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  1. Pack Rat

    Lake Superior (Apostles Islands) beat me to a pulp...I threw in the towel.

    The big 150 mile trip in the Apostles turned into only 50 miles. I threw in the towel when the forecast was more rain, 20-30 mph winds, and big waves. I had three full days before the conditions turned quite ugly. Had I followed my original float plan, the last morning I would have been fighting...
  2. Pack Rat

    Prop pitch (photograph)

    After reviewing manf. recommendations I purchased a spare prop (above left) 9 3/4" diameter with 9 1/2" pitch. I could not determine what the original prop was other than 9 3/4" diameter (above right). There are no stampings on the prop. If I think of the props as a wood screw, left prop fine...
  3. Pack Rat

    Pressure points while trailering an inflatable...what to avoid

    I'm still looking at different trailer options but last year I noticed (while I had the "Pack Rat" on the dollie) the transom bottom was curved and I thought it would probably be very important to have the center point (see pic above) supported? If you trailer with a heavy engine mounted won't...
  4. Pack Rat

    10 day adventure in Lake Superior

    I'm not putting in until May 19th and looking for some idea's from the rest of you. I'll be picking up a spare radio battery from the iboats store and I'm looking at a spare prop from them too but have a general question. There a lot of rock where I'm going and my understanding is the rubber hub...
  5. Pack Rat

    Big waves and inflatables...

    I've been experimenting with my 12.5' and up to 4 footers it's been handling very nice. The one day I took on some 5 footers was ugly due to the fact the boat was totally empty and I was solo. Took some pictures of 4 footers but just doesn't show how big they are. How big of stuff are some of...
  6. Pack Rat

    Poor man dollies to launch an inflatable...

    Some of you know I've been using a couple of poor man dollies I made for about $100.00 until I get a trailer next summer. They actually work pretty good. Here's a youtube video bringing the inflatable up out of the water. I guess I'm pushing around about 450 pounds (including the dollies). I...
  7. Pack Rat

    How to jury rig an inflatable for deep water fishing...

    I'm a dim bulb when it comes to fishing. I want to go deep in Lake Superior for Lake Trout. Have any of you guys actually attached a downrigger to your transom? What about planer boards...are they the way to go? How heavy of a sinker/bomb can you have on just a rod. I was using an 8 ounce on...
  8. Pack Rat

    Big RIBS...(pictures)

    Finally saw some other inflatables where I launch in Lake Superior.
  9. Pack Rat

    Fuel in oil...?

    Mercury 2010 25hp EFI 4 stroke with 20 hours on it. Pulled the dipstick out today before a run out to lake to find it overfilled. Took 6 ounces out. Doesn't smell like fuel in it and I was surprised how dirty it is in just 20 hours. What else would cause the overfill if not fuel? I see no...
  10. Pack Rat

    The "Pack Rat" in 3 to 5 footers in Lake Superior (short video)

    I was dying to get out and see how it would handle. Weight is good in it. The buddies girlfriend insisted he take the walkie talkie. He was soaked after 60 seconds and without rain pants getting cold. The temp of the water is around 50F this time of year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kzJy1LzM6Y
  11. Pack Rat

    1st launch for my SIB was fantastic...(pictures)

    Here's the lift table and the OB in it's cradle lowered onto the SIB sitting on top of the dollies. The OB rode in back of truck in cradle lashed down and never moved an inch in 220 miles. The SIB rolled down the ramp perfect, but I found a couple uneven concrete lips coming up that required...
  12. Pack Rat

    How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

    I think I got it boys. Took me awhile but the lift table will meet all my needs. This is a one minute video on my youtube account showing the Mercury 25hp on the table right next to the work bench where I bolted its stand to. http://youtu.be/4fkw-fZFDeY I needed something for three area's...
  13. Pack Rat

    Unique inflatable (SIB) trailer

    A different design I haven't seen before. Lots of space under the boat for equipment. http://www.fishcraft.com/trailers/RaftTrailer/index.html I like the roller on the back and the fact you could step right down in the bed and walk up to the winch.
  14. Pack Rat

    Battery acid and PVC material

    I usually change out my motorcycle battery every year and have excess acid left. I took a piece of repair PVC that came with my SIB and a wood stir stick and poured the acid on them. It's been about a week now. The wood stir stick definitely discoloured and I would guess will be weakened? The...
  15. Pack Rat

    Outboard transom bracket strength

    I need a temporary lifting/moving table for my 156 pound outboard. This table would work best if the outboard was horizontal. The table will drop to 11'' and lift to 34". I would be able to lift the outboard off a stand (outboard fully tilted), move it around, slide the outboard into truck...
  16. Pack Rat

    Mystery bolts (4) in transom upgrade my SIB model?

    I noticed the company I purchase my SIB a couple months ago had something new on their website regarding the model I bought from them. I'm not certain what this upgrade does though...any thoughts? I can't see bolts holding the PVC material onto the transom any better.
  17. Pack Rat

    Side joiners for floorboards installed correctly?

    I have two side joiners (1 short and 1 long) which do not cover the floor boards totally. I'm thinking I may have them installed incorrectly and should have more of the gap in the center. I can't go too much forward since the bow starts to curve but I can go backwards more if I flip them...
  18. Pack Rat

    Aluminum slivers from floorboards

    New SIB. I've found two now. Apparently just stepping in and out of boat creating them. I think if they get washed down between the tubes and floor stringers, conditons were right they could poke through? Guess I'm going to inspect closely every tear down looking for them. I did check all the...
  19. Pack Rat

    GPS versus compass

    I plan on running on Lake Superior which is extremely cold during the summer (around 50F) and it get's a weird 30' fog bank that can engulf you at any time. In my old Zodiac I had jury rigged a compass (crudely) that worked pretty good I thought since I could hold a course between the islands...
  20. Pack Rat

    How to utilize what small space we have...

    Well it's the middle of winter up here and we just had our January thaw 2 weeks late and the tease of an early spring replaced with a good old fashioned blizzard, 30mph winds and a foot of snow. But the good news is the wife still doesn't care I have the new SIB inflated in the livingroom and...
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