long time lurker finally gets a CC

Congrats on the new boat Swany!! Back when I lived in Downers Grove and trailered I used to ski the fox in St Charles, Illinois River where Alan frequents, the fox north of Algonquin Rd, various southern Michigan, Northern Indiana and Southern Wisco lakes. Many pro's and con's with them all however in the end the Fox north was my favorite, particularly early and late season. There are also a couple decent lakes up around me worth taking a look at.
Many Chicagoland area guys on here so hook up with one of us for a winterizing lesson when the time comes

What lake in Northern wisconsin did you vaca on?

Peter- we started out on little crawling stone in Lac da flambeau. Then catfish on the eagle river chain and now south twin in Phelps. I would like to get back to the eagle river/ three lakes chain but cottages usually rent are really high. Same chain I think Pete is on. 28 lakes connected. Imo the best boating I've ever experienced. Familiar with the area?

SWANY wrote: I would like to get back to the eagle river/ three lakes chain but cottages usually rent are really high. Same chain I think Pete is on. 28 lakes connected. Imo the best boating I've ever experienced. Familiar with the area?

Yes, I'm on Medicine on the 3L's side. The Eagle side is just too crowded for me plus not as much water. I have been going up there since I was born!

Congats on the boat. Looks great. Happy Trails.

couple more pictures

Swany welcome aboard, I have yet to see a Nautique issue that the panel of experts here has not been able to advise on. Have some fun and start fixing after the weather turns bad.

And this. I had someone go look at the boat for me, which was a huge favor, they had to drive from affar, and had little time. I knew the whole purchase being 350 miles away was going to be a gamble. I still don't regret it and believe that I got a decent deal of $4300 considering the hours, history, and condition of the interior. plus I enjoy a project. I've gone through the whole boat and I have only found the this second stringer to be rotten about foot and half behind the motor. the floor has a couple soft spots on that side. I know I'm sure the foam is soaked and will eventually wreak havoc on the stringers. My plan/idea/thoughts for now is this winter ill pull back the carpet, cut the rot out in the stringer(I'm confident it hasn't gotten all the way down to the hull) CPES, scarf a new piece in and fiberglass that all in. obviously from my pictures you can tell I need to do a good bilge cleaning. I'm just not ready or set up to do a full stringer replacement at this time and I'm comfortable that it isn't an issue yet. during the whole purchase I kept saying to myself it will need stringers in 5 years without even seeing it.
from what I understand of all the stringer threads, correct craft spray the foam and then fiber glassed over that? there is not a plywood floor, correct? so its actually the fiberglass failing and feeling soft?
I want to use the heck out of this boat for the next couple year, teaching everyone to ski and then worry about the stringers.
my procedure has been so far and will continue when I get home from taking the boat out is lift the motor cover maybe the removable floor and put a fan on it for a day. I think I can keep it from getting worse by doing that after each use.
like I said before there's a lot on my list to:


-trailer lights (LED's)
-repaint trailer
-new guide poles
-I need a winch on this thing , so make winch post(I cant get the hang of the turnbuckle with our launches, the back of the boat keeps lifting and to much tension on the bow
-new trailer tires and powder coat rims
-buff boat and maybe new decals...
-take all the teak off and oil
- have a custom cover made. the original has served its time
-new wet exhaust hoses
-fuel lines
-apparently I need to get a 540

jbear wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: I have been going up there since I was born! holy smokes...that long? did the horse & buggy have a hard time pulling the canoe? john sorry Pete..just could not resist.

John - They already were into steam boats back when Pete was a pup!

Couple of questions:
about how many every hours should I be doing a maintained tune up (plugs,wires,cap)?
what brand plugs does everyone like? I've had experience with v8s not liking certain brands before that's why I ask.
lastly, I'm having troubles reading by trailer VIN to register it in IL. The tag is faded. Wisconsin where I bought it doesnt issue trailer titles. I've gone every route so far except having a cop run what I think it reads and trying to get a hold of someone at correct craft to see if they have records. My question is what are the 5 digits stamped on the top side of the tongue for?
thanks

Well, those digits are not the VIN # of my trailer. So I must have a hot trailer??