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New To Me Boat- 2012 Lund Rebel 1625 XL
I have had several boats over the past 35 years. I have fished for bass, stripers, hybrids, crappie, saltwater fish, flounder gigged, and duck hunted. Last year I got the itch that I needed one more boat to finish out my career. Discussed with the wife explaining that I would be able to catch more and larger fish in a new boat. I stressed so called bad features of my boat to the point that it probably would not float anymore. She said that she had heard this line before and she was not biting. I offered to compromise and go with a late model used boat rather than a new one.
I primarily longline for crappie now and decided to stay with a deep vee like my current Lund 16 ft. Checked a six state area on Craigslist for 7 months on a daily basis searching 6 different brands of boats. I had decided that a white Lund 1625 XL with the extra wide beam and a 60 hp four stroke Yamaha motor would be at the top of my list although I would consider any brand. Could not turn up anything that interested me. Lot of under powered boats out there. By accident I ended up in Pennsylvania while doing my daily search and there it was. A 2012 white Lund rebel 1625 XL with a 60 hp Yamaha four stroke motor. I could not believe what I was seeing. Talk about a needle in the haystack.
Discussed with the wife. She made some comment that I was off my medicine to consider driving to Pennsylvania to buy a boat. I countered that it had to be fate to find this needle in the haystack and it was unwise to tempt fate.
I contacted the boat owner. He had the boat four years but only used it four times on week long trips. He was retired and his fishing partner had unexpectedly died. He lost interest in fishing after one trip by himself. He estimated 40 hours on the motor. Boat had not been on the water in two years. Stored in his garage. After two discussions we agreed on a price.
Explained to the wife this would be like a vacation driving to an area that we had never been before. Do a lot of sight seeing. Made the trip up to Pennsylvania. Boat checked out and stayed overnight. Headed home the next day and wife wanted to know more about the sight seeing part of the trip. All she had seen were tractor trailers on I-81. Anyone that has traveled this road knows what I am talking about. I explained that it was important to get this boat home as quickly as possible for further evaluation.
I had little time to fish that time of year as I was doing restoration work to a rental house and had projects on my own house at that time. My wife and I did take the boat out to Lake Higgins bass fishing to give it a shake down run. We caught 17 bass that morning. I was glad to get a good coat of fish slime in it. She caught a 4 lb 5 oz for the biggest of the day. While taking her picture, I proudly reminded her of my original statement that a new boat would allow us to catch larger and more fish. For once she did not have a comeback.Attachment 250529Attachment 250530Attachment 250532Attachment 250533Attachment 250534Attachment 250535
I have just recently got my s/s trolling bar welded up and installed rod holders. I kept my Humminbird 998 and I-Pilot from my old boat. I still need to install an on board battery charger which I have already purchased. I have taken the boat out 3 times recently longline trolling for crappie and absolutely love it. Very stable to walk around in with the extra wide beam. Deep sides for an old man with a gimpy knee and hip. The Yamaha is so quiet you can barely hear it running. Please say hello if our paths cross on the water.
Rick
