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  1. tpenfield

    Embarrassing question

    Yup, that's a leak-down tester. You can tell by the twin gauges. Still useful, but for leak-down testing, which is not often done.
  2. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    If need be, I was thinking about getting 21" x 15" pieces of stainless steel. Bend an inch of the edges up to a right angle for stiffness and just fasten the whole thing (now 19"x15") to the underside of the existing tabs. :unsure: Also thought about making some transom pods, but not sure I...
  3. tpenfield

    Embarrassing question

    It does not sound like you have the proper compression tester, or that it is not working properly. There should the a check valve so that the gauge continually climbs, as the engine is cranked, but the gauge should not go down until you release the check valve.
  4. tpenfield

    1994 Bayliner Trophy 2002 Transom Core: One, or Three Pieces?

    I see that you have been a member for a while, but have not posted until now. :) Looks like 3 pieces. Tell us what you are doing so folks can respond with any guidance that you are looking for.
  5. tpenfield

    What year is outboard mercury 9.8 2 stork serial #5822941 ?

    The Maxrules.com site has a nice model/serial number reference. Looks to be a 1980 (or 81) https://maxrules.com/models/Merc_model_files/7p5-9p9.php
  6. tpenfield

    Possibly getting a slip - what to know before saying yes

    Remember . . . you may want/need fenders on both sides of the boat. Depends on the arrangement of your slip.
  7. tpenfield

    Lewmar Windless

    I had similar issues with my vertical windlass on the Formula. I went with a 5/8" line on a gypsy meant for 1/2 line and the problem went away. I also found that the anchor rode has to be somewhat taut in order for the gypsy to really grab. I think it is a short coming of vertical windlasses...
  8. tpenfield

    Possibly getting a slip - what to know before saying yes

    Barrier coat. Shore power if you can get it. Make sure you have enough lines for bow, stern and spring lines, fenders (4-6). Also a beach chair or something to sit out on your dock and talk with your 'boat slip buddies'. :LOL:
  9. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    Thanks guys ! Yes, on the Bennett tabs, they are probably the better design for underwater sensing. If I have to replace the tabs/cylinders in the future, I'd probably go with the electronic indicator type. As for the size of the trim tabs, If I need to go to a 15" depth, I am thinking I'd...
  10. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    Yes, that would be a next step, if the use of the existing tabs does not work out. These are nearly the biggest tabs that are readily available. 18" wide x 12" deep. The transom mounting surface only supports up to 18" width, so to go bigger, I'd be looking at an 18" x 15" or possibly an 18"...
  11. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    BTW - in looking at the digital trim senders for the outdrives, I noticed that they are on the port side of the gimbal ring, where the old-school analog senders were on the starboard side. Not sure why Mercury changed it, but it is a good thing I noticed.
  12. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    I thought about it, but preferred not to put any electronic stuff below the water line. I did not have the helm space for the mechanical indicator display, else I would have run a 100% mechanical system, like I had on my F-242. So, this was a compromise. This year, I am going to try using...
  13. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    I get it, but it seems weird to be . . . I usually think of which side of the boat needs to go up :LOL: I switched the hoses at the pump, which was pretty simple. With the tabs all sorted out, I was able to test out my homemade senders. . The ram travel is only about 2.5 inches, so I was able...
  14. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    After a little more effort trying to figure things out . . . OMG !!! The switches are hooked up reversed !!! o_O The trim tabs both actually work, but the starboard switch runs the port tab and vice versa . . . :rolleyes: I got to swap out some wiring. This had to be that way since the...
  15. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    Of course, now that I'm hooking up position indicators, the port Trim Tab is frozen and move does not want to . . . why wouldn't it be frozen :rolleyes: I put a few hundred pounds of lifting force on it to get it to contract some, but it only moves part way. The starboard side works fine. I...
  16. tpenfield

    My boat is being a boat . . .

    Having better luck with mechanical stuff today . . . I got the control cables installed for the tabs and outdrives. . . Having drilled a few holes in this boat, I got to say that the fiberglass is really thick. . . almost too thick. I bet the boat would be just as solid with a little less...
  17. tpenfield

    Maintenance - New owner of 89 Mercruiser 4.3L Alpha One

    Welcome to iBoats . . . If you are going to remove the outdrive (foot/pied), which you probably should check the engine alignment and inspect the bellows for signs of wear, cracking, etc. There is a special tool for checking the alignment that you can search for online. There are various...
  18. tpenfield

    Evinrude 4hp 2 cylinder 2 stroke cooling question

    That looks like one of those 'spin around to reverse' style engines. Usually, any kind of telltale is put lower on the drive shaft housing, so it does not 'pee' in your boat when you turn the engine around to go in reverse.
  19. tpenfield

    Embarrassing question

    @jefsummers - you mentioned having previously owned a Suzuki 2-stroke (right?) I'm assuming you had to add 2-stroke oil on a regular basis? Perhaps the Suzuki was oil-injected? Back in the day (1970's) we had to add the 2-stroke oil to the gasoline . . . (very primitive, I know :ROFLMAO: )...
  20. tpenfield

    How to reposition lift rams

    IDK . . . When I have re-installed the outdrives on my boat, the trim rams have usually shifted. I get the more extended ram loosely attached to the end pin and let the weight of the outdrive 'push' the other ram outward. Once they are even, I slide the end pin all the way through the other...
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