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  1. JimS123

    Let’s talk batteries.

    You start your car multiple times each day, so a cheepie wally battery is OK. But your boat has limited use, thus it needs to be a good one because its not charged up regularly. Even a deep cycle battery will lose its life if discharged many times below 50%. The optimum starter battery on a...
  2. JimS123

    Leaving I/O in water all year round?

    A COMPLETE Mercruiser I/O R&R is about a 5 hour job. My local ghetto "mobile" mechanic may be cheaper, but my Master Certified Mercruiser mechanic (dealer been in bizness since 1965) charges about $120 / hour. If you use a calculator, that comes up to about $600 just for labor. The Sea Trial...
  3. JimS123

    Leaving I/O in water all year round?

    Wow, you got the bargain of the year. Did you do it yourself with Chinese parts? The going rate at a reputable dealer that doesn't price gouge is about $1900. That includes ALL bellows and shift cable, impeller, sea trial, etc.
  4. JimS123

    Upgrading from 2 stroke to 4 stroke

    Evinrude is out of business. No 2-strokes available in the US except used. If the motor runs Ok, fix the prop. If not buy a 60 HP 4-stroke and fix that prop and you'll be happy. (fix prop = follow post #7.
  5. JimS123

    Outboard Painting

    I can't say I disagree with you, but no matter what subject you talk about someone will say its too expensive, while another will say its cheap. Let's see, Gun for 20, lower priced compressor 80, hoses and fittings, 20, pint paint 40, 1/4 pint hardener 20....=....$180.00. Or, 2 cans wally @...
  6. JimS123

    Outboard Painting

    If you are referring to suggestions to use a hardened paint, and of course having to buy professional spray equipment, I understand. If you are looking for cheap, quick and dirty, just go to Wallyworld and buy a $4.99 can of spray paint that is the closest match. If there is a spot that is...
  7. JimS123

    Is this a fair price?

    NADA book value is $21,000. Even that's a lot for a 13 year old boat. Your decision.
  8. JimS123

    Looking for first boat

    21' minimum doable, 25' if you want to be reasonably comfortable. A bowrider is mandatory, and if the ladies insist on bringing bags of "stuff" along with them, then you better have some good storage room. Before you attempt to drive around with 2 people in the bow area, you better have many...
  9. JimS123

    Outboard Painting

    While the zinc rich primers offer a certain amount of corrosion resistance, the main reason for their use on aluminum is to ensure that the paint sticks. I haven't been able to buy chromate in years in my state, so I'm not surprised you can't find it either. Go to an Auto Parts store and buy...
  10. JimS123

    Looking for first boat

    Its a beautiful boat - looks like it was well cared for. We have owned 2 of them over the years and we loved them. That said, they are asking double what it's worth based on market values. You will pay extra because of the exceptional condition of a used boat. Regardless, that's a 4-person...
  11. JimS123

    Misty River

    That's a tough sell. Took lots of googling. With the lack of internet info, its hard to find anything out about them. Apparently, they went out of business in 2003. Obviously, a Canadian boat. Best guess is to google the USCG calculations for HP requirements, measure the boat and go from...
  12. JimS123

    Looking for first boat

    21 feet and 8 people doesn't compute. 7 on my son's 25 footer felt cramped. Maybe you should be looking at a pontoon, and even then if tubing is in the plan it better have a pretty big outboard and you might exceed your budget.
  13. JimS123

    1992 Bayliner Cuddy 3.0 Mercruiser

    Your experience is surprising. We had a 19' FG bowrider with a 140 3-liter. And it certainly was properly pitched. Of course much heavier than your tinny. With 4 adults in the B-T-B seats, 2 pre-teens in the bow and 2 pre-teens in the aft jump seats she would plane very nicely. Never had to...
  14. JimS123

    Advice on first extended trip with 14 footer/7.5

    We fish above the Falls. Hence the reason all saavy boaters keep kickers. The lower river in view of the Falls is not open to pleasure craft.
  15. JimS123

    Updating the motor on an old boat

    Dads are one of our most important commodities. If Dad wants to upgrade, help him out the best you can. Just buy him a brand spanking new 4-stroke. You don't have to buy it for him. Just go in halfers with him. Just be sure the weight and HP match the boat. He'll end up having a wonderful...
  16. JimS123

    Advice on first extended trip with 14 footer/7.5

    I had a brand spanking new Evinrude Lark and was fishing in view of Niagara Falls. We could see the mist rising. It was dusk and we started to go back upstream to the launch ramp. Just as we hit plane, the gears in the lower unit gave out and we were stuck in neutral. (Never buy an electric...
  17. JimS123

    Possible Business

    My goto old OB guy started out just as you have in mind. Fixed a motor in his garage, then got paid to do it for someone else, then went to work for a marine dealer. When the old guy retired he bought the business. He's been there now for 41 years. A few things to consider.... You won't...
  18. JimS123

    Advice on first extended trip with 14 footer/7.5

    I wouldn't think about taking a second boat. I'd advise you to not leave without it. When my kids were little I bought a second boat just to be used as a utility trailer to take all our camping gear in. It was a 14' tinny with a 9.5 'Rude. (still have it to this day) When it was unpacked we...
  19. JimS123

    AOL Broken

    No, you misread my message. I said all was OK now. I am now able to use the AOL browser and get IBoats just fine. No problems....
  20. JimS123

    What would you put in a small outboard repair kit?

    That's why I said what I did. 'Rudes had shear pins as late as 1984. Don't know about those Mercs.
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