Search results

  1. J

    Electric Panel Board

    I would like to start the fact t hat I tried to hire someone to install all the electronics (GPS, Trolling Motor, Radio, Speakers, NMEA 200 Backbone, etc) and people will get back to you pretty quick saying they can do it but getting them to actually schedule a time to do the work can be quite...
  2. J

    Self Install Trolling Motor

    How difficult is it to install a trolling motor and GPS on a new Sundance DX22 skiff? The console looks pretty easy to get to and it looks like it even has a pull cord to get from a mount point in the transom to the console. It also has a plug for the trolling motor but not sure it's wired for...
  3. J

    Throttle Adjustment

    I have had the boat out a few times and it always seems like it wants to shut off when shifting into gear. I looked at what appears to be the throttle adjustment (See picture) and the two nuts on there were loose so I turned them out to where they stop. My question is how do I know where these...
  4. J

    Mercury Marine 40 HP Won't Start

    I have a 1998 Tracker Pro Team 175 with a 40 HP Mercury outboard that will not start. The battery is fully charged so it turns over. It appears to be getting gas as I have removed the fuel line at the carb and it's getting fuel up to that point. I'm pretty new to outboards so I'm not really sure...
  5. J

    Alpha One Exhaust Bellows

    If my boat has the exhaust through the hull do I still need to install the exhaust bellows? There are rubber caps on top of the exhaust pipes. I have seen a few posts that say yes and some that say no
  6. J

    Drive Shaft Assembly - Alpha One

    I have replaced the U-Joints and I have everything ready to go to install the outdrive except for the drive shaft assembly. I checked all the parts and cleaned them up real good and there is no significant wear that I can see. I made sure and keep the bearing matched with the respective race. I...
  7. J

    Alpha One Gen 1 Trim Wire Retainer

    I am all the way down to installing the new trim sender/trim limit on my 1987 Alpha One. I looked at a couple of videos on here for removing the retaining clip where the wires traverse through the gimble housing. I must be missing something because it looks like there is one screw on most of...
  8. J

    Alpha One Bellows Issues

    So I took everything apart and was cleaning out the bellows area. After cleaning up I noticed an area where the drive bellows attaches that was broken off. The bellows had two holes in it that I could put three fingers in so there was lots of water damage but no sign of any metal chunks. I am...
  9. J

    Eagle Trailer - No Title PA

    I have been going around and around with my boat trailer for two years now. I purchased the boat and trailer from a car dealership that took it in on trade. The VIN plate on the Eagle trailer has faded so bad that it cannot be read at all. I asked about registering as home made and was told that...
  10. J

    1987 Chaparral 198 XL, MerCruiser Gimble and U-Joint Replacement

    I am getting ready to start working on my boat to repair a leak in the drive bellows. I had the boat at a marina last year and he told me probably about $2000 for him to do all the work. I have been reading the posts on this forum and I have received some great advice. I am posting the serial...
  11. J

    Outdrive Leak

    I noticed yesterday that I was taking on some excess water. It looked like it was coming in around the outdrive so this morning I put some water in the bilge area and as soon as it got to the outdrive it started to leak. Please see the attached picture of where the water is leaking from. Is...
  12. J

    Sealing Cable Runs

    I am in the process of installing a GPS/Fishfinder combo and the directions state to seal the area around the cable running through the transom with a marine grade silicone. From what I have read silicone is evil on boats. What is the best thing to use to seal this area? Thanks
  13. J

    Engine, Drive and Transom Assembly Serial Numbers

    I was looking for belts and other information on my engine and drive and I found these three stickers on the valve cover. MerCruiser Motor - B558251 MerCruiser Drive Unit - 08463807 MerCruiser Transom Assembly - 08573949 Do these seem pretty accurate for a 1987 Chaparral 198XL?
  14. J

    Clunking Noise from back of Engine

    I have had the boat out about 6 times and yesterday I picked up a strange clunking noise at low RPMs. The noise is coming from the rear of the engine. It does not do this in neutral or reverse. The noise appears to go away at higher RPMs. 1987 Chaparral 198 Xl, 305, Alpha drive. Thanks!
  15. J

    First Boat - Updated Pictures

    With some help from this forum I purchased my first boat a few weeks ago, actually July 21st. I have had the boat on the lake 4 times and mechanically all seems okay. Motor and outdrive seem pretty strong although I have to admit I am still a little confused by the trim and how I am supposed to...
  16. J

    Gas Spring Question - Newbie

    I have two gas springs that hold up the cover for the engine compartment on my 1987 Chaparral 198 XL. I have searched online and cannot find matching gas springs. They are 35" extended 19" compressed and have eyelets on the ends versus ball joints. Any suggestions for replacing these?
  17. J

    Speedometer vs GPS Question

    Just bought a new boat and the speedometer doesn?t work. I was wondering if I should even mess with it or just buy a decent GPS? Boat is a 1987 Chaparral 198 XL Is there any reason to have both? Any recommendations on a good GPS for a boat? I will mostly be crusing around or fishing in the...
  18. J

    First Boat Purchase Advice

    I have been reading the forums and just about everything I can find on the Internet but wanted to post here because there seem to be some great discussions on this forum. I am buying my first boat and have been looking at multiple boats for about three weeks. I have it narrowed down to a...
Top