Enid Tomorrow

So I rescued my father in law's pontoon boat from his barn (7 years sitting, another story in itself). I have it up and running, set up to pull 5 rods off the back, 2 14 footers of the side and push 2 up front. I have been hitting Sardis hard, but I am tired of catching 40 and keeping one. It's fun, but I think I am going to Enid Tomorrow. Problem is, I have only waded there in the springtime. I know almost nothing about the main lake. Anyone want to share some generalities about where to start?

Thanks in advance.

Follow the river and be careful not to run in to the other pontoon boats following the river.

Good luck msu!! Let us know how you do, also would like to hear the story of the rescue and revival of the pontoon if you have time.

My father in law had this boat..he used to fish it all the time while my wife and I were in college.

His fishing partner died and he just stopped going. Parked it in the barn.

Last weekend I got him to move the combine and took a tractor down there and drug it out. Aired up the tires and hitched it up. Had to get the 1000 wasps off and a 6 foot king snake too. Took it to their house up the street.

This is where I parked it at the inlaws.Attachment 269400

I bought some lights and went back the next day and rewired the trailer. Then I went to Gateway and bought new tires. The old ones held air, but I was unsure if they would hold at road speed.

Got it home and bought a new battery. It would not turn over too well. I ripped off the carbs and dipped them in Berryman carb cleaner for an hour or so.

Put them back on and success! Until it wouldn't pump water.

Had to wait till Monday to get a new impeller. It was time.Attachment 269401

Few pics of the maiden voyage.Attachment 269403Attachment 269404Attachment 269405

I got the rods respooled with line, two more batteries for the navigator trolling motor, and me and the boys went fishing the next morning.Attachment 269406Attachment 269407Attachment 269408

That's just fantastic!! This story should have it's own thread, that's front page material there!! Thank you for sharing and those boys look like they had a blast!

Those pics are too cool. I can only imagine the fun that was had. Great job mom and dad on building great memories, installing new adventures in kids, and being super parents. Glad to see any boat have new live breathed into it. Congrats all arounds.

Glad you dug it out and got it going ! Memories of a lifetime made with the family :HandsClapping:ThumbsUp

Yeah, it is pretty well done. I have to rewire it (what a mess!) add a stereo and better electronics (on the way) and a few more rod holders.

Only thing left to fix is the tilt trim. I think it is the solenoid.

Also looking to add a live well baitwell

The mouth of Bean Creek was always a good place for the wife and I pulling cranks. Good luck !

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That is a great story. Glad you saved that great boat and it looks like the kids are going to have a blast fishing with their Dad.

Great Post and Pics.....Thanks for sharing

Check wires going to trim motor with some on working the switch. I have found that most times the brushes are stuck after sitting so long and motor won't spin. If getting power to motor the gently tap on motor with a good sized screwdriver handle. Sometimes that vibration wil get her to spinning again. Now you need to get FIL back on there and fishing with his grand kids. Good job.

Well, it was not the relay. Moving on to other stuff....lol.

I tried to fish, but my wife bought a towable inner tube, and all my son wanted to do is ride it, so no fishing for me. I will get out tomorrow afternoon.

Here is the product of today. Attachment 269470

Bless your heart msumoose that is a really neat story.Wishing you and the family nothing but the best.
Did you try reading voltage across the trim solenoid when trying to operate it? Just an idea...
Next if you have your 12 volts is reading resistance of the solenoid itself...

Great job. Looks like a very successful rescue to me. The smiles say it all.

Super cool post, I really enjoyed it!!

Glad y'all liked this. Feels good to finally contribute after lurking so long.

Yes, very successful so far, but a mess of slabs would ice the cake...

After the tenacity you showed to get her going you deserve a cooler chocked plum full...

Id say it was time for that impeller change. yikes! glad for you to be out on the water with the kids teaching them

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagged again

After the tenacity you showed to get her going you deserve a cooler chocked plum full...

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of Lowenbrau

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Snagged again

Bless your heart msumoose that is a really neat story.Wishing you and the family nothing but the best.
Did you try reading voltage across the trim solenoid when trying to operate it? Just an idea...
Next if you have your 12 volts is reading resistance of the solenoid itself...

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Dad was here Sunday and help me get the trim running. All I had to do was beat on the motor a little bit with a socket extension and it started working. The fluid level is low so it really likes going down but will not come back up without assistance. I am going to try to flush it out and hope that I do not have to replace the O-rings on the trim cylinder.

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Glad to hear you got the bull by the horns.....Way to go.......That sounds like oxidation between the brushes and commutator----that will clean itself of oxidation with use.Sounds like flushing and a refill will hopefully cure the trim problems.....I read your last post about getting the father-in-law out and enjoyed it.Thank You
Also the "tapping on the trim motor"was suggested by another helpful feller.....Thanks to him as well

Lookin' good.

The best part is getting to take the kids out for a lot of fun.