Recent content by brs517

  1. B

    Alpha One stand

    I'm going to change my Alpha One water pump impeller for the first time. I read somewhere that using a Black & Decker workmate can be a viable option to use instead of buying a stand to support the outdrive while you're working on it. Does that sound reasonable? Have any of you ever tried it...
  2. B

    mister mister

    Has anyone attempted to build a misting system for their boat? I know that you can buy a setup for a few hundred dollars, but it seems like a relatively easy thing to make. I think finding the proper pump/motor would be the difficult part, so that it doesn't draw down the battery too much...
  3. B

    electrical help?

    I have a 1986 Chaparral 178XL. It's been a great boat, until we moved a few months ago and I could no longer store it in my driveway. To make a long story short, it got critters in it (a mouse, some frogs, some ants & wasps. Good times). I've gotten rid of them, and found a new place to...
  4. B

    Beaver Lake, AR

    Anyone ever been to Beaver Lake in Arkansas? I've heard great things. Any personal experience?
  5. B

    iboats store

    I'm buying a bimini top from iboats store. What has been your experience with delivery times? The estimate it gives is 12 days. I was wondering (hoping, actually) if that was an "underpromise, overdeliver" kind of thing, and that I'd actually get it sooner. Just a long shot, but I was...
  6. B

    Noah's Ark

    My wife and I moved from our house where we could park the boat in the driveway and nobody cared, to our new house where you get a letter from the homeowner's association if you do the same. So...we looked into storage options, and deciding that we couldn't afford the $100 per month for...
  7. B

    Bimini top questions

    Hi, I'm going to buy a bimini top and I have a couple questions. My boat is a 1986 Chaparral 178XL open-bow. 16'6" centerline length, 86" beam.<br /><br />There are different heights to the tops I've seen, why? Is it so that you can walk under them? <br /><br />They ask for "width" when you...
  8. B

    winter storage; alpha one

    I know you're supposed to store your outdrive in the full "in" postition, (aka all the way down.) I keep my boat in the driveway, and it is impossible to put it all the way down without hitting the ground. Is it better to store it in the full "out" position (up), or should I put it as far down...
  9. B

    rattle in outdrive

    Hi, I have a 1986 Mercruiser 4 cyl, 2.97L, 140hp with an Alpha One outdrive.<br /><br />I've been idling it in the driveway, with ears on, and have noticed a fairly loud, constant "rattling" sound coming from the outdrive. I can't remember hearing this in the past. Would that be a normal sound...
  10. B

    best anchor?

    What is your opinion on the best anchor to get for a 16' bowrider? I think most of the lakes I frequent have muddy bottoms. I currently have a mushroom type anchor, but it doesn't hold very well at all.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Brian
  11. B

    Boat name

    Does anyone know a good online source for decals? I'm putting a name (DRAGONFLY) on my boat, and have seen several websites with a very wide range in price. I thought I remembered seeing a good link on this message board for inexpensive but good-looking decals. <br /><br />Thanks<br />Brian
  12. B

    tilt/trim pump

    Hi all, my question involves the trim pump on my 1986 Chaparral 178XL. There is no resevoir, oil is just added to the pump.<br /><br />My question: It's extremely difficult to determine the oil level with the black plastic dipstick. I'm wondering how much oil the system will hold. I've added...
  13. B

    leaky cover

    I have a canvas cover for my bowrider, and ever since I've had the boat (about 3 years), water pools inside the boat after it rains. The cover is stretched tight, covers the entire boat, and water DOES NOT pool anywhere on the cover.<br /><br />I've tried to buy some canvas waterproofing (in a...
  14. B

    boat weight

    Does anyone have an idea of what this boat would weigh?<br /><br />1936 Chaparral 178XL<br />3.0 L 4cyl I/O, Alpha One Outdrive<br /><br />I'm buying a new winch for my trailer and need an estimate of the weight of the boat.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Brian
  15. B

    how much grease?

    I'm wondering how often and how much to grease the points on my 1986 Alpha 1 outdrive. On a car, I know when to stop because I can see the bladder swell. But on the boat, I can't see where the grease goes, so I don't know when to stop.<br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Brian
See more
Top