Recent content by JimS123

  1. JimS123

    Best flooring options?

    My family boat has EVA foam and we love it. It's cool and does good things to the feet. But keeping it clean from foot mud and fish blood is a chore. It CAN be done but not fun. Also it cost a pretty penny. My fishing boat has Marideck. Easy to clean in ALL circumstances, but when I'm...
  2. JimS123

    Best flooring options?

    A few years ago I saw my old Silverline at the side of the road with a for sale sign. It was a 1971. I had to look at it, but boy did I have to shed a tear. When I sold it she had been garage kept since new. It was obvious the last owner had kept it outside summer and winter. The glass...
  3. JimS123

    Best flooring options?

    My last 3 boats had Marideck. That was OEM for Starcraft and others. It wears like iron and cleans up easy peasy. On one boat I bought a roll of kit and did it myself. The competition is Nautolex.
  4. JimS123

    How do you screw into fiberglass/gelcoat without chipping?

    Drill a hole that is appropriate for the screw being installed. Then drill thru the gelcoat with a second bit that is slightly bigger than the screw's OD. Works every time. I learned that in 1971 when I bought my first glass boat. Haven't chipped a screw hole since then. Regardless, if you...
  5. JimS123

    2 stroke longevity?

    As a teenager with Grandpa's old 1955 10HP Mercury I used to rent an old tinny up the creek and terrorize the ducks on the Erie Canal with my buddies. But I DID religiously use "good" oil and kept to the 24:1 ratio. I bought Quaker State 2-stroke OB OIL because that 's what they sold at KMart...
  6. JimS123

    2 stroke longevity?

    My OB collection is up to 75 now. Only 5 are 4-stroke, and that includes the 1950 Lauson that was built before it's time. When we want to have some fun, we put one of the oldies on one of my antique / Classic boats and go for a spin. But, my fishing boat and family boats sport 4-strokes. Fun...
  7. JimS123

    2 stroke longevity?

    Many boat people don't know how to maintain their boat, nor want to learn. It's a boat, right! So let it sit outside in the rain and snow - it'll be OK. I always knew that jetski people were even worse. The old adage - run hard and put away wet. For that reason my first PWC was bought brand...
  8. JimS123

    Scary

    We were just up to the St. Lawrence a week ago. Stayed in Alex Bay right on the river. Just a casual observation, but the number of ships we saw every day looked about normal to us. This was our 36th vacation in the Islands. It has been an extremely hot Summer in NY. We hit records several...
  9. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    I have 2 Karavans. Both were private labeled Whaler and SeaRay and came with the boats. I think those sure lubes are the cat's meow. So far combined I have lubed them 15 times combined. No blow out. The instructions say to rotate the wheel during the lube process. Maybe that was the key...
  10. JimS123

    Portable Gas Tank Location

    The only comment I have is to be sure the compartment is vented. If not, cut a hole in the side and add a vent.
  11. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    I used to repack yearly. I always had a few drops of water in the hub, but never had a rusted bearing. Then, I got bearing buddies and got lax. I went 5 years before I checked them again. Now, not a drop of water and still no rust. Now 5 years is my regimen. My caveat is that I boat in...
  12. JimS123

    Boat budget question

    As an Engineer in charge of product development and process improvement, I always had to do the calculations to validate my projects. I was given a budget and had to stay within the lines. Over and I got no raise that year. A lot under and they had to shortchange my coworkers so they could...
  13. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    I rode all thru High School and College. My Sweetie went along with me many times. After our Engagement, 2 things happened. First, my best buddy got broad-sided by a truck that went thru a red light. (he survived) Second, my Fiancé's cousin was killed on his bike, leaving a wife and 3 small...
  14. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    Firearm deaths in 2023 were 18,874. That does not include suicides, which of course were not accidental. Of the 41,000 auto deaths, how many were due to improper auto maintenance, texting or from drunk driving? THOSE conditions are due to irresponsibility, which isn't really accidental either!
  15. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    We stop every 100 miles. I walk around and check bearing temp, look for grease spatters on the back of the tires and check the tires. I would not do that with a car, but boat trailers are notorious for problems. The ONLY issue I EVER had on the highway was with bad tires, even though they...
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