Recent content by jmccall001

  1. J

    wiring harnesses

    19892 sea ray 5.7 with pre Alpha stern drive - looking for new instrument harness and engine harness, no luck in solomons and dealer says having trouble contacting mercruiser. any ideas?
  2. J

    refastening hull

    After accident, my hull and cabin need refastening. Advice -stainless screws or poprivits? Any good advice on how to proceed? I have the rubrail removed.
  3. J

    Safety Check Your Bilge

    1982 Sea Ray 26', 260 hp,<br /><br />On Monday, the wife and I were going cruising for our maiden trip. The boat had been run up with the mechanic and I on Saturday and ran perfectly - new plugs, points, condenser, plug wires, new impellers, polished, new bottom paint after sanding. This boat...
  4. J

    canvas top

    Don't know where to put this so will start here.<br />My 26 ft sea ray has an OLLLDDD bimini with aluminum struts. The local canvas person said that I needed stainless steel framing to go to a one-half top with vinyl windows and wanted to charge roughly the cost of tuition for one semester at...
  5. J

    trojan "soft deck"?

    Looking at a 75 31" <br />Trojan- appears great, new (less than 100 hrs on dual chrysler 318 two barrels, velvet drive. <br />The foredeck over the vee berth appears soft. How big a project is repair. The broker claims that it is just a little flex. I don't thin these boats had any flex...
  6. J

    stern drive vs vee drive vs straight inboard

    Got permission from the wife to get a bigger boat. Have a 26 ft sea ray, she and I both want bigger cabin area.<br />Looking at 30-31' boats(can handle them alone) the variance in drives is amazing. Which will handle better in docking of the three drives, which is more reliable and has less...
  7. J

    older boat

    Found a 1984 32' Marinette, twin chryslers, appears to be in excellent condition. Very clean appearing and engines are fresh water cooled with abt 600 hours reported.<br />Broker says only problem is boat has been hauled out for four years and not recommissioned for that period. Not sure who...
  8. J

    older boats and insurance

    rumor going around southern MD that the insurance companies are going to stop writing insurance on boats over 15 years old - anyone heard anything like this? My boat is almost 25 years old and in great shape - would hate to lose coverage.
  9. J

    vinyl

    Is there a difference in vinyls? Take a look at prices-if I buy regular upholstery vinyl at a fabric store, it is about 1/4 the price of " marine" vinyl" Is there a difference?
  10. J

    SOS (Save Old Surface)

    My 92 sea ray has a bothroom blue instrument area behind the windshield in the cockpit area. It is faded, almost a white faux paint look on it. Would like to improve the look - have tried compound, polish, wax, and every cleaner known to man/<br /><br />What is the best solution on this other...
  11. J

    temp gauge

    Noticed today that the closer I go to WOT, the higher the temp gauge- sits almost on the yellow portion of the gauge. Yes, I am replacing the gauge but is this a warning that the impeller is going?
  12. J

    dirty bottom?

    took the beast out this morning for a quiet cruise. Early - 1st 15-30 minutes, could not get over 112 knots at 4k rpm and the engine sounded as though it was really working hard, Later, the speed was 29 knots at 38K and the engine sounded as though it was not straining. The beast is kept in...
  13. J

    gauges

    This forum has convinced me that marine products are the way to go on engines, batteries, etc. How about gauges? Is there a difference between automotive gauges and marine? Are they interchangeable? I notice that many automotive gauges in the parts store are less than one-half oopf the same...
  14. J

    dirty bottom

    Just out of curiosity and I know there is no exact answer to the question but how much addition drag-ergo slowing down the speed does marine growth - vegetation and barnacles - cause?<br />my 26' sea ray at 4k and a 15x17 prop will hit 20-22knots now.
  15. J

    supply/demand

    Not sure if this is the correct forum or not.<br />Got a chance to buy an rv type refrigerator for my 26 foot sea ray. At the present time, the 5.7l mercruiser alternator seems to work ok, notice a drop in the charging to almost neutral when the lighter/chart light is used. <br /> IF I...
See more
Top