I would look hard at lightly used units. Seems that they are being tossed away like the new I phone just dropped. I had hb onix units, and the si was great. I did have to send them off to hb 3 times before they were right and hear alot of reports (guys at the ramp) sending in their helix 9’s. I just got duel hds 9s gen 3 on my 17 puma. So far I’m pretty impressed with them. The DI and 2d is better than my old birds. But the maps on the lowrance are lacking. I guess for your budget I would be looking at helix 9’s and lowrance hds 9s either gen 2 or 3. Decision would pend on price/ and use. If your local lakes have the HD lake master charts I would lean towards the HB. Side scan is better on the newer helix units if you get a mega transducer. I do like the functionality of my lowrance units now after having them a while.
I found a used buy sell group on face book for electronics, its ‘humminbird, lowrance, minn kota, used fishing electronics”
I think this new forum was up and running, and I had no idea. Going to take some time for everyone to transfer over I’m sure. I do like the new layout. I have also seen people posting the same question on here, there, and bbc…
Hemifun:
I love the rough water ride and layout of my Caracal. Now if I could just get the 225 SHO to rev over 5000 rpm and go faster than 54 mph.
What prop are you running? And do you have a hydraulic jack plate? That boat with the right trim and a tempest runs 76 mph. I know a few guys with one.
I have the exact same rig. And its also got duel poles and 112 fortrex. Feel free to give me a call as I have been playing with props and such here lately. Having a stock 25/3 blade worked helps alot. But it will still be sluggish in the heat with a co angler and tournament load. I just got my hands on a 4 blade 25 and its pretty impressive. I have my jack plate set at 3″ p2p. It could come up a touch with the 3 blade, and probably go down a half inch with the 4 blade. I will run the 3 in the winter, and 4 in the summer as my local lakes have alot of traffic and you cant run 70+ anywhere My best runs with the worked 3 blade, 20 gallons of fuel, half full live well were around 3-4 second hole shot and top of 76 @ 5800. The 4 blade I have run it twice above 70, around 72 both alone and with a co angler with about the same amout of fuel, I bet it could go a little more with some set up. – Matt pm sent with #
Get a good pillow and a cold beer, and working back there is much more enjoyable than all the other boats I’ve messed with lol
xm sean:
Will be ordering a Caracal and wondering what prop has performed the best with 2 10 foot power poles and the rear 26 gallon tanks and a 225 pro xs.Thanks in advance!!
I would think your going to lean to a 24 p 3 or 4 blade on that rig. The face book group has a few 4s caracals that might shine more light on it
Morgmach:
I just bought a 2016 Caracal and have a 225 Mercury Optimax with a 25 pitch Fury. With fuel tanks half empty and full tournament load I hit 67 and trimmed down due to chine walking. The next day I filled up the fuel tanks and livewells and the hold shot was awful, what a dog coming out compared to my 95 Classic with 200 HP. I’m strongly considering going with a 4 blade 24P Fury as the hole shot is really bad under load. I’m also still adjusting the motor height on standard \ manual jack plate as my boat is throwing a rooster tail and that can’t be good. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Morgmach, mine ran the best with a 24/4 blade. As someone stated above they like the 4 blade so much they have two different pitches on theirs. The rear fuel tank boats run a touch faster. If I had rear tanks and wasnt filling the livewells often I would look at the 25/4 blade. Heres a video of mine I had a altas single pole, 4 batteries and a 112 fortrex. Hole shot was fantastic on that boat and with a 24/4 it didnt really care how it was loaded topped out around 71. https://youtu.be/SuL7gTB5MMY
Alan has always been great to deal with!
Texlacat- on your tail light grommet I’ve seen various fits on the past few boats I’ve had. And seen them pop out when pulling the trailer out of the water, the water rush pop’s them out. A good hot glue gun and few beads here or there around the grommet on the fiberglass side should help you out alot if they feel loose.
I got a trip coming up and yall inspired me to check over my trailer. All the bolts are tight. I checked all the wheel bearings 3 have zero play. One has a smidge, per vault hubs bearing check instructions less than 1/8″ is acceptable when push/pulling on the edges of the tire. I crawled under and snugged up a bunk board or two that I could wiggle the washers on. (wood expands! they will get loose). All my brakes looked pretty good but on a 3 year old boat that hasnt seen many miles one inner pad is wearing faster than the others. Nature of the beast, single piston caliper, probably needs the slides greased. I will probably pop pads on it this fall and keep a close eye on it. As said above all these checks should be done annually… I bet they have never been done on my trailer. (I’m the 3rd owner)
Go to lowes or any hardware store and get a square bit set. It should be the size two. I have a kit of attachments for a drill, theres a CR-VS1 thats too small the CR-vs2 is the right size one.
https://www.domednumbers.com/ might be able to reproduce it…
My 3 year old pro guide was limping along as well. Would work fine but tested faulty. I also went the same route as swimrunbike, and got a x2 from batteries plus. Well worth the investment just for the higher cca ratings alone.
I need some for my 17 puma (16 end of year build). Its been from Arkansas, to NC, I took a trip to NY and saw the right side rear caliper inside pad is pretty low. I would expect some odd wear due to single piston calipers. E bay Has some beck/arnley pads for $12 a set shipped… organic. Wonder if they are any good… I know their valve cover gasket kits work well as I have used them on BMW’s before.
Not to thread high jack, but what about fluid service on the brakes/ master cylinder… (I know nothing about this trailer) I did notice the rear axle has a cross line for fluid as well to interconnect each rear caliper, wondering the reasoning for that?
Heck those same pads are on close out on rock auto for $7 a set. BECK/ARNLEY 085-1518 True Friction; Organic. Gunna order some.
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