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  1. BigBoatinOkie

    Compression Test ?

    Would it do me any good to do a compression test with the motor out of the boat since I can't warm it up to operating temp?
  2. BigBoatinOkie

    Memorial Weekend!

    Memorial Day weekend seems to be the first big boating weekend, so I just wanted to tell everybody going boating to have a blast and be safe. Wish I was going, but since my project is still in the restoration forum, well you can see why I'm not. Anyways, everybody have fun. :)
  3. BigBoatinOkie

    '86 Merc 5.0 (228 hp) Help

    Okay fellas, here's what I have. 1986 Wellcraft 180 bowrider with 305 cid 228hp, thunderbolt ignition, stock manifolds with risers, thru hull exhaust. I had the boat for about 3 months before winter, so I didn't have time to really get to know her. I have spent a few months now restoring her...
  4. BigBoatinOkie

    Is This Addicting?

    Just wanted to start a fun little discussion and get peoples thoughts. I bought my very first boat last summer. It was an '86 Cheetah 19ft. bowrider. Soon after I bought it I realized it was trashed. Deck, stringers, transom, and motor mounts were all beyond rotten. So, I stuck that one in...
  5. BigBoatinOkie

    Bucket Seats

    I've been looking at bucket seats and can't find what I'm looking for. First of all, they are all rediculously priced. $300-$600 per seat not even including pedestals. That's just bull crap. What I really need is just a frame so I can have it upholstered to match the rest of the boat. Is...
  6. BigBoatinOkie

    Help choosing board

    I've never boarded before and I don't have a clue what to look for. I'm 6'3" 260 lb. The laws of physics suggest that I would need as large a board as I can get, but I don't know if the shape has any part to play or if I need fins or not. A little advice please. Thanks.
  7. BigBoatinOkie

    Quick Transom Question

    I have some rot on one side of the outrdive hole on my Wellcraft I/O. I've cut some of the fiberglass out of the inside to expose the wood. The rot is limited to a small area on the lower port side of the outdrive hole. The rotted crap is easy to remove, but the good wood is nearly impossible...
  8. BigBoatinOkie

    What makes a marine engine a MARINE engine

    Hi there, I've been thinking about uprgading from a merc 5.0 to a 5.7. My question is, can I use any 350 block or is there something special about a marine engine. I'm not sure what makes a marine engine special. Some education please. Thanks.
  9. BigBoatinOkie

    '84 Wellcraft Repairs and Paint SPLASHED

    Howdy there folks. My fear and stress has now turned into excitement as I have finally begun work on my '84 Wellcraft Elite XL 180. My plans are to replace the deck along with a couple of bulkheads that have a little rot. I have drilled quite a few holes in the transom and stringers all over...
  10. BigBoatinOkie

    Materials for Deck Replacecment

    Howdy. I'm getting ready to replace the deck in my 18 ft. Wellcraft bowrider. I am tryng to get a list of materials together and get them ordered as I don't have a local source for marine supplies. I'd appreciate any help with the following: 1. How much resin and hardener should I need? 2...
  11. BigBoatinOkie

    Wakeboard/Ski Towers

    I don't do any wakeboarding, but I do lots of skiing, slolom skiing, kneeboarding, and tubing. Do those towers enhance the experience of the activities I mentioned, or is it mostly for wakeboarding? Do they make it harder to plane when towing with them. They sure do look cool. Thanks.
  12. BigBoatinOkie

    Bennet Trim Tabs

    Anyone have experience with Bennet trim tabs? I have hydrolic tabs in my boat, but they haven't worked since i've owned the boat. I called bennet and they gave me the procedure for checking the wiring and it resulted in there being a problem with the motor. Was wandering if anyone has ever...
  13. BigBoatinOkie

    Horsepower

    Without doing any major engine work are there any little tricks to help squeeze out a little more power. I guess you'd call it bolt on horsepower. I have a '84 Merc 228hp Chevy 305 and alpha1 drive. The ol' gal runs pretty good and fires right up everytime and there aren't any problems with...
  14. BigBoatinOkie

    Prop Confusion

    Howdy. I have an '84 wellcraft 18ft. bowrider with a Merc 228 chevy 305 and alpha 1 outdrive. When I got the boat it had a SS 14.5x22 3-blade prop an it would run about 50mph but only turn about 3400 rpm. So I happened to have a SS 14.5x20 3-blade and it helped on the rpm and acceleration a...
  15. BigBoatinOkie

    Do my own paint job?

    Howdy. My ol' '84 Wellcraft bowrider needs a paint job. I'd like to have it done professionally, but I'm pretty sure I can't afford it just like anything else that pertains to boats. That said, I'll probably just do it myself. So my first question is what do I put the boat on while I paint...
  16. BigBoatinOkie

    Decking Options

    Hi there. I recently purchased a boat with a soft floor and it needs replacement. I've seen how it's normally done, and I don't like it. It seems like it would be better to replace the deck with a material that cannot rot. Does anyone have ecperience with using fiberglass sheets. I've seen...
  17. BigBoatinOkie

    Any more Sugestions?

    I've been winterizing my '84 Wellcraft 180 Elite XL with Merc 228hp 5.0 (Chevy) and Alpha 1 Outdrive. I would like to telll you what i've done and see if I've missed anything. Here goes. 1)Added fuel stabilizer 2)Change motor oil and Filter 3)Fogged Engine 4)Drained cooling system as follows...
  18. BigBoatinOkie

    Anti-Freeze Question - Winterizing

    Howdy. I'm winterizing my 84 Merc 5.0 228 hp and I was planning on sucking up antifreeze with the exhaust bellows ( some say it's good, some say don't do it?) Sounds like a fine idea to me. Anyway, I drained all four drain plugs first (2 on block and 2 on manifolds) and prodded the holes to...
  19. BigBoatinOkie

    sanding/waxing boards and skis

    Does anyone sand and/or wax their skis, kneeboards, wakeboards, etc. I sanded my kneeboard lightly just to smooth out the texture, and I liked it. So I was wordering if anyone else does it. I was thinking about doing it to my skis. Also, it seems like some wax might help also. I just...
  20. BigBoatinOkie

    big difference in stainless and alum props?

    I have a 20" stainless prop on my Wellcraft 18' bowrider 228 hp merc I/O. I want to go to an 18'' prop for more pulling power. I know that there will be a loss in top speed which is fine, but if i go to an aluminum prop will i lose even more speed or will I not benefit as much from the pitch...
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