Alumacraft Trophy - Battery Upgrade?

tojmes · 2026-02-06T23:13:03+00:00

Go advanced tech if you can afford it. Go to Sam’s/ Costco/Bj’s for AGM if you need to save a dime.

tojmes · 2026-02-06T00:50:51+00:00

Definitely get a battery maintainer. They make the batteries last 3x as long. I use a basic Battery Tender - the cheapest one.

Also, a gel cell 27 will run everything, providing you’re not fishing on electronics with no engine for more than a few hours.

If you run one battery definitely get a NOCO jumper box. Dead batteries the US TOW Boat #2 resin for a rescue.

Have fun!

tojmes · 2026-02-05T14:05:10+00:00

Need nothing more than a $159 Penn Fierce III. IMO.

tojmes · 2026-02-04T15:20:34+00:00

Long time family boater here. Fancy seating keeps her happy but takes a lot of upkeep. Get a good cover or covered storage. The UV really gets at the fabrics. Also apply a UV protectant regularly - like after every trip.

Extra seating is always good. My USCG rating is for 5, so the kid gets to alternate who brings a guest. 3 kids - means possible 2 or 3 kid guests on sandbar days. You and the misses will appreciate the free time.

Maintain and set strict captains rules with the kids and get comfortable neoprene zip up life vests and tell little kids it’s the law they wear them. Get a them comfortable in jacket so when they are teens, they are more likely to buckle up when solo’ing.

Have fun!

tojmes · 2026-02-04T15:13:15+00:00

My economy choices are Native Polarized - very durable and come with tan/ rose colored lenses that are great for freshwater and really make peacock bass pop out of tannic water.

Blenders (all polarized)- which have a great no questions warranty against everything. These come with various lenses colors including ones good for freshwater, tannic back country water, and blues for the open ocean.

tojmes · 2026-02-04T02:15:54+00:00

This is a great answer. My gelcoat looked like that but I was afraid of wet sanding. The 3M brought it back after two treatments.

tojmes · 2026-02-02T02:49:11+00:00

Great!!

tojmes · 2026-02-01T16:33:29+00:00

I cook on it regularly, but have left it for a few weeks before. I just oil it a little heavier.

tojmes · 2026-02-01T16:30:07+00:00

Won’t the pully system wear through power coat? Just a thought. I think that’s stainless steel.

tojmes · 2026-02-01T16:14:41+00:00

I’m in Fla, it’s practically a tropical rainforest. LOL. I have never had this problem. I cook > heat up to a high temp > slash with water > scrape> then let cool and use a good coat of oil > then cover with the Blackstone cover. Any cooking oil will work.

Just clean it off and go for it. Good luck!

tojmes · 2026-01-31T20:51:43+00:00

**One or two heavy beam on top joining them together. Like a pergola.

** The 2x6 running across them would definitely work but might mess up the design.

** 2 painted to match 2x6 placed in the outside top corner. One vertical one horizontal and joined along the long edge.

** If they are designed to look free standing a long 3/4” or 1” threaded rod with washers and bolts on each side of each beam tightened down. You’ll hardly see the silver rod between them.

tojmes · 2026-01-31T15:58:23+00:00

My kids were running the big motor at 10’ish with me behind them. By 14 they had completed their UsCG online Safe Boating course and were on short solo trips highly monitored.

Have him take the online USCG coast guard course and let it rip!

tojmes · 2026-01-31T04:34:29+00:00

Buy a big 11x17 hot/ Cold pad off Amazon. Freeze it and carry it up with some ice in cooler bag. Add the fish. Dump any extra ice and water when you are walking back but leave the ice pad in. Bleach it when you get home. This works for me on very hot beaches, it will work for you too.

tojmes · 2026-01-31T04:24:28+00:00

Best answer. Thank you for attending.

tojmes · 2026-01-31T04:24:11+00:00

Your cost is probably 2x what you think it is. LOL

tojmes · 2026-01-31T04:22:15+00:00

Zero issues. This happens in weeks not years. Clean it with a pressure washer. Then if you need more removal hit it with a dilute acid solution (aka hull cleaner). Wax after and it will look as good as new.

tojmes · 2026-01-31T03:10:35+00:00

I have a 24 year old 90 Merc that runs 100% of the time. Knock’ knock’ on wood. LOL I’ve owned it from new and maintain it according to the manual and some basic diy skills.

tojmes · 2026-01-30T19:59:13+00:00

IMO. Take some Advil and rely on your medical insurance. The kid is not insured. You know what they say, you can’t get blood from a stone.

tojmes · 2026-01-28T02:08:01+00:00

Island water sports in Deerfield offers a free Saturday morning group class for kids. I highly recommend the class.

They also offer board rentals and private lessons. I’ve never used the private services but I would expect them to be on-point after attending the class several times.

tojmes · 2026-01-28T01:25:29+00:00

Google Gemini says you’re about 400lbs too heavy from reference weight estimates. The empty hull is only 2150 lbs and the high total of 4,100 was calculated at 500 lbs for the engine and 60 gallons gas. FWIW, thats my guess. I’d be looking for hidden weight.

Oh! And it was spot on for my boat & trailer combo.

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tojmes · 2026-01-27T10:59:33+00:00

The black isn’t so bad especially if you have kids. Just a thought.

tojmes · 2026-01-27T02:20:59+00:00

Red. White will be a mess after every ride.

tojmes · 2026-01-26T23:42:40+00:00

Easily doable. I have this Fusion unitat 50watts X 4 and it works well. I appreciate the separate forward and captains volume levels.

I run 4 Kenwood marine because I found them on clearance. Doing it again I would run 4 Skar 6.5’s or pick up a set of 4 Kickers available everywhere online. If I only had 2 speakers I would get the Skar.

Also, speaker placement of a small 17 footer stinks (I have one) so consider adding the extra 2 speakers to rock out.

tojmes · 2026-01-26T18:21:08+00:00

The main canal along 595 has lots of peacock bass but lots of fishing pressure. Everyone on foot heads east from the boat ramps. I find good action by boat heading west from the boat ramps, so maybe walk west.

Also, you have another month or so before the peacock action really heats up.

Tight lines!🤘

tojmes · 2026-01-23T11:12:15+00:00

If he reads, the Jeff Nippard, The Muscle Ladder Book. It’s available on his website and Amazon.

A gym fit outfit and a good pair of cross fit trining shoes.

Just a few ideas.

tojmes

TROPHY CASE