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    How much gas odor is normal?

    I have a boat -- just over a year old -- that emits a gas odor when it sits. I'm just wondering if this is normal. The boat stays covered, so I assume the vent will release some odor, but it is also noticable when I open the bilge hatches. It seems to clear out when run and aired out. I notice...
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    Bogging Down

    My 2002 Merc 90 (carb'd and 2 stroke) has a strange habit of bogging down at the very first acceleration of the day. It's like it's starving for gas, or is taking a few seconds (5-10) to get the suction built up. Gas lines are new - no leaks. Fuel/Water separator is fine. Basically, I'm sure...
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    Running Lean - How do you know?

    I've heard of some motors being damaged because of running lean. It would seem that there would be symptoms of this -- or not? How would one know if the motor is running lean? Perhaps a dumb question....
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    Fuel Vent Line Problems?

    I just drew a connection between some problems I've been having. It began to be VERY difficult to gas up the boat, and I almost have to put it in drop by drop -- takes forever! Around the time this started, the motor began to chug and miss when throttling up. It usually only does this a couple...
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    Trolling Motor Installation Help

    OK. Thought I'd save myself a bundle, and install a trolling motor (Minn Kota Riptide - 24v) myself. Looks straightforward, except I've never done any wiring before, and have a few dumb questions:<br /><br />1. It says I need a circuit breaker. I had planned on running it straight to the...
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    Loading Up??

    I've seen and heard this term (loading up) a number of times, and am unsure as to what it means. I gather that it has something to do with idle, but beyond that, I don't know. Just curious.
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    Live Well Won't Drain

    I have a 17 ft. Center Console -- love the boat; however, the livewell doesn't seem to drain as fast as it should, and it runs out all over the floor when under way. There's nothing clogging the drain tube at all. I've tried turning the flow of the water down a bit, but it still doesn't seem to...
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    I've got the bug!

    OK, I've been so impressed with all these homemade boats that I'm going to give it a whirl. As I have no experience with woodworking or fiberglassing, would you suggest I start with a basic canoe, or something as easy? It looks like the XF-20 from Bateau would be what fits my needs the most...
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    Installed Fuel/Water Seperator - Now Problems!

    Just installed the seperator. Things went fine, but now I can't get the bulb to be firm. No gas is coming through at all. Gas line is fine (the boat's less than a year old), there are no leaks anywhere. The only problem I can see is that, due to the location, I had to put the bulb BEFORE the...
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    Advice on Water Separator Installation

    If I understand it correctly, I am to place the water separator between the tank and the bulb. If this is the case, I have only one option: place the filter apparatus in the bilge, which the gas line passes through. It won't be under water (I rarely get any water in there), and if any water gets...
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    Leaks around head gasket?

    OK, got a real shock today. Went to flush the motor with the hose attachment (this is a 2002 Merc, 90 h.p. Saltwater series, by the way), and noticed what appeared to be some salt crystals around the head gaskets, at least I THINK these are the head gaskets. I tasted the crystals, and it is...
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    Motor Up Or Down?

    Should a trailered boat be stored with the motor up or down? Does it make any difference on the wear-and-tear of the carbs? I'm not referring to winterization, since here in South Louisiana, it rarely freezes, and boats usually get year round use (aren't we lucky!). Thanks for your assistance.
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    Temporary Wet Slip

    I have a fishing trip planned for Thanksgiving (in the balmy Gulf South). My boat is always trailored, but it'll be wet-slipped for about a week in salt water. Since it has no bottom paint, will I do any harm to the gel coat? Thanks for your advice.
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    Mildew Spots On Boat Cover

    How do you remove mildew spots from a boat cover? It's relatively new, and it doesn't seem to agree with the southern humidity. Thanks much.
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    Brown Wire Disconnected?

    Re: 2002 Merc. 90 (Saltwater) -- was flushing the motor (using the integral hose attachment) and noticed that a brown wire appeared disconnected. There are a few other wires that are capped, but this one seems to have come undone. It just had the 100 hour service, and everything was fine. Ran it...
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    Loss of RPM's?

    Just had the 100 hour service on my Merc. 90 Carb 2-stroke. The mechanic richened the mixture a bit to give me a stronger hole shot (his suggestion after driving it). After this, I've noticed a loss of rpm's. I was able to get 5500 pretty easily. Now I'm lucky to get 5200. Range in the manual...
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    AAAARRGGH! Mercury lemon?

    2002 90 h.p. Mercury Saltwater 2-stroke has been nothing but trouble since I got it in February. Problem 1: wouldn't start unless choked or in fast idle. Turns out it was a piece of metal from the manufacturing process that got into one of the low idle pick-ups (warranty DID cover this). Just...
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    What is ELPTO?

    Can someone tell me what the ELPTO stands for in the Mercury o/b motor line? Is it a good thing? <br /><br />Thanks.
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    Bearing Buddies

    Have a new set of bearing buddies -- very easy to install. I'm being very careful to not overgrease, but when it gets nearly full, grease squirts from around the spring. Is this normal? Seems to me an excessive amount. My first thought was that I'm over filling, but I don't think so.
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    Bearings

    I'm preparing for a fishing trip, and need some advice. After a 20 mile trip, the bearings don't seem too hot. The hub is not too hot to touch, but it is very warm. Is this a problem? How warm should they get? <br /><br />I have something like bearing-buddies (not the same thing), but they sling...
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