I got my boat, now i need help on getting it set up!

[mmullins]

So here is the boat i got! 2007 Hewescraft Sportsman 180 with a 75 HP honda and a 8HP kicker. Its pretty bare bones at the moment and would love some advice on getting her on the water. First thing i need to do is install a fuel water separator and a battery switch. Ive been doing research and it looks pretty straight forward on the install. Would just like some help (or photos) of where to install the switch and fuel water separator. The next big purchase is a depth finder. Pretty much everything i see people running is the Lowrance HDS#. I understand you get what you pay for but is it really worth the extra few hundred dollars over the Hummingbird brands? I researched anchor nest and for the value and quailty it looks like i am going to go with anchor caddie. Would love ideas on rod storage, net storage and things like that. I am very new to the boating world and want to get this thing dialed before spring hits. Thanks in advance!

[steeleywhopper]

Hit up the Sportsman show for Electronics, there should be some decent deals and they can walk you through different brands and styles. I would probably bring a fist full of cash for other items that might tend to be cheaper during show time as well. I know tackle was pretty cheap there last year as were the Rods at some of the tackle stores that were set up.

[h2ofowlr]

Hit the Seattle Boat show that's coming up along with the sportsman show.  They typically have some good deals.  Now the expensive part comes up.  Rigging it up and all the fishing gear.

[Blacklab]

Congrats 

I use a anchor caddie. Pretty straight forward with no complaints 1yr in use.

Hum bird helix 5 si/di/gps nice unit still learning it. Ordered online through wally world saved $50.

[C-Money]

I have fished with electric and hand crank downriggers. If you go electric, have an extra battery in the boat. I prefer hand crank, even when fishing deep. I like these http://store.cannondownriggers.com/products/610630/Uni-Troll. I have been using a Lowrance depth finder, and use my hand held GPS for speed and marking fishing spots. I would like to upgrade to a unit with navigation. My friend has this one, http://www.lowrance.com/en-US/Products/Fishfinder-Chartplotter/hook-4-en-us.aspx got it way cheaper than this price. Good unit, he likes it. I will probably look at something similar this spring. I put a Minn Kota powerdrive V2 with the wireless steering option on my boat. It is a 50lb thrust, 54" shaft, and is plenty of motor for my boat. I also put an on board Minn Kota digital battery charger for the batteries. Congrats on a great looking boat, and good luck fishing!!

[MADMAX]

I use Penn manual downriggers
kicker bracket for remote steering
get a VHF, fish finder and chart plotter (i like Garmins)
net holder from flambeau for when in the water not trailer
bearing buddies on the trailer
fuel water separator
non ethanol gas , use seafoam religiously anyway
dont leave motors up in cold weather
dont leave electronics or tackel stored in the boat due to theft
good luck

 

[Blackjaw]

Setting up for mainly fishing the Columbia?

[wildmanoutdoors]

Here are some pics of my setup.
I don't mount fish finders on the dash as you won't be able to see it when sitting at the trolling moter if someone sits in that seat while fishing. I use ram mounts and can move it to the middle of the boat. You can move it back when accessing the bow.

I used miller marine sliding system for rod holders and the s and c rod rack.
I had only one bench seat installed and use a mounted 120 qt cooler on the other side. My net sits behind the cooler and the front seat on the floor on its side. It's easy to get to and is out of the way.

You may have a tough time getting a second battery in the hewes. That's one reason I did not go with a sportsman.
My raider actually has a bracket built in just for the switch.
I run a HDS gen 3 with wifi and run my iPad in a life proof case in back on a ram mount. This way I have a 10 inch screen in my direct view. With the dash mount also I don't have people asking every 2 minutes, how deep is it.

Splitting the fuel line to each motor works sometimes. Allot of times your motor running will drain the other fuel line yo the other motor and you won't get it to start until it's primed again. They have fuel fittings with anti siphon balls. Your squeeze ball in the fuel lines also has these but they don't always work. And you must have them straight up and down for it to work.
I just put a inline shutoff valve in the trolling motor line right near the engine so I have easy access.
Here are some pics of my setup.

[wildmanoutdoors]

In the first pic the little white thing near the rear rod holder is a rigid industries led light. One on each side. I also have blue led strips under each gunned.

Don't forget a washdown system. And use tinned wire for everything. Anchor marine wire is the best.

[fishngamereaper]

CG regulations on fuel water separators, make and location, so be mindful of that. You should be ok with a twist on filter mounted under the splash guard in the transom.

Battery switch is easy, mount a second battery for redundancy.

Lowrance HDS Gen 2 would be good for your needs. There are screaming deals on them right now because the Gen 3's are out with more power and Chirp sonar. The HDS 5 can be found for $400, the HDS 7 can be found for $650.

Electric downriggers(unless you want to deal with manual riggers while fighting the fish of a lifetime, and you for sure don't want your gear hanging in the water when fighting a fish.

Get a tower. WhoDat towers makes good stuff. I made my own tower for my old Hewes. It helps staying organized and gets the gear off the floor. Last thing you need is to break a rod because someone steps on it.

Most importantly don't half arse it the first time. Get good stuff and be prepared to fish anywhere. Don't settle for gear that will just get you by, get gear that will work for any type of fishing.

Pics of Old boat..Then new boat

[mmullins]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I will be using the boat mainly for Puget sound, Grays and Willipa Harbors, Lakes for Kokanees and trout and will eventually adventure down to the Columbia. I have the time and want to set the boat up right with no regrets. I got a good deal on the boat so I know its going to cost a bit to get it ready for fishing. I already have some manual down riggers and some Kokanee gear ill be taking from my other little boat. And from my knowledge fishing in the harbors just use banana weights to get desired depths. I will be hitting up the sportsman show. Hopefully ill be able to sell my 14' gregor and have some spending cash.

[metlhead]

Great boat that you will enjoy a lot. I would seriously think of parting ways with the Honda main and kicking that boat up to a 90hp as minimum. New boats attract fishin buddies, and 4 guys with gear on a good Columbia chop will really tax that 75. My ideal engine would be a 115 yami.

[huntnphool]

I have fished with electric and hand crank downriggers. If you go electric, have an extra battery in the boat.

 If you are running electric down-riggers, typically one of the engines is running and charging the batteries while trolling. If you can't raise your riggers while trolling because you don't have enough current, you have other issues and bigger problems than a extra battery.

 Been running multiple Scotty's for years and never had a issue.

 Be sure you have quality batteries and if everything is wired properly, all you need is a Perko switch and you should not have to worry about excessive drain. I highly recommend http://www.odysseybattery.com/marine_batteries.aspx I've had the same two Odyssey batteries in my boat since 2004 and they have never once needed a charger hooked up to them.

[cohoho]

I have fished with electric and hand crank downriggers. If you go electric, have an extra battery in the boat.

 If you are running electric down-riggers, typically one of the engines is running and charging the batteries while trolling. If you can't raise your riggers while trolling because you don't have enough current, you have other issues and bigger problems than a extra battery.

 Been running multiple Scotty's for years and never had a issue.

 Be sure you have quality batteries and if everything is wired properly, all you need is a Perko switch and you should not have to worry about excessive drain. I highly recommend http://www.odysseybattery.com/marine_batteries.aspx I've had the same two Odyssey batteries in my boat since 2004 and they have never once needed a charger hooked up to them.

Agree with Rob, I run three Scotty DRs and no problems on high quality batteries- plus electronics all day, deck lights and leave the radio on, granted trolling for Salmon - I am running my kicker the whole time and on anchor I use it a lot in reverse to hold tight if current/wind isn't playing well.....    I say that now and probably will be f'ed up next week when I go for Sturgeon.   Get a high quality anchor locker with large rollers, it will seriously save issues later on - Miller Marine makes a serious nice one, I'll sell you my Lee Locker for more than half off at $100 bucks, It works great but I am going with the Miller due to the height of my bow from water and the larger roller system.   Get the right anchor line, anchor of course, 8-10ft of chain works with a lighter anchor and retrieving system for the Columbia and do not skimp on amount of line you think you need, longer is better and safer!   You can probably find a electronic system used off BD and you'll save some cash and get a awesome system that someone was just simply upgrading for off shore stuff or have the need for the best and newest electronics.....  Some guys love Lowrance others hate it, depends on who you talk too...  I have two separate Lowrance setups HDS and Elite, they work, am I impressed with either no - but not spending 3-4K right now to upgrade to Simard or Raymarine...  I run my big motor off main and utilize a 3 gallon tank for kicker to ensure it always has fresh NON-ETHOL fuel.  Trust me on that aspect - smoked a T-8 Carb and fuel pump to include each and every fuel line in the motor. 

[jjaba]

Not to be the grump sailor but don't forget

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/reqequip.htm