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  1. ahicks

    Anyone considering a "project" boat.....

    Just a heads up, in stripping down my newest project boat ('93 19' Grumman alum. deck boat) getting it ready for all new plywood, I've discovered ALL of the foam (sprayed and block) in contact with the bottom of the boat is nearly completely saturated with water. It will ALL have to be removed...
  2. ahicks

    Bottom paint for an alum boat?

    Salt water newbie. Newest project is a 22' alum. deck boat that's generally being trailered, but will spend a month or so sitting in a slip where it picks up a bunch of crud (based on previous experience with a pontoon boat). In an attempt to minimize clean up time, considering bottom paint, but...
  3. ahicks

    Considering new project, a couple of questions regarding alum. deck boats

    Guys, no stranger to working on boats, I'm looking at a new project. This dyed in the wool pontooner has sold his 'toon in the hopes of replacing it with something that can cover more ground on occasion. Thinking aluminum deck boat. Comfortable working on that if necessary, not so much the...
  4. ahicks

    Popular boat cover?

    Guys, Not too long ago (spring, early summer?), there was a post asking for info regarding a reasonably priced boat cover. Several posted regarding a decent cover they had bought on a popular auction site. Not needing one at the time, I bookmarked the site for future reference. Now, I find...
  5. ahicks

    Tapered Pontoon stern

    You can argue that "planing" point all day long if you like, but I have seen and owned 24' 'toons that will plane easily, achieving speeds well in excess of what a typical "displacement only" hull might achieve. So, at 15 mph plus, with just 40 and 50 hp engines, you can say that 'toon is...
  6. ahicks

    '78 35hp cooling issue....

    When cold, water appears to be pumping normally, with good flow from the indicator. Within a few minutes, water is reduced to a trickle coming from indicator, eventually stopping with some slight steam instead, and the engine starts getting hot. Complete water pump is new, water pipe is snug on...
  7. ahicks

    Honda paint touchup/referb

    Guys, does anyone have a source for rattle can paint that yields a pretty good match with the original color used on 1998-2000 and later mid size engines (e.g. 35-90hp)? I have one I'd like to fix up a little, but don't want to get mixed up in a big base coat/clear coat project. TIA!
  8. ahicks

    New (to me) '98 90hp Honda owner?

    I have a question about vibration coming from this engine. It seems to be running perfectly, but it's like the engine is bolted solid to the transom - with no vibration isolation. It's like the motor mounts have hardened to where they are not effective? Never heard of it, but wondering if that...
  9. ahicks

    Replacing plywood transom?

    I'm in the midst of a major makeover on a 24' 'toon. Everything going well, but I'd like some input on something. This boat is a '99, and although the plywood transom appears to be in OK shape, I'm re-powering from 40 hp to 90 (boat is rated for 140) so I'm planning on replacing it. The...
  10. ahicks

    3 blade vs. 4 blade question.

    I'm re-powering a 24' pontoon boat with a 90 hp Honda. Have never run a 4 blade prop. The boat will be used for 95% cruising, usually not far off an idle. The 5% will be for pulling the grand kids, under 100lbs, and likely at wide open throttle. Pretty familiar with what to expect there. I'm...
  11. ahicks

    Pontoon speed vs HP chart

    Yes, for sure. Has been posted here a couple of times. I remember as it does seem to be pretty accurate, and being very aware of the many variables involved, I remember how uncanny that was. To add to that, I ran across it AGAIN just recently while playing with some numbers on a boat I'm...
  12. ahicks

    Shopping for a new (to me) pontoon...

    Looking at boats in the 2004 - 2008 range (refuse to spend that much money on a new boat!). Running across the E-tecs, and honestly, kinda scared of them. Should I be? I know they're quiet, and fuel misers. What I'm more curious about is how much trouble they are compared to the popular 4...
  13. ahicks

    '99 40hp VRO very easily flooded on cold start....

    Guys, Looking for ideas on how to remedy this problem. It seems like if I use the choke while cranking the engine, even for a second, the engine gets a bucket of fuel dumped into it, without even a single pop or attempt to start. The ONLY way I'm able to start it (and then not totally reliable...
  14. ahicks

    20' Sweetwater w/50hp Honda - what prop are you using?

    What I'm looking for, honestly, is somebody with the same or similar boat that's already tried a couple props? What were your results? What did you end up using? Finally picked out a pontoon boat (private individual), and on the test drive I see I've joined the "it's only showing 4k on the...
  15. ahicks

    Florida Gulf coast transplant?

    Hi Everyone, I'm from S.E. Mi, and have had 24' pontoon boats (among others) tied up in front of my house on an inland lake since 1980. Now, looking at used boats for use in/around Ocala, Dunnellon and Crystal River areas of Florida, possibly venturing into the Gulf (salt water) on occasion. We...
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