This is the second year we really looked at the Porta Boat but DH motor (10 hp) is deemed too much for them (not the case a couple years back when we first looked). Right now we invite friends with boats to rent a cabin in CG or pick our sites carefully so we can walk to decent fishing
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Terri & Joe + Boont & Tasha
Camping a long weekend every month or so since May 2013 in our cute 21FBRS MicroLite to practice for retirement while living here in Florida
Joe is retired.... next camper ordered.... getting ready to change this signature really soon!
I wish we could get a universal license. Having to pay for a non-resident fishing license in every state sucks. I boondock so I don't stay in campgrounds with private lakes/ponds.
We have homes in two states, but can only have a resident sporting license in one. Every year, the clerk issuing the license asks why we have a local address on the license, but we ask for a non-residence license. It is because we have an out-of state driver's license.
One year, a clerk tried to convince us that we were okay as long as we had a local address. Not so. The license was exchanged for non-resident. We have been checked a few times on the water. The boat is registered locally, but we have out-of-state license. The conservation people tell us that we are legal. Actually impressed that we are following the law.
In the state of our primary residence, we don't need a sporting license (fishing/hunting) because we are over 65. For us, we are good with that.
Some of these states could amend the license laws to give non-residents a better window to enjoy their stay. As it is, it is a very few days or an annual. Neither of them are cheap.
I use a Waterquest 11.3 bass pond boat with a 6hp Tohatsu, trolling motor, and a Shorelander trailer. In the past, I made two trips each way when camping nearby to tow the trailer and then bring the boat. I now have a second truck so we can choose to take both with two drivers.
__________________ Velosprout
2014 F150 SCrew 4x4 Max Tow Heavy Duty Payload 3.5 Ecoboost 6.5' bed Ingot Metallic Silver
2015 Rockwood Roo 21SS
Look up the Eide boat loader on You Tube. Really slick. Eide also sells an outboard carrier that slides out of the bed of the truck to make it easy to load and unload using the boat loader.
I've got a 13' Gregor aluminum with a 20 horse Honda. I chase striped bass at Lake Powell, and put on lots of miles (300/week) so I was looking for something that gets great gas mileage. I can't wait to try it.
I tried a Porta Bote a few years ago, and it worked o.k. It took twenty minutes or so to assemble, but the 12' one would plane with a 10 h.p. motor. It was fine to fish out of, but only got about 5 miles/gallon with a 2 stroke Game
Fisher.
For the smaller lakes, I take my aluminum canoe on top of my truck. You can't beat a canoe for sneaking up on the fish, and it doesn't use any gas.
I've fished out of a raft, and it works, but would not be my preference.
Haven't seen anyone mention a Gheenoe yet. This is a very stable canoe type boat. These boats can take some impressive HP, can turn on a dime, can stand up in them without tipping over. This is something that could be car topped.
A couple years ago, I saw three Gheenoes with the occupant playing tag. Not the safest display of mentality, but the boats were awsome.
with the travel trailer I took the kayaks in the back of truck. Now with the fith wheel I make sure they are dry and carry them inside. I'm wanting to get roof racks so I can carry them on the truck. I fish and my wife brings a book.
When we are going somewhere for fishing, we use two tow vehicles. Not very convenient, but the best I can do for now. My mobility isn't good enough for small rubber boats or kayaks, so the jon boat goes or I fish from shore.
My native 12 is easy to transport, has plenty of room for storage. It was designed to allow standing up and casting. Tunnel hull by design gives it extreme stability.
I'll need to check the bumper on my TT to see how much weight it will support, but I think I'll probably go with one that will connect to the frame itself. Hoping some veterans here can provide some guidance.
The other concern about loading any weight on the rear of the trailer is how it affects the tongue weight. Doing a little mechanical advantage math (ok...I found a calculator here: Calculator) adding 100lbs to the rear rack on my trailer takes 57lbs off the tongue. Doesn't seem like much except for that it now changes my tongue weight from 11.3% down to 10.3%. That makes it a bit light for my liking.
Going with the Intex Mariner 4, I plan on putting it just inside the door of the trailer, slightly ahead of the axles.
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2017 Forest River Surveyor 247BHDS...
...Tugged by a 2016 F250 XLT FX4 SuperCrew, Shortbed 6.2L, 4wd, 3.73...
...Joined with a Husky Centerline TS 800-1200lbs WDH
The other concern about loading any weight on the rear of the trailer is how it affects the tongue weight. Doing a little mechanical advantage math (ok...I found a calculator here: Calculator) adding 100lbs to the rear rack on my trailer takes 57lbs off the tongue. Doesn't seem like much except for that it now changes my tongue weight from 11.3% down to 10.3%. That makes it a bit light for my liking.
Going with the Intex Mariner 4, I plan on putting it just inside the door of the trailer, slightly ahead of the axles.
Going to measure and see how that works with a 5er. My FW tank is at the very rear and I usually travel with 60 gallons. Not concerned about the PW, just curious.
The other concern about loading any weight on the rear of the trailer is how it affects the tongue weight. Doing a little mechanical advantage math (ok...I found a calculator here: Calculator) adding 100lbs to the rear rack on my trailer takes 57lbs off the tongue. Doesn't seem like much except for that it now changes my tongue weight from 11.3% down to 10.3%. That makes it a bit light for my liking.
Going with the Intex Mariner 4, I plan on putting it just inside the door of the trailer, slightly ahead of the axles.
I once read that the load recommendation for a trailer was 60% ahead of the axles, 40% to the rear. That would be the reason the axles are placed where they are. The farther from the axles that significant weight is placed, the more it affects the tongue weight. Much like balancing a teeter totter with different weights at both ends.