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squidmotion's 97 bayfisher tunnel


squidmotion

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  • 1 month later...
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thanks alot guys!

handles chop ok....ran across g-town bay to the boat-cut today, pretty choppy and did get beat up a little bit.....but not too bad, we were really asking alot! good swells with a lot of cross chop...i was able to keep a semi-comfortable, very dry 25-30mph......i could have eased the ride a bit more with the tabs, but i'm afraid to run them in those rollers out there....i'm afraid to stuff it or something.....launching off a sneaky tanker wake, with the tabs down, is not something i really wanna try!!!!! :(

.....i think the rougher ride is due more to the light weight, not hull design (though a true v-hull, no tunnel, would make a biiiig difference!).....we all stayed perfectly dry just a hint of spray here and there, given the conditions, we did very well!

thanks again, i will try to keep the fun photos coming!!!

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I try to shift as much weight forward as I can:

65 lb battery

trolling motor

30 lbs of anchor, chain and rope

154 lb bait tank just behind the bow casting platform

Throw in a full tank of gas and it turns that sharp entry into a chop cutting machine.

The boat actually rides better into a head sea than a following sea.

Chop up to three feet doesn't scare me, rolling waves I stay out of. Also standing men, I stay away from those too. The standing men can get ugly around the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and the Gandy Bridge.

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yeah...a bit more weight forward helps....

yep, you definitely have to pay more attention with a boat like this, but it does very well. any heavier seas and i wouldn't go out into the p*** or ship channel anyway. even in a bigger boat, probably....

i had enough of fishing in rough seas when dad and i used to go offshore.....

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  • 4 weeks later...

This is it, minus the MinnKota RT80 3x. I am 'tuning' it as these were taken. Have had many offers, I just can't bring myself to part with this cl***ic.

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/7%205%2007%20017_1.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/7%205%2007%20019.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/7%205%2007%20018.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.forumpictureprocessor.com/pictureprocessor/images/7%205%2007%20021.jpg[/image]

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That's exactly what I said when I saw yours! I am the original owner (purchased beginning of 98) and that is the original motor. Last year I had to have the intakes and flushing system cleaned. I guess one of the issues with tunnel drives is that they don't always get adequate flow to the intakes and can clog easier. I experienced a high temp alarm whenever I exceeded 4200 RPMs. Anything below that I could run all day. Turned out it wasn't getting adequate flow at the higher RPMs. Once the salt was thouroughly cleaned out I was back in buisness. I have always flushed it after every use and do regular maintenance. I figure that isn't too bad in 9 years of heavy use. It has never failed me. Priamarily salt water Florida use. It never ceases to amaze me that I haven't had more trouble than I have (ie...hydraulics).

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that is funny.....i have to keep looking over my shoulder to make sure no one in a canoe needs to get around!!!!:P

i find it amazing how shallow this thing runs.....just doesn't seem like a nearly 20ft boat should run this shallow.....light weight and great design, i guess!

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  • 2 weeks later...

One thing I would advise; use your head! I have gotten myself in some real prediciments because of this boat! Running through winding mangrove cuts in Charlotte harbor only to turn a corner and face a 200 yard flat inches deep in some of the most pristine waters you will ever see, knowing if you come off plane you will be at best pushing yourself a couple hundred yards; at worst stuck until something changes...can you keep the nerve?

I can't tell you the number of adventures on Mosquito lagoon and the Indian river; they all make me smile when I think of it now. The point being, let it take you there and enjoy the ride.

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  • 11 months later...

a few photos to update....

from our few days in pensacola....

haven't been home in a while, with the new baby and the wife ill.... but what a great turnaround! taking a new baby in the back seat and a new friend dragging behind the truck.... a good first trip for both!!!

1215659450-P1010016.jpg.dfef6cb7b88bbe84

1215659443-P1010088.jpg.679675fe6317cdd7

1215659437-P1010083.jpg.5f9e39dc5f811915

1215659426-P1010013.jpg.7dc59eb615dc462d

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