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  1. Beefer

    DSC Signals

    Three out of the last 5 times I've been out, I've gotten DSC signals with no information. The VHF starts beeping, and when I look, there's all zeros as the information (mmsi, lat/long, etc.). Is this an unregistered VHF pressing the button, or is it something else? There's no chatter on the...
  2. Beefer

    Here's a stupid question...

    Anchor retrieval/mooring/fender balls... How do you inflate them? I have one that needs to be filled up, but everytime I do, when I remove the inflater, too much air gets out while I'm trying to get the cap back on. Is there a trick?
  3. Beefer

    Will I need a special tool for this?

    1984 Alpha I Gen I, Merc 488R I/O. My U-joints are on their way out, and before I get more use out of my TowboatUS membership, I want to replace them. I don't have a press, so I bought a complete shaft, which included the coupling and gear yokes, socket, and new u-joints. Seloc says I will...
  4. Beefer

    And she said "that doesn't sound good"

    I added another rod holder today. Yay! Now I have 2 (previous owner only had one :confused:). Anyway, When I drilled into the gunwale, the core (plywood) was damp/wet/moist. :eek: I'm not sure how or why this would have happened. Along the gunwale (starboard side) there is; a cleat 15" aft of...
  5. Beefer

    Battery terminals

    I'm slowly rewiring. During this, I'll be adding a selector switch, new bus bars, new dash wiring, etc. I started today by going to get some cut-to-length battery cable, to install the switch. They only had 4' left of 2awg battery cable in red. So a quick change of plans to just replacing the...
  6. Beefer

    Stereo cuts out - UPDATE

    Just installed a new stereo, but I went the easy route, and used the old wiring. It was starting to get too dark today to swap out the wiring. The stereo is cutting in and out, could it be the old wiring causing this? Seeing how the boat is 27 years old, and the stereo I removed was a Kraco...
  7. Beefer

    Marlin gets Munched

    I would have hated to be this cameraman! http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/fishing/2011/02/surprise-youre-swimming-blood-cloud-huge-shark
  8. Beefer

    Labeling starboard

    So I've finally decided to go with Starboard material for my new dash. Trouble is, how do I label my switches? Nothing sticks to starboard. I'm going with Contura type switches (lit and unlit), and although they have some prelabeled, they don't have the exact labels I want. Any suggestions? Oh...
  9. Beefer

    Adding a fuse block - Location?

    So I'm preparing to put in a new dash, with new gauges and carling switches. I'm also upgrading my stereo, and want to straighten out some of the DIY wiring that's been done over the last 26 yrs. Currently, the fuses are the glass type, screw-in holders mounted just above the switches (see this...
  10. Beefer

    Flush mount 30 deg rod holder installation

    I figured this section was good for this question. I have 30deg flush mount rod holders I'm looking to install. My big question is how do you drill the hole in the gunwale to 30*? I was thinking of making a guide with a 2x4, but I don't have a drill press to even make that. With as many rod...
  11. Beefer

    Speedometers

    Do you use yours? I'm redoing my dash, and the new gauge set (Teleflex Lido) came with a speedo. I pulled my old speedo when I installed a floscan, and I'm wondering if it's worth putting the new one in. I have a GPS, and use that for my speedometer. I know it will make the dash look 'complete'...
  12. Beefer

    On-board Chargers

    I keep my boat on a lift behind my house, and I keep the garboard drain plug out. I have a portable battery charger (not a jump box). Do I need an on-board charger? I haven't had a battery drainage issue, and I sort of think it would be a waste of $$$. What say ye, my iboats brethren?
  13. Beefer

    Want to update my dashboard

    I removed the ever-so-imprecise speedo, and replaced it with a much more useful FloScan last weekend, but the FloScan used a smaller hole. I used some Plexiglas screwed to the metal (SS?) console, with the desire to replace the dashbord with something more modern. Now I can't decide what to...
  14. Beefer

    Whoops... Wrong grease

    Last weekend I greased my Alpha 1 where ever I saw a zerk fitting. I used all purpose grease, as that was what I had on hand, and I thought a mechanic told me 'any grease will do'. Took the boat out, and there was a very unpleasant, loud grinding when I would turn the wheel (as I got closer to...
  15. Beefer

    Hour meters

    Do hour meters 'go bad'? Mine isn't working, and it just seems like too basic of a piece of equipment to break. I'd be more apt to think the wiring has deteriorated, but I'm finding it nearly impossible to trace the wires. Any idea what they're usually connected to?
  16. Beefer

    Red?

    So my boat, a 1984 SportCraft, is that wonderful 'tan' color from the early-mid 80's. I was at WM, and they had 2 quarts of red topside on clearance for $7 (for both). Couldn't pass that up! Now, WTF do I do with it? I was thinking of removing the worn out blue & gold(ish) stripes, and then...
  17. Beefer

    Does this sound like a bad ground?

    I just installed a fuel flow meter (Floscan), and everything seemed to be fine when tested. Yesterday, we went out, and the flow meter worked fine for a few minutes, then would stop. The needle goes to zero after a bit, and the LCD totalizer stops accumulating (but doesn't reset or turn off)...
  18. Beefer

    Well, that was easy!

    Just finished installing a fuel monitor (Floscan). Did a little bit at a time after work each day this week, and finished up the electrical tonight. I was surprised how easy it was. Had two challenges; finding 3-way electrical connectors (found them in a small marine store), and getting the...
  19. Beefer

    How far are you on your 'before launch projects'?

    Like all of us, I had projects I wanted to get done before springtime. Just wondering how far we all got with our lists, as time is getting near. My list included; A) Install remote spotlight - Done B) Build a sundeck for the Admiral (Not done, but I have everything I need) C) Install a...
  20. Beefer

    What's the difference between

    a 'terminal block', and a 'busbar'? It's one of those things that I'm not sure which is applied in which circumstance. :confused:
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