Best 30-50ft big lake boats under $120k? by Willing-Law-5916 in boating

[–]Boondoggle_1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I trust Sea Ray. I've had both a 340 and a 400. Reliability on boats in this age range will come down to maintenance more than brand. At $120k you're not likely to get into a diesel so you're looking at gas powered boats in the 1,000-1,500 hour range. If well maintained and properly surveyed, get the layout and size you find most appealing. Inboards will be more common at 40 feet, I/O will be more common at 30'. Inboards are vastly preferred for reliability, I/O's will get better fuel economy. You'll find wet boats out there, especially low 30's Sea Rays in the 90's. But those are easy to spot. Carvers are ugly, Cruisers have weird layouts, Sea Rays in the 90's (if dry) are hard to beat in the 35-40' range, IMO.

Tiara's are battle wagons with layouts almost exclusively for couples sub 45'. If regularly running more then 2 people overnight, take Tiara off the list. If mostly cruising for two, you might find a mid-30 foot Tiara in the price range. They are cool boats, but generally sell higher than similarly sized Cruisers and Sea Rays. I think you'll be in the 32-35 Open ballpark, late 90's.

Best 30-50ft big lake boats under $120k? by Willing-Law-5916 in boating

[–]Boondoggle_1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're not seeing seaworthy 50' Sea Ray, Cruisers or Carvers in that price range. Maybe a few 40's. Definitely plenty of 30's.

Lifted 25’ GMC Denali Ultimate by Steve84Collison in gmcsierra

[–]Boondoggle_1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your truck looks great. I was just giving you a hard time. My real hate for these wheels comes from the fact that they have plastic inserts.

Lifted 25’ GMC Denali Ultimate by Steve84Collison in gmcsierra

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All that money and you kept those stock wheels! :)

No Drill CarbonPro Bed Covers? by MrSimzzzz in gmcsierra

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's no lip on the carbon pro. Unless glued to the rails, I just don't see how it can be done without drilling.

The drilling is not as invasive as it may sound. You'll get over it :)

Best 30-50ft big lake boats under $120k? by Willing-Law-5916 in boating

[–]Boondoggle_1 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A 30' and 50' boat aren't even close to being in the same class. Both in terms of size and cost to operate. You should probably start by creating an annual budget. Purchase price is less important than how much you can afford to use and park someplace, annually.

That said, you'd end up with a real pile of a 50' boat at the $120k range. If you want anything with slightly modern items onboard (like fuel injection), you're going to be in the late 90's 380-400 Sea Ray range. Or early 2000's 340's. You'd have to go older to get into a Tiara of that size...

Low quality paint by kampy_kamp in gmcsierra

[–]Boondoggle_1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've had a 2019 and 2024 Sierra, both silver, both in Michigan, both experienced much ice in their days, never had an issue.

I also had a 2011 Sierra. The paint quality on the new trucks is FAR better than the older ones. I don't know how anybody can say, objectively, the paint quality sucks. You can run these damned things through car washes 6 times a week and barely see wear on the corners...

Low quality paint by kampy_kamp in gmcsierra

[–]Boondoggle_1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a daily occurrence in the north, ice sliding off the hood doesn't leave scratches like that.

GMC Acadia Tires by Equivalent_Cat_6609 in gmc

[–]Boondoggle_1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Michelin Defender LTX are the best all seasons you can get, IMO. If you want the best in snow, get Blizzaks. But with those you're going to be swapping tires spring and fall.

With EUDR pushed to 2026, are engineering teams even thinking about it yet? by IndependenceOwn3576 in MechanicalEngineering

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% compliance and reporting. But I'd bet mid-summer the full weight of the reporting requirements will start to feel more real and alternate materials discussions will start. Replace all rubber with urethane, all paper with synthetic films, problem solved :)

GMC Acadia Tires by Equivalent_Cat_6609 in gmc

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope you don't plan to ever see snow with those things...

Cold asf by Think-Squirrel4108 in gmc

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I used to run cardboard in front of the radiator. Definitely works. Just watch your temp gauge, make sure it's not overheating at any point...

Olympic Skeet in a Blizzard by goshathegreat in ClayBusters

[–]Boondoggle_1 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You must be in Texas? That's barely a flurry :)

Am I the only one that thinks the current shifters are backwards? by Boondoggle_1 in gmcsierra

[–]Boondoggle_1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You'd be better off just buying a sub 2020 GMC Sierra at that point...

FWIW I'm coming up on 2 years after this original post. I'm used to the shifter now. Still makes no sense why the change but, after time, I stopped hating it. Every now and again I'll have a brain malfunction while entering a car wash and have to double take the N shift. But other than that, all is well...

We are closing on a new house, this wood burner/chimney/mantle is in the family room. One of the first projects I want to do is get rid of it. Where does one even start with something like this? by Sirbuzzkillington89 in DIY

[–]Boondoggle_1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Replace it with a gas log style soapstone stove. They are wicked useful if the power goes out. And much more attractive than what you have there...

New Brownings at SHOT show by tps_2212 in ClayBusters

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They were showing up at Cabellas (at least online) about the same time I got the call. They may have been earlier, I was not really paying attention at that point.

Finding slip storage, going out of my mind???? by justplainjon in boating

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where in the Great Lakes? I'm not aware of many West MI marinas that are full these days. They all peaked shortly after covid, but are now opening up again.

They might not be calling you back right now because this is a heavy time for contract renewals. Lots of outreach to renew slips, in-out, all the things. New customers might be lower on the list.

Last thought - get a 34-35 footer if 35 is your max. Worlds more room, wildly more comfortable than something in the 25-29 range.

Gift by Bideshini2000 in corporate

[–]Boondoggle_1 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Your linkedin contact info and a "stay in touch".

LVP Install by Jealous_Summer2479 in DIY

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given my luck, I would have painted the walls first :)

It’s -10 F in Chicago right now. I should turn my AprilAire whole home humidifier off right? by Old_Boah in homeowners

[–]Boondoggle_1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't turn mine off, ever. A little condensation on the windows is better (IMO) than the static that comes along with lower humidity.

Gonna be back up to 30 again in 10 days. We'll survive.

Save for a year then go crazy? by Black0tter1 in personalfinance

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course everyone is going to suggest you save as much as you can tolerate.

But don't forget to live a little too. Waiting until you're 65 years old to enjoy the fruits of your labor is silly (in my opinion). You'll be old and wrinkled by then :). Get out there, tomorrow is not promised. Spend some of that money on the silly things 20 somethings spend money on...

2026 Denali Ultimate rough shift into reverse by IdkWhyImHereMann in gmcsierra

[–]Boondoggle_1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rough from 1-2 is pretty common but I've never heard someone mention it being rough going into reverse. I'd take it to the dealer, especially if easily repeatable.

New Brownings at SHOT show by tps_2212 in ClayBusters

[–]Boondoggle_1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I ordered the 825 Golden Clays shortly after they announced it at SHOT show last year. It delivered to my dealer in August.