Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm in the process of purchasing a 2002 Horizon 180 Outboard Fish and Ski. We had a inspection done and there were a few things I requested the dealer repair as a condition of the sale. (Tach, Trailer brake actuator and Volt meter) this has held me up a week in closing the deal. That leaves me with an agonizing wait and too much time to read message boards
I have lived on a 240 acre reservoir in CT for 15 years and just never purchased anything bigger than a canoe

until now. To boot we are 10 min from a local boat launch into the CT river where we can go all the way down to the CT sound with lots to do along the way. My kids are 9 and 10 years old and I have been asking myself for years why we are not spending our summer on the water. I spent my entire childhood swimming, fishing water skiing with friends. I moved here and just stopped. Too wrapped up in the house I guess
This year we had some cash we could apply towards a boat. My wife really wants to go fishing (so do the kids) and just cruse the water. I wanted to do pretty much the same. This Horizon seemed to fit the bill. Johnson 150 outboard with trolling motor to get into the shallows (not to mention fishing seating), Bimini top for cruising and a ski package if the kids want to go tubing. It also had plenty of seating for us and the kids without overloading.
So we found this boat in our price range with the features I wanted, took safety courses (required in CT) and are just waiting on the dealer.
A couple of things im going to be looking for information on are:
Do I need a transom saver (my neighbor has always used one)?
I am going to install a lowrance DSI and looking for options to drilling holes in the hull to mount the transducer (if the dang thing breaks off or I replace it I could be drilling more holes). That isn't sitting well.
I'm trained in electronics, and was a crew chief on A-10 aircraft for 10 years so I can turn a wrench.
Anyway Hello !