2022 G3 17' CCJ - Rigging

[FuzzyGrub]

I need to get out to NY and fish with you. 8)

You would be welcomed aboard!

 

[Jim]

I need to get out to NY and fish with you. 8)

You would be welcomed aboard!

I'm serious, let's plan a day before the winter comes, maybe a day in the summer or even fall.

That would be awesome!
Jim

 

[FuzzyGrub]

I need to get out to NY and fish with you. 8)

You would be welcomed aboard!

I'm serious, let's plan a day before the winter comes, maybe a day in the summer or even fall.

That would be awesome!
Jim

I sent you an IM.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Tomorrow should be the 1st splash for the 2023 season. Getting everything ready today. A little earlier than our typical 1st part of April splashs. Water will be in the 30's though. If its on the clear side, will focus on smallies in wintering locations. If on the muddy side, it'll be channel cats. Walleye and Pike/Muskie are closed.

She's alive!

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Turned out to be an excellent day! Sun was out until just after 1PM. Warmed up to high 50's. A light breeze most of the day. Water temp was 39 degrees, and clarity was good for this time of year. We caught 20 smallies, with two 18" and one 17". A great early start of the season.

Tested the mods I did last year, with the same load. Top speed is now 32mph, up from 30. That came from raising the motor one hole. We hit a streach of river with some white caps. While we still got some cavitation, it was much less than before. The side fins and splash plate take the credit.

I ordered the Simrad IS35 and that should be here by the weekend. Time to finish that NMEA2K network.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Ok, just posted results of mods not documented in thread!

I raised the motor per discussion in this thread: Raise Motor

Installed jet side plates and made a splash plate coming off the tunnel.

As stated, gained 2mph on top speed and much less cavitation in waves. Well worth it.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Working on the NMEA2K network and getting the Sinrad IS35 talking to the yamaha: Sinrad IS35 Thread

 

[JL8Jeff]

What brand are the sideplates or "wings"? I was thinking about adding them.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

What brand are the sideplates or "wings"? I was thinking about adding them.

Sorry, I missed your post. They are made to the foot size. Ours is large. I ordered from Rock Ejector: Rock Ejector If I recall correctly, they were just over $100 w/shipping. OutboardJets sells them too. Around $80 but don't know the shipping. You can also buy the individual pieces from them.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Slow day, but mixed bag!


- 28", 7lb 4oz, Spawned out Walleye

- 29", 10lb 12oz, Channel Cat

- 18.5" Smallie

 

[Stand Up]

Slow day, but mixed bag!


- 28", 7lb 4oz, Spawned out Walleye

- 29", 10lb 12oz, Channel Cat

- 18.5" Smallie

Way too much fun! Good job and great looking fish. Thanks for posting.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Colder today + 15 mph winds.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Three Men in a Tub​

A high school friend of my son was in town for the weekend. Unfortunately, conditions for fishing for smallies were extremely difficult. River blown out, chocolate milk, and cold (48 degrees). Inlet streams were a dud, so went to the cats. He caught a nice 9lber and I got a personal best of 14lb 2oz.

This is the first time we have had three in the 17' CCJ for any extended fishing (2 days). Kinda on the cramped side for getting around in the boat, but the 90/65 jet had plenty of power to get us on plane quickly. We did distribute the weight with two on the live-well seat and one sitting in front of the console, between the seat post. We didn't do any long wot runs, but would see 24-26mph, before throttling down from take-off. We cruised at 20mph down river and 18mph up river. RPMs at around 4700.

While we seldom fish three in the boat, if we did, an 18' or 20' CCJ with appropriate power would be ideal.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

A few updates:

- Removed the oem rod holder which sticks into the cockpit area. The part the rods clip into. I bumped into it allot, especially with boots on or when cat fishing. Filled holes with new pop-rivits. The side console, verticle, rod holders have worked well for us.

- Removed the oar and holder for the same reason. It was mounted on the front of the back deck. It is now in the very back of the boat, at the transom.

- A couple of good fishing trips: Fall Trip 1, Fall Trip 2

- Had a gas in water problem, discussed here: Water in Gas

- Ordered a Rock Ejector: Rock Ejector I'm hoping it arrives before Thursday, so I can get it installed before our planned outing 10/26-27. Fall leaves are the bain of jet drives, and it is difficult to clear with forked tool, hanging off the transom. You can't see if you got them all, and going to shore is too time consuming. There are many good reports on this device for clearing the grate.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Ordered, received, and installed the Rock Ejector: HERE

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Started the work to install the new LiFePO4 batteries. See HERE

I decided to upgrade the wiring from 8 AWG to 6 AWG. That is turning out to be a little more "pain" than I thought. The 8 AWG is tied to something in an inaccessable area. Can't use it to fish the new wire through. Removed the port side bin and looks like I can just drill an access hole to the inner console.

Now, the 8 AWG is technically sufficient for a 70lb trolling motor and it is only about an 8 foot run to the plug connector.

I did go with a premium plug, Battery Tender brand with 90 degree plug. It has a nice wheel that draws the plug in the socket, and cam locks when fully seated. It is said to handle 80A continuous w/6 AWG wire. Quite overkill for my needs.

Did some test fitting with the batteries and shelf. Still have to decide where the chargers are going to be re-mounted. I have a piece of 1 1/2" Angle alum that will go on the floor to keep the batteries from sliding out. Also have straps to hold down the batteries, using SS buckles and straps.

 

[Still Afloat]

Looks good but, I’m not sure about the screw on plug. My Minnkota Terrova goes app-crap once in awhile. Being able to unplug it quickly is the final fail safe mechanism.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Looks good but, I’m not sure about the screw on plug. My Minnkota Terrova goes app-crap once in awhile. Being able to unplug it quickly is the final fail safe mechanism.

We have not seen an “ape-crap” moment with the MG. If we ground it, will not respond to power on and do need to cycle power.

BTW, it is not like a normal threaded screw, It is about one full turn from start of engagement to cam lock.

 

[Still Afloat]

My Minnkota just does crazy stuff on occasion. If will drops out of a route, just decides to cancel navigation on it’s own. Occasionally it decides to reverse directions and run over the lines. This is usually when it gets unplugged.

 

[Still Afloat]

Battery Tender makes good products but that connector is insanely expensive at $63 to $120.