Newbie boat owner questions...

[Clyde]

Okay...just got a "new to me" boat and I have some real basic questions...

First off, it's a 15' Alaskan Smoker Craft with a 15hp Mercury (1986).

Okay, so what's the difference between rollers or wood bunks? And does anyone know where to get inexpensive bunks?

What would be a basic all around anchor and how long of line should I have? The most I will be doing is fishing for sturgeon when anchored.

What is your favorite boat place for parts and service?

Is it bad when sandy water is spitting out of the motor? (Just kidding...I'm not that new!):jester:

[ICHTHYDEMON]

I like bunks on my trailers. IMO its easier to get a boat loaded correctly with them. Bunks also support a boat more evenly.

You can make your own bunks for about $20. Unless the bunks are made from composite,they're typically made from pressure treated wood and wrapped in carpet.

My old Smokercraft had bunks made from PT 2x4s and in/outdoor felt carpet.

It would take about 15 minutes to build and replace them.

[fishkisser]

:agree::yeahthat: If your loading in current, guide poles or side boards are handy also...

[Magee]

Since you are new to boating, you might find this article concerning anchoring to be of value: www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/safety/Anchoring.shtml (http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/safety/Anchoring.shtml)
I recommend that you consider getting a river anchor, not just a general purpose anchor, for sturgeon fishing. You can use the river anchor for everything else too.

[Clyde]

Thanks for the link...wow, I never thought I would need 500 feet of rope! When you refer to a "river" anchor, do you mean the type with the 4 prongs? As opposed to a triangle or mushroom...

And Yo, Demon...fifteen minutes! You are super human! Went to Home Depot today and bought all the stuff for about $20...bought new bolts as well, but it took me close to 2 hours to get it all done.

[Bull Hunter]

Do some research on anchoring on this site. You shouldn't need 500' of rope in your boat. If you are anchoring somewhere (just below Bonneville) you need that length you are probably exceeding the limits of your boat and motor. IMHO.

River anchoring is a difficult endeavor. Practice, practice, practice or become a statistic.

Have fun with your new boat. I have had one for about 8 months and I love it.

Eric

[SOL]

small columbia river style anchor, (18lbs i think?) 300ft of rope.

[negoc8]

The rope length and size of anchor has everything to do with where you are fishing. I fish a 16 foot Intruder and own two anchors, one is a 35 pound pyramid with about 50 foot of rope, it is the one I use 90% of the time. The second one is a big Columbia river style anchor. I have one of those orange ball type lifts and about 300 feet of rope.
As stated before, read up on techniques and go someplace safe and practice, like Hagg lake. By all means wear a a PFD whenever you are dropping or lifting anchor.

Congrats on the new boat!!

[Bull Hunter]

As stated before, read up on techniques and go someplace safe and practice, like Hagg lake. By all means wear a a PFD whenever you are dropping or lifting anchor.

Congrats on the new boat!!

I practiced in Hagg Lake, once. I almost lost my stuff in one of the little coves because my anchor stuck in a huge branch that was underwater.

Then I started practcing on the Willamette across from the St. Johns Bridge...outside of the shipping channel and down stream from the docks.

Here is a story I heard from a guy that was with me when I was anchoring one day without a PFD. He said there was a guy that went fishing with his 3 or 4 year old daughter on the Columbia River a few years back. The daughter and the boat were found drifting something like 20 miles downstream from where they found the guy. When they finally found him they were able to figure out what happened. The anchor line wrapped around his leg and he was pulled underwater by the current.

That is why my anchor line is always stuffed neatly into a bucket so it comes out not wrapped around anything. I wish I could say I wear a PFD when anchoring everytime, but I don't and I know better. I will go buy one of those fancy inflatables now so I won't have any further excuses.

Be Safe and Have Fun!!!

Eric

[Clyde]

Thanks again guys and no worries about the PDF...I wear one all the time since I am a crappy swimmer. It always amazes me when I see a boat with kids, all with PDFs, but the adults aren't wearing one...who do they think will help the kids if something happens!

PS - Hagg is officially closed but does that mean you can't launch?

[RascallyRabbit]

Clyde,

Get a Chinook bag for your anchor line, everyone that has one that I know loves them. If you want to look at my setup let me know and you can stop by on your way to work during the week. Congratulations on the boat, I owned a 13' Smokercraft Alaskan for my 1st boat and loved it.

Yes Hagg is done for the year, I ran into this last year when I was breaking in my new motors.

Steve/RR