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  1. Captain Caveman

    How To Remove Broken Steering Bracket - 1960 Johnson 5.5hp

    I've got a 1960 Johnson Seahorse 5.5hp CD-17. The steering bracket is from an earlier model and is about to be replaced. I've got a new(used) one on the way and started to remove the old one tonight. The powerhead and lower unit are all removed. Does anyone know which bolts need to be removed to...
  2. Captain Caveman

    Guess the Year of My Johnson (with pics)

    I just picked this Johnson Seahorse 5.5hp and was told it was a 1963. It runs decent but I will go through the carb and everything else. However, I am struggling to establish the exact year. The plate is missing from the transom bracket. The plug on the motor (bottom pic) just lists the serial...
  3. Captain Caveman

    Screws vibrating loose

    Is there something that folks use to keep screws from vibrating loose on your boats? My fishing boat has lots of carpeted panels that are screwed into the wood subfloors. These eventually work their way out. I tried to use some Loctite that I had laying around but since it's not metal to metal...
  4. Captain Caveman

    How Often To Replace Bearings

    I know that this one is going to get many opinions, but that's what I want to hear. How often do you completely replace your trailer wheel bearings? I've done it a few times on older trailers. My current boat came from the showroom floor in 2009 so it's got five years and gets about 5,000 miles...
  5. Captain Caveman

    Gluing transducer to transom

    Re: Gluing transducer to transom All of the ideas above are good routes. If you're intent on permanently mounting it, I'd avoid the glue and just drill a hole in the back. Buy a cheap thru-hull fitting to make it look nice, and use marine sealant to keep your transom dry.
  6. Captain Caveman

    Boat Storage Contract

    I'm storing my boat in a neighbor's garage this winter. I want to draw up a simple contract that covers the major storage issues without being too extensive. Issues that I addressed so far: - Storage dates - Payment terms - Right to visit/work on boat - Expectation of basic security and...
  7. Captain Caveman

    Connecting Bilge Float

    I installed the float and now just need to hook up the wiring. It should be easy to splice into the wiring at the pump. However, at the captain's seat the bilge is currently controlled with a 2-way rocker switch. It lights up when you turn on the bilge and goes dark when you turn it off. Of...
  8. Captain Caveman

    Trailer Jack Grease Cap

    My new trailer jack lasted one trip up north before the grease cap came off. Something brown (fox or dinosaur) ran into the trailer while I was doing 75mph in the middle of the night. That might have knocked it out. No matter what, I need to cap the jack. Does anyone have a good suggestion...
  9. Captain Caveman

    3hp Seahorse Wants To Run Lean

    I brought a 3hp 1957 JW-13 Seahorse back to life over the winter. I replaced the ignition, most of the lower unit, and threw in a carb rebuild. I've now run it twice in a barrel for limited periods (less than 5 minutes). It runs a little rough and doesn't run well at low or high speeds. It seems...
  10. Captain Caveman

    We Need Boat Launch Videos

    I didn't want to hijack the other thread, but I got an idea. Someone with a video camera should sit at a few busy boat ramps with a video camera in hand. One could put together an informative "don't do this" video available online. I know that there are various videos out there showing swamped...
  11. Captain Caveman

    Correcting Camber on a Trailer

    I've got a 2008 Karavan single axle boat trailer with a nasty positive camber. I do tow a lot of miles since it is 500 miles round trip to my cabin, and we go probably 8-10 times per season, so 4-5k miles annually. I got 1.5 seasons out of the stock Goodyear tires before they were slippery...
  12. Captain Caveman

    Best Way To Remove Oil Seals?

    I've been tearing apart a 3hp 1957 Johnson Seahorse. I replaced the oil seal between the gear case and the drive shaft (just below the impeller). It was a real pain to remove and required lots of different attempts with various tools. I was thinking about replacing the one in the gearcase as...
  13. Captain Caveman

    Replacing Spark Plug Wires to Coils - 1957 3hp Seahorse

    This is for a 1957 Johnson Seahorse 3hp (JW-13). One of the spark plug wires is bare to the wire in a spot. I've got the flywheel off and have new wire, but am stumped about how to swap out the wire. Do you just pull the old wire out of the coil and somehow shove the new wire into place and...
  14. Captain Caveman

    1957 Johnson 3hp - Gas Tank Extra Parts?

    I just cleaned the piles of insulation and foam out of the 1957 Johnson 3hp (JW-13) motor that I picked up this summer for $25. When I turn the rope, the prop turns but it's completely drained of fluid - so she's about to get a complete rebuild of gaskets, etc. The first order of business was...
  15. Captain Caveman

    State-By-State Towing Laws

    The link in the sticky thread (above) is dead. Here is the new link to towing laws: Towing World Official Website
  16. Captain Caveman

    Jumping Starter with Deep-Cycle

    I have a starting battery and a deep-cycle in my boat. I've never worn down my own starting battery, but did help a neighbor this spring. Her boat wouldn't turn over. I ran my jumper cables from my deep cycle to her starting battery but realized that it wouldn't work. I then hooked the jumpers...
  17. Captain Caveman

    Wrong Button

    Am I the only one who clicks on the big "Reply To Thread" button after typing a long response, instead of clicking the "Post Quick Reply" button? I can't tell you how many times I've done this recently. I must be getting old, but I sure wish that both buttons weren't so close to where I type...
  18. Captain Caveman

    Transom height and cavitation plate relationship

    Re: Transom height and cavitation plate relationship Don't mess with the system in place unless you think that the performance is suffering. I had the same issue with incompatible transom and motor issues. Initially I used a 1x1 block but found that the motor fasteners were too close to the top...
  19. Captain Caveman

    Lowrance X50 quit working after reset

    No matter what I did, I couldn't get the fish arches back so I did the factory reset procedure in the manual. The unit was working fine (except for not showing fish arches) prior to the reset but now doesn't work. It reset to the factory settings. I turned off the 'Simulator Mode' but as soon as...
  20. Captain Caveman

    Mirror for Single Console

    I have an Alumacraft Navigator with a single console. In Minnesota, we need to have a mirror if you are pulling a skier or tube without an observer in the boat to monitor what is going on behind your boat. I've looked online and in stores but haven't seen anything that would work well as a...
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