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  1. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    Good answer. Back when I was a college kid, Grandma died and Grandpa sold the boat. I NEEDED a boat. I got a second job and saved and saved and saved. I still couldn't afford a boat. With Grandpa's help, and the use of his garage, I BUILT a wooden runabout. Problem solved. That old boat...
  2. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    In the olden days there were always points that needed dressing and plugs that needing replacing. My worst tune-up experience was when I got a defective condenser. The guy at the electric shop that tested it for me said it was a one-in-a-million defect. My personal experience is that back...
  3. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    Back then the mainframe was twice the size of my house and we were using punch cards to do the programming. I said "technology" because it was in my mind based on previous posts. What I should have said was "scientific knowledge".
  4. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    All our new boats eventually got old. They all ran great with meticulous maintenance, but some had carbs that usually required coaxing the first time out each year. Regardless, technology is ever improving. Back in college my engineering professor said that technology doubled every 10...
  5. JimS123

    The End

    That would be the truth. After running an I/O for 35 years I was sick of the maintenance requirements. After buying a fishing boat where the only option was a 4-stroke outboard, the following year I sold the family boat and upgraded to an outboard there as well. Pulling back the doghouse to...
  6. JimS123

    The End

    As I posted before, my usual regimen with an I/O was to run it first to heat up the oil. My conclusion with 4-stroke outboards was that I didn't need to because they drained from the bottom and came out cold just fine. I usually change the oil annually, plus we don't put a ton of miles on...
  7. JimS123

    Grassl glass

    I'm anxious to see your pictures. I realize there are site issues, but I was just able to post some pics by merely doing a copy-and-paste. The "attach files" still does not work.
  8. JimS123

    Steel OMC 3 gallon tank issue

    PS....regarding the picture posting issues, doing an "attachment" didn't work, but a copy-and-paste did.
  9. JimS123

    Steel OMC 3 gallon tank issue

  10. JimS123

    The End

    Yeah, when I was in my 50's I probably would not have done that. In years past, when I had an I/O, the Owner's Manual said to run to normal temperature, yada, yada, and change the oil. But, in my defense, my Owner's Manuals for my four current Mercury 4-strokes do not specify that requirement.
  11. JimS123

    The End

    Switching to 4-stroke outboards when I bought my 2 recent boats has changed the whole perspective of winterizing. Both are trailerable and garage kept, so weather is not an issue any more. After deer season in early December I change the oils and whatnot and do a complete polish and trailer...
  12. JimS123

    Older Boats

    I've been a boater for 70 years. I would not even consider a 12 footer for open lakes or rivers, much less salt water. You need to take a boater's safety course before you go any further.
  13. JimS123

    Older Boats

    Now that's an understatement.
  14. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    That's true. I bought a brand new 1984 Stingray 190 SVB and paid $9500 cash. Sold it in 2019 for $6500. Yup. 35 years and about 30%.
  15. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    I carry a can aboard and use it when circumstances require it. Down on my knees aft and my saying is: "I'm going to check the motor." The wife has seen it before and the boys do the same. Today, I was out fishing by myself. NO one in sight. To heck with the can. One hand on the bimini...
  16. JimS123

    Boat with paint cracks and hull damage

    Gelcoat cracks are either due to a PO that ran the crap out of the boat, or simply hull stress. Regardless, you can spend megabucks to fix them, but eventually they will return. Money wasted. Live with it.
  17. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    A Trust is necessary for anyone and everyone. Been there, done that. However, the jeopardy is not in that regard. I did the computer program to estimate my life span. My goal is to draw down the assets so I don't waste any money and don't leave too much behind. My kids are doing better than...
  18. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    My position is that if I have to finance a "toy" I can't really afford it and I don't really need it. I guess I have been luckier than most. Every new boat I have bought has never had to go back to the dealer......not for anything. I have done all the routine maintenance myself. My single...
  19. JimS123

    When do you pull your freshwater boat?

    Looks like we may have deviated from the OP's question. To answer it concisely: In days past when I had an I/O I winterized early October. Waited for a sunny day so I could do the fogging in the driveway. Then get her back in the garage for the other items. Today, with a 4-stroke outboard I...
  20. JimS123

    Why I do not have new boats.

    I'll take the other side of the argument. I ALWAYS buy new. To me depreciation is non-existent. I keep my boats a long time and do meticulous maintenance. I rarely use a mechanic. Do 95% of the stuff myself. Case in point...the last boat I sold was 35 years old and it sold the first day...
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