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  1. BigBoatinOkie

    Wrong Prop?

    I recently bought a 1984 Wellcraft 180 Elite XL I/O. It has a Mercruiser 228 hp Chevy 305 Engine and Mercruiser Alpha 1:1.47 Outdrive with 14 1/2 X 22 Stainless 3 blade prop. The boat has a top speed around 50 mph, but I noticed that at WOT It was only turning about 3300 rpm. I don't have a...
  2. BigBoatinOkie

    Bennett Trim Tabs or Smart Tabs?

    Howdy. I just bought a 1984 Wellcraft 180 bowrider. It came with Bennett hydraulic trim tabs that don't work. I've never used trim tabs but they seem like they would just be a distraction while trying to drive the boat. We will be pulling a skier/tube/kneeboard, so there is enough to pay...
  3. BigBoatinOkie

    stripped out screw in transom

    One of the screws on my swim platform has stripped out and allowed the wood inside to get wet. I just bought the boat a few days ago and the guy i bought it from said it came loose a few weeks ago somehow and i guess he didn't see fit to fix it. It was held in place with a lag screw about 1.5...
  4. BigBoatinOkie

    What Pitch?

    I have a 1750 bayliner with a 3.0 volvo and alpha 1 outdrive. We like to ski and slalom and we have 2 guys that weigh 275 and one that weighs 250. It has a 21 pitch prop. What would you guys with some experience suggest for the pitch? Thanks for the help. Andrew
  5. BigBoatinOkie

    '78 Sea Ray

    Hey folks, I was looking at '78 Sea Ray 18' bowrider I/O. Owner said it needed rebuilt lower unit. I have an alpha one outdrive that needs a boat. Anyone know what outdrives these boats came with? All I know is it has a 5.7 L engine. I would assume that's Chevy. Left a message with owner...
  6. BigBoatinOkie

    ski bindings

    I bought a new set of combo skis and I don't like the bindings. It's extremely hard to kick of a ski to slolom but the skis themselves are awesome. I would like to just get some bindings that are fairly easy to kick off and accomodate a size 13 foot. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
  7. BigBoatinOkie

    Kneeboards

    I just tried kneeboarding for the first time last weekend and loved it. The board I was using looked way old skool and cheap, I couldn't even get the strap over my legs. It may have even been for kids or something, but it was given to my dad from his neighbor so it couldn't have been very...
  8. BigBoatinOkie

    Questions about parting out

    Howdy all, I just found out my transom and stringers are totally rotten so I was thinking of parting out the boat. I was wondering what would be a fair asking price for the good running 3.7 liter 170 hp Merc engine, Alpha 1 Gen 1 Drive, and a dual axle trailer for 18' boat. And please no...
  9. BigBoatinOkie

    Jerry Rigged Bowrider Fishing/Ski boats

    Howdy all. I have an '86 Cheetah 180 bowrider I/O. This boat is not intended for fishing but I have been thinking of some ways to make it interchangeable as a fishing boat and ski boat. The boat needs reupholstering so I thought about making the bow seat cushions removable and cutting a piece...
  10. BigBoatinOkie

    How fast?

    I recently purchased a 1986 Cheetah 18' bowrider with 170 hp 3.7 liter, merc alpha 1, 20 pitch prop. What do you think the top speed should be with 4 adults.
  11. BigBoatinOkie

    Bellows replacement

    I set out to replace the lower shift cable on my '86 alpha 1. When I removed the drive from the bell housing, I found a little water in the u-joint bellows. It wasn't a lot of water and the bearing seemed fine, so I'm guessing that I just need to replace the bellows. Am I right? If so...
  12. BigBoatinOkie

    Alpha 1 hard as heck to shift.

    I know there is a bunch of threads dealing with shifting issues, but I couldn't find one that matched my problem exactly. When the boat is in the water, it's really hard to shift, particularly when trying to find neutral. When in forward gear and I want to go to neutral, I have to really yank...
  13. BigBoatinOkie

    3.7 Merc Carb Question

    I've decided that the carb on my 3.7 litre 170 hp Merc needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Someone told me that a 180 hp Merc is the same engine with a 4 bbl carb. Is this true? If so I was thinking about getting a 4 bbl since I need to work on mine anyway. Is this a good idea or not? Also...
  14. BigBoatinOkie

    Boat pulls to the left

    Just bought an '86 Cheetah 170 hp mercuiser alpha 1. The boat pulls pretty hard to the left. Why? How do I fix it? Thanks.
  15. BigBoatinOkie

    Good deal or not?

    Howdy, I'm new to the forum and I have never owned a boat, nor have even been around boats much. I have the oportunity to purchace a 1986 Cheetah 180 for $1900. It is 17.5" Inboard/Outboard with 170 hp Mercruiser. Boat looks very clean and I know it has been stored inside most of it's life...
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