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  1. K

    Boat wiring question

    If you have 2 batteries and a 1 / 2 / both switch then all your negatives are the same. You should have a big negative cable connecting both battery negatives together. You should have another big negative cable going to the engine block. Then all your other negatives. They can go on either...
  2. K

    Can't reach or remove plugs for dewater winterization

    I didn't do the impeller myself. I had a shop do it. I had them doing a bit of fiberglass repair as well as replacing the bellows at the same time since it hadn't been done in 17 years. Mine isn't a cuddy, it's an open bow. I have noticed that if it's out in the rain, which isn't often, the...
  3. K

    What are the benefits of NMMA yacht certification?

    Yacht certified means it's up to the captain to make sure the boat isn't overloaded with people or gear. You don't get a set number of people to go by. It would be worth a lot to me. I have 3 kids and often boat with another family with a bunch of kids. We are often at the person limit but...
  4. K

    Dual Battery ... Wiring fail or I just don't understand?

    You must loving hauling batteries around. I'd just leave them in the boat with the switch off. They will be fine for several months without needing to be on a charger.
  5. K

    Truck for towing

    Towing isn't about how many cylinders the engine has. That "little V6" makes 308 HP and 275 lb ft of torque. That's more HP than a Duramax diesel made from 2001 thru 2005. The 350 cu in V8 engine in a 1999 Chevy 3500 truck only made 255 HP and 330 lb ft. I think your weights are way off. I have...
  6. K

    Can't reach or remove plugs for dewater winterization

    I have a 2004 Rinker 232. Plug access is difficult but I can reach them. I'm 6' tall so maybe my arms are longer than yours? The one on the T-stat housing is really just an air vent. The two on the raw water pump are partially blocked by the fiberglass but I can get them by getting into the...
  7. K

    1993 Bayliner capri 1750 vs 1998 Larson 186sei

    I started with an '89 Bayliner in 2002 and moved to a '97 Larson in 2005. The Larson was significantly better than the Bayliner in every way. However, both of the boats you are looking I would consider project boats to be restored, tinkered with, and modified as you like. If you want to buy...
  8. K

    Upgrading, or downgrading?

    If you're going to upgrade then do it right. You need to be looking at a 22' or larger boat with a 350 Mag. I wouldn't go less than that for that many people. We have similar use pattern: our family of 5 with usually another family of 3 to 5. I started with a 20' boat, 210 HP V8. It was okay...
  9. K

    Medically dependent on electricity?

    I'm not medically dependent, just dependent in general. With no electricity my well won't work so no water. Very little heat, just the gas fireplace. So, I have a solar system with battery back-up and a 20 kW diesel generator. I also have 2 little Honda generators I use to run tools at work that...
  10. K

    HF 1.5w Solar Panel for trickle charge dual battery system?

    1.5 watts is completely useless. Too trickle charge 2 G27 batteries I would think 20 watts would be about right.
  11. K

    Squeezing more from 5.0L 220hp

    I think you're doing really well with that boat / engine combination. I wouldn't expect much more. I have a 2004 Rinker 232 Captiva. I have a Merc 350 Mag and a B3 outdrive. The fastest I can get out of my boat is 55 MPH on a GPS. That's with one adult, one child, and a full tank of fuel. You...
  12. K

    2005 Rinker Captiva 192 - should I stay away

    I've got a 2004 Rinker Captiva 232. I really like the boat. It hasn't given me any problems. I bent the rear telescopic ladder and needed a new one. I called whoever it is that bought Rinker and they were able to ship me a new one. I wouldn't stay away from a boat because it isn't made anymore...
  13. K

    Bilge pump float sticking.

    Grub, I like the suggestion of the removable aluminum bracket. That will allow me to install a new one. I guess I'll just have to leave the old pump and switch down under the engine and disable it. Scott, I agree I shouldn't need it unless there's a leak. Just like I don't need my fire...
  14. K

    Bilge pump float sticking.

    The boat is a 2004 Rinker Captiva 232. Lately the float switch for my bilge pump is hanging up. It's practically inaccessible. I have to remove a storage bin from the engine bay, crawl in beside the engine, practically stand on my head and stick my arm as far under the engine as I can to just...
  15. K

    Centering boat on trailer (solo) without trailer guides? or DIY guide advice

    I think you have the trailer too deep. You should be able to see the front half of the bunks as you pull the boat up to the trailer. I've never had guides because I can see the trailer. The boat should automatically center as it rides up the bunks.
  16. K

    Trailer winch question and tilt question? 1st timer.

    You shouldn't need to have the prop spinning to load the boat on the trailer. A little momentum in neutral should do it. If it doesn't go all the way up the trailer then hook the winch line and crank it the rest of the way. Running the outdrive with it trimmed up past the stop will eventually...
  17. K

    23-24 foot vs 26-28 foot pros and cons?

    I have a Rinker Captiva 232 BR. It rides and handles very nice in my opinion. It has the Mag 350 with a B3. My previous boat was a Larson SEI 206 with a 210 HP 350 and an Alpha drive. The Rinker actually uses a bit less gas than the Larson did, probably because of the efficiency of the DP and...
  18. K

    Bravo 3 stuck in reverse

    He stated they always use OEM Mercruiser parts. I guess any manufacturer can make a bad part once in a while. The total cost for the cable was less than $170.
  19. K

    Bravo 3 stuck in reverse

    So the shop said the lower shift cable was binding up. It wasn't broken but he said it wasn't "getting the kind of motion it needed." They replaced it and also changed the routing. Since it was new 15 months ago they didn't charge me any labor, just for the cable. That seems pretty decent to me...
  20. K

    Bravo 3 stuck in reverse

    The drive was just removed last spring and all the bellows replaced as well as a new lower shift cable installed. This was done by a shop and everything was working well after that. When this happened Sunday I dropped the boat off at the same shop hoping they could fix it. Pulling the drive is a...
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