Can we reopen the cartopper discussion?

tholdah

I understand that I am a new guy here and my vouice may carry no weight, but I am making the arrangements now so that I can fish 90% of the tournys next season, including the cartoppers.

The cartopper debate

Must fit on or into you vehicle (no trailers?)
Electric motor only
live well

Here's the question I want to open: why not allow a small gas motor no larger that 2.5 hp? They are light, self contained (no gas tank), easy, slow & reliable. I have experienced a day where we ran out of battery power 2 miles up the river but we were saved by the gas motor. they're really not much faster that a fully charged trolling motor and can save your battery for when you really need it?

I dont think its that much of a speed advantage using a 2.5HP motor...so why not?

kman · Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:14 pm Post subject:

this topic has been beat to death...one reason is sometimes we have car toppers at places where gas motors are not allowed.

stratos1966 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:54 am Post subject:

You answered the question yourself. You lost power up river. Now if there was a cartopper on such a place ONLY the guys with gas motors could access "up river". The rest of the field would have to worry about not having enough juice to get there and back.

fishingreek · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:10 am Post subject:

Cartoppers tournaments are meant for just that "cartoppers".
Trailer issue is not a big deal (it more the size of the boat).
But, the gas motor is. Like Kman said some of the pond/lakes are electric only. Besides, cartoppers are welcome in big boat tourneys which has its obvious disadvantages (that doesn't stop all of us right Kman!) There is no limit on how many batteries you can carry. Also, I think it forces you to manage your fishing time & locations to save on battery power too. The angler with the better strategy = angler with more $$$$! Laughing

jwall046 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:15 am Post subject:

Can a full size boat fish with trolling motor only seen trailers are allowed? They have to move that big platform with just a trolling motor. Shoot, take the prop off for formality like the quabin if needed.
I might be able to make a car topper that way and that be cool.
Sorry didn't see the size of the boat rule. nvr mind

chevin37 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 3:39 pm Post subject:

kman is 100% right this topic has been discussed over and over and over, last year was a success with what the rules were. i think they should stay the same, if its a pond/lake that has a ramp and has access for trailers by all means trailer your boat. im not sure how the guys feel about an actual "bass" boat just using electric. i personally dont mind, i used my 15ft tracker last year for most cartoppers tourneys and i have to trailer it. i think it should stay electric only no gas just to keep everything fair. no rules saying you cant have 2 trollers and a spare battery! be prepared guys if you wanna make a troop somewhere.

riverrat82 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:10 pm Post subject: something to consider

Has anyone ever considered running some kind of "Charging Station"....If enough of 'you' put you nuggets together I bet ya could come up with some kind of plan using 'spare' batteries and an inverter/converter system to make it so if anybody's batteries are running low 'they' can pull back to 'weigh in' and charge back up...
OR maybe an exchange program where "you" can head back before DISASTER strikes ---ya know leave a 1/2 dozen "donated" batteries @ the launch --- ALWAYS charged for EMERGENCIES !'Team pays a fee for having to be "SAVED" my brain NEVER STOPS ! hahahahahaaaaaa

stratos1966 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: something to consider

khaskins · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:36 pm Post subject:

if you only have one battery you should bring a solar charger with you.i don't think they cost that much.or bring a second battery(duh)or buy a 24 volt with 2 batteries hooked up in series,this system uses less voltage but costs a little bit more.we had a tourney this past sunday with full size bass boats.gas motors were not allowed,electric only.we fished from 8 till 2 and no one had a problem getting back.of course we all have 24 volt motors which use less voltage from 2 batteries.the car toppers also see a disadvantage of bass boats being higher up for better casting,sight,electronics and so on and so on.i would have no problem going electric only in my 17 footer for the day.sinista and chevin have 15 foot boats,whats 2 feet?i also have a car topper so i don't push the issue.looking forward to next season.see you all soon.

riverrat82 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:36 pm Post subject: Re: something to consider

OK...why not have them charged and waiting for "issues" and the team that needs the spare(s) pay a nominal price--20 bucks or something
It takes a minimum of 4 hours to fully charge a deep cycle batter that is drawn down enough that it needs replacing/charging
(12 guage shotgun)

[/quote]

khaskins · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject:

maybe you should start your own business of fully charged batteries at the boat ramp.rental $15 a day fully charged and ready to go.$100 deposit incase they don't bring it back.you get to hang out at the boat ramp see the weigh in,collect the money,make jokes and write lyrics.hahahaha

sinista · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:28 pm Post subject:

I paddled my 15 foot trailered topper for the last half hour at Lake Winthrop and Won it! Angling is about right place right time right presentation, you can win a big boat tourney on a floating sheet of plywood with a push pole! Speaking of push poles, ill have one next year!

riverrat82 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:38 pm Post subject: I hear ya

pocketfisherman · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:43 pm Post subject:

chevin37 · Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:28 pm Post subject:

I can't completely disagree with you pocket, I have a 15 ft and just like Neil I have a deck on it, yea we might have a slight advantage when it comes to control and casting but like you said you have to put em in the boat the boat doesn't do it for you.

I don't think we should start making boat length and small hp restrictions, I think people are starting to make a huge deal out of this. What we did last year worked electric only and if there is trailer access game on for sinista, halo and myself. I don't see the big deal and last year when we discussed this there was no Problem with that.

I will say though next tourny at dudley I will not have my boat that was a mistake and I appologize again to everyone who helped me and my partner lift my rig back on the trailer. Fyi for dudley "tight" launch lol