[Renegade]

Atlas Micros are turds. I’ve had over 50 skiffs in my shop since I started my pickup installs and every single one was sloppy, broke off the transom, burned up actuators, even the latest one was brand new and sounded like a dying cat even after lubrication. I wouldn’t even install an Atlas Micro on Finnegan’s skiff if he had one…but East Cape and others will still install them knowing they have a historically terrible reliability record? They are just a bad design and many out there with machining tolerances up to 1/4” off! My last client had his break off the transom on the highway and grind off half his prop and part of his compression plate. Not the first and won’t be the last. Y’all have seen the photo, I had the actual East Cape Lostmen in my shop just last week. (Hell no I didn’t mount that compression plate I just trimmed it to even it out after being ground off on the blacktop…haha)
View attachment 220271 View attachment 220272

First, I only speak for East Cape on the sales side, and only recently at that. I don’t make these decisions.

But I do know this: We have looked high and low for a replacement to the Atlas Micro. There are exactly zero out there that are commercially available, and can guarantee stock, much less have any history. I spent an entire day at iCast this year on jack plates. The skiff market is simply too small for most manufacturers to tool up a new product for.

Tyler has one of these. One. The HMP Jack Plate is not currently a solution. It’s unreasonable to suggest that we are doing a disservice to our customers when there are no viable alternatives.

Edit: The Bob’s Micro has a max rating of 40hp for 4 strokes. (50hp for 2 strokes)

The ONLY other option is the 4” Bob’s Versa that is rated up to 300hp and weighs 42# as a gear driven unit and 53# as hydraulic.

So, given the options, you can -

run a Bob’s Micro and 40hp on your skiff

install a heavy, overbuilt product on a skiff most people are trying to save 15# on at every step of the build (and have been notoriously difficult to get)

no jack plate

Maybe buy one from HMP. Maybe. And maybe the company makes it long enough to warranty. (I hope he does)

Or take a chance on Atlas. Most of them don’t break.

No great options.

If anyone is looking to make a profitable investment, you might hit Tyler up and help him grow the business.

 

[CKEAT]

The Atlas 4” rated for 300hp is little over 46lbs. Bought one and weighed it personally, didn’t install, too heavy. Hydraulic is 70 including pump, also had one and also weighed it. Splitting hairs but that is the real numbers.

Of the Atlas micro plates I have seen, at least half were dog $&@$. Worrying about the motor falling off down the highway isn’t on my risk list.

I will take my chances on a young engineer with a new business.

I was making a suggestion to Vinny, that’s it. Had a long conversation with him about Chittums. Seems like a good dude. Hate for him to put that garbage on his boat. He can do what he likes.

 

[Renegade]

The Atlas 4” rated for 300hp is little over 46lbs. Bought one and weighed it personally, didn’t install, too heavy. Hydraulic is 70 including pump, also had one and also weighed it. Splitting hairs but that is the real numbers.

Of the Atlas micro plates I have seen, at least half were dog $&@$. Worrying about the motor falling off down the highway isn’t on my risk list.

I will take my chances on a young engineer with a new business.

I was making a suggestion to Vinny, that’s it. Had a long conversation with him about Chittums. Seems like a good dude. Hate for him to put that garbage on his boat. He can do what he likes.

If you think I am arguing with you, let me be clear that I am not.

I think it is completely reasonable for someone to take a knowledgeable chance on HMP. AND, you are correct. Vinnie is a great guy. I have spent a lot of time working with him on his build list. I was also clear with him that Atlas Micros have a dodgey history.

My point is that HMP is not currently a solution to the problem. It MIGHT be a solution for Vinnie, but we build a lot of boats. HMP has one jack plate to sell.

Hopefully you hear what I am getting at.

 

[rovster]

I don’t blame EC for not quickly jumping on a new product. In my own field I got reps coming in all the time wanting me to try the latest and the greatest and I just laugh and tell them come back in 5 years then I’ll entertain it. Too many times the latest and greatest turned out to be a huge flop. I really hope this new product goes well because it’s good for everyone when stronger and better products come to market.

 

[Vinny L]

I appreciate the kind words and your opinions on JP’s. Everything you guys offer is carefully considered.
We’ll revisit this with pictures of the build once started.
I saw a shoal of Jacks feeding off my lanai this morning so I grabbed my 6 wt jumped in my boat and hammered 4.
What a great life 😎😎

 

[Smackdaddy53]

I don’t blame EC for not quickly jumping on a new product. In my own field I got reps coming in all the time wanting me to try the latest and the greatest and I just laugh and tell them come back in 5 years then I’ll entertain it. Too many times the latest and greatest turned out to be a huge flop. I really hope this new product goes well because it’s good for everyone when stronger and better products come to market.

What field are you in?

 

[rovster]

What field are you in?

Dentistry. Yes it’s different but same deal. New products with “research data” turn out to be complete horseshit a few years later after real clinical use. I am definitely not an early adopter!

 

[Vinny L]

The Atlas 4” rated for 300hp is little over 46lbs. Bought one and weighed it personally, didn’t install, too heavy. Hydraulic is 70 including pump, also had one and also weighed it. Splitting hairs but that is the real numbers.

Of the Atlas micro plates I have seen, at least half were dog $&@$. Worrying about the motor falling off down the highway isn’t on my risk list.

I will take my chances on a young engineer with a new business.

I was making a suggestion to Vinny, that’s it. Had a long conversation with him about Chittums. Seems like a good dude. Hate for him to put that garbage on his boat. He can do what he likes.

“Young Engineer with a new business” I’ll support the entrepreneurial spirit 24/7! It’s what made America great!!!

 

[CKEAT]

“Young Engineer with a new business” I’ll support the entrepreneurial spirit 24/7! It’s what made America great!!!

Yes sir

 

[Vinny L]

How many of you actually use your casting platform?

 

[rovster]

How many of you actually use your casting platform?

Have not used one yet but I definitely will. On the last skiff I’d use a cooler so I like being elevated on the bow. That said it’s off the boat now since I’ve been fishing with my dad and he’s not into that sort of thing….

 

[Smackdaddy53]

How many of you actually use your casting platform?

Every trip and it stays on the bow. I only remove it to put the cover on if it’s going to sit a while.

 

[Renegade]

I never fish without it. Never.

 

[Vinny L]

Am I wrong or is my shadow spooking Reds. While the boats a drift or held tight with a stikit, seems like when they catch movement via my shadow on a cast they move off. So I was just thinking a taller shadow would only make it more difficult or am I overthinking it like my wife says I do everything 🙄? She also recently diagnosed me with Disobediosis🤔

 

[Renegade]

They definitely spook off of shadows. I always consider the sun in my approach and often have to get low and side arm cast to fish that aren’t where I want them to be. It’s still better to be up where you can see them early and make adjustments.

 

[Smackdaddy53]

Am I wrong or is my shadow spooking Reds. While the boats a drift or held tight with a stikit, seems like when they catch movement via my shadow on a cast they move off. So I was just thinking a taller shadow would only make it more difficult or am I overthinking it like my wife says I do everything 🙄? She also recently diagnosed me with Disobediosis🤔

Yes your shadow will spook fish. Watch mullet freak out when a bird flies over and the shadow moves over them. Same concept. Also wearing bright colors is a big no-no. Try light colors like grey, white, light blue etc.
The idea is to pole shorelines so your shadow is not in front of you. Most of the time you will be poling with the sun more over head so no long shadows.

 

[Sublime]

A casting platform also serves the purpose of keeping the dude on the pointy end in in one spot and somewhat reducing the chances of him launching you off the poling platform.

 

[Vinny L]

A casting platform also serves the purpose of keeping the dude on the pointy end in in one spot and somewhat reducing the chances of him launching you off the poling platform.

That’s precious!!😂

 

[LastCast]

My number one add is a backrest. With my back can't be out all day without one.

 

[jay.bush1434]

I always have mine on the bow for fly fishing. I also have two deck studs for mounting the platform on the front hatch or right up on the bow. It's usually on the front hatch which leaves plenty of room up front for a line mat. When we are fishing super skinny, I'll put the platform up on the bow. It will help reduce the poling draft some. I'd also suggest having the legs shorter than the typical platform. I like about 12" to top of the platform. It makes stepping up and down much easier and much more stealthy by reducing the effort to step up or down versus the typical 15-16" step up/down.