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  1. M

    Fuel tank vent line size

    I am currently building a boat and I have installed a below deck fuel tank. The tank was originally used for diesel, so it has a standard 5/8" vent fitting and a 3/8" return line fitting. My problem is that the 5/8" fitting is vertical and wont clear under the deck with a hose installed. The...
  2. M

    Identifying Johnson 70 VRO model year, help please.

    The serial number plate is missing from a recently purchased Johnson 70 VRO. The label on the VRO pump says VRO2, which from my research, indicates 1986 or newer. Is there anyway I can further pin down the year by visual means on engine components? Thanks.
  3. M

    Epoxy based fiberglass gas tanks

    I understand that ethanol and polyester resin based fiberglass tanks don't get along. What about epoxy based fiberglass tanks?
  4. M

    Stopped using wood in new boats?

    In general, about what year did boat manufacturers of small fiberglass boats (say < 28 feet) start using composite material in place of wood for transoms, stringers, thwart beams, and other structural components? I am currently restoring a 25 year old boat. After seeing what is inside the...
  5. M

    Second restoration starts tomorrow

    My new project is a 1992 SunBird Neptune 200 center console. She is a 20 footer and takes outboard power to 190 Hp. All fiberglass is in pretty good shape but the transom is rotted out and under the floor is probably similiar. Just starting to get into it now. Here are the before pics:
  6. M

    Johnson 150 vs 115

    Will a 1993 Johnson 115 bolt on the transom with the same hole pattern as the 150? How about compatability of the controls and harness? I just purchased a boat that has a shot 150 and I want to replace it with a 115. Thanks.
  7. M

    Sunbird Neptune 200 question

    I just purchased a 1993 Sunbird Neptune 200 center console. I would appreciate finding out the weight of the boat and the fuel tank capacity.
  8. M

    Connector for NMEA 0183 setup

    I need to connect my chartplotter to my DSC VHF. I want to make the connection portable so I can remove both units from my boat after each trip (I rent an outdoor storage space). If you know of a connector that is reasonably priced and easy to wire up, I would appreciate you letting me know...
  9. M

    Is 25 HP enough for getting home?

    I have a recently restored 1988 Thunder Craft 16 foot deep 'V' boat that weighs about 1400 pounds empty. It is powered by a 120 HP Mercruiser. I want to use the boat for near-shore, calm conditions trolling off NE Florida, but I would like backup power to get me home if the 120 goes South. I own...
  10. M

    1988 Thunder Craft 162 Regancy restoration

    Just completed the restoration of the subject boat. I paid $750 with trailer and have invested about $1500 more. She runs and looks great IMHO. Before pictures:
  11. M

    Posting more than 5 pictures

    How do I put more than 5 pictures in one post?
  12. M

    Swim Ladder protection

    The swim ladder on my 1988 ThunderCraft restoration is teak (I think). I have attached a picture for your opinion. The boat will be in salt water most of the time and the swim ladder is continuously sprayed with water underway. What is the best protective coating I can use? I am thinking of just...
  13. M

    Best sound deadening material for motor box?

    I have recently built a new motor box from 1/2" plywood to cover my 2.5L Mercruiser motor. What is the best sound deadening material to use on the inside of the motor box? Hopefully it is something I can get at Lowes :). Thanks, Richard
  14. M

    Shifting question

    Gear shifting works perfectly when boat is on the trailer and the garden hose is hooked up. Neutral is in the control detent where it should be. Put the boat in the water and neutral occurs out of the detent toward reverse. Going from forward to reverser or visa versa, neutral is in back of the...
  15. M

    Make your own gear lube resrvoir?

    Anyone had luck cobbing together a gear lube oil reservoir, ala gen 2, for their gen 1? Looks to me like a simple thiing to do rather than shelling out $100 for SEI's. Thanks, Richard
  16. M

    Gear oil dripping from water s\drain hole

    Following a run on the water, my 1988 Mercruiser Alpha One 2.5L restoration has a slight drip of gear oil coming out of the lower unit water drain hole. I pulled the lower unit to look for a leak and I could see no evidence of where it is coming from. The drip stops after a few days sitting on...
  17. M

    Power testing on the trailer?

    Is it wise to do power testing with the boat tied down on the trailer and the stern drive fully submerged before a fully launched and floating power test? I am trying to avoid the hassle of finding out the motor won't run at power in gear while out in the middle of the river. Thanks, Richard...
  18. M

    Shift throw measurement help

    If you have a Mercruiser Alpha Gen 1 and it shifts properly between forward and reverse, I would appreciate knowing how much movement you have in inches between forward and reverse on the outdrive shift cable. I am only getting 2 inches and it is not enough to allow engagement of both forward...
  19. M

    Bad gas disposal resource.

    I have 15 gallons of potentially bad gasoline. It sat in a tank for 2 years and has a dingy brown color. Any ideas on safe disposal? I live in Jacksonville, FL.
  20. M

    Best non-skid additive?

    My restoration project is ready for paint on the floor. I will be using an oil-based porch and floor paint which I have had good success with in the past. But, it is very slippery, so I need to add a non-skid material. What have you had good success with? Thanks, Richard
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