Maiden voyage today

catman529

catman529

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2010
Messages
29,472
Reaction score
2,552
Location
Franklin TN
Took the Cherokee on the water today with the 35 merc for the first time. Thought it would be too much motor to handle, but it actually ran and handled great. With me and a buddy we got on plane and topped out at 24 mph and that was not even full throttle. Prob won't ever need to use full throttle. Took for a quick spin with only myself in the boat and surprisingly it rode even better, trimmed all the way down and no weight up front of the boat. Throws a little water up because its a long shaft, but no big problem there. I will use this rig for a week long trip next week, and after that am hoping to trade for a 20 hp via craigslist, the guy just needs to put a new water pump in his 20 before I drive 3 hours to trade.

The 35 hp Mercury came from Ruger and I must thank him again for passing it on to me, it just needed a new lower unit which I got done by a mechanic up in Lebanon for 200 bucks. Now she's ready for the holler in a week.

 
Just put you a jack plate on it and let it roll! My brother runs a 30 longshaft on his jon boat. His is built to lift the motor a couple inches up than mounting it to the transom. I guess you still call it a jack plate... lift plate maybe? I dont knkw. LOL
 
I thought of that but don't want too much strain on the transom for as big as the motor is. A short shaft would be perfect for where I plan to fish later this summer. But for now, it rides great with the 35.
 
That's cool man.
Just glad it worked out for you with not THAT much money involved.

Glad I could help a fellow lover of fishing out.
 
RUGER said:
That's cool man.
Just glad it worked out for you with not THAT much money involved.

Glad I could help a fellow lover of fishing out.
Click to expand...
considering the motor runs good it was hardly any money. Hope you get many years out of that yammy, a Yamaha 4 stroke is what id buy if money wasn't a problem.
 
Id be careful of any motor that seller said needed a water pump, they are cheap but if it over heated it will cost you a piston & maybe a cylinder bore jm.02
 
mike243 said:
Id be careful of any motor that seller said needed a water pump, they are cheap but if it over heated it will cost you a piston & maybe a cylinder bore jm.02
Click to expand...
thanks for the advice.
 
260rem said:
mine close to 200k having a little gear changing trouble but runs good
Click to expand...
mine shifts fine but sometimes the clutch is a bit shaky pulling out in 1st especially with a load. Usually not a problem though. Motor burns just a little oil but that's normal... I'd say mine is in good shape especially for the mileage.
 
Make sure you do a compression check on that 20 before you swap. New water pump sometimes doesn't manifest itself but will score cylinders. That would cost a LOT of money to repair
 
Nice rig, man!!! It oughtta do great trolling up on Dale. Just leave the trolling motor down, and it should keep you in prime crankbait speeds. One more thing, since I won't be up there with y'all this year to remind you - DON'T FORGET to pull up your trolling motor up BEFORE you beach it at camp...LOL!!!!
 
walleye_hunter said:
Nice rig, man!!! It oughtta do great trolling up on Dale. Just leave the trolling motor down, and it should keep you in prime crankbait speeds. One more thing, since I won't be up there with y'all this year to remind you - DON'T FORGET to pull up your trolling motor up BEFORE you beach it at camp...LOL!!!!
Click to expand...
Remember I made the same mistake last year.... which means this year I have the same motor with a DIFFERENT base mounted to the boat....... :eek:
 

Latest posts

Back
Top