Motors

[flygoddess]

With all the new interest to adding Motors to tubes, those of you that also have pontoons, do you license EACH for that motor?

Also, now we have to get Invasive Species stickers and stop at the cleaning stations with our Tubes....[]
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Utah requires that you register each HULL...not just the motor. For tubes and toons that don't come with hull numbers the DMV issues one and it has to be displayed on the craft. You could probably get away with using the numbers on two or more tubes...if they were the same kind. But for both a tube and a toon you gotta have separate registration.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I look for more thorough checks on tubes and toons in the future. In the past you would not get more than a glance from the rangers if you had a motor and your numbers displayed. But now that we also have to carry a copy of our mussel compliance forms they have another excuse to ask for "papers". If you don't carry a copy of your registration...or if it is for another craft...you could get a citation. Ditto if you don't have a copy of your mussel certifications.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I carry both in a waterproof pouch on the bottom of one of my pockets. Shouldn't be long before I am asked to show them...hopefully. All of the regulations are worthless unless they are monitored and enforced.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Your reference to the cleanings is probably most applicable to infected waters...or lakes like Strawberry that now have the requirements for cleaning before launching. It will be interesting to see how officials treat tubes and toons and if we are subject to the same requirements as boats on all waters.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Good post.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

Our last trip to Idaho, we did pull off at the marked station just before Malad. We had our Pontoons On a flat bed trailer. They did examine our toons AND our motors. Mine being electric and specially my Hubbys for being gas. However, his motor had NOT seen any water yet, they still checked it.
Don't forget to have a copy of the Utah Invasive Species form on your dash as well as in your boat.

I do feel that a tube is very likely to hide little hitch hikers under the seats, in the bags - seeing they do sit lower and should be check with or without motors. Of course same for Pontoons and Kayaks, and Canoes.
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[cpierce]

A spot I that I find hard to clean and dry is the foam seat area in the FC4. I think it is a potential area for contamination and is hard to decontaminate. The water goes in under the seat and can trap junk there unless it is opened, cleaned, and dried.
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[pa]

I agree bout the seat area on the FC4. I take my foam out and let it dry good before I put it back in. If memory serves me right. the water temp. at the cleaning stations is at least
140 degrees. Do you think that temp. could damage the foam or anything else on a tube?
pa
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[cpierce]

I don't think it will damage the material, but then too I haven't tried!

I would definitely reduce the air in the bladders of a tube or pontoon boat before washing in hot water. Otherwise the warmth will expand the air in them and you may have a burst bladder.
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[flygoddess]

The plastic seats with the pads are a good spot as well although they usually only get water from splashing.
Not sure what that would do to the foam Pa...certainly something to consider.
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[mojorizing]

According to the specialists, 7 days out of water in the summer will kill the critters.

Baking shells in the- hot sun.
I fought the mussells and -I won.
I fought the mussells and -I won.
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[TubeDude]

[quote pa]I agree bout the seat area on the FC4. I take my foam out and let it dry good before I put it back in. If memory serves me right. the water temp. at the cleaning stations is at least
140 degrees. Do you think that temp. could damage the foam or anything else on a tube?
pa[/quote]

[cool][#0000ff]The specs for most foams used in construction or floatation devices list the melting points at above 250 degrees F. Considerably below the potential temps of a decontamination wash.[/#0000ff]
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[idahoron]

I was checked going to Strike with my tube. It was not much of a big deal but I bet they hit us soon for dollars. The hot wash worries me. I have been bringing mine home and washing them before I put them away. I want them to look at my boats and say "looks good"
Ron
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[albinotrout]

I don't mind the checks. What I am worried about is the hot wash on the material. I don't know what it will do to the toon or the FC4. Very similar material.
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[flygoddess]

Hasn't hurt mine at all, but only had it done once so far in two years.
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[idahoron]

Why did you have to get it done? Ron
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[flygoddess]

I guess because of the Utah Plates. Normally, the boats are deflated and in the back of the truck or trailer, but we do occasionally use our flat bet\d and they are very visible, and over ten feet long.
That was ONCE in numerous launches. Generally, they just look at them.
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