MIA returning to the Forum

[Reel Nauti]

I just wanted to say Hi All -

I been missing for better than a year I guess dealing with health issues with my mother-in-law which she finally succumbed to. Then the financial burden began to take it's toll keeping up several places while probate dragged its feet(and still continues to do) ...anyway I'm back on again and hope I didn't miss too much besides getting the toon wet this past year at Raystown Lake.

We are looking for a much more active season this next year both on the forum and the lake if the gods are smiling on us for a change. It's good to see some of the ol' guys on still and looks like a bunch of new ones too..good deal.

[HandymanHerb]

Glad to have you back, sorry for all the troubles, but I hoe you can soon be through all of that.

[Reel Nauti]

Thanks Herb, glad to be back and to hear from you too.

[badmoonrising]

Welcome back

[curtiscapk]

Welcome back Naughti!

[Reel Nauti]

Thanks Ed

Hope is well for you and Cheryl up there on the bay these days. Looks like you still have the Partyhut for those weekend gatherings huh?

[Reel Nauti]

Thanks Craig -

You want to hear something ironic aside from the name thing (Curtis)...While I was MIA I got rid of the 2500 Dodge I kept having problems with and picked up an '08 SportTrac to pull my 21' Fishin' Barge to the ramp from the boat shed. If it wasn't for my truck being the darker red, the two look the same as your profile picture since the toons are on the same trailer and the toon colors are about the same. I've moved it around some just to see if the 4.0 would move it ok which it did, but I haven't taken a picture of it hooked up yet since we went to the lake so little this last year, but my grandson was at my desk and saw your profile picture and thought it was mine at first becauae they look so close.

Anyway... sorry to ramble but I thought that was something a little different I just had to tell you. I'll get a picture in the spring and show you what I'm talking about.

Thanks again!

[curtiscapk]

Jim,

I love my TRAC! Most versitle damn truck around! IMO of course. Haven't touched a thing on it in 3 years, except for caliper.

A better pic.

[lakerunner]

Welcome back. Your on Dave and Alma's lake aren't you?

[badmoonrising]

Thanks Ed

Hope is well for you and Cheryl up there on the bay these days. Looks like you still have the Partyhut for those weekend gatherings huh?

Yeah, still have the Party Cruiser, damn near got totaled in April though

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8806

She's been rebuilt, and back in action

[playcat]

Thanks Craig -

You want to hear something ironic aside from the name thing (Curtis)...While I was MIA I got rid of the 2500 Dodge I kept having problems with and picked up an '08 SportTrac to pull my 21' Fishin' Barge to the ramp from the boat shed. If it wasn't for my truck being the darker red, the two look the same as your profile picture since the toons are on the same trailer and the toon colors are about the same. I've moved it around some just to see if the 4.0 would move it ok which it did...
Thanks again!

I had a Ford Aerostar van with that same 4.0. I donated it to The Kidney Foundation after we put over 300K miles on the original engine and tranny - they refurbished it and donated it to a needy family. I think you will get your money out of it, for sure!! Hated to see it go, but the interior was about gone!

[Bamaman]

The SportTrac should do a good job for you, as it'll pull that size pontoon with ease. I had a 4.0 engine in a Ranger supercab, and you couldn't kill the engine--and I got 22 mpg.

When I bought my 24' pontoon, I pulled it with a 1986 2.3 liter Ranger with an automatic. Pontoons were a little taxing on that little engine.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for SportTrac's and Ranger pickups. Ford decided there wasn't that much fuel mileage difference between the 4.0 and the F150 4.2 six cylinder, and it's cheaper to put all their eggs (sales) in one basket. They've got the new base six up to over 290 horsepower, which is more than sufficient to do most anything. I personally would go for the new Coyote V8, as it's pretty efficient and strong.

Welcome back.