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    Installing electric brakes on trailer -- wiring question

    This is embarrassing, but it's been a long time since I worked on or installed electric brakes. There are two wires present in each brake assembly. Do I connect them as: one with power, the other ground? Or do I connect them both to power and assume the ground is provided through the brake...
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    I love my Bravo III outdrive so much that...

    I bought my boat a new one. At 620 hours, something inside gave and the original ground itself to junk before I reached the marina. I got the mechanic over to the slip to listen to the horrible noises it made while idling. I asked him: "What kind of noise is that?" He said: "An expensive...
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    Haulover (and other inlet) boat question.

    I've been watching some of the youtube videos of boats going through Haulover and other inlets. The types of boats seem to be either CC fishing boats, large (40+) cruisers and yachts, and quite a few small open-bow speed boats. I rarely see small 25 to 30 ft. express cruisers going thru these...
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    Exhaust "steam" when running on plane -- OK?

    I've noticed a slight amount of steam coming from the engine exhaust when running on plane. As far as I know, it's always been there, but I wanted to ask the experts here. I have a 7.4L Merc with a Bravo 3, and it doesn't have a full exhaust bellows. I don't know exactly what it's called, but...
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    Winter boating: What's the coldest weather you've boated in?

    This is the first winter for us with a boat slip. Because of this, we had the mechanics install a marine-grade heater for the engine compartment (Xtreme) so we no longer winterize. We're really enjoying having the lake to ourselves and in Texas we rarely see temps below freezing. I went out a...
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    How do you add a picture to your signature?

    I've searched and found older posts about this, but I think the website UI has changed somehow. The older posts mention My Profile -> Accounts, but I don't see and "Accounts" choice in my profile. There are tabs (Activities, About, Subscribed, and Media) but they don't seem to lead to the...
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    Advice requested on engine compartment heater (size/brand) for Sea Ray 270

    Does anyone have recommendations on the size of bilge heater needed for a 2000 Sea Ray 270? I bought the boat in June, and it is permanently moored in a North Texas lake. If it matters, it's a single engine, with generator and water heater. I have reliable 30Amp power in the marina, and have...
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    Abandoned/Derelict boats in the marina

    I recently became a "slip owner" after years of trailering. As newbie marina folk, my wife and I are astonished at the number of unused, mostly derelict boats occupying slips at our marina. We wandered thru other marinas and found the same thing. I'd guess at least 20% of the boats around us...
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    Generator question (regarding Air conditioning)

    As we approach retirement, we're looking for a larger more comfortable boat. One of our requirements is air conditioning, and a generator to power it while anchored. We've never had a boat with a generator and have a few questions for the experts: 1. Do you leave it running while sleeping...
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    Outdrive repair: Shop/Mechanic recommendations in Fort Worth area?

    I may need a new gimbal bearing on my Alpha 1 outdrive. Typical setup, Mercruiser 5.7L 260, Alpha 1 Gen 1. I'm hearing some slight rumbling in turns and some trim conditions. I want to check engine alignment and (possibly) replace the gimbal bearing without breaking the bank. Any...
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    Q for large trailer-boaters; Is anyone using a weight-distributing hitch?

    Does using a w-d hitch change the angle significantly at the ramp? ie. Does the trailer tongue rise noticeably when it's unloaded but the trunnion bars are still under tension? I'm curious if I'll need to release the tension on the trunnions before launching and loading. ?? I haven't put my...
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    Reccomend Upholstery Shop in DFW (TX) area?

    Title says it all. I've finally wrestled some money from the finance czar (Mizpullin) and am ready to get the seats recovered. Any experience with upholstery shops in the Dallas Fort Worth area would be appreciated. I'm finding that none of my co-workers and friends have done this, so no...
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    Need anchor-handling ideas: Ways to set and retrieve w/o going forward.

    I have a 23' Sea Ray cuddy cabin, and due to age (mine) am weary of crawling forward to set and retrieve the anchor. I operate mostly solo, and am trying to come up with a way to handle things from behind the windshield. An electric winch isn't an option now, due to lack of a pulpit (nowhere...
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    Help w Canvas issue: Snaps for canvas-to-canvas application?

    I've been looking at canvas snap kits from Defender and ********. I'm trying to find the type you'd use to snap two sections of canvas together. They all seem to be for snapping canvas to something solid (fiberglass or windshield). I guess I'd call them "female" and "male" parts, and I don't...
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    Are you amazed by the number of never-used boats in your area?

    For some reason, this absolutely astounds me. As I travel to and from the lake, storage lot, etc. I see an amazing number of boats that are (apparently) never moved, and are never used. Are you ever surprised by this? It just doesn't make any sense. In my neighborhood, one house has a boat...
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    Lake Amistad conditions? Anyone been there (recently or long ago)

    I'm curious if any members are familiar with Lake Amistad in south Texas. There seem to be some interesting caves and ancient rock art to explore from a boat. Currently the lake level is 50 ft down, but lots of really large lakes are still usable in that condition. If any members are local to...
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    What is the longest your boat has been "out" on the water (excluding mooring)?

    What is the longest your boat has been "out" on the water (excluding mooring)? I'm curious about your longest trip on your boat (# of hours or days, not miles). How long were you afloat, away from either the trailer, or a dock? What was your longest, continuous time away? I guess the rules...
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    Dumb question: What is a "Poker Run"?

    I see these advertised at Lake Texoma a lot. But I've never really understood what it is, other than some type of race. What are the rules for these? And why are they called Poker Runs? Thanx (I know it's a dumb question, but I've only owned slow boats... so it's not like I'd get invited)...
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    Long distance trailering (multi-day). Overnight security advice?

    I'm considering a trip from DFW to Powell this year. Obviously there will be a few overnight stays on the drive. For those of you who've made multi-day trips with your trailered boat, how did you handle security during overnight stays? I've pulled my boat on long trips before, but it was...
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    GPS question (Garmin)

    Can you install a Lakes or Boundary Waters map update on a Garmin Nuvi? I was wondering if I could avoid getting another GPS and just download the water maps onto the same GPS I use in my truck. I'm only on lakes, and probably don't need a larger marine display. I'd just like to know how far...
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