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  1. JimS123

    New boat owners leaving the hobby

    I've been a boater for 70 years and a boat-owner for 57. If I can't handle it any more, send me to the nursing home. If I die before then, strap me to my jetski, push me toward Niagara Falls and yell yeeeee-haaaa for me. Let the wife collect the boat insurance. The article above makes sense...
  2. JimS123

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    The straps are angled the wrong way because the ratchet assembly was installed in the wrong place. They are not an optimum product anyway because eventually they rust internally and don't work any more. A drill and a SS Eye Bolt in the correct place, plus a conventional tie down strap will...
  3. JimS123

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    I DID read the entire post in the first place and I still don't think you have a big problem. I think you are over-thinking it. The boat is well cradled. As long as your tongue weight is sufficient, it does not matter how far the bunks stick out the back. Most issues are when a trailer is...
  4. JimS123

    Modifying a 1975 Trail-R-Craft

    Not rocket science. Move the boat back (and winch stand) an inch. The outdrive should be in a better position. If the tongue weight is too light now, leave the boat where it is. The OD is going to be up when traveling anyway, so it won't matter. That boat does not need electric brakes...
  5. JimS123

    Which battery is best?

    I missed the post detailing the AGM requirement. (I DO read owners manuals, but not always every post) That being the case, you can't go wrong with a Trojan. I have had iffy longevity with Odyssey, but my Trojan is the best battery I ever had.
  6. JimS123

    Which battery is best?

    Regular flooded deep cycle dual purpose batteries is what I use and would recommend. AGMs are good for a jetski where they get jossled around a lot, but not cost effective for a boat. Don't use a trickle charger. If you use the boat every week, don't worry about it. Use one battery going out...
  7. JimS123

    Bimini top seems to have shrunk

    Release the poles as though you were going to fold the top. With the structure loose, install the snaps. Then pull the structure back and re-install the uprights.
  8. JimS123

    Rubberized or Epoxy undercarriage roll on for salt water trailer?

    In 1986 I bought a 22 year old yellow gator trailer that had more rust than yellow paint left. Wire brush on an electric drill, a coat of Rust Reformer, a coat of Rustoleum fish oil primer and a single brushed on coat of Rustoleum enamel. Now, it was only used in fresh water, but it spent most...
  9. JimS123

    Rubberized or Epoxy undercarriage roll on for salt water trailer?

    I'll debate the Ziebart comment. When we first heard about the process several family members started using it. It not only added to the car's longevity, but improved resale value as well. In harsh Buffalo, NY winters, cars usually rusted out in 6 or 7 years. The last Pontiac we had...
  10. JimS123

    How many very new 4 stroke engines will be running trouble free at age 50 to 75 years old ?

    Over the last 15 years I have bought 3 outboards from OnlineOutboards.com. A 25 Yamaha, and 3.5 and 5.0 Mercs. The bottom line price was significantly lower than from a local dealer. Hanging the motor and pouring in the free bottle of oil was the only prep needed.
  11. JimS123

    How many very new 4 stroke engines will be running trouble free at age 50 to 75 years old ?

    My collection of 2 strokes is pretty big. But most are collectables. The two that are "daily runners" are 73 and 51 years old. They both run very good. I have five 4-strokes on 3 boats. They were purchased during the period 2015-2019, when I was between 66 and 70 years old. I don't know...
  12. JimS123

    I have a boat I want to sell on Craig's list.

    With Craigslist you get an email response and then you can trade phone numbers and actually HOLD A CONVERSATION. With Farcebook marketplace nobody will call you even if you request it. They all want to send tweets back and forth. Those that DO reply are sellers that offer a ridiculously low...
  13. JimS123

    I have a boat I want to sell on Craig's list.

    I do this all the time. Download the pics to a file on your computer. Maybe you need to e-mail them to yourself. Then, when you write the ad, when it calls for pics link it to your file. If you are trying to do it all on your phone, I dunno. I have found that tweeter phones and "real"...
  14. JimS123

    Boat Battery Questions - Cranking

    The battery in my last boat was 8 years old when I sold the boat and it had no signs of going bad. My current 2 boat's batteries are 7 and 8 years old and based on my monthly maintenance regimen they are still good. My jetski battery is 9 years old, and still good, though it is an AGM so that...
  15. JimS123

    Don't know what I got

    Yes, "boat people". Aye, there's the rub. Dad bought a little woodie with his part time job while going to High School. When he had to go off to WWII Grandpa took care of it while he was gone. After the war, marriage and kids, the boat was still there. My earliest recollection of life...
  16. JimS123

    Boat Battery Questions - Cranking

    Personally, I only use Dual Purpose. It's worked for me for 50 years. If I ONLY got 5-6 years out of a battery, I would seriously look at what I was doing.
  17. JimS123

    Don't know what I got

    Maybe for some of you. But not me. Except for a classic woodie, every boat I ever bought was brand new. Then, customize it to make it my own. Then, maintain it to stay in pristine condition. Then, make family memories that last a lifetime. That said, I have never had issues that I could...
  18. JimS123

    100+ outboards

    Old story. I even forgot that I had posted. The bottom line is that today everyone wants a 4-stroke. Those that buy them don't care about the extra cost. Sure, there is a big following for old 2-strokes, and they won't pay extra for a 4-stroke, but THEY won't pay big bucks for anything. I...
  19. JimS123

    Turbo tax

    I started my own business in 1999 and because of that I started using TaxActas opposed to using paper forms. I used it for 3 years and didn't like it because of some glitches. I switched to Turbotax and have been using it since then. One of the advantages is that it "remembers" your last...
  20. JimS123

    Tachometer

    Thanks. You guys are great.
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