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  1. smiles16

    Alpha One impeller alternative?

    Sipping my coffee this morning and brainstorming. I’m due an impeller change come time to winterize as PM. Now I’m wondering, can I delete it?🤔 12v self-priming water pumps with a variety of flow rates are available. So, what if I removed the impeller (leaving the housing intact) and installed...
  2. smiles16

    Steering wheel stuck! Please Help

    I am trying to swap this fisher price looking steering wheel with a nice one I purchased. I cannot seem to get it off no matter what I try. I also can use too much force because the dash panel is old, fragile, and flexing. Does anyone have any tips short of destroying the steering wheel...
  3. smiles16

    1974 Evinrude 9.9 Budget Res

    Friend of mine just dropped off an old evinrude 9.9 that came with a fishing boat he purchased. This thing is a rough. The idle speed and mix adjust knobs are MIA, so I’m gonna have to rig something to work or scrounge for parts. Also, the pull rope and handle are missing as well. Before I do...
  4. smiles16

    Starting a sterndrive with dead battery

    Okay, this question is purely out of curiosity. I cannot think of any way to start a merc with a dead battery WHILE OFFSHORE other than assistance from another power source. BUT, did you ever start an old manual transmission car by popping the clutch? I?m trying to think of a backup method...
  5. smiles16

    Custom Bow Cover Advice

    So my '86 Ebbtide screams the 80's look as it should, but I want to do one better.... please read below This boat already has the snaps in place, so I am getting ready to get a quote from a local upholstery shop to make one up. The big question is can I add graphics to a canvas bow cover? I...
  6. smiles16

    Can anyone identifiy this brand????

    A pic is attached of one of the logos on the gauges. I want to know what the brand name is so I can find a match. My google searches turned up empty.
  7. smiles16

    Quick WOT RPM question...

    I have a 19.5' Ebbtide Catalina Bowrider with a 305 4bbl Merc and Alpha One. I have had the carb rebuilt, tuned up the engine, put fresh gas in her, and installed a brand new Aluminum Quicksilver 19 pitch prop. I had 3 people on board (roughly 550lbs) including myself with a near full tank of...
  8. smiles16

    Merc 305 Tilted/Not Level

    I have nearly all the issues ironed out on my new to me '86 Ebbtide ('86 5.0 4bbl and Alpha One), but I am concerned about the engine not being level in the boat. It is currently leaning to the port side. Not extreme, but noticeable. The starboard side, fore mount has been shimmed with wood...
  9. smiles16

    Intake Manifold Bubbles

    I finally got a chance to test my outdrive and fuel line work this weekend. Unfortunately some new minor issues have shown up. I already have some theories on these, but wanted to see what you guys think. All of the symptoms were in the water/under load. 1986 Merc 305 4bbl (230hp) Alpha One Gen...
  10. smiles16

    Mercruiser 305 Fuel leak

    Hey guys I had a post a while ago where I mentioned this, but it wasn't the main topic.... I have an '86 mercruiser 230 (305ci) with a Quadrajet. It had a fuel leak at the carb inlet when I bought it, took it apart and found the gasket and fuel filter were missing. So I picked up a new...
  11. smiles16

    Water in ujoint bellows, but they're new!

    Well fellas I knew when I bought my new to me '86 Ebbtide that it had possible ujoint/gimbal issues. Was optimistic thinking it'd be the leaky power steering pump making noise, but I was wrong and y'all were right....again. So, this is an alpha one gen 1 connected to a 230lx. I pulled the drive...
  12. smiles16

    Seat pedestals and Floor

    A few weeks ago, you guys may have seen the thread involving my new to me '86 Ebbtide Caroline 190ss. So far, everything is going as planned with the spring prep. But I need some advice. The PO before last installed very nice, but very awkward captains chairs on nice fully adjustable bell...
  13. smiles16

    Starcraft Outboard to Sterndrive Conversion

    Helping out a friend and could use some direction,,, He has a mid-70's 18' Riveted Aluminum Starcraft open bow that came original with an outboard. The boat was bought cheap as a shell (full resto project) and is to be set up as a dedicated fishing rig. In the search for a motor, the idea of...
  14. smiles16

    Steering Noise?

    Just bought a very nice 1986 Ebbtide Catalina 190 XL with a Mercruiser 5.0 Alpha 1. The only issue it has is a growl when turning hard over at low or no speed. When straight ahead or soft turning, nothing sounds out of the ordinary. No sounds on muffs either. From what I've read, this is a...
  15. smiles16

    Ebbtide Opinions

    Good Morning fellas! Some of you have been responding to my posts concerning my rotten Sea Sprite. However, due to my lack of time and proper work area, I have decided to set this boat aside. I may part out the good, or just leave it until time allows. Anyway, I am looking at a 1986 Ebbtide...
  16. smiles16

    Hull Supports?

    My floor repair has turned into a full resto, and now I am in the demolition process. In the process of digging up foam and rot, I am wondering what these boxes that run the length of the hull sides on the interior are for. I am assuming they serve the purpose of sidewall support/flotation foam...
  17. smiles16

    Stringer Concern.... Sea Sprite

    I know there are hundreds if not thousands of stringer posts, but after hours of searching and reading, I still have some questions. Mainly, I am looking for anyone with experience or knowledge of 1980's Sea Sprite boats for this. Sorry cant get pics to post, but if you care to google "1985...
  18. smiles16

    Water leaking into boat from exhaust, but not running?

    Before winterizing my 1986 Sea Sprite Mark 1 bow rider today (equipped with mid 80's Mercruiser 120 and alpha one), I decided to dip her in the river one last time. Well, I finally spotted the location of the water intrusion problem I have been having. With the engine off, I noticed water...
  19. smiles16

    Crisis Avoided...now water in gas...good story, but need advice

    While boating on the river this weekend, we decided to beach the boat on an island for a little exploration. When we returned to the boat (a 17' Sterndrive bowrider), the current had shoved it on-shore further than I did initially. After a couple failed attempts to shove it, I decided to giver...
  20. smiles16

    Engine noise and Shift Interupt Concerns

    Finally got to test out the used Mercruiser 120 I dropped in the boat and am concerned about some engine noise I am hearing. Also, I know my shift cable is worn and needs replaced, but I am not sure the shift interrupt is working properly. I know the switch is good because I can push in the...
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