I still need to get better at driving mine. But that requires a bit more experimentation with the lateral balance via ballast in the port side rod locker. Mine has the drivers console way to the side, yours is going to be easier to balance. I'm happy cruising at 50, no problems and no strain on the motor. Will get to go to driving school in May at the WAR 2019 get together at Lake Shasta. There are a few of the trip digit pilots that are going to be there.
Speaking of motor, you'll spend more $$ to have JSRE do it, but you will have something that should hold together well if you have him do it. Get the "nice" parts. Having a sport master is a good thing. Good to stick with the Pro Max 225 thang, it weighs a fair amount less than the Optis do. Run premix...the oil pump drive gear is plastic. I use Blue Marble oil and Yamaha ring free fuel additive. As far as props go, I only have one that works now, because the sporty that I found for it, used, had a fat prop shaft. One of my props can't be rehubbed, it's a 26 pitch Trophy 4 blade. It was perfect for the home lakes, but now needs to be sold. The prop that I have left that I was able to get a fat hub for is a over/under hub 4 blade Hydromotive, also 26 pitch. It is just about right for the motor rpm range for Jordanelle/DC/Gorge. That prop does not have much cup on the ends of the blade compared to the trophy. I think something that can give a tad more bow lift will be better because the Ultrex troller weighs a fair amount more than the earlier model bow mount motor. I love that Ultrex, worth the big $$ for sure. I use a Hummingbird Helix 10, got the upgraded hi definition 'ducer for the motor and also the 360 'ducer for the Ultrex as well. The screen has more resolution than the 9 inch and I can see the screen anywhere in the boat. There is an old Hummingbird already mounted to the side of the console that I use for the GPS speed readout and slow on plane fish scanning. I saved a bit on the troll motor by getting a reconditioned one from eBay.
Last summer's project was to get on the Kokanees, I learned that one pretty well, without using down riggers. I am the first guy to rig cannon digi-troll downriggers in the front gunwales on an Ally, this summer's projects are to troll for the Kokanee and landlocked Kings with the riggers and also get on the daddy Macks at the Gorge. If I can boat a 20 pound Mack I would be satisfied. The spot lock should make that a lot easier to sit on top of them 80-120 feet down and jig for them. I had Roberson's Marine in SLC do the work for me on the repower and electronics installation, good work, good crew.
