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  1. tpenfield

    Bravo 3 Oil Leak - Oh No !!!

    I spent some time yesterday evening looking at the outdrives . . . It appears that the oil tube does not have clamps on either end, which would explain the leakage. There are clamps called out in the parts list, so I will have to see about installing some.
  2. tpenfield

    Downsides of buying an IO Saltwater boat in the north east?

    Owning and having sold salt water boats in the north east, I see nothing wrong with them. :LOL: As with any boat, you really need to see the boat and determine its actual condition. Salt water does require more maintenance, mostly the engines and outdrives (for I/O powered). If you do end up...
  3. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    Money would be the only factor that would prompt me to go back to into the 'working world'. My plan was to continue working for a few more years, as the Admiral is not quite up to retirement age, and the extra $$$ is a nice-to-have.
  4. tpenfield

    Need Assistance to Diagnose Bravo 3 - 5.0L MPI Vibration

    I think you have gotten some good advice so far. . . being on my 3rd boat with Bravo outdrives, I'd offer the following: U-joints can seem good to the touch, but actually be bad under load. So, you could replace the U-joints. Alignment at 90˚ rotations of the engine as mentioned. Not sure...
  5. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    A guy that works on my Team (that's the PC way of saying 'works for me' :ROFLMAO:) experiments with 3D printing at home. He has brought some of the creations in to the office and they look awesome. I plan on fixing up my house, as it has lacked some attention the past few years. That should...
  6. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    I did tell myself, that when I retire, I'd sit by the town dock/ramp and watch 'the show' of ramp launch, retrieval, and associated fails.
  7. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    That would be a 'fun' occupation. Not sure it would pay much. :unsure: Additionally, I'd need to get some practice myself (now that I have the mother of all trailers 🤪 ) It has been a while since I've trailered my boats, having used a 'boat hauler' on my Formula 330.
  8. tpenfield

    Understanding Moisture Readings on a Marine Survey?

    Readings above 35-40% are high, but the information provided (by the surveyor) is so general to the point of not being useful. It seems like a 'wet' boat, but without specifics, you don't know if it is isolated or wide-spread.
  9. tpenfield

    Maybe my turn for new boat time

    Yes, the outboard versions are going to be a bit longer than the I/O versions, as the outboards are essentially 'added on' to the existing design in most cases. That may only matter as far as slip space, since you'd have to consider LOA. I do see more inventory on the market in general, so...
  10. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    I still have an Admiral that asks about all that stuff. Half the things I do now are just so I don't have to hear about it (again) :ROFLMAO:
  11. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    Yes, I figured for the seats alone (what I did) it would be about $15K worth of work. I've already been asked by a guy in CT who bought the Cruisers 328 that was in Falmouth, MA, about re-doing his seats. (He doesn't like the existing color Brown)
  12. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    Yes, I have quite a list. . . Re-engineer the fascia/soffits on the house. Paint the house Landscaping Clean out the garage Finish re-building my O'Day Mariner 19 (sailboat) Re-working the helm & controls on the Boston Whaler Landscaping trimming at the summer house . . .
  13. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    I decided over the weekend to quit my job. (The Admiral had recently suggested it). So, I went into to work today and did exactly that. 🤪 I think I'll hang out for a while, hopefully get some good boating time, and casually look for another job. . . . or not. :LOL: Maybe I can start doing...
  14. tpenfield

    Trailer Plates and buying boat hours away?

    I just used the plate from my other trailer . . . but don't tell anybody. 🤪 If it became an issue, my story would be that I am transferring the registration to the 'new' trailer. (which the DMV gives you a few days to complete) Make sure you have your insurance coverage in place and be careful.
  15. tpenfield

    Parking on incline

    Looks like you are parking the boat bow down? :unsure: Less than ideal, 'cuz you would want to drain any water out the transom plug. Bow down will tend to trap water in the hull. Any way that you can get the boat on a more level area so that you can raise the bow a bit? 2 jack stands are...
  16. tpenfield

    Boat Randomly Sluggish

    We all tend to gain weight as we age, and I'm wondering if the boat has done the same? :unsure: What you described is cavitation, which means the propeller is creating such low pressure on the back of the blades that the water turns into a gas (air) and the prop looses its grip. If the boat...
  17. tpenfield

    Peoples vs. Peoples/Gear weight limits?

    When the boat manufacturer certifies the boat for weight/people limits it really depends on how well the boat floats under load. I cannot exactly recall the process that is used to certify the boat, but different boats of similar size may vary a bit in their numbers. It won't be a constant...
  18. tpenfield

    How to tel if boat will over heat in the water

    It does not sound normal about removing the ground wire. Perhaps the ground wire is not actually a ground. Check it with your multimeter for 0 volts and low impedance to a known ground. 150˚ at idle may be fine, but the real test will be in the water under load. Running an engine on land...
  19. tpenfield

    Happiest Day of Ownership !!!

    In other news . . . I got the sea water strainers installed and have identified the remaining leak in the port engine cooling system (coolant side). Just got to figure out the best way to fix it.
  20. tpenfield

    Happiest Day of Ownership !!!

    This boat is heavy . . . . . . . as compared to my Formula 330. I am lifting the boat up off of the trailer a few inches in order to paint the bottom. I've got 10 boat stands lifting and it sure seems like a lot of work. . . . I'll have to figure out a better way of doing this for next...
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