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  1. JimS123

    Frozen manual tilt

    Maybe not in this case, but I have found many a motor that was sitting so long that the grease dried up and the metal corroded so bad it was almost welded together. Loosening the nut releases all the pressure and then it can be manually broken free.
  2. JimS123

    Frozen manual tilt

    Good point. Didn't think of that. Too obvious. Or, does it have a manual tilt lock button?
  3. JimS123

    1972 9.5 slipping out of gear??

    No, my 9.5 never needed one. Just google it. But be ready for sticker shock. When I wanted to replace the one in my 1974 Evinrude 18 it cost more than the motor was worth. I ended up turning the old one around and then being sure to go slow in reverse.
  4. JimS123

    1972 9.5 slipping out of gear??

    The milk was the lost gasket. The slip is the clutch dog. Often they can be turned around instead of needing to be replaced. Since you don't have reverse, you need a new one. Hard to find that part for a near 50 year old motor.
  5. JimS123

    Seadoo jet boat. Is it legally a boat or PWC?

    We had a 1999. It did indeed have running lights. I think they all do. It's a boat. As you already said - Brianna's law. Yes, you need a "license" and a safety course, unless you buy a canoe with paddles. Our new OB is a dream come true to winterize. Our old I/O was not really...
  6. JimS123

    Frozen manual tilt

    The engine rotates on a bolt thru the mounting bracket. Loosen the nut.
  7. JimS123

    Sea chaser Carolina Skiff 19’ 2001

    Mercury Marine sells engine manuals. No boat manuals available for a 20 year old boat.
  8. JimS123

    Battery replacement?

    Test the batteries before each use, and then again after, and then a 3rd time the next day. The voltage changes will tell you exactly when you need to replace them. Replace with group 24s, both dual purpose, and get them from AutoZone. At present they are the most cost effective quality...
  9. JimS123

    How long for water in an I/O to freeze?

    I feel so sorry for all you guys that never had to deal with this. Its no fun to have a problem when you didn't expect to have to prepare. In my case earlier this year we had a record 56 days of sub freezing temperatures. Of course, we expected it so we DID prepare. Same old, same old...
  10. JimS123

    Roller bunk Adjustment advise ...

    Align the rollers so that a strake (one or both) lines up just inside (toward the keel) of one of the rollers. Then when you retrieve the boat it will self center. No problem, per se', if a strake rides on a roller, but it will just complicate loading. Also, both sides should be exactly the...
  11. JimS123

    What are the essential tools to keep on board?

    In the old days props had shear pins, so you carried a wrench and spare pins. You could "usually" reach out back far enough to change a pin on the fly. Today, with rubber hubs there is no more pin. A spare prop takes up valuable space. What if the water is too cold to go swimming? Then how...
  12. JimS123

    Jet ski trailer 5.30-12 tire upgrade to 205 75 14 fail

    53 years experience buying some good and some crappy trailer tires. The bias drive better and have fewer problems. That's my experience.
  13. JimS123

    Jet ski trailer 5.30-12 tire upgrade to 205 75 14 fail

    My 4 current boat trailers have 12", 13", 14" and 15" wheels and tires. They all ride the same. Buy a new set of 12" tires and wheels. Be sure they are bias plies. Kenda is a very good tire in that size. When you pull the trailer it will run just fine.
  14. JimS123

    What are the essential tools to keep on board?

    Forget the tool kit. First, buy a membership to BoatUS with the towing clause. Keep the phone number handy. Secondly, install a kicker with its own separate gas tank. It may get you home, but at the very least it'll get you out of harm's way until SeaTow gets there.
  15. JimS123

    Suggestions for replacement floor covering

    That's Marideck. Its a competitor to Nautolex. It is the OEM floor covering for Alumicraft, Starcraft, et al. I had it on my last boat and after 35 years it still looked like new. When I upgraded my old Starcraft by adding a floor I bought a roll of the stuff from ***** along with the...
  16. JimS123

    Issue with gas tank being too large

    Draining is always the best possible approach. You add stabilizer when you put fresh gas it. It's purpose is to stabilize the gas. If the gas is old its beyond help, so putting it in (or adding more) is of no value.
  17. JimS123

    Issue with gas tank being too large

    My old classic car gets driven about 100 miles a year. It has a 25 gallon tank. I add stabil with every fuel addition. The car is stored in a secure garage - very dry but not heated. I fill it up in the Fall, thus its pretty full all Winter. When I fill it my guess is that the remaining...
  18. JimS123

    Best Way to get a title

    A local marine dealer had a few brand new boats on his showroom floor. He sold them all, had the new owners fill out the paperwork to get a title, plus the state registration numbers. In some cases he was even so nice that he took their old boat in trade and promised to pay off the existing...
  19. JimS123

    Battery Straps?

    IMHO all boats should be covered when not in use. 365 exposure deteriorates a lot of parts, not just battery straps. Regardless, if you're happy with what you have, a whole roll of strapping can be had on ebay for pennies a foot. There would be enough there to replace the straps yearly for...
  20. JimS123

    Boat support with rollers and bunks

    The boat is almost 40 years old. Is the trailer original? If so, is the hull dent-free? Does it launch and load OK? If the answers are yes, maybe best to leave well enough alone.
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