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  1. JimS123

    Sea Star Hydraulic Steering

    We just took delivery of a new outboard SeaRay runabout equipped with a 150 Merc 4-stroke and hydraulic steering. I've had all sorts of systems in the past but this is my first hydraulic. No documentation came with the boat. There is a port on the dash capped with a rubber plug, presumably for...
  2. JimS123

    Winterization Cost

    What's the going rate for a Mercruiser 6.2 liter? That would include draining the water, outdrive service (oil), engine oil, plus check fuel water separator and any other normal annual checks and services.
  3. JimS123

    B.O.A.T - aka, The Cost of Boat Ownership

    You often hear people whine “if you have a boat you must be rich”. Surely, people with 60’ yachts might be well off, but I recently read a statistic that the vast majority of private boats are kept on trailers. I would consider a 19’ I/O Bowrider to be somewhat representative of an “average”...
  4. JimS123

    Worst Captain ever?

    Winch it all the way, no problem. Over the years 2 trailers I bought new had straps that would not reach the back of the trailer, but when I complained to the manufacturer they sent me an extra long replacement. This is the best pic I have. The trailer is backed in so the last roller just...
  5. JimS123

    Prop "Corrosion"?

    Just came back from a 7 day vacation. The boat was in the water the whole time, on floating docks with power and water. Mercury 4-stroke with a Vengeance SS prop. My zincs showed a lot of corrosion. This was the second Summer at the same location. Last year no problems. My issue is the...
  6. JimS123

    SS Prop Recomendation

    Looking at a new 19' bowrider equipped with a 150 HP Mercury 4 stroke. The rig dry weight is about 2750. Std prop is a black max. Don't ever want to run an aluminum prop again. It's been a long time since I upgraded, so prop technology has escaped me. 99% usage is with 2 people, sometimes...
  7. JimS123

    3.0 Mercruiser Still Overheating

    Worked fine on the muffs and most of the first day's outing. Then came in a no-wake zone and docked at a restaurant when it started to overheat. Got up to 180 or so on my gauge. Replaced the entire water pump and the thermostat. Next time out the gauge showed about 150-155, vs the 140 it had...
  8. JimS123

    3.0 Mercruiser Still Overheating

    Worked fine on the muffs and most of the first day's outing. Then came in a no-wake zone and docked at a restaurant when it started to overheat. Got up to 180 or so on my gauge. Replaced the entire water pump and the thermostat. Next time out the gauge showed about 150-155, vs the 140 it had...
  9. JimS123

    3.0 Mercruiser Still Overheating

    Worked fine on the muffs and most of the first day's outing. Then came in a no-wake zone and docked at a restaurant when it started to overheat. Got up to 180 or so on my gauge. Replaced the entire water pump and the thermostat. Next time out the gauge showed about 150-155, vs the 140 it had...
  10. JimS123

    Surge Brakes

    Never had brakes before. Considering a trailer with surge brakes, that has the Back-up disable feature. The towcar will be a Chevy Traverse with a class 3 package and a 7 pin connector. Having been using a 7 to 4 pin adapter. So, now I need a 7 to 5 pin adapter. The Car Owners manual says...
  11. JimS123

    Impeller Quality

    I usually change impellers based on running time, not age. My target is 100 hours. We have several boats, thus the 3.0 liter Mercruiser gets little use. I usually change the impeller after about 6 years, and every time I do an inspection shows that I really didn't need to change it yet. Had...
  12. JimS123

    "Canvas" Color

    In the olden days boat canvas was real canvas and it was either tan or green. Then in the '70's and '80's it was mostly white vinyl. Today Sunbrella comes in every color of the rainbow. The fad these days is black. Just a fad. But what's cooler to sit under? In these dog days approaching...
  13. JimS123

    SeaRay SPX 190 Outboard

    Anybody own a '17 or '18 version of the subject model? Looking for comments or criticisms.
  14. JimS123

    Bellows & Impeller Cost

    Looking at replacing he bellows on a 3.0 Liter Merc pre-Alpha. The dealer said the part came in a "kit" and included a new shift cable. What's the going rate parts and labor? Also, its time for a new impeller. What should that set me back?
  15. JimS123

    Trailer guides

    I used to have side guides with rollers. Real slick. My new boat has ALL Stolz self centerers and it is super slick. I used to think that roller bunks were the cat's meow, but with EZSlides on the bunks and the Stoltz's, there is no need for the roller bunks OR the side guides.
  16. JimS123

    Proper set up for roller trailers and aluminum hulls?

    Really slick setup. Anyone with a bunk trailer would be envious (or they should be if they knew what they were doing). Yours is the only trailer I ever saw that was actually better than mine.....LOL..
  17. JimS123

    Web Site Problem?

    Never had an issue before. Today my Norton keeps giving an error message stating that I'm being attacked by a Web attack JSCoinminer virus of some sort every time I open this site. Any truth to the problem?
  18. JimS123

    Trailerable Cover?

    That's a pretty poor writeup if you ask me. The generic descriptions talk about "trailerable covers", but the specific writeup doesn't indicate one way or the other. Those that are trailerable usually show the straps in the picture. Since this one does not, and there is no indication of any...
  19. JimS123

    New garage

    The minimum size should be 24x24. That will hold a 19' runabout. If you have a swing tongue it would probably hold a 20 footer. Install an 8" high garage door. That will fit most any boat that will fit in 24'. Install one 16' door, and have it within 2' of the side. That will give you...
  20. JimS123

    New bloke throwing a curve ball - Scratch building an old classic w/ a modern twist

    My first boat was a plywood 16' runabout that I built when I was a freshman in the University. Awesome experience. The whole family helped. My Grandpa was a retired carpenter so it was as much a joy for him as it was for me. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. The first date I had...
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