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  1. K

    How often to replace Bravo 3 impeller, very difficult job

    I've got a 2004 Rinker Captiva 232 with a Merc Mag 350 and a B3. It has about 350 hours on it. I bought it with 330 earlier this year. The boat has only ever been in freshwater lakes. I have no idea when the raw water impeller was ever changed. In order to even see the pump housing I will need...
  2. K

    Advice on first wakeboard

    About 10 years ago I tried wakeboarding. I tried with 3 different boards, 3 different instructors, behind 3 different boats and could never get up. I've been enjoying tubing and knee boarding ever since. I decided maybe I should try wakeboarding again. I'm 6' tall, 190 pounds and I'm 41 years...
  3. K

    Mercruiser audio alarm problems

    I just bought a new to me 2004 Rinker with a Mercruiser 350 Mag. The audio alarm warning isn't working right and behaving strangely. If the key is on (engine running or not running doesn't matter) the beeper makes a very faint beeping sound. Not continuous but a steady and very faint beep, beep...
  4. K

    Tach stuck. Replace?

    I just bought a 2004 Rinker with a Mercruiser Mag 350. The Faria tach is stuck. The needle points to 1,900 RPM even with the key off, engine off, engine idling, WOT, doesn't matter. This seems to eliminate a wiring problem since it sits there even with the battery switch off. Do I just replace...
  5. K

    B3 corrosion a non-issue for a trailer stored boat?

    I'm looking at a 2004 Rinker with a B3 outdrive. I keep reading about corrosion issues. But, this boat has been stored on a lift all it's life. For my use, it will live on a trailer. I might keep it in the water overnight 10 times a year. Otherwise it will only be in the water for a day and then...
  6. K

    Finding torque specs for I/O engines

    I just test drove a 25' Four Wins with a VP 5.7GSi. This is supposed to be 280 HP I think. The boat felt pretty slow coming up on plane with only 4 adults and half a tank of fuel. I know the GXI is supposed to be 320 HP but I've heard that both engines have about the same torque and thus the GXI...
  7. K

    Recommend an oil change pump

    I've always changed oil the old fashioned way, thru the drain plug. I've been thinking I should get one of those pumps that sucks it out the dipstick tube. I would not only use it on the boat but also my home's diesel generator, possibly the RV generator, and whatever else. I looked on the...
  8. K

    How many hours will a marine engine run?

    So how many hours is considered "a lot" for a marine sterndrive engine? Specifically I'm looking at a 2002 boat with a VP 5.7 GXI that has 900 hours. That's certainly more hours than a lot of similar used boats seem to have. Thinking of cars (which I know is totally different) an engine with...
  9. K

    How big is too big for tow sports?

    The 20' open bow Larson I sold held 11 people. We would often have 8 to 11 while tubing, skiing, etc. I want a larger boat and have been looking at 23 to 25' boats. I haven't stepped up to 26' yet because one lake I go to might have a 25' length restriction. But, there are a lot of 26' boats out...
  10. K

    Year for changes related to ethanol?

    I'm hoping to buy a new-to-me boat next year. I hope to buy something with at least a 300 HP 5.7 if not a big block.I typically run non-ethanol gas but it may get hard to find in the future. Were there any year(s) that Merc. or Volvo made any significant changes to their engines and systems to...
  11. K

    How good is Rinker quality?

    I'm looking for a 22' to 24' or so bow rider and the wife insists on a head. The latest Boating magazine had a test on the new Rinker QX24 BR and it looks really nice. I'd kind of forgotten about this brand but now I'm looking for used ones in my searches. I want quality but not fancy-ness. I...
  12. K

    Cost / difficulty of swapping a 5.0 MPI for an 8.1 MPI?

    I've been looking at boats in the 24' range. I tend to go out with 10 or more people so I'd really like to have a big block. Many of the boats available have the little 5.0 MPI engine which is of course less expensive and they are much more plentiful. I got to wondering what would be involved...
  13. K

    300 HP Mag Vs. 310 HP 7.4L

    I'm shopping for a 24 or 25' bowrider. I tend to boat with lots of people (10 or more, about half of them children) so I'm looking for more HP than the little 5.0 engine. Most boats seem to have the 350 Mag with 300 HP for the upgraded power plant. I've found a few with a 7.4L MPI engine that...
  14. K

    HP vs. cubic inches & drive type

    I'm looking for a replacement to my '97Larson 206Sei with 5.7 and a 2 barrel. It's supposedly 210 HP which I will describe as barely adequate. I'm looking at upgrading to a Sea Ray 220 or 240 Sundeck, Chapparal 233 Sunesta, Four Winns 234 Funship, or something else similar. I will sometimes have...
  15. K

    Engine block size

    So with 17 inches of snow yesterday I'm feeling better by looking for a new boat. I'd love to have an 8.1 big block but they quit using those in boats. I know, GM quit using them too, I get that. Which got me to thinking; GM hasn't used the 5.0 or the 5.7 in many years yet they are still in...
  16. K

    How do I inspect/ replace exhaust flappers?

    I've got a '97 Mercruiser 5.7 with an Alpha 1. It's got a 2 barrel carb. if that matters. I want to make sure my exhaust flappers aren't burnt or melted. Where are they and what's the easiest way to gain access? Do I remove the manifolds or are they further downstream? What else should I inspect...
  17. K

    The good and bad on Sea Ray 240 BR

    I'm looking to upgrade from my '97 20' Larson to something around 24'. In doing searches i seem to come across a large number of Sea Ray 240 BR models. I'm looking in the mid 2000 era, say 2003 to 2009. How did Sea Ray compare for quality in this era? I get the idea that overall they're a good...
  18. K

    comparing HP on boats

    My current 20.5' boat has a 210 HP 5.7L with a 2 barrel carb. I want to upgrade to around a 24' boat. I see a lot of them with only a 5.0L engine. It doesn't seem like I want a 4' longer boat with a smaller displacement engine. From a HP standpoint a lot of the MPI 5.0L engines are making 240 up...
  19. K

    Yacht certified rules?

    I like to take a lot of people along when I go boating. My current boat is rated for 11 people but my extended family totals out at 12 so I'm looking for something rated higher. Some of the boats I look at in the 24 to 26 foot range are yacht certified. What are the rules for passengers on a...
  20. K

    Tired of carpet, can I glass the floor?

    My '97 Larson has a plywood floor with permanently installed carpet over top. I can feel soft spots starting to form in the plywood underneath. I've never liked having to be really careful to keep the floor dry, vacuum the carpet, etc. The next boat I get I want to have a fiberglass floor with...
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