Kevin Van Dam Forums

Many thanks for all the opinions and advice that everyone has offered in my various threads.  As I mentioned in my financing thread, I finally sorted out the right boat, at a good price, and with the right financing.  Last week I brought home my first proper boat, The Empire Strikes Bass:

<embed width=“480” height=“360” src=“http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf” flashvars=“rssFeed=http://feed8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/somata/The Empire Strikes Bass/feed.rss” type=“application/x-shockwave-flash” wmode=“transparent” /><a href=“http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1” target=“_blank”>

It’s exactly what I wanted given my space limitations.  I’ve had it out 3 times so far and it’s been great.  Running the foot control trolling motor takes some getting used to, but I couldn’t be happier.  So far it’s boated 17 bass…nothing big, but it’s off to a good start!

Changes so far have been swapping out the front seat for a taller post and butt seat and I got an on-board charger, which I haven’t quite figured out how to fit on-board yet.  The battery/fuel tank compartment is pretty tight, so I think I’ll have to mount it under the passenger seat and route the wiring through the boat.  I have a cheap Humminbird finder that I’ll hook up to the trolling motor eventually…probably when my dad visits and can give me a hand.

Anywho, pretty excited to have a proper boat.  My little plastic bass prowler did me right for 3 seasons, but it sure is nice to store everything on-board and just hook up and go…

Look forward to many more boat questions from me…lol!!!!

Congratulations on the new boat.  At least you get to use yours immediately.  I bought my first one in March of 1987 and it snowed for the next month.  Talk about anticipation build up..

Congrats on the new boat, have fun and stay safe.

Glad to hear about your boat, and glad to hear that you are very happy with it.  I hope you have many good fishing memories in it.  Don’t forget to wear your life jackets and use the kill switch.

Congrats! Have fun and get some fishing done.

thats awesome man. enjoy it!

Congrats now go get some fish stink in it

Thanks guys!  Only just now replying because I’ve been out on my boat almost every day since I got it…lol!

It’s boated over a hundred bass in the 2 weeks or so that I’ve had it…so the good start continues.  Going to get it out on our river sometime in the next few days and see how fares against smallmouth. 

Any advice on getting wiring run through it?  I need to hook up my on board charger and would like to add a finder at the bow.  I have an empty fuse slot for the finder, but can’t quite manage to get the wires to feed through…

Ok, off to Bass Pro to grab a tube/grub rod for the smallies…

Congratulations on breaking the boat in on all those bass.  River Smallies are fun and strong.  As for the wiring, been there and it’s tough.  I used the only thing I had available which was a drain snake.  But they do make a retractable wire snake.  Good luck

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/electrical/conduit-fittings/Conduit-Fishing/gardner-bender-cable-snake8482-240-x-18-x-060?utm_source=google_pr&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Conduit-Fishing-google_pr&infoParam;.campaignId=T9F&gclid=CMWl-rrO87ACFWaFQAodaHjcFw

Hey all right !!  Nothing like getting a new rig.  Congratulations on your purchase....use it often. !!

somata - 21 June 2012 02:03 PM

Many thanks for all the opinions and advice that everyone has offered in my various threads.  As I mentioned in my financing thread, I finally sorted out the right boat, at a good price, and with the right financing.  Last week I brought home my first proper boat, The Empire Strikes Bass:

<embed width=“480” height=“360” src=“http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf” flashvars=“rssFeed=http://feed8.photobucket.com/albums/a50/somata/The Empire Strikes Bass/feed.rss” type=“application/x-shockwave-flash” wmode=“transparent” /><a href=“http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1” target=“_blank”>

It’s exactly what I wanted given my space limitations.  I’ve had it out 3 times so far and it’s been great.  Running the foot control trolling motor takes some getting used to, but I couldn’t be happier.  So far it’s boated 17 bass…nothing big, but it’s off to a good start!

Changes so far have been swapping out the front seat for a taller post and butt seat and I got an on-board charger, which I haven’t quite figured out how to fit on-board yet.  The battery/fuel tank compartment is pretty tight, so I think I’ll have to mount it under the passenger seat and route the wiring through the boat.  I have a cheap Humminbird finder that I’ll hook up to the trolling motor eventually…probably when my dad visits and can give me a hand.

Anywho, pretty excited to have a proper boat.  My little plastic bass prowler did me right for 3 seasons, but it sure is nice to store everything on-board and just hook up and go…

Look forward to many more boat questions from me…lol!!!!

One other item to check…..make sure those trailer bearings are well lubed and in good shape.  Not a tough repair but really important.  Sweet Rig !!

Pretty upset you thought of that name before I did. BEST boat name I’ve seen. And believe me, I’ve been in and around plenty of bodies… Of water.