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  1. JimS123

    Critters in My Boat

    People with RVs have the same problem. It all comes down to the fact that if they have access, they WILL come in. Gotta fix all holes!!!! OK, OK, not that easy. Paid storage, shrinkwrap, lots of duct tape? Whatever it costs will probably be less cost than what it takes to fix the damage to...
  2. JimS123

    Testing Gas Flow on 82' Wellcraft Sterndrive

    I had an I/O with a points distributor and it was an annual issue. Clean them, dress them, etc. Not hard, but I want to go fishing not tinkering. Finally, I replaced it with the Pertronics unit. WHOOLY MACKERAL. Not only no more tinkering, but the engine simply ran better and smoother...
  3. JimS123

    Waterlogged foam?

    Good catch. You need to look closely at the pics. With no foam under the deck (a legal requirement) it looks like the hull was refurbed before, and not put back to specs. If the deck needs to be replaced, 98% sure that the transom needs it too. Looking less and less like "beautiful" all the...
  4. JimS123

    Waterlogged foam?

    Good question. I guess it needs more clarification. What does water line to the top of the transom mean? (that sounds like the boat is almost sunk) Next, what about cob webs? There should be foam there. If there is none, then that old boat has been rebuilt before. What did the rebuilder...
  5. JimS123

    Waterlogged foam?

    Sounds like this could be a futile effort. 47 year old boats have little monetary value. Rotten boats have no value. Even if you do the work yourself, your end cost will be double the value of the boat. The pics don't make me warm and fuzzy about gorgeous. But then again I am a boater with...
  6. JimS123

    Topped off battery with Distilled water....Why not with battery acid???? Opinions???

    Acid is put in when the battery is new. As the battery is maintained and used the water evaporates. Adding more acid later screws up the battery chemistry. Charging most definitely is needed part of this discussion. A battery that is used regularly should not need water to be added, unless...
  7. JimS123

    Engine model number

    A missing plate could indicate a stolen motor. Google OMCs database and look up your serial numbers. At the very least It would probably identify the year of manufacture.
  8. JimS123

    Lower unit gear oil - 2001 Evinrude 150HP FICHT

    18 moths is a long time to keep oil oil. Google Evinrude owner's manuals and you will find one. You may have to pay for it. Evinrude is out of business and so is BRP Evinrude. Google Evinrude oil on Amazon. It's there. Post #2 is a good option, but the product choice may be limited. If...
  9. JimS123

    Engine model number

    The cowl will provide no insight. There should be a plate on the transom bracket that will tell it all.
  10. JimS123

    Testing Gas Flow on 82' Wellcraft Sterndrive

    If it idles you got fuel flow. That's an early aluminum engine, and not one that is highly regarded. Check compression next.
  11. JimS123

    Cowling cover for 2001 Evinrude 150hp FICHT

    I have 3 Carver outboard motor covers. One for a 3.5, another a 5 and the last is a 150. They all fit well and have a drawstring on the bottom to snug them up. They can be ordered in a variety of fabrics and colors. I bought all of them from boatcoversdirect.
  12. JimS123

    old pictures

    90-93
  13. JimS123

    old pictures

    My youngest son Jeff at age 11. Trolling in the Upper Niagara River - Tonawanda Channel. He landed it all by himself. Grandpa held the net. And here's Jeff a few years earlier. First use of Downriggers in Lake Ontario, off Wilson harbor. All 4 lines hit at once. Mom, Dad and older...
  14. JimS123

    New boat owners leaving the hobby

    I've been a boater for 70 years and a boat-owner for 57. If I can't handle it any more, send me to the nursing home. If I die before then, strap me to my jetski, push me toward Niagara Falls and yell yeeeee-haaaa for me. Let the wife collect the boat insurance. The article above makes sense...
  15. JimS123

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    The straps are angled the wrong way because the ratchet assembly was installed in the wrong place. They are not an optimum product anyway because eventually they rust internally and don't work any more. A drill and a SS Eye Bolt in the correct place, plus a conventional tie down strap will...
  16. JimS123

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I DID read the entire post in the first place and I still don't think you have a big problem. I think you are over-thinking it. The boat is well cradled. As long as your tongue weight is sufficient, it does not matter how far the bunks stick out the back. Most issues are when a trailer is...
  17. JimS123

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Not rocket science. Move the boat back (and winch stand) an inch. The outdrive should be in a better position. If the tongue weight is too light now, leave the boat where it is. The OD is going to be up when traveling anyway, so it won't matter. That boat does not need electric brakes...
  18. JimS123

    Which battery is best?

    I missed the post detailing the AGM requirement. (I DO read owners manuals, but not always every post) That being the case, you can't go wrong with a Trojan. I have had iffy longevity with Odyssey, but my Trojan is the best battery I ever had.
  19. JimS123

    Which battery is best?

    Regular flooded deep cycle dual purpose batteries is what I use and would recommend. AGMs are good for a jetski where they get jossled around a lot, but not cost effective for a boat. Don't use a trickle charger. If you use the boat every week, don't worry about it. Use one battery going out...
  20. JimS123

    Bimini top seems to have shrunk

    Release the poles as though you were going to fold the top. With the structure loose, install the snaps. Then pull the structure back and re-install the uprights.
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