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#1 Mar-18-18 3:43PM

Junger
Northern Snakehead
From: Potomac, MD
Registered: Aug-14-17
Posts: 720

VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

I am now the proud owner of the Fishing Machine, many thanks to Curly and my kids are already clamming to get out to fish on it.

https://i.imgur.com/gVmJGQ1.jpg?2

We searched a little for shad but found none, then hit the 95 pilings and saw lots of crappie marks, and managed to pick off two.

https://i.imgur.com/3dUTf2t.jpg?1

Then we went out to to open her up and had a nice fun ride before heading back in. I managed to take a wrong turn and even took the Fishing Machine a little off-roading!

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#2 Mar-18-18 4:13PM

Curly
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Mar-15-10
Posts: 5413

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Wife wanted to know if I teared up.........glad it has a great new owner! big_smile


Hell or High Water...........I'm Fishin!!   big_smile

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#3 Mar-18-18 4:41PM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15560

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Is it clean, neat and tidy now?

Nice way to keep the tradition of that boat going!


Time to go fishin' again!

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#4 Mar-18-18 4:51PM

Curly
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Mar-15-10
Posts: 5413

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Ernie wrote:

Is it clean, neat and tidy now?

lol  Cleaned it out and vacuumed it spotless this morning.


Hell or High Water...........I'm Fishin!!   big_smile

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#5 Mar-19-18 5:20AM

firemunkee
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Ashburn, VA
Registered: May-23-13
Posts: 1766

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Nice ride!!


Together we'll fight the long defeat.

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#6 May-16-18 8:20PM

Junger
Northern Snakehead
From: Potomac, MD
Registered: Aug-14-17
Posts: 720

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

So here's my list of projects since getting the boat and trailer titled and registered:

1) Replace fish finder(s)
2) Fix live well pump
3) install tie downs for the batteries and fuel tanks
4) Replace bunk carpet
5) Replace boat carpet

I'm tackling #1, #2 and #3 currently, so that I can at least start taking her out with the kids. #4 and 5 will be down the road.

1) Fish Finder - I got the Garmin Echomap CHIRP 7cv for $400 on sale from Cabela's. I'm going to put it in the console, and replace the bow fish finder sometime later. First thing was to remove the stern transducer, I removed it along with some previous screws. I did some researching and I wasn't too comfortable putting in more holes into the same general area since there were already several holes there, so I bought the Stern Pad, which is basically a 1" transom material block that is 6.5" x 4.75" that adheres to the transom. After removing the old screws, I put in some Lifeseal sealant and let it cure. Then I sanded and cleaned the area for the Stern Pad. I had to place it on at an angle because I wanted it to also cover up all the old screw holes, and not get bumped by the right bunk. The Garmin transducer will be installed horizontal with the water line though.

2) So I think the only issue with the livewell was that the pump broke off from the thru hull plastic fitting. So I removed the old pump and caulk, and installed and caulked the new Attwood 500gph pump. The old pump was 350gph, so hopefully the new one won't fill the tank faster than the water can circulate through the release valves.
3) Cleaned out the transom compartment...someone in Curly's family REALLY liked diet cherry sprite. big_smile I need to make a trip to Home Depot to get some bolts. I didn't realize that in the middle of the deck, there's space undernearth and the deck is only about 1/2" thick. I bought some 7/8" screws but I would rather secure with bolts there.
https://i.imgur.com/5QTk3t0.jpg?1https://i.imgur.com/UjSYxtD.jpg?1https://i.imgur.com/DkvZzJr.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/ga5T5Hp.jpg?1https://i.imgur.com/yUyaIUp.jpg?1

To do before I get her on the water:

-I need to buy some bolts for the console mount and transom tie down mounts.
-Install Garmin transducer and wire it to console and battery
-Wire pump to old pump wires
-Live well transom drain tube seems to be clogged


Any advice is appreciated, this is my first boat so this is somewhat of a learning experience.

Last edited by Junger (May-16-18 8:23PM)

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#7 May-17-18 5:35AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15560

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

I think Curly needs to tell the story on those large pixel fish finders......and BTW, I always took my boats to D & S Marine in Waldorf. Jay would always do this stuff for me. That way, I knew it was done right. Didn't really trust me.....


Time to go fishin' again!

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#8 May-17-18 5:48AM

captmikestarrett
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Potomac River
Registered: May-06-08
Posts: 2164
Website

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Advice:
1. the pass thru of the pump--- do not cut it flush as a strainer needs to be installed so the pump does not suck detritus in.

2. Is the new pad for the depth finder below the edge of the boat? If so a that edge will need to be removed. Use a coping saw with fine teeth for that job. While running it may send water up the back of the boat and your back will get wet.

3. Always use good bolts and nylon nuts made of stainless steel. Washer before bolt a must. All SS or down the road it will rust.

4. In the front of the trolling motor bracket is a key to remove the trolling motor prop. Inside the key should be two spare pins. If not,  get some and put them in there. Always carry a spare trolling motor prop and nut. You find this item a life saver at some point in fishing.

That is it for now..

Nice boat..

Capt Mike


Light Tackle Fishing Guide on the Potomac

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#9 May-17-18 5:51AM

Junger
Northern Snakehead
From: Potomac, MD
Registered: Aug-14-17
Posts: 720

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

captmikestarrett wrote:

Advice:
1. the pass thru of the pump--- do not cut it flush as a strainer needs to be installed so the pump does not suck detritus in.

2. Is the new pad for the depth finder below the edge of the boat? If so a that edge will need to be removed. Use a coping saw with fine teeth for that job. While running it may send water up the back of the boat and your back will get wet.

3. Always use good bolts and nylon nuts made of stainless steel. Washer before bolt a must. All SS or down the road it will rust.

4. In the front of the trolling motor bracket is a key to remove the trolling motor prop. Inside the key should be two spare pins. If not,  get some and put them in there. Always carry a spare trolling motor prop and nut. You find this item a life saver at some point in fishing.

That is it for now..

Nice boat..

Capt Mike

1) Yep - I am going to leave about 1" to thread a mess strainer. Letting the caulk cure before cutting it.
2) The pad is bout 1/4" above the hull line, picture is from an upward angle so it looks awkward I guess.
3) OK, yep I've been getting all stainless so far.
4) OK

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#10 May-17-18 6:06AM

drxfish
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Sterling
Registered: Jan-04-14
Posts: 2973

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Good progress so far.  Keep us posted.


Always wishin' I was fishin'

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#11 May-17-18 10:42AM

hookup
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Jan-31-12
Posts: 2299

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

captmikestarrett wrote:

Advice:

3. Always use good bolts and nylon nuts made of stainless steel. Washer before bolt a must. All SS or down the road it will rust.

Beat me to it Capt

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#12 May-20-18 7:02PM

Junger
Northern Snakehead
From: Potomac, MD
Registered: Aug-14-17
Posts: 720

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Transom storage straps with tie down anchors are installed.

https://i.imgur.com/4m20KNz.jpg?1

Garmin Echomap 7cv installed on the console. If I had mounted the Garmin flush to the console, it was about 40% blocked by the wheel, so I had to raise it up several inches. I didn't want to get too fancy, so I bought a Ram ball mount for about $35 off Ebay. It worked out perfectly, I re-used 2 of the holes from the old Hummingbird unit, so the base is a little on the left side of the console, tilted right so that it was almost dead center with the wheel and not too high or low.

I wanted to fire it up but I have to wait a couple days to get 16 AWG wiring. The power line it came with wasn't long enough to reach the battery.
https://i.imgur.com/Q5a5veD.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/7jqY7nz.jpg?1

Last edited by Junger (May-20-18 7:03PM)

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#13 May-21-18 5:12AM

Bryan
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Bealeton, VA
Registered: Mar-18-11
Posts: 1194

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Great setup. Gotta love those Ram mounts.


tight lines

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#14 May-21-18 5:15AM

Curly
Patagonian Toothfish
Registered: Mar-15-10
Posts: 5413

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Looks like that boat will have 21st century electronics for the first time! lol  But I could read that 30-yr old hummingbird like the new sonars tongue


Hell or High Water...........I'm Fishin!!   big_smile

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#15 Jun-24-18 6:25PM

Junger
Northern Snakehead
From: Potomac, MD
Registered: Aug-14-17
Posts: 720

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

My wife bought me a Garmin Echomap Chirp 93sv for my birthday, so I moved the 73cv to the bow and installed the 93sv to the console. I'm excited to get side-view, now I just need to learn how to read it.

https://i.imgur.com/xD5N9kf.jpg?1

Fishing the transducer and power cables under the bow deck was really easy with the grabber arm.

I think I have one last upgrade this year, and that is to replace the bunk boards with Ultimate Bunk Boards, which are trex-like material.

Then next year...debating whether or not to recarpet...might not have enough time and energy to do that, and would rather just go fishing.

Last edited by Junger (Jun-24-18 6:27PM)

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#16 Jun-25-18 2:11AM

drxfish
Patagonian Toothfish
From: Sterling
Registered: Jan-04-14
Posts: 2973

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

Sweet!


Always wishin' I was fishin'

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#17 Jun-25-18 6:23AM

Ernie
Administrator
From: Ashburn VA
Registered: Feb-03-06
Posts: 15560

Re: VA Fishing Machine has moved to MD!

That fishing machine is becoming unrecognizable!


Time to go fishin' again!

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