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  1. K

    How do I inspect/ replace exhaust flappers?

    I've got a '97 Mercruiser 5.7 with an Alpha 1. It's got a 2 barrel carb. if that matters. I want to make sure my exhaust flappers aren't burnt or melted. Where are they and what's the easiest way to gain access? Do I remove the manifolds or are they further downstream? What else should I inspect...
  2. K

    The good and bad on Sea Ray 240 BR

    I'm looking to upgrade from my '97 20' Larson to something around 24'. In doing searches i seem to come across a large number of Sea Ray 240 BR models. I'm looking in the mid 2000 era, say 2003 to 2009. How did Sea Ray compare for quality in this era? I get the idea that overall they're a good...
  3. K

    comparing HP on boats

    My current 20.5' boat has a 210 HP 5.7L with a 2 barrel carb. I want to upgrade to around a 24' boat. I see a lot of them with only a 5.0L engine. It doesn't seem like I want a 4' longer boat with a smaller displacement engine. From a HP standpoint a lot of the MPI 5.0L engines are making 240 up...
  4. K

    Yacht certified rules?

    I like to take a lot of people along when I go boating. My current boat is rated for 11 people but my extended family totals out at 12 so I'm looking for something rated higher. Some of the boats I look at in the 24 to 26 foot range are yacht certified. What are the rules for passengers on a...
  5. K

    Tired of carpet, can I glass the floor?

    My '97 Larson has a plywood floor with permanently installed carpet over top. I can feel soft spots starting to form in the plywood underneath. I've never liked having to be really careful to keep the floor dry, vacuum the carpet, etc. The next boat I get I want to have a fiberglass floor with...
  6. K

    "Women's" boards marketing hype?

    I know I also posted this in the water ski forum. I didn't want to miss anyone. My wife said she'd like to learn some sort of tow sport this year. We don't know what it will be. I know there are both water skis and wakeboards that are colored white and pink and supposedly designed for women. Is...
  7. K

    "Women's" skis marketing hype?

    My wife said she'd like to learn some sort of tow sport this year. We don't know what it will be. I know there are both water skis and wakeboards that are colored white and pink and supposedly designed for women. Is there any actual difference in the design or is this just to sell more boards...
  8. K

    Anybody ever been checked for boat length?

    One of the lakes I frequent here in VA, Lake Moomaw, is in the National Forest. On the NF website it says boats can't be over 25'. One the army corp of engineers site (they built the lake) it also mentions the 25' length restriction. This is a lake of nearly 3,000 acres with no HP restrictions...
  9. K

    My wife insists on a boat with a head. How do they work?

    I want to upgrade from my 20' bowrider to something larger. My wife insists that the next boat must have a head. The last thing I want is a tank full of sewage and a toilet on my boat but I've go to make her happy. The upside is that you have to go to about a 23' or 24' boat to get one with a...
  10. K

    Did marine VHF licensing disappear?

    I don't really ever boat where anyone uses marine VHF. I've never operated one. I am an amateur radio operator so I have a good handle on radio in general. I recently found a guy selling a used Icom IC-M3A for $15 so I bought it. Do I need to apply for some kind of license or register somewhere...
  11. K

    Great, my marina is closing.

    I got a letter from my marina today. After 20 years in business they're closing the doors. I had noticed for the last year or two they barely had any new boats on the lot. I guess the economy takes out another business. I live about 100 miles from the next closest marina so this will really make...
  12. K

    How many years on one impeller??

    I've got a '97 Mercruiser 5.7L with an Alpha 1. I put less than 50 hours a year on my boat; all in freshwater. The last time the impeller was changed was 6 years ago. The boat runs the same temp. it always has; about 160 degrees according to the gauge. Should I replace the impeller just because...
  13. K

    Which fuel stabilizer for non-ethanol

    I'm getting ready to winterize the boat. I know I need to put a fuel stabilizer in the tank for the winter. I don't ever put ethanol gas in my boat. It looks like most of the marine fuel stabilizers talk about how great they are for treating ethanol fuel in the boat. If I remember correctly...
  14. K

    Engine compartment ventilation hose routing.

    On the back of my '97 Larson 206SEI there are 4 3" round louvered vents. Each connects to a piece of 3" flexible duct. One of them on the port side is the output from the blower. The other 3 have the duct running down to the bottom, sides of the engine. One of these hoses on the starboard side...
  15. K

    Grounding the fuel filler

    I was cleaning up the boat for the new season and noticed a green wire hanging from the underside of my fuel inlet. I assume this is supposed to be a ground wire but the other end isn't connected to anything. Should it be connected to the engine block? The negative battery terminal? Either? Does...
  16. K

    Need help on reattaching power steering cooler

    The boat is a '97 Larson 206SEI with a Mercruiser 5.7L and Alpha 1. While looking for a leak in my power steering system I discovered that my cooler isn't connected to anything for support. It just hangs by the hoses at the back of the engine. There appears to be a bracket attached to the cooler...
  17. K

    Drain the block crowd, did I do it right?

    I've always pumped antifreeze into my engine to winterize it. I've always been afraid that just draining the block might not get all the water out. It certainly doesn't do anything for draining the water passages in the outdrive including the impeller. However, I decided that since so many...
  18. K

    Where's my power steering fluid going?

    I've got a '97 Mercruiser 5.7 with an Alpha 1. It has power steering which works fine. I have to add fluid after every outing. I've probably used about 3/4 quart in 3 outings. I don't see any leaks around the pump, hoses, or fittings. I never see any oil in the bilge or any oil film in the...
  19. K

    Do greaseable hubs need to be packed?

    The hubs on my boat trailer have the grease fitting in the end of the bearing cap. I regularly pump them full of grease before towing. I don't think the bearings have ever been inspected or "packed". Is packing bearings necessary with this type of hubs or does the grease fitting cover this job...
  20. K

    What are the rules for marine VHF?

    Where can I find the FCC rules for marine VHF use? What "part" of the FCC regulations is the correct one? My main question is this: If I have a vhf in my boat and I'm out on the lake can I use the marine frequencies to communicate with someone on shore? This would most likely be my wife at our...
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