This is a log which chronicles the
long-term performance of the various products installed on Toy Boat 2. Real
life problems, real life solutions (mostly), plus alternatives tried...
These pages will updated as new things are installed or replaced, or as stuff
happens to the boat. New or changed items from the previous month will be
identified with bold blue text
.
| Equipment |
Topic |
Comments |
Livewell
Offshore Products 42 gallon oval (leaning post)
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
This tank has done extremely well keeping bait alive. So far,
the only times we've lost a lot of bait have been due to operator error, like
accidentally turning off the tank instead of the nav lights (doh!). But water
splashes out of the the tank when full. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
While the tank excels at keeping bait alive, water splashes out of the livewell
when running in rough water.
We tried lowering the water level by cutting another, lower hole in the
standpipe. This reduced the splashing, and we ran the tank this way for several
years. But the lower water level increased sloshing in the tank, which can
tire out the bait more quickly. So this season we restored the standpipe to
original condition by replacing it with a fresh section of 1.5 inch
schedule 40 PVC pipe, and are investigating other ways to control the
splashing.
We currently have a non-watertight cutting board lid on the tank. We're probably
going to wind up with a more water-tight version in the end.
We also added some EVA foam padding around the lip of the livewell, to reduce
scratches and dings in the gelcoat around the opening...
More >>>
|
| What's planned: |
Possibly replace the leaning post arrangement with a lower 3-scoop
tank that can be used as a seat with back |
Livewell pump
Shurflo Piranha
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
After a faulty first unit, the Shurflo Piranha has worked out
well. |
| Other products tried: |
Shurflo Bait Sentry 500, 800 |
| What's happened: |
The Piranha started out as a quiet pump, but got noisier as time
went on. Replaced under warranty by Shurflo. More >>> |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Outriggers
Precision Marine Econoline Outriggers
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
The fiberglass poles have proven to be stiff enough for typical tuna feathers. We
haven't tried them with marlin jigs yet. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
We've settled on the Aftco Goldfinger release clips, and the nylon cord supplied
with the 'riggers as halyards. The outriggers definitely allow certain types of
lures (tuna jigs, birds and some teasers) to work better than when trolled from
rod holders.
|
| What's planned: |
Trying different halyards and release clips |
Rod Riggers
Reliable Aluminum
|
Status: |
OK, but... |
| In a nutshell: |
A useful tool, the Reliable rodriggers need some design
improvements |
| Other products tried: |
Windline SS |
| What's happened: |
Plastic liner tossed, safety lines fell off...More >>>
|
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Downrigger
Cannon Unitroll HP
Buy it now at:
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
Still too early to tell... |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
15-JUN-2002: Popped spool under tension (replaced under warranty) |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Downrigger weights/planers
Z-wing® 250, 500
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
The Z-wings work well, but below 2-3 knots, a traditional lead
ball seems to work better. |
| Other products tried: |
12 lb Cannon pancake weight |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Horizontal rod racks
Fentress Polyethylene
Buy it now at:
|
Status: |
OK, but... |
| In a nutshell: |
Works well, but the bungee cord tiedowns seem to stretch out
fairly easily |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Bungee cord hold-downs are getting stretched out |
| What's planned: |
Replace or re-knot elastic |
Gunnel rod holders
Lee SS 15 degree
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid product. No problems. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rail-mount rod holders
Perko Clamp On Rod Holders
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
These inexpensive rod holders seem to work well, but we have
serious concerns about the longevity of the chromed zinc components in salt
water. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
The zamak rail clamps are starting to show some
corrosion (bubbling of the plating, scale buildup) around the mounting
bolts. May just be a matter of time now... |
| What's planned: |
Considering a comparison to Precision Marine SS rod holders |
Vertical rod rack Fentress
polyethylene 3-rod, with knife and pliers slots
Buy it now at:
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
Works well, However, the polyethylene-like material seems to
retains dirt and grease. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
One cracked vertical tube, replaced. |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Livewell Net
Precision Marine 9" diam, 24" handle
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid, well built and designed product. The rings around the rim
prevent premature wear on the netting material from rubbing on the tank sides. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
The butt cap kept coming off, glued it in place. Otherwise an
excellent net |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Flatline clips
AFTCO Roller Troller
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid, well built product. A click detent would be a nice touch
to make it easier to reproduce release tension. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Shimano Torium® 20/30
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A "poor man's Trinidad", these are great casting reels. The 6:1
retrieve ration is a useful feature for jig fishing. Using the Torium 20 with heavy Spectra resulted
in drag slip - had to upgrade sideplates (free Shimano upgrade) |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Using the Torium 20 with 50lb Spectra and Butterfly jigs resulted in exposure to a problem with the sideplates, which allowed the drage
to back itself off when the reel is used with heavy (12lbs) of drag. Shimano has
a replacement sideplate kit with some heavier-duty clutch dogs that seem to have
solved the problem. |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Shimano TLD® 15
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid light trolling reel. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Accurate 870 Boss Magnum® Twin Drag®
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A smooth running, tough reel. A little complicated to service. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Got sloppy on maintenance, managed to lock the spool on the drag
lever, preventing the reel from going into freespool. Disassembly is a little
tough, but after a good lubing, things are back to normal. Took out a spacer
washer to lighten up minimum drag setting |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Reels
Shimano Thunnus 16000
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
The Thunnus is a solid big spinning reel. Drag has enough guts to handle the heavier
drag settings needed for deep-jigging with Spectra |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rods
G. Loomis Pelagic Series PSR84-30CSU |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
This has turned out to be a solid multi-purpose rod. Stiff enough
to be used as a long trolling rod with 30 lb test, flexible enough to be used
with as a general purpose medium duty rod. Concerns over the light guide frames
have not been justified. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rods
Calstar WCDH-6480-C |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A great casting rod for metal jigs; handles both light and heavy
jigs well. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Rods
Shimano Terramar® TMC-X80MH |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A nice casting rod, but the finish is a little funky - wavy gloss |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Fly Rods
G. Loomis Cross-current, 9' 8 wt. FR1088-3CC |
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A nice casting, reasonably priced fly rod. A good choice for
medium-light saltwater. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
Nothing |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Fly Fishing Accessories
Pleskunas Designs 12" Travelling VLMD
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
VLMD = "Vertical Line
Management Device". If you're
in to salt water fly fishing, this gadget, or the similar Line Tamer, is
invaluable when fishing from a boat. Keeps the fly line and the rod under
control in the cockpit. Highly recommended. |
| Other products tried: |
Home-made variations, including collapsible leaf bags, gift wrap
storage boxes, and the 15" diameter version of this device. |
| What's happened: |
The anchor bolts for the swing-out feet have developed some corrosion, but operate
fine. Note that the 15" diameter VLMD proved to be too wide to
fit in some sections of the cockpit. |
| What's planned: |
Nothing |
Multi-Purpose Pliers
Braid Multi-purpose, #32911
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
A solid tool, but if it's SS and designed for use
around salt water, why is there so much rust on the hinge and on the
various set screws? |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
These pliers are supposed to be SS, but have been rusting around
the hinge. Regular application of WD-40 required. |
| What's planned: |
Need to call Braid and find out what's going on... |
Rods
Shimano TCurve Jig 200 Spin Deep Jigging rod
|
Status: |
OK |
| In a nutshell: |
An odd-looking rod, but extremely light, and tough as nails. Easily capable of handling
heavy Spectra. |
| Other products tried: |
None |
| What's happened: |
This is a specialized deep-jigging rod designed
by famed Australian rod builder Ian Miller, and offered only in Australia. We
ordered it over the Internet. It looks
like it should be fragile, but in fact, it is incredibly tough, easily able to handle
heavy Spectra |
| What's planned: |
Continue to field test. |
Multi-Purpose Pliers
Shimano 6" Baystee; combo pliers/scissors
|
Status: |
OK |
|
In a nutshell: |
An odd-looking tool, but very useful. We've started
using it in place of two or three more conventional tools. |
|
Other products tried: |
N/A |
|
What's happened: |
Shimano designed these pliers to meet the special
needs of deep-jigging: split ring tool, heavy mono cutter, and Spectra-capable scissors,
as well as pliers |
|
What's planned: |
Continue to field test. |
Rods
Shimano Trevala 66M Deep Jigging rod
|
Status: |
OK |
|
In a nutshell: |
We like the rod for a variety of jigging applications,
not just deep jigging |
|
Other products tried: |
None |
|
What's happened: |
This is a specialized deep-jigging rod designed for
the US. It, like the T-Curve, looks like it should be fragile, but in fact, it is
incredibly tough, easily able to handle heavy Spectra. |
|
What's planned: |
Continue to field test. |