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    Engine bay blower question

    Mercruiser I/O. I have a bow rider with the large sunpad covering the engine bay. I start the blower and run it for the suggested 4 minutes before starting the engine or whenever idling around the lake. On my initial startup of the day, I open the engine hatch to check on everything and...
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    Ram 5.7L hemi engine tick, misfire cyl 3

    2015 Ram 1500 5.7L hemi. 105,000 miles. Someone I know has what seems to be an almost common problem with her engine. Check engine light codes point to misfire on cylinder 3. A friend did the following for her: Swapped coil packs, but no change. Changed all 16 spark plugs, no change...
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    A disaster waiting to happen

    Saw these two guys retrieve a boat and it was a disaster waiting to happen. It was one of those Sea Doo boats. I'm guessing maybe 18 foot or so. The one guy backed the trailer in on an angle. The tow vehicle was jackknifed. The boat almost floated away from the other guy while he was...
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    Hard starts after sitting for a week or so

    2003 Mercruiser 4.3L, 2 bbl carb. Engine serial # OM643729 Engine hard to start after the boat has been sitting for days. After it starts, it runs fantastic and will restart just fine with minimal cranking even after anchored out for hours. Ignition wires, plugs, distributor cap...
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    Question about battery post connections

    I have two batteries and always use the threaded posts as verses the clamp type posts. On two occasions, once on each battery, I have had the threaded post spin in the lead base while tightening them. I wasn't even applying a whole lot of torque. The makeup of these things are just a hex head...
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    Do you park your vehicle straight into your garage or back in?

    I have a two car attached garage and I always park straight in, I never back in. My reason is because I don't want to expose my house to exhaust fumes. If I drive in forward, the tail pipe is facing out and the same thing goes for when i start it. My next door neighbors back their vehicles in...
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    Opinion on types of starting batteries

    Wet cell, AGM....which should I get next Spring? Replace with same size? (Group 27) I looked around throughout the forums, but can't find any discussions on the subject. I thought there would be a sticky for this....maybe there is, but I couldn't find it. 4.3L (2003) Mercruiser. I have...
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    How to fasten clear vinyl sheets to plastic lattice?

    I'm trying to protect the neighborhood cats from the coming winter. I installed plastic lattice, the one with the smaller diamond shaped holes on a porch that had existing wooden railings. I used the proper channel groved tracks that match the lattice, which supports and frames it out...
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    Would Smart Tabs help with the pounding?

    Another thread sparked my interest in Smart Tabs. I thought the pounding was normal when "hitting" wakes and just basically choppy water. But talk of Smart Tabs has sparked my interest. I searched here and read some things, but have some questions. 2003 Bayliner 185 (18.5 ft) with...
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    Will chips in my prop have an ill affect due to an imbalance?

    Hey all, 4.3L, Alpha 1 Gen 2 Mercruiser. I was idling through a no-wake zone on Lake Wallenpaupack, PA and hit a rock. The jolt wasn't too bad. The skeg is OK, but it took two1/4" chips out of one of the prop blades. Will this cause an imbalance and be detrimental to my stern drive? Can I...
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    Watch for oblivious people while backing down the ramp

    Last time out almost resulted in a disaster. It was quiet and during the week. I was backing my 18 foot bow rider down the ramp. Nobody else around. I always go slow, look around and use caution. I was about 4 feet from the water and all of a sudden I see a guy proceed to walk behind the...
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    Is it bad to run a pwc out of the water?

    I don't know much about pwc's, but I know it's bad to run a boat engine dry. I was pulling my boat out at the local ramp and the sound of a high revving engine caught my attention in the parking lot. There was a guy revving his PWC on it's trailer. Not just idling, revving it, probably...
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    2 cycle oil for my garden tools

    I'm almost out of 2 cycle oil. The one I have is from Ace Hardware. It has that funny squeeze bottle with the side compartment for measuring the oil. There's a chart on the bottle giving the amount of oil to use for whatever ratio your machine uses. I have some machines that are 40:1 and some...
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    Saftey cut-off lanyard now required by Federal law?

    I got an email from Boat US stating that a new Federal law requires the use of the engine kill switch lanyard. Theres a link to the Coast Guard website explaining the requirements, which are a little confusing. It states: "All operators of recreational boats less than 26’ in length that...
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    Why do they make 12 point sockets and wrenches?

    I know it's best to use a 6 point socket or wrench on hex nuts or hex bolts. They give you the best fit so as to avoid slippage and rounding out of the bolt head or nut. So, why even make 12 point sockets and wrenches? Are there nuts and bolts with 12 sides? Not that I know of.
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    Trailer security, locking trailer jack?

    What does everyone do to protect their boat while it is parked on its trailer? A nearby neighborhood had some cars broken into and three cars were stolen completely. My boat sits in my driveway during the boating season and would seem to be easy prey compared to a car. What can I do to protect...
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    Hydraulic surge brakes, Should I junk them and go electric?

    My Karavan boat trailer axle is rated at 3520 pounds and has surge brakes from the factory. According to the boat manufacturer, the dry weight of boat and trailer combined is 2905 pounds. The surge brakes don't seem to be working. I had the drums off to pack the bearings and during the...
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    Hoping we are allowed to go boating soon here in PA

    With the virus restrictions, I'm hoping they'll let us go boating soon. I think it's BS. Who can we possibly harm by using our boat? It's just me and the wife. We won't even come close to being in contact with anyone else. Especially since we only boat during the week. We never go on the...
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    Youth life vest for 4 year old

    I searched here and came up with a couple posts but still have some questions. Sitting here in PA dreaming about boating while it's currently snowing out! We boat on lakes only. Thinking about this coming Summer and bringing our 4 year old grandson boating. Obviously he will be wearing the...
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    What are your other hobbies?

    So, as the title states, what are your other hobbies or interests? List them here! Past and present, anything... Pictures are most welcomed. I was into motorcycles a while ago, then pooled my money from that into a classic Mustang, then sold that and rolled that money into boating. Luckily, each...
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