Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 5).
Re: Man vs. Boat (season 1, episode 5).
ok.....its sunday after noon......evening where you are.,......update time.....lol
Just got back in from the shop... Got a lot done this weekend.
1. Friday: Winterized the new engine.. It doesn't get very cold here, but you never know and did not want to take any chances with my stolen merchandise...
2. Saturday: Put on the bunny suit and removed the boards that were glassed into my transom. I bought a little zap saw (which is an inherently dangerous little gadget with your hands a couple of inches from a saw blade). I managed to keep all of my fingers (which was a bonus since I basically type for a living), but it was a lot of work. The boards were glued to the transom with some type of bond-o (whatever they used in 1975) and encased in cloth. With limited access under the cap, it was a bit of a chore. The old bond-o stuff was like chiseling out rock. Once you see the video, you will see a nice little testimony to the longevity of properly glassed wood. The rest of my boat was rotten mulch. The one place they did it right... Solid is a rock... in the transom of all places.
3. Today: Took the new outdrive off; built a stand for it and put it in the shop for winter. I tell you...it was a REAL battle getting it off. I don't think it had ever been removed in its 15 year life-span. We really had to wedge with several pressure points to get it off... (yes, I know what you are thinking.... and it was in forward gear). I'm not sure if the alignment was off, or whether the bearing was stuck, but it simply did not want to come off. The good news is that I got a really up close and personal look at the outdrive and the bellows, etc... All the gears look really good. The oil was perfect. There was a little rust and junk in the bellow (no standing water). The U-Joint is badly rusted, so I will need to address that (pointers/recommendations welcome, once you see it in the video).
I took a lot of video this weekend, so I will post Man v. Boat, episode 8 either tomorrow or the next day. Stay tuned...
I have already learned a TON in this process. 6 weeks ago I did not even the difference between a stringer and merc. Believe it or not, I am having fun.... That was the goal when I started this process; A long way to go, but like old saying goes...You have to eat the elephant one bite at a time.