New Tech Addition

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David A Dexter

Well-Known Member
I have a 2021 Ranger deep hull aluminum VX-1788 boat with a 150 hp Mercury 4 stroke which I run frequently on Lake Powell usually up to Last Chance or Rock Creek. Safety is my #1 priority because Lake Powell can really dish out punishment if you are not prepared. I have updated my boat over the last 5 years with all Garmin electronics, including Live Scope, and a Garmin Force, all of which work great. Since my brothers are both in their 80's (I'm 74), I added Wave Pro seats to cushion them on the Lake Powell waves. I have 3 Lithium Ion batteries managed by a Power Pole Charge, so I never plug in on a week long trip. I often do even longer fishing trips to Brownlee Reservoir in Hell's Canyon or Clear Lake, CA. I recently added an air suspension to my Tundra and a Timbren suspension to my Ranger Trail, replacing the Torsion Bar suspension. The truck and trailer tow like a dream now and it improved my gas mileage while towing to 15 mpg. The one thing that I have not been pleased with is the handling of the boat, especially at low speeds and reverse in high winds when putting the boat on the trailer. I just added a Sharrow Prop to my Mercury. Sharrow designs each prop for your specific boat and motor. It took 4 months to receive it. The difference is amazing. I now have great control of the boat at all speeds. The boat sticks to the water like glue. I actually can control the boat easily in forward or reverse when docking. l can run higher speeds at lower RPM. I just returned from a week long trip at Clear Lake and I still had a 1/2 tank of gas. Normally, I would have 1/4. The fishermen in my boat all say the boat runs so much smoother on the water and it does. We did get caught in a storm with 30 mph crosswinds but I had no problem controlling the boat all the way onto the trailer, which was a relief. Also, my Garmin dash unit is very clear which I believe is due to much less cavitation from the Sharrow Prop near the transducer. I was so surprised that a prop change could make such a fantastic difference in the handling of my boat, but it does. Tight lines...
 
I bought the new MX-A which is Aluminum for $3k which is not cheap, but the Stainless Steel version is $5k and I was skeptical that it would really work. Was it worth it? Yes, it was. I've never dreamed that a boat could handle like this, ever. I realize that every boat and motor combination are different but they do strive to design the prop to maximize your outcome. Yes, I will carry the old Stainless prop as a back-up, but I've never damaged a prop ever. Also, the Mercury 4 stroke runs much quieter with the Sharrow prop. On hole shots (which I rarely do) my bow used to block my vision until I started to plane but now the boat lifts only moderately even though it's definitely quicker, and my vision is unobstructed. I keep the motor and prop covered at all times even when traveling because the MX-A is bright red and weird looking so it attracts other boaters where ever you are, gas stations, boat ramp, etc. and I don't want it stolen. Tight lines...
 
David, it's great you are getting such fantastic results, and if you've never damaged a prop..... esp at our Lake (y)....... you must be protected by the rare & revered 'propeller angel'.......bet I'm not the only one envious..... ;)

Any Wordlings think getting the spiffy $5K version would help my 1992 Force 120HP 2 stroke??? :unsure:

😋
 
Rainbowbridge said:
David, it's great you are getting such fantastic results, and if you've never damaged a prop..... esp at our Lake (y)....... you must be protected by the rare & revered 'propeller angel'.......bet I'm not the only one envious..... ;)

Any Wordlings think getting the spiffy $5K version would help my 1992 Force 120HP 2 stroke??? :unsure:

😋
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Not a chance but if you wipe out the whole boat on one of the newly resurfacing whales you can replace the whole rig for less than the price as one of those new fangled props. LOL You and I seem to have a similar mindset.

I’m glad someone is getting great results with the new prop technology, I’d like to see it in person sometime. I’m skeptical by nature, I’m in a technical field and have a lot of technical hobbies. Most advances are evolutionary not revolutionary; marketers always pitch revolutionary to sell their wares. But, sometimes two plus two can equal five and once in a while something can truly be revolutionary.
 
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I was raised that it’s poor manners to ask someone what they paid for something, especially larger ticket items. And I'm 100% of the opinion that individuals should spend their $ however they see fit with no need to justify it to anyone (possibly outside a spouse).

But since we are talking about price (cost), and you look at the price of a new boat (even fishing boats easily crest $100,000), spending 3% of that price on something that improves performance as much as was stated in the original post doesn’t seem that bad. Folks that “don’t get it” just have different means or maybe priorities (or both).

Personally I’m thankful that I live in a country where just about anyone can work hard and be successful enough to make those big purchases.

Happy Thanksgiving.
 
Ryan said:
I was raised that it’s poor manners to ask someone what they paid for something, especially larger ticket items. And I'm 100% of the opinion that individuals should spend their $ however they see fit with no need to justify it to anyone (possibly outside a spouse).

But since we are talking about price (cost), and you look at the price of a new boat (even fishing boats easily crest $100,000), spending 3% of that price on something that improves performance as much as was stated in the original post doesn’t seem that bad. Folks that “don’t get it” just have different means or maybe priorities (or both).

Personally I’m thankful that I live in a country where just about anyone can work hard and be successful enough to make those big purchases.

Happy Thanksgiving.
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I wouldn’t disagree but I think tongue n’ cheek discussions of economy are different. This is a forum for all kinds of approaches. I helped a friend install $15,000 worth of fish finder and trolling motor/lithium batteries on his $5,000 fishing boat this summer. He’s very happy with it, it’s amazing!! The poor fish don't stand a chance now. Three 12 inch displays all interactive and linked fore and aft! I think the cost benefit analysis or ROI is a fair and not impolite discussion especially if someone posts in detail about their approach but maybe that’s just me, I could be wrong, I’ve been wrong before. I always enjoy and appreciate you on WW Ryan.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
 
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Ryan said:
That sounds like a very worthy investment to me. You’re a good friend for helping him out.
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I was absolutely amazed! We followed the simple instructions and afterwards that damn cheap boat would troll and hug the shoreline, hold position, communicate with satellites, show forward and sidescan details, show bottom contours and show you the kind of fish based on symbols? WTF? I grew up with a tubed Black and White tube TV and a rotary dial hanging on the wall Phone? We really do live in the future!!!

I’m ashamed on this site but I’m not a fisherman but I can tell amazing when I see it. My pal brings us a lot of Walleye and we either pan fry it in clarified butter and we eat it straight with a salad(it eats like good well cooked lobster) or we bread it and make a nice jalapeño chutney and turn it into deep fried fish tacos con cheese. 🌮

Otherwise we just waste it, lol

Lake Powell, like no place on earth!

Happy Thanksgiving! We all have so much to grateful for!!
 
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Of course, I answered the questions in good faith and transparency because, on my boat, the expense was well worth the return on investment. Honestly, I did not expect the great outcome. I was really hoping for the low speed control which exceeded my expectations. The rest was just shocking to me. I would certainly do it again, probably buying the stainless steel version. We all have different boats and equipment but we share a common bond: we all love fishing at Lake Powell and we want everyone to have an enjoyable time doing it with their friends and family. Technology has been a game changer for me in fishing, but the truth is, I spend more time learning the technology but applying it so that friends and family can have a more enjoyable time catching fish. I read about technology developments like Live Scope potentially being banned because fishermen catch more fish, but we only catch and release for Bass and only keep 3 or 4 Stripers or a Catfish or Crappie or two for a fish fry. Tight lines...
 
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