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  1. harringtondav

    Is the 4.5 Merc scaring dealers off?

    I've been upping my research into my possible next boat. Small sample, but checking inventory in MN and IA at three different dealers all I see is VP Sterndrives on their stock boats. Each brand offers the Merc 4.5 in my size. Any thoughts about the dealer's preference for VP? If I buy an I/O...
  2. harringtondav

    Comparing new boats. ..wondering about Regal

    I've generally believed the way a boat is used, maintained, and stored as important, if not more important than the boat brand for longevity and reliability. I've got my comparison sheet built comparing several 19-20' BR brands, including Regal. The best thing about the Regal is the price and...
  3. harringtondav

    Subaru 2.0L turbo boxer?

    My son closes on a Subaru Base WRX in two days. 2.0L turbo with impressive torque and hp specs. I'm wondering if Subaru slapped turbo manifolds on their N/A boxer, or upped the engine's design for the higher loads. It seems a boxer engine's lower end should be more robust than an in line or V...
  4. harringtondav

    Death of cable TV - Update

    One year ago we cut the cable and went to HD antenna. I called Mediacom to cancel the TV. They said, OK, but your internet is at a grandfathered rate, and will increase. I said "OK, cancel that too, we have a municipal fiber optic provider." Back stepping. They gave me a 1 yr intro rate on the...
  5. harringtondav

    Humminbird DI transducer location

    I'd be flattering myself if I claimed to be experienced. This is my only transducer install. But yours looks good to me. The dealer used silicone to goo down a stern mount transducer in my new boat. ...not per correct method. It didn't work reliably. I called Humminbird and they sent me the...
  6. harringtondav

    Keeping are down under folks in our thoughts

    I'm glad AD asked Chris. I've been concerned, along with many other Yanks.
  7. harringtondav

    Well, I've gone and done it.....

    It looks like FCA has plans to bridge the gap. I6 twin turbo engine. 360-500 hp. Suspicions are it will first show up in their go fast 2WD cars.
  8. harringtondav

    Well, I've gone and done it.....

    I'm in the turbo camp. Our little Dart Areo 1.3L Turbo hits max torque of 184 ft/lb at 2400 rpm and stays there til around 4400 rpm. If I want to slingshot around someone I paddle shift to lock the DDCT tranny - prevent unnecessary downshift - and stomp on it. Whoosh. The image below is from my...
  9. harringtondav

    Well, I've gone and done it.....

    The old '99 Durango was a faithful boat hauler, but at 21 yrs old it was getting a little rough on the outside. Wife said she wanted a truck to simplify yard waste transport to the municipal drop off yard. (Thank you - thank you God). I went with the Ford Ranger and its 2.3L turbo. Hard to...
  10. harringtondav

    Forum page issues

    I've been inactive on this forum for most of the summer due to major projects at our river house, so this may be a known issue. My navigation header is missing convenient options. No "latest activity" pick, no "forums" pick. When I back up after viewing a post there is no "Forum" pick on the...
  11. harringtondav

    Oil Pressure Question

    Read the PDF below for Merc's oil viscosity recommendations. This came from their 4.3 engine manual. Anything 30w seems a little light unless you are operating your boat in a very cool climate. Also read the paragraph on overfilling your crankcase. Lifter noise and oil pressure fluctuations are...
  12. harringtondav

    This guy has skills

    Rose M. towboat backing three empties 3/4 mile downstream in high water, fast current Mississippi river. Starting to heel starboard to line up with the inlet to the Artco fleeting terminal in E. Dubuque IL between the cranes in the pic. 2000 hp in the pilot's hand, and a lot of Kentucky windage...
  13. harringtondav

    Alpha One Gen 2 Top Cap Bearing Slipping

    ^^+1. Any time you change a tapered bearing race, roller assy, or the set you need to recheck shim height or preload. The assembled height can vary up to .005". If this bearing's preload is too high, the race may spin from the excess force. Too little, or no preload (clearance) the bearing set...
  14. harringtondav

    Fit up lube for PVC fittings?

    Thanks Scott. I did this, and partially dry fitted, rotated and marked for the angles....I held off on the beer and stogie breaks until I finished the ciphering. No scrap and the stubs came out on target.
  15. harringtondav

    The value of DIY

    Stubbing in the new bathroom at our river house basement. Nine feet of 4" deep saw cut, 14" wide, more at the stack. Jack hammer through a 10" footing. Excavate a 3' pit to tie into the septic sewer line. Lay vanity, toilet and shower waste line plus a vent. Inlets w/in 1/4" of layout. Back fill...
  16. harringtondav

    Good day of boating Karma

    At our summer house on the Miss river S of Dubuque IA. Up on the deck watching a couple of young guys in the death zone (1/2 mile up from the ramp where all iffy boats sputter out after clearing the no wake). 16' older boat with a late 80's Merc 60-70 hp OB. Power up, 30-100 yds good, then...
  17. harringtondav

    Fit up lube for PVC fittings?

    I'm stubbing in DWV under our basement concrete floor. I have to get the toilet and two drain locations near perfect since it will be cast in stone. Doing a dry fit up with sharpie marks is a challenge since these fittings are nearly impossible to rotate and disassemble dry. I'm thinking of...
  18. harringtondav

    Plugged speedo pick up unpluging tool

    We've mostly boated in the upper Mississippi river where wood trash fields are common. You try to steer around them but eventually you hit something that plugs the drive speedo pick up notch. When I catch a plug that won't dig out with a drill, I use this thing. Remove the lower gear case...
  19. harringtondav

    What scrap metal is this in my lower unit?

    I looked up your SM-X assembly shown in the snip below. It shows the front of the prop shaft splined into the FWD gear. The bearing roller assembly is pressed onto the FWD gear. Forward thrust on the prop shaft centers the gear in the bearing's race which is likely pressed into the housing. The...
  20. harringtondav

    Breathable boat cover with no water repellency- does it exist?

    I have a aftermarket mooring cover that I keep as water repellent as possible using 303. I keep my boat on an open lift. I have two "Snap-in" vents that keep it dry inside in the summer. In the winter I place two J tube, 1 1/2" PVC vent tubes over the gunnels for extra ventilation. This works...
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