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    New boat (to me), having water drainage issues... any help?

    Hi guys... sold my old Wellcraft, and this summer picked up a 1990 MasterCraft Maristar 240SC, inboard ski boat. Very interesting boat. New engine, rebuilt transmission, new prop. Pretty solid boat overall, although I know I'll be spending a couple seasons correcting some of the trim work...
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    Chicago Boating - where to keep the boat?

    Hi all... sold my old cuddy cabin when I moved to Chicago last year. Spent the summer here, living a half mile from the lake on the north side, and I was literally obsessed with getting on the water ALL summer. So I want to get another boat. I know what boat I want - a particular 20' ski boat...
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    Bow eye fiberglass in serious need of repair...

    Hi guys - been a while since I've posted on here! I've messed around with a couple small fiberglass projects in the past, but never repairs. I'm hoping in the next few weeks while I have some time I can make this better. I was forced to dock my 21' Cuddy bow into a dock for the past few...
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    How important is brand in replacing manifold and risers/elbows?

    Doing some investigation in persistent idle/low speed overheating, I pulled my manifolds and risers (small block GM V8 305) and found them to be in pretty rough shape - especially the risers, which are super corroded and have lost the little projections into the elbows. Pretty sure this is why...
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    Trim/tilt fluid in the bilge, what to do?

    [Oh boy, the problems just keep piling up]. So I recently noticed two things: the development of oil in my bilge, and the rapid loss of trim/tilt fluid from the pump reservoir. I checked (and changed) the engine and drive oil, and confirmed the oil is not from either of those places, so the...
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    After running aground, overheating problem

    On my Alpha Drive (previously posted on the subject but not w/r/t overheating - this is "new"). Basically, it was stuck in mud/debris to the point where my Dad managed to shred the prop trying to get out, instead of shutting down (ugh). I went through everything last week, replaced the prop...
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    First grounding out with the boat, need damage assessment

    Of course, this happened while I was away on vacation, but my Dad (and co-owner) managed to do at least some damage... His story is that he took it out at low tide, kept stalling the engine (probably didn't let it warm up enough), and drifted into the nearby mud flats, then had to be towed...
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    Any way to reduce play in throttle lever?

    Mercruiser/Quicksilver side-mount throttle on a 5.0Litre 305. Everything works fine, but the remote just feels loose-in hand, like something(s) needs to be tightened in there. Decent amount of play between engaging gear and acceleration, for example. I'm tempted to just start disassembling and...
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    is it ok to touch up new easypoxy paint job?

    I just finished putting 3 coats of pettit easypoxy paint on my faded gelcoat and its looking amazing! I will post pics when all done. Question is, in one or maybe two small spots it looks like the roller didn't quite roll on paint or something... there's a bare spot where the paint looks...
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    Did I buy the wrong resin?

    I looked in the how-to, and I understand the difference between laminating and finishing resin. I bought laminating resin today for my smallish project (maybe 4-5 sq feet), but now I'm not sure if that's what I need. I intend to lay down 3-5 layers of CSM 1.5 oz, and I intend to do it all at...
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    About to undertake first fiberglass project, need help!

    Sorry for posting on this yet AGAIN, but I'm still feeling quite uneasy about how to approach the fiberglass portion of this project. I have ZERO experience with fiberglass. My idea is as follows: I'm going to smooth out my console (pic below in its current state) with some puddy to fill the...
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    How would you approach this dash? (pic inside)

    Sorry for the low quality pic, I can take higher res if necessary. This is my dash in its current state. I removed a black plastic/fiberglass piece that covered this whole thing, and which contained my gauges, buttons, etc. (pic of that on the bottom). Underneath was semi-finished gelcoat...
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    Wet sand/polish or PAINT old gelcoat?

    I've posted on this before, and the problem continues to nag me. Since I've had my '88 wellcraft with red hull, the chalky, splotchy, unevenly-faded gelcoat has been the bane of my existence. I spent hours (and probably damaged discs in my back) trying to wet sand, compound, and polish, and the...
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    Completely replacing dash, wiring guages question

    One of the [very few] enhancements I intend do this this spring is to replace my entire console (21' 1988 Wellcraft 210 Classic). The current, original style of guages/general dash is pictured below. I've never liked the look of it, it's very 80's, and feels cheap and plasticky. The fuel gauge...
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    Question about inspecting/replacing the u-joints

    Sorry, I know this sounds like "just another u-joint thread," but I have some specific questions I couldn't find answers to when searching. Last year, a friend helped me replace gears, bearings, seals on my upper unit. In the process, we installed a new input yoke, and a new AFT cross bearing...
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    Want a full enclosure - possible?

    The only thing left I really think would be worthwhile to do with my boat (aside from maybe the helm - different topic) would be to somehow create an enclosure. Since I'm on the sound, there's been PLENTY of times when it's a nice night to be out, but spray and cool wind make it uncomfortable...
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    Possible u-joint replacement, oil question

    Hi all! As usual with the new year here, my mind's starting to drift back to the boat again (no pun intended). I have the luxury of keeping my boat in a heated barn, so even though I winterized it, I hadn't gotten around to changing the gear lube yet (I did it late in the season over the summer...
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    Electrical issues, and new batteries

    I did do a bit of searching beforehand, so I'm sorry if I ask a repeat question in here... Just couldn't seem to find the exact answer I was looking for! Here's the deal... My boat seems to have some electrical gremlins, and from what I can tell, they're related to the batteries possibly being...
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    Fishing line on the prop... what do I look for?

    Hi all, Pulled the boat out this evening to bring home for some routing maintenance/upgrades (putting the bimini on because the sun's back, new stereo components, water sealing, etc). Was only planning to have it out for a couple days. She's been running great lately, with the only exception...
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    Overheating nightmare!

    Engine/drive details: Mercruiser 5.0 Litre V8 (GM 305) mated to Alpha 1 drive. So this problem technically started last summer. I would start to run hot at low speeds (such as docking or chugging out of the harbor - very troublesome), but as soon as I increased engine speed it would cool right...
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