Can anyone advise?

I'm taking the family to sunny Florida in a few weeks and was toying with the idea of getting myself a Minn Kota from Bass Pro. Would I be taxed on this on my return and if so how much could I be looking at paying? Also, for anyone who knows the range, I'm thinking of the bottom end Endura 30 -has anyone used one of these and how much power would 30lbs thrust give me? My boat is a 12' Sea Nymph weighing in at about 90lbs and most of my fishing is usually only a couple of hundred yards upstream so I'm thinking a low powered motor would suffice?

One more question, does anyone know the Bass Pro shop on the 192 and what's nearby? I've this vision of my wife and four kids standing in the doorway, arms folded waiting for me - I may need to send them somewhere more interesting while I have a browse!

Many thanks in advance...

[ 13. January 2003, 01:24 PM: Message edited by: Waterman ]

I imagine the 30lb would more than do you. I have a 17ft that runs over 1000 lbs and a 45lb of theirs moves it along nicely.

All BassPro shops are co-located with one of the Mills chain of malls. All large and filled with a huge variety of shops. Plenty to keep the family occupied for several days at least. Shops and things-to-do for all ages.

And inside the BassPro shop will be at least a huge fish tank filled with all sorts of interesting fish. Large specimens of all that are native to that area. Tank is large enough that for lure demos, an angler can stand on a platform at one end of the tank and cast to the other end. Spectators can then watch the lure in the tank. Or if you catch it at feeding time, there is lots to watch.

And partly inside as well as outside they will have a huge display of all sorts of boats and caravans for sale. The pontoon boats are usually set up with steps so folks can walk on board and look around.

If I'd known they had all that, I wouldn't have spent all that money on tickets for Disney

Thanks for the advice Newt.

[ 13. January 2003, 02:56 PM: Message edited by: Waterman ]

A friend has an aluminium boat similar to a Sea Nymph and my 42lb thrust Minn Kota pushes it along very well indeed. So 30lb will probably be fine - unless of course the current's very strong.

Bear in mind though that the recommended sizes for a boat assume that the electric outboard isn't your only engine. On more exposed waters I wouldn't want to be relying on such a small electric outboard in windy weather. This may of course not be relevant if you have a petrol engine as well, or you're be using the boat just on very sheltered waters. However, the larger motor does give you greater options at little extra cost.

Additionally, if you're going to be trolling baits for pike I'd strongly suggest you get a model with what Minn Kota call a "Maximiser". This will enable you to go dead slow, whereas the lowest speed on a standard model is usually way too fast. The Maximiser also means much less recharging of the battery, always assuming you're not running at full speed all the time.

In addition to duty (5%?), you'll also be liable to 17½% VAT. Of course you may be lucky and get away with not being charged!

The Bass Pro Shop in Orlando is quite something - just make sure you don't have an empty credit card when you visit else you'll spend too much!

It's called Outdoor World if memory serves me correctly, and you'll see brochures for it wherever there is tourist information displayed.

[ 13. January 2003, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: davidP ]

Be sure to allow yourself at least 3 hours in the store (maybe safer if 4 or more) just for looking around.

And they should have a huge selection of clothing - not just camo stuff either - with plenty of ladies and children's. Not expensive and top quality.

I go frequently (only about 20 minutes away from the one near me) and still usually spend more than I expected each trip. My worst was several years ago when my bride (only married to her for a couple of months at the time) had decided she loved fishing and wanted a new baseball cap to wear when we went. Summer sun where we live can get brutal and you need a well vented cap with large bill.

We got her a cap. And some odd bits for me. Then, somehow, we also wound up with a 17ft aluminum boat /w 50hp Mecury outboard, trolling motor, echo sounder, swivel seats, and all the usual. So, a trip to get a cap and left after spending somewhere around $11,000 (around £6.875 in real money).

GULP!!!!!!!!!!...And my wife thinks I spend way far too much on my Pike and Tench tackle?..
Phew!!!!!!!!

I would look at Motorguide trolling motors while you are there. That is the brand I personally use and I love mine.

JT Bagwell

Sounds like one of these would be perfect for my needs - saves me lugging a heavy petrol outboard where it's not really neccesary.
What type of battery do these use?

I'll try to avoid doing a Newt, I don't think I'd be allowed to take a 17' boat as hand lugguage!

JT - you probably treat yours better than I do mine. Started with a Minn Kota. Loved it. Sold the boat it was on.

New boat (the one mentioned above) came with a Motorguide so I had one of those. Motor still turns over OK but I completely ruined the mount part (bumped into a few too many rocks and stumps I think) and the motor was beginning to draw way too much power. 40 amp fuses were blowing regularly.

I'm now back to another Minn Kota. For one thing, it just rises up out of the mount if I happen to hit a nasty under water. And easier for me to position my front depth finder transmitt piece on the longer power head on the MK.