Search results

  1. JimS123

    Question about engine oil

    Your Mercury Marine Owner's Manual clearly states in writing what oil to use. It even goes so far as to specify the temperature range for each oil grade. Your buddy must have read the manual. If the temperature goes to 50, and assuming the engine warms up to that level, then you should not...
  2. JimS123

    Unknown boat

    It simply breaks my heart when I see a beautiful boat like that covered in snow. The upholstery must be cringing in horror. I realize not too many people know how to properly set up a boat on a trailer, but that winch stand setup is the worst job I have ever seen. The redeeming feature about...
  3. JimS123

    Purchasing 2nd Boat: Jet or Stern Drive?

    I had that thought before I posted, but did so anyway. Maybe the pic doesn't describe the true space because of the angle. As a matter of fact, when I fish off the stern, or simple dangle my feet in the water, I sit right in front of the Kicker. It's imply a comfortable spot. The reason for...
  4. JimS123

    Purchasing 2nd Boat: Jet or Stern Drive?

    That's really funny. It just shows how opinions differ from person to person. Outboards have ZERO noise (almost). We still have 75% of our swim platform for lounging, on both sides of the OB. Plus, we have a HUGE lounge above what would have been the I/O, and the big hole beneath houses more...
  5. JimS123

    Air don't freeze... RV antifreeze DOES!

    Ever hear of the "Love Canal"? As young marrieds we were looking to buy our first house. A friend told us about one right in the middle of that fiasco. Nobody knew at the time. I noticed a smelly fluid oozing into the sump pump, and quickly nixed that house. Turned out my friend DID buy...
  6. JimS123

    Air don't freeze... RV antifreeze DOES!

    I wouldn't be concerned with flammability. My issue would be sending crap down the sewer, no matter how small an amount.
  7. JimS123

    Vessel view or gauge

    The first time out with the system I unknowingly hit a plastic bag and it wrapped around the lower unit, cutting off the water supply. Vesselview alerted me to the problem before the overheat buzzer sounded. That night when we got home i ordered another Vesselview for my other boat....
  8. JimS123

    Vessel view or gauge

    After running boats for 54 years with a multitude of gauges. I switched to Vesselview on my cellphone in my current 2 boats and I couldn't be happier. It has everything you need to know. I bought a Ram mount for the phone and installed it on my dash. All the data is in clear view. I can;'t...
  9. JimS123

    TCW-2, use it?

    When I bought my first new outboard (a 40 HP Evinrude Lark) I started using OMC 2-stroke oil as the dealer recommended. There was a Texaco station at the end of my street and we went there for minor repairs and gas. The owner talked me into using Texaco Outboard Motor Oil. I don't remember...
  10. JimS123

    Purchasing 2nd Boat: Jet or Stern Drive?

    I can't say I'm a detractor, per se'. We have a jetski, so it's not like I wouldn't own one. Its a fun toy and we enjoy it. But, then again when she clogs up I'm already wet so its no problem going diving to get her running again. I put up with the oil sucking and winterizing just because...
  11. JimS123

    TCW-2, use it?

    I still have Grandpa's owner's manual from 1955. It called for 30w non-detergent oil. You piqued my interest so I looked it up. Kendall introduced 10w30 in 1953. My abomination with oil would have been as a teenager in about 1965, so Dad's stock would have been from the early 1960's.
  12. JimS123

    TCW-2, use it?

    In my youth Grandpa gave me his 10 HP Merc to use when my buddies and i rented a little tinny. I could barely afford the gas, much less oil. So I raided dad's garage locker and used 10w30 or whatever he had. I finally sold that motor when it was about 30 years old. Still ran like a champ...
  13. JimS123

    TCW-2, use it?

    Oil lasts forever. It's the additives IN the oil that you need to be concerned with. I thought everybody knew that!
  14. JimS123

    TCW-2, use it?

    The pundits say it has a certain shelf life. Certainly it's beyond it by now. If I had an old clunker that I didn't care about I'd use it up. If my motor was one I cared about I'd use it in my chain saw. It's only a savings of a few bucks. I spend that more in beer every week.
  15. JimS123

    Purchasing 2nd Boat: Jet or Stern Drive?

    I'm an old fart (don't call me an old fogie, though.....LOl). I've owned / run them all since the very beginning. I've been a boater for 67 years, and I've owned my OWN boat for 54 years. What I'm about to say is strictly my OPINION, based on the aforementioned experience. Plus, I may...
  16. JimS123

    I don't think this will buff out....

    I've been dealing with a "mobile mechanic" for 25 or more years. He has a house and dock on the Erie Canal. He will come to your house to work on your boat, or to your marina, or at your launch ramp if your marina won't allow repairs. He'll pull it our with his huge articulating trailer...
  17. JimS123

    Submersible trailer lights

    I currently use LEDs and have not had a problem..... yet. Prior to that I used sealed bell jar lights and never had a problem either. I used to always disconnect before they hit the water. My last set lasted 35 years on the original bulbs. Now I don't disconnect because I have brakes and it...
  18. JimS123

    Air don't freeze... RV antifreeze DOES!

    I used to change the car's anti freeze at the end of the driveway and simply let it run into the storm drain. I used to put the green stuff in the boat and simply let it run into the river when we re-commissioned the boat in the Spring. Then, after reading Al Gore's book I got religious and I...
  19. JimS123

    What model is my Starcraft?

    It's a Starcraft Seafarer. Basic no-frills utility. If it has a HIN on the starboard side upper transom, you can glean the year. Otherwise its an older model. Regardless, google recent model Starcraft utilities and you can get specs that will be close. BTW, looks like its missing the bowform
  20. JimS123

    What should I do with this free boat?

    The guy giving you the boat is a genius. When he found out how much it was going to cost to dispose of it, he started looking for someone to pay the expense for him.
Top