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    Anti-Fouling Wax work? Or just stick with paint?

    I have a boat with a nice and clean bottom and I hate to paint it, but if I have too I will. I see those bottom waxes like VS721 that seems to have some happy people, and others who say just stick with a paint. Anyone actually use anti-fouling wax with success?
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    De-Winterizing Process? What else?

    So last year I didn't have the time to winterize my boat myself, so a mechanic from a local marina stopped by and did it for me. He put anti-freeze in the block, and fogged the engine. He didn't pull the outdrive or change any of the lower unit oil or anything. So, what should be done this...
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    Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

    I was wondering if most of you leave your lower unit on your I/O for the winter, or do you remove it? I was told by a local mechanic that leaving it on is fine, and that I could change out my lower unit oils and greasings in the fall, since the boat only has about 25+/- hours. Should I go...
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    Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

    This is my first time ever owning an I/O. My boat is a 2005 Searay with the 3.0L engine with about 33 hours on it. I am debating on winterizing it myself and was curious to know about how much does it cost in Filters, gaskets, o-rings, seals, etc? I am trying to get an estimate on the guess...
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    Do you use STABILIZER in your Gas during the season?

    Does anyone use Stabilizer in their boat on a regular basis during the season? I just got a new boat this season and it has a 21+ Gallon tank. After 5 or 6 outings I thought it was close to empty and turns out it still had 11+ gallons in the tank. So my question is, if I am going to keep gas...
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    Temp Gauge Reading? Wrong? TOO HOT?

    So I just got my boat a few weeks back and have been out 3 or 4 times. The temperature gauge is acting up a bit and I wanted to feedback and advice. The boat is a 2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport with the 3.0L Mercruiser Engine. It has bout 27 hours on it and was like brand new when I got it at 23...
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    Flushing Engine - Leave all the way trimmed UP?

    Is it ok to flush the engine with the engine trimmed all the way up? I only flushed twice and I trimmed the engine down incase it was required. Does it matter if you leave the engine tilted all the way up while flushing?
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    COVER for Boat- Need Help Deciding - anyone buy one lately???

    I am shopping for a full cover for my new boat (2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport) and was wondering if some of you guys could share your opinions and knowledge. FABRICS: Seems like some are made of Cotton, others from Polyester blends, Acrylic, and 600 Denier dyed Polyester. I have been told to stay away...
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    Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

    So I am new to Inboard/Outboards, but not to Jet Ski's and Outboard Engine's. Do you flush an I/O the same way? I am using the hose flap motor muffs. 1.) Turn on Engine 2.) Immediately turn on water/hose 3.) Let engine run for 10+ minutes, or till the thermostat opens 4.) Turn off Water 5.)...
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    Flushing I/O while in water?

    I was curious to know what is the best method of flushing out an I/O engine while it is in the water? I am talking about a flush in salt water? I have seen that Volvo has a Neutra-Salt engine flush setup, and then I have also seen a Perko flush valve system of some sort. Do Mercuiser 3.0L's...
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    First Salt Water Ride- Anything to do?

    So I finally found a boat and picked it up this week! a sweet 2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport with the 135 3.0L I/O engine. I was wondering if there is anything I should be doing to the I/O for my first ride in salt water? The boat has been a fresh water boat for its 22 hours of use since 2006. In my...
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    Correct Prop? Need some help

    Hi, I am purchasing a 2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport bow rider type boat with the 3.0L Mercruiser engine. I was curious to know what a good replacement prop would be for this boat? The current prop is a black aluminum type prop that isn't in horrible condition, but it has a few scrapes and I want to...
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    Fresh Water Cooling Kits???? Info Needed

    So I am about to buy a boat that has a 3.0L Mercruiser engine (2005 with under 30 hours). Since I ride in Salt water I was wondering if a fresh water cooling kit is an ideal upgrade? Locally I see hundreds of boats that sit in the salt water for many years and do fine, but I know how Salt...
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    What to check when buying a 3.0L I/O??Low Hours

    I am new to inboard/outboards having only owned outboards, and jet ski 2 stoke's. I like to maintain my own boats and jet ski's, and wanted to see if you all can share some things to check when shopping for a boat with an inboard/outboard mercruiser? I've been shopping a few different boats and...
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    Spark Plug and Gap - Johnson 115hp V4?

    What is the best replacement spark plug for a 2000 johnson 115hp carbureted engine? Also, what is the gap? .030?
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    Checking Lower Unit? How to pressure test?

    What is the procedure to test a lower unit? After checking the current oil to see if it has any water mixed in, is whitish or creamy, the next step would be to pressure test the Lower End. Can a typical gauge pump or carburetor pop off tester sufficiently test the pressure of a lower unit...
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    Idle RPM?WOT RPM? 115 Johnson

    What should a 2000 115hp Johnson Outboard idle at? About how many RPM's should this engine go up to at WOT, or while cruising at full speed with a light load?
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    Four Winns Hulls? FiberGlass and Wood? Repair - Help

    I am shopping a 1999/2000 Four Winns 170 Horizon and was wondering if this model boat has both Fiberglass and Wood? The boat has a small spot on the bottom where it looks like some of the gel coat cracked off, about the size of a plum in a circular shape. Underneath it looks like it has...
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    Checking each Cylinder? Pulled Plug and RPM Drop?

    I went to check out a boat and I did the spark test where you remove one wire at a time while the engine is running to see if the RPM's drop down. I tested this with all 4 and one of the cylinders seemed to drop a tiny bit, but not as much as the others. The cylinder that did this was the top...
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    FICHT? How to tell - Johnson 115hp year 2000

    Can someone explain how to tell if an engine is a FICHT? I am shopping a boat that is a 2000 and has a Johnson 115 on the back. The engine is not the newer rounded style engine, but instead is a grey color with vents at the top and is a bit boxier. From what I've read the company must have...
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