Search results

  1. 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...
  2. 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.
  3. 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...
  4. JimS123

    Engine model number

    The cowl will provide no insight. There should be a plate on the transom bracket that will tell it all.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. JimS123

    old pictures

    90-93
  8. 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...
  9. 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...
  10. 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...
  11. 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...
  12. 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...
  13. 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.
  14. 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...
  15. 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.
  16. JimS123

    Rubberized or Epoxy undercarriage roll on for salt water trailer?

    In 1986 I bought a 22 year old yellow gator trailer that had more rust than yellow paint left. Wire brush on an electric drill, a coat of Rust Reformer, a coat of Rustoleum fish oil primer and a single brushed on coat of Rustoleum enamel. Now, it was only used in fresh water, but it spent most...
  17. JimS123

    Rubberized or Epoxy undercarriage roll on for salt water trailer?

    I'll debate the Ziebart comment. When we first heard about the process several family members started using it. It not only added to the car's longevity, but improved resale value as well. In harsh Buffalo, NY winters, cars usually rusted out in 6 or 7 years. The last Pontiac we had...
  18. JimS123

    How many very new 4 stroke engines will be running trouble free at age 50 to 75 years old ?

    Over the last 15 years I have bought 3 outboards from OnlineOutboards.com. A 25 Yamaha, and 3.5 and 5.0 Mercs. The bottom line price was significantly lower than from a local dealer. Hanging the motor and pouring in the free bottle of oil was the only prep needed.
  19. JimS123

    How many very new 4 stroke engines will be running trouble free at age 50 to 75 years old ?

    My collection of 2 strokes is pretty big. But most are collectables. The two that are "daily runners" are 73 and 51 years old. They both run very good. I have five 4-strokes on 3 boats. They were purchased during the period 2015-2019, when I was between 66 and 70 years old. I don't know...
  20. JimS123

    I have a boat I want to sell on Craig's list.

    With Craigslist you get an email response and then you can trade phone numbers and actually HOLD A CONVERSATION. With Farcebook marketplace nobody will call you even if you request it. They all want to send tweets back and forth. Those that DO reply are sellers that offer a ridiculously low...
Top