Recent content by BryanR

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    Knocking in gear on trailer after lower unit service.

    Serviced my lower unit this weekend. New water pump, shift boot, and new oil in lower unit. All went swimmingly, no issues that I detected. I am running Amsoil 80w-90 sythetic. I assume this is good oil. This was my first time doing this on any motor, but all in all it went very well...
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    Diluted oil....fuel maybe?

    I have a 2000 Merc 40hp 4 stroke ELPT outboard. I've used it twice since purchasing it from a boat center that supposedly changed the oil before putting on sale. I've used the boat twice....probably running time of 3 hours or so combined. I just got around to checking the oil myself and...
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    2000 4 stroke Merc 40hp won't hold trim

    Did my shake down cruise yesterday and discovered that the motor won't hold trim with any more than about 1200 rpm on it. It does fine on the trailer (will hold its own weight), but once in the water with any degree of power, its a no go. Was trying to battle a headwind through the shallows...
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    Older Key West boat construction questions

    Re: Older Key West boat construction questions
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    Older Key West boat construction questions

    I bought a 1995 Key West 15 Explorer as my first boat. I got a decent deal on it, though probably could have been a bit better. Basically, the evidence suggests the boat sat in a fresh water lake a lot. Bottom was heavily stained with tanic acid. I cleaned the bottom, but this did reveal some...
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    Blistering revealed

    Bought a boat a couple weeks ago, its a 17 yr old key west 15. First boat, so I went into it knowing I was somewhat ignorant. But the bottom of the boat was heavily stained. After several hours of crawling around using starbrite and marykate, Ive managed to restore the hull to a nice bright...
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    Removing tongue on magictilt trailer

    I believe I can fit my 15 Key West into the garage, but only if I remove the tongue on my trailer. It is a magic tilt trailer and has a pin and a bolt that the tongue hinges on. I experimented with it tonight and pulled the pin and removed the bolt, disconnected the winch cable and safety chain...
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    Brought home Key West Explorer today...good and bad

    Bought this thing last weekend and brought her home today. Its a 1995 Key West Explorer 1500. Got a good deal, but the boat is far from perfect. Lots of cleanup to do. First off, despite my greatest hopes, it is just a mathematical certainty that the boat wont fit in my garage. Damn! I really...
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    Fuel tank access on older KW boat

    How does one perform a fuel tank flush on a built in tank? Does the 1995 Key West 15 have a way to remove and replace fuel tank without cutting into the floor? Just curious.
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    Cruise RPM setting?

    Was curious what a good long term planing cruise setting would be for a 40hp 4 stroke. WOT is about 6,100 RPM. My motor is a bit anemic for the hull, but does just fine once out of the hole on a plane. I tested it with 600lbs of people and it would cruise nicely about 4500rpm. Im used to being...
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    Cosmetic Issues - newbie

    Bought my first boat EVER this morning. Its a 15 foot Key West 1520. A bit underpowered at 40hp, but I water tested it and with over 600lbs of people on board, it would plane just fine. Hulls seemed in great shape, trailer, etc - $2,900. Had to buy a bimini for it though as it didn't come with...
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    2000 40hp Four stroke Merc

    Just bought this motor. Compression tested well, runs well, water tested it, plenty of power, etc. I want to be able to maintain this thing and keep it on the water a long time, oil, out drive, etc,etc - where can I get a manual that will tell me how to maintain it, where drain plugs are...
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    Palm beach boats

    What are the opinions on these? I found a Palm Beach 151 2003 model for 5,500. Im still in the educating myself phase. Are these good boats or stay aways?
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    How good a deal is this?

    I can imagine buying this boat only to post about it and have folks say I got hosed. So, Ill ask first. 15' foot Key West 1995 /w a 2000 4 stroke 40hp Merc. It looks OK, but this is being judged by a complete boat novice. It is being sold by a Marine Co (Marine Supply Co in Winter Haven, FL)...
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    How to detect floor soft spots?

    May sound like a stupid question, but I've never knowingly felt one. Found a KW 1520 locally and went and looked at it today. Looks USED, but in good workable condition. I jumped up into it and walked around and tapped on some choice spots, but no major red flags that I could detect. I did...
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