with Mark and Ben. Otherwise, when all of the little shops are done and gone, enjoy the service and professional help you get at Northwoods.

I'll probably stop in Saturday after work. Looking to purchase more than I need of everything as usual.

Thats because when they do their testing for toxins, they grind up the whole fish: head, tail, belly, guts and all to make their slurry. All the toxins are in the liver and the belly fat. Unless you eat those parts, I am pretty sure that a few lake trout meals will be fine. Could explain why I am messed up though:p.