Recent content by bajaman123

15 years or so ago my wife and I bought a pair of used Sea Doos and have some of THE best times on them...so don't assume your wife might not like it. The big boat we keep at Table Rock Lake, the Sea Doos are used on local lakes and whilst camping, etc. Go onto one of the Sea Doo forums for...

'Bunk' trailer...not bunker, just to clarify. Your boat is not remotely riding correctly on that trailer; it obviously was not custom-built for it. A 185 Stingray is not a long boat, but I would think at the minimum you'd have (4) bunks running from the rear of the trailer forward about 8' -...

https://www.perfprotech.com/mercury-marine-parts-catalog/search?serial=0l635389#/diagrams/model/24554328169701 5.0 2 barrel carb is what comes back from Mercury Marine

what engine, drive, etc?

The entire master cylinder assembly (the part that makes the brakes, brake) is housed there. It's always a good idea to have a spare one complete/ready to go. The back-up lockout (various mechanisms from simple locking lever to electric solenoid operation) should be inspected and lubed...

MANY factors contribute to the COLOR of the oil...if that is what you are basing your opinion on "clean" about. One certainly should never imply that the lack of coloring in the oil is relevant to absence of contaminants, acids, etc.

Put the drain plug in.

Yeah...pretty nasty overall. And speakers in the engine bay? Definitely an ABYC and Coast Guard no-no...

I've done this on a couple of Baja's and it is a major PITA to do...at least on those boats. But it DOES give you the access you need once done. Some people simply find it easier (and I would agree to some degree) to pull the engine.

Scott nailed it. Some just tighten the nut, spinning the wheel until resistance is felt, then backing off one hole. The point is to pre-load the bearing.

You have to understand that after 2020 build years, these things were built on a piece-rate basis...with the accompanying poor quality. Even some late year 2020s are not built well. I've had several travel trailers over the years, my newest is a 2018, and it is built well...solid cabinets...

A true 350 Mag MPI is designed to run 4800 - 5200 rpm. My brother had this same engine in his Rinker. Something is VERY wrong with your engine. Did you REALLY replace it with a 350 Mag internals? "Smoking" indicates a problem with fuel delivery and/or ignition. IMHO you have exceeded your...

What the heck is a "cutty cabin"??? Maybe CUDDY CABIN? And no...you can't use it unless the hull is dang near the same configuration...strakes, deadrise, width, length...etc etc...too many variable as noted above.

At this point you are basically relying on a thin layer of plastic resin and fiberglass mat...which, while it has SOME strength to it, it's not much at all compared to a sound keel structure. While I have not seen it personally, I have a friend who actually watched a boat simply come apart...

@ typical $160/hr shop rates, you had to have saved at least a grand I would say...add in markup that shops add on parts...probably closer to $1,500...