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We are in fresh water an I really don't need a marinized stereo. I can
probably hook up with a nice car unit for under $200.

Ed's suggestion about MP3 capability is still a good one. I have a Pioneer
unit (not marine) that does MP3 and is "XM Radio" ready. Many of the lakes I
go to here in CA are in the hills where there's little if any radio
reception. One CD can hold 100-150 songs, which is more than enough for a
day's outing. Make sure it has the capability for random play though...not
all do.

Then I realized that XM Radio carries MLB games, so I signed up. Yesterday I
was out on the water with my wife and son...fishing, tubing, and listening
to my Red Sox lose to the Angels. Come October, I'll cancell the sub, then
re-up in April for a $10 activation fee. Pretty slick.

Have fun with that boat!

--Mike

"*JimH*" wrote in message
...
Thanks Ed and Karen! :-)

I may look into that Hummingbird unit. A stand alone depth sounder will
cost me the same money and I would not get surface temperature and bottom
conditions. The boat is really not set up for fishing, but the
Hummingbird also gives me a fishfinder.

We are in fresh water an I really don't need a marinized stereo. I can
probably hook up with a nice car unit for under $200.

The boat does not have a compass and we plan only near shore boating.
However I would like to have some navigation electronics aboard.

Any suggestion for a low priced hand held or fixed mount (with internal
antenna) GPS?

It looks like my Christmas and birthday wish lists are growing. ;-)

Thanks all for the words of good luck on this boat purchase. I have a
survey (with engine compression test) set for Wednesday morning.

"Ed" wrote in message
. ..
Great looking boat.

Just a suggestion for your new toys... for $85 you can get a humminbird
Piranha Max 15 DF that reads to 600 ft. I have one on my tender and on
my dingy and they are great. I can read to 300 ft going 28 kts and it
will read to the full 600 ft when going slower. I wonder why I even have
the two 2000 ft units on the big boat.
Also, my favorite boat stereo is the West Marine brand (3 yr warranty)
MP3/CD/AM/FM. I load up 12 "albums" (showing my age)on one MP3 CD-rom
and you never have to change the CD all day. It also comes with a
remote (That I put in a ziplock and it works fine) and you never have to
touch the unit with wet hands. I have one of these in each boat and I
love them.

Have fun and stay safe..

K. Smith wrote:
Tom wrote:

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 16:46:36 -0400, " *JimH*" wrote:

Subject to favorable survey and engine compression check: Today we
put a deposit down on a 1997 20 foot Glastron 209GS with trailer, 4.3L
Volvo. 45

Nice looking rig - congratulations - I hope you and your family really
enjoy it. Take care.

Tom.............

Congrats Jim & well done. It certainly looks in good nick.

Very wise about the rego# of course & I'm sure Chuckles was just joking
anyway:-)

K

Get a marine compas installed on the boat! It is your best friend and will
work even when you have lost power.

"*JimH*" wrote in message
...
Thanks Ed and Karen! :-)

I may look into that Hummingbird unit. A stand alone depth sounder will
cost me the same money and I would not get surface temperature and bottom
conditions. The boat is really not set up for fishing, but the
Hummingbird also gives me a fishfinder.

We are in fresh water an I really don't need a marinized stereo. I can
probably hook up with a nice car unit for under $200.

The boat does not have a compass and we plan only near shore boating.
However I would like to have some navigation electronics aboard.

Any suggestion for a low priced hand held or fixed mount (with internal
antenna) GPS?

It looks like my Christmas and birthday wish lists are growing. ;-)

Thanks all for the words of good luck on this boat purchase. I have a
survey (with engine compression test) set for Wednesday morning.

"Ed" wrote in message
. ..
Great looking boat.

Just a suggestion for your new toys... for $85 you can get a humminbird
Piranha Max 15 DF that reads to 600 ft. I have one on my tender and on
my dingy and they are great. I can read to 300 ft going 28 kts and it
will read to the full 600 ft when going slower. I wonder why I even have
the two 2000 ft units on the big boat.
Also, my favorite boat stereo is the West Marine brand (3 yr warranty)
MP3/CD/AM/FM. I load up 12 "albums" (showing my age)on one MP3 CD-rom
and you never have to change the CD all day. It also comes with a
remote (That I put in a ziplock and it works fine) and you never have to
touch the unit with wet hands. I have one of these in each boat and I
love them.

Have fun and stay safe..

K. Smith wrote:
Tom wrote:

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 16:46:36 -0400, " *JimH*" wrote:

Subject to favorable survey and engine compression check: Today we
put a deposit down on a 1997 20 foot Glastron 209GS with trailer, 4.3L
Volvo. 45

Nice looking rig - congratulations - I hope you and your family really
enjoy it. Take care.

Tom.............

Congrats Jim & well done. It certainly looks in good nick.

Very wise about the rego# of course & I'm sure Chuckles was just joking
anyway:-)

K

Bert Robbins wrote:
Get a marine compas installed on the boat! It is your best friend and will
work even when you have lost power.

Agreed.

Electronic doo-dads are great toys. For somebody who does in fact know
how to navigate, they can be useful tools.

The compass is a basic & reliable tool. It's a good idea for any boater
to have one, and to learn how to use it, and to pay attention to it as a
normal part of his boating.

Fair Skies
Doug King

" *JimH*" wrote in message
...
Subject to favorable survey and engine compression check: Today we put a
deposit down on a 1997 20 foot Glastron 209GS with trailer, 4.3L Volvo.
45 mph reported top end. Immaculate inside and out. Bimini, cockpit and
mooring covers. Got it for less than NADA average retail.

Needs: Depth sounder, porta-potty, AM/FM/CD (replacing the unit old
cassette unit already in the boat).

Pics:

http://tinyurl.com/8y4ef

http://tinyurl.com/bq4mb

http://tinyurl.com/abnwu

http://tinyurl.com/8x7bg

I will arrange for the surveys next week and finalize the deal (hopefully)
by the end of the week. ;-)

The survey was completed today.

Results:

Compression test on the engine/outdrive: All cylinders within 4 psi ranging
from 158 psi to 162 psi. WOW!!!! Bellows on the outdrive in excellent
shape. Outdrive in excellent shape. Engine in excellent shape. The
dealers mechanic noticed a wrong fuel pump on the engine and they installed
a new fuel pump today.

All other mechanical systems work fine.

No structural issues....solid as a rock. A couple of cosmetic gelcoat dings
that the dealership will repair (over the winter).

A few issues on the mooring cover (needs restitching...no big deal), the
bimini boot cover (greasy hand prints....the dealership is cleaning it) and
the spare tire (needs to be replaced...to be done by the dealership ASAP
with me picking it up over the winter).

A done deal subject to a sea trial tomorrow at 2:30.

Great boat. Nice price. Great dealership willing to work with me on this
deal.

I will be taking out the silly sink/fridge/electric stove cabinet in the
cockpit as we do not need these things and they take up valuable space on
this 20 foot boat. Unfortunately the captains seat is part of the cabinet
assembly, so that will go also.

I will tear the cabinet out this winter, along with the red carpeting (hey
baby) and re-carpet with snap in berber during the winter (I will find a
local barn to winter store in allowing me to work on it during the winter).
I will also install a swivel pedestal for the helm seat and a new high
quality grade flip up (with bolster) captains chair. This will leave room
for an insulated cooler behind helm seat, also serving as a foot rest for
the rear starboard passenger.

All in all I am very happy with this boat purchase. Following the sea trial
(I predict no problems) we will drive it home tomorrow and plan to have a
shakedown cruise on Friday (just me and the wife). The kids will join us
over the weekend for tubing, skiing and wakeboarding. We will take it out
as many times as we can till the season ends.

I can then think about doing my work on it and have something to look
forward to next Spring. ;-)

After a 2 year layoff it is nice to be back into boating again. This 20
footer serves our immediate needs just fine.

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 18:31:16 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:

" *JimH*" wrote in message
...
Subject to favorable survey and engine compression check: Today we put a
deposit down on a 1997 20 foot Glastron 209GS with trailer, 4.3L Volvo.
45 mph reported top end. Immaculate inside and out. Bimini, cockpit and
mooring covers. Got it for less than NADA average retail.

Needs: Depth sounder, porta-potty, AM/FM/CD (replacing the unit old
cassette unit already in the boat).

Pics:

http://tinyurl.com/8y4ef

http://tinyurl.com/bq4mb

http://tinyurl.com/abnwu

http://tinyurl.com/8x7bg

I will arrange for the surveys next week and finalize the deal (hopefully)
by the end of the week. ;-)

The survey was completed today.

Results:

Compression test on the engine/outdrive: All cylinders within 4 psi ranging
from 158 psi to 162 psi. WOW!!!! Bellows on the outdrive in excellent
shape. Outdrive in excellent shape. Engine in excellent shape. The
dealers mechanic noticed a wrong fuel pump on the engine and they installed
a new fuel pump today.

All other mechanical systems work fine.

No structural issues....solid as a rock. A couple of cosmetic gelcoat dings
that the dealership will repair (over the winter).

A few issues on the mooring cover (needs restitching...no big deal), the
bimini boot cover (greasy hand prints....the dealership is cleaning it) and
the spare tire (needs to be replaced...to be done by the dealership ASAP
with me picking it up over the winter).

A done deal subject to a sea trial tomorrow at 2:30.

Great boat. Nice price. Great dealership willing to work with me on this
deal.

I will be taking out the silly sink/fridge/electric stove cabinet in the
cockpit as we do not need these things and they take up valuable space on
this 20 foot boat. Unfortunately the captains seat is part of the cabinet
assembly, so that will go also.

I will tear the cabinet out this winter, along with the red carpeting (hey
baby) and re-carpet with snap in berber during the winter (I will find a
local barn to winter store in allowing me to work on it during the winter).
I will also install a swivel pedestal for the helm seat and a new high
quality grade flip up (with bolster) captains chair. This will leave room
for an insulated cooler behind helm seat, also serving as a foot rest for
the rear starboard passenger.

All in all I am very happy with this boat purchase. Following the sea trial
(I predict no problems) we will drive it home tomorrow and plan to have a
shakedown cruise on Friday (just me and the wife). The kids will join us
over the weekend for tubing, skiing and wakeboarding. We will take it out
as many times as we can till the season ends.

I can then think about doing my work on it and have something to look
forward to next Spring. ;-)

After a 2 year layoff it is nice to be back into boating again. This 20
footer serves our immediate needs just fine.

Congratulations! Sounds like you're back in business. I wonder if your face is
showing a '**** eatin' grin'? You sound thrilled, and I hope all goes well with
the sea trial.

DON'T FORGET THE PLUG!!

--
John H.
On the 'PocoLoco' out of Deale, MD

"PocoLoco" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 18:31:16 -0400, "*JimH*" wrote:

" *JimH*" wrote in message
...
Subject to favorable survey and engine compression check: Today we put
a
deposit down on a 1997 20 foot Glastron 209GS with trailer, 4.3L Volvo.
45 mph reported top end. Immaculate inside and out. Bimini, cockpit
and
mooring covers. Got it for less than NADA average retail.

Needs: Depth sounder, porta-potty, AM/FM/CD (replacing the unit old
cassette unit already in the boat).

Pics:

http://tinyurl.com/8y4ef

http://tinyurl.com/bq4mb

http://tinyurl.com/abnwu

http://tinyurl.com/8x7bg

I will arrange for the surveys next week and finalize the deal
(hopefully)
by the end of the week. ;-)

The survey was completed today.

Results:

Compression test on the engine/outdrive: All cylinders within 4 psi
ranging
from 158 psi to 162 psi. WOW!!!! Bellows on the outdrive in excellent
shape. Outdrive in excellent shape. Engine in excellent shape. The
dealers mechanic noticed a wrong fuel pump on the engine and they
installed
a new fuel pump today.

All other mechanical systems work fine.

No structural issues....solid as a rock. A couple of cosmetic gelcoat
dings
that the dealership will repair (over the winter).

A few issues on the mooring cover (needs restitching...no big deal), the
bimini boot cover (greasy hand prints....the dealership is cleaning it)
and
the spare tire (needs to be replaced...to be done by the dealership ASAP
with me picking it up over the winter).

A done deal subject to a sea trial tomorrow at 2:30.

Great boat. Nice price. Great dealership willing to work with me on this
deal.

I will be taking out the silly sink/fridge/electric stove cabinet in the
cockpit as we do not need these things and they take up valuable space on
this 20 foot boat. Unfortunately the captains seat is part of the cabinet
assembly, so that will go also.

I will tear the cabinet out this winter, along with the red carpeting (hey
baby) and re-carpet with snap in berber during the winter (I will find a
local barn to winter store in allowing me to work on it during the
winter).
I will also install a swivel pedestal for the helm seat and a new high
quality grade flip up (with bolster) captains chair. This will leave room
for an insulated cooler behind helm seat, also serving as a foot rest for
the rear starboard passenger.

All in all I am very happy with this boat purchase. Following the sea
trial
(I predict no problems) we will drive it home tomorrow and plan to have a
shakedown cruise on Friday (just me and the wife). The kids will join us
over the weekend for tubing, skiing and wakeboarding. We will take it out
as many times as we can till the season ends.

I can then think about doing my work on it and have something to look
forward to next Spring. ;-)

After a 2 year layoff it is nice to be back into boating again. This 20
footer serves our immediate needs just fine.

Congratulations! Sounds like you're back in business. I wonder if your
face is
showing a '**** eatin' grin'?

YEP!

On Wed, 24 Aug 2005 20:31:00 -0400, PocoLoco
wrote:

DON'T FORGET THE PLUG!!

I've done that on my Ranger, but it has a huge bilge pump, so it's not
critically critical.

The funniest was up at Webster Lake - I launched the Ranger, pulled it
up on the beach and went to park the trailer. As I was walking back,
so guy was hollering at his wife to move the boat - the Ranger was
just pumping a huge stream of water right into his boat.

Whoopsie... :)

Later,

Tom

Email decoder:

Remove onetwothree, replace with info,
Remove four, replace with swsports,
Remove com, replace with org.

"*JimH*" wrote in message
...

" *JimH*" wrote in message
...
Subject to favorable survey and engine compression check: Today we put a
deposit down on a 1997 20 foot Glastron 209GS with trailer, 4.3L Volvo.
45 mph reported top end. Immaculate inside and out. Bimini, cockpit
and mooring covers. Got it for less than NADA average retail.

Needs: Depth sounder, porta-potty, AM/FM/CD (replacing the unit old
cassette unit already in the boat).

Pics:

http://tinyurl.com/8y4ef

http://tinyurl.com/bq4mb

http://tinyurl.com/abnwu

http://tinyurl.com/8x7bg

I will arrange for the surveys next week and finalize the deal
(hopefully) by the end of the week. ;-)

The survey was completed today.

Results:

Compression test on the engine/outdrive: All cylinders within 4 psi
ranging from 158 psi to 162 psi. WOW!!!! Bellows on the outdrive in
excellent shape. Outdrive in excellent shape. Engine in excellent shape.
The dealers mechanic noticed a wrong fuel pump on the engine and they
installed a new fuel pump today.

All other mechanical systems work fine.

No structural issues....solid as a rock. A couple of cosmetic gelcoat
dings that the dealership will repair (over the winter).

A few issues on the mooring cover (needs restitching...no big deal), the
bimini boot cover (greasy hand prints....the dealership is cleaning it)
and the spare tire (needs to be replaced...to be done by the dealership
ASAP with me picking it up over the winter).

A done deal subject to a sea trial tomorrow at 2:30.

Great boat. Nice price. Great dealership willing to work with me on this
deal.

I will be taking out the silly sink/fridge/electric stove cabinet in the
cockpit as we do not need these things and they take up valuable space on
this 20 foot boat. Unfortunately the captains seat is part of the cabinet
assembly, so that will go also.

I will tear the cabinet out this winter, along with the red carpeting (hey
baby) and re-carpet with snap in berber during the winter (I will find a
local barn to winter store in allowing me to work on it during the
winter). I will also install a swivel pedestal for the helm seat and a new
high quality grade flip up (with bolster) captains chair. This will leave
room for an insulated cooler behind helm seat, also serving as a foot rest
for the rear starboard passenger.

All in all I am very happy with this boat purchase. Following the sea
trial (I predict no problems) we will drive it home tomorrow and plan to
have a shakedown cruise on Friday (just me and the wife). The kids will
join us over the weekend for tubing, skiing and wakeboarding. We will
take it out as many times as we can till the season ends.

I can then think about doing my work on it and have something to look
forward to next Spring. ;-)

After a 2 year layoff it is nice to be back into boating again. This 20
footer serves our immediate needs just fine.

Final update:

The sea trial was today and the boat passed with flying colors. It comes up
on plane in an instant and tops out at 46 MPH WOT even with 3 adults and a
full tank of fuel. It also handled beautifully in 2 foot seas.

Passed: Structural survey: Mechanical survey: Engine compression test:
Sea trial.

Done deal. ;-)

The dealer replaced the fuel pump (non standard fuel pump that the previous
owner installed), changed the oil and filter, replaced the trailer spare
tire with a brand new one, promised in writing to repair some gelcoat nicks
and scratches over the winter, outfitted the boat with anchor, anchor line,
dock lines, life jackets, visual safety flag, flares and throwable life
cushion. They also threw in a free tank of gas to boot. And this was a
used, not new, boat. Great folks and a pleasure to do business with.

If anyone is looking for a boat in the Cleveland/Akron/Sandusky area contact
Greg at Pat's Boats (Akron). They sell new Regals and used boats of all
types. Wonderful people who provide outstanding service.

We signed the papers and took ownership late this afternoon. Cash deal.
We drove it home tonight, loaded the safety equipment and other supplies and
plan to do some boating tomorrow and the weekend.

Late this morning I even found a secured yard (fenced and gated) 1 mile from
our house that will store the boat for free. Long story but in
short....the site houses a lawn maintenance company and the buildings and
land (14+ acres) are owned by a local resident....quite wealthy and quite
generous. I made contact to him via a long time business associate. We
were willing to pay him but he did not want the money. So we will store the
boat there until we get a dock next season. Sweet!

Nice to be back in boating and nice to see there are very decent people in
this world who don't make decisions based solely on the almighty dollar.

A big ****ty smile. :-)