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  1. K

    Required Safety Course

    I have a VA boat license. I've operated my boat in 7 states. I remember looking it up many years ago and I was good with the VA license. I was just visiting of course with a VA registered boat. Being a resident might be different.
  2. K

    Setting up for House Battery -> looking for feedback on loads

    I have always just had 2 dual purpose batteries and a switch. All loads on one or the other. I use 1 battery 1 day and the other battery the next. If 1 dies I can switch to the other but I've never needed too. We just boat on lakes as well and mostly just daytime. I see no reason for a...
  3. K

    Replacement gauges for a 2003 Crownline 230BR

    Gauges are generic. No need for OEM unless you're just replacing one and need a match. A gauge set is probably cheaper than individual ones. They are all 4"or 2". Wiring is fairly universal. VDO, Faria, etc.
  4. K

    Deep Cycle Battery not good for starting??

    There's nothing wrong with using a deep cycle to start the engine as long as it can deliver the necessary MCA. Appadently it can or your engine wouldn't be cranking. You can look up the MCA requirement for your engine. It may be hard to find that rating for a deep cycle battery. Deep cycles are...
  5. K

    What fuel to run?

    Then I'd buy 91 ethanol free at the gas station.
  6. K

    What fuel to run?

    So the manual calls for 87 octane? I'd run 87 octane ethanol free. You can buy that all over the place here in VA. It's what I use. Is it not available where you are?
  7. K

    1988 26 foot bayliner trophy 262 king cobra

    If you want a boat to use, that is not a restoration project, I wouldn't be looking at anything more than 20 years old. Even then it will likely need work. About 10 tears old would be better. Money is better spent on a newer boat in good condition than parts for an older boat. Boat restoring and...
  8. K

    Am I hurting things by not running WOT?

    WOT is a standard baseline for measurement. If you hit rated RPM at WOT then you know you're propped right. After that run whatever speed you like. The point isn't to operate the boat at that speed. It's to verify it's set up corectly or to document how things may have changed with a...
  9. K

    Cost of a metal box to hold a large home generator.

    I install generators all the time. I know the costs. In post #5 you said money wasn't a problem. Generac is pretty low on my list, I prefer Kohler. You can get something much smaller than a 26 kW if you don't need that much. Kohler has a 12 kW. I think Generac has an 8 kW. Both come with an...
  10. K

    Battery Help!!

    As big as will fit. Don't skimp on battery.
  11. K

    Charging/maintaning battery over winter

    Don't float charge the lithium It really should be stored around 80% or less. The lead acid shouldn't need it either. I leave mine in the boat all winter and it starts in the spring. The last battery I replaced was 8 or 9 years old.
  12. K

    Cost of a metal box to hold a large home generator.

    Just curious, I install generators. If money isn't a problem on this project why are you putting a cheap portable generator in a home made box? Why not get a nice stationary generator that comes in a weather enclosure from the factory?
  13. K

    Water Heaters.

    On demand water heaters use a LOT of amps. I'd guess your 50 amp circuit is probably minimal but may work. On demand heaters are rated in Kw. The 50 amp circuit is good for 9.6 kw when loaded to 80%. This would be the max in a residential situation. Boat "codes" may be different.
  14. K

    My new “old” Larson bowrider

    I had a '97 Larson. I liked it and it treated me well. The floor was carpet over plywood. I was very careful to let it dry after use and keep it covered otherwise. My floor started to have soft spots in 2014. I sold it in 2015. It seems very likely your floor would also have soft spots unless...
  15. K

    Electric nightmare

    Bilge pump, lights, and blower don't typically need the key on. I wouldn't expect it to start with the master switch off. Will it start if you turn that on?
  16. K

    Mercruiser or volvo

    I don't know how to rebuild a carb or fix EFI. I've never needed to either. I had a carbed Merc 5.7 for 10 years. Now an MPI Merc 5.7 for 6 years. No problems with either. The MPI is more fuel efficient, more powerful, and simpler to start
  17. K

    Too big a battery harmful?

    I see no problem with your plan. Your friend may be thinking of lithium batteries.
  18. K

    Hello to everyone and a question or two about a Cobra 5.8

    I would look at a different boat. Information, parts, and mechanics for that thing will all be hard to come by. I used to run an '89 Bayliner that belonged to my neighbor. I wouldn't own one.
  19. K

    Solar panel wiring questions

    It would be far simpler, easier, and likely cheaper to have a seperate panel and controller for each battery. There are some controllers with a main output and a secondary output of lower capacity. I don't know of a 3 output controller or one that will output 2 different voltages at the same time.
  20. K

    Why is finding information on boats so difficult?

    Restoring an old boat and "going boating" are two different hobbies. I love boating. I generally hire out any major repairs on my boat. I winterize, change the oil, etc but not repairs. Bellows, shifting gears, impeller, etc get done by a marine mechanic. It's not uncommon for someone who wants...
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