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  1. JimS123

    Its never perfect!

    Our family boat is 33 years old. The towcar is 37. (Yes, a towCAR not a pickup truck that you use at the farm). Both are pristine because they are garage kept and well maintained. I guess you could call me OCD, but I just like my things to be nice after I spent all the hard earned money to...
  2. JimS123

    3.0 Liter Mercruiser 140 HP Timing

    I did a complete tune-up recently. The boat runs perfect, so this was just for PM. The timing was set at 8 deg. BTDC. The spec in the owner's manual calls for 6 deg. This is a 1984 model, originally equipped with point. Its now carrying a pertronics electronic ignition. I was hesitant to...
  3. JimS123

    Cleaning Off Water Spots

    I'm posting here because its not really PWC specific, though it applies more in that regard. After owning a black car I swore never to buy one again. Why I bought a black jetski is beyond me... I usually wipe off and use Meguires Quick Detailer after each ride, but this week the boat was in...
  4. JimS123

    Does anyone store a boat in a garage? How do you make it fit?

    I built a garage to fit the boat.....with the car still attached. You can't imagine how nice it is when you boat 2 or 3 days in a row and don't have to disconnect. The other toys are in a separate garage off a second driveway. My son built a pole barn a good 20 feet longer than his...
  5. JimS123

    Carburetor Fuel Filter Leak

    1984 MCM140 Mercruiser 140HP 3.0 Liter. Rochester carb. In-line fuel filter in the fuel line on the side of the carb. I change the filters every 100 hours. This is the 14th time I’ve replaced them, so I’m not exactly a rookie. It leaks at the nut holding the fuel filter. Change the...
  6. JimS123

    Power Winch

    Looking for a light duty 12V electric winch that can be powered by a cable with a "cigarette lighter type" plug. Is there such a thing?
  7. JimS123

    Revived Johnson TD 20!

    That's a classic worth more than you know. When our Dads and Grandpas went fishing in the early 1940's many rented rowboats. When they came back from the war they bought outboards. Johnson production resumed in 1946. When the TD-20 went out of production in 1949, it is said that it was the...
  8. JimS123

    Running transducer cables in express cruiser.

    Mine has a transducer / temp combo, plus a separate speed paddlewheel. Two plugs and 2 wires - the hole was a lot bigger than 1/2". Both wires have clamps right abot at the waterline, and again about 1/2 way up. The clamshell covers the hole, which was well sealed. The OEM pitot tube is...
  9. JimS123

    AGM Battery Suggestions

    IMHO, no PWC should come with a flooded lead acid battery. The battery in my 1 year old Yami will be replaced this Spring with an AGM. What's the general consensus?....what's the best today?....An Odyssey, a Deka, or another brand?
  10. JimS123

    Baitcasting reel?

    I use Penns on 7 foot Eagle Claw Trolling rods. These are old USA ECs, not the new china ones. 36# braid with lead core - it changes color every 10 yards. We fish in about 25' of water and troll at 1.9 mph with 4 colors out. That drops the lure to about 19' down, right where the big ones...
  11. JimS123

    Baitcasting reel?

    As a kid I used closed face spinning reels. For the past 60 years I used open face spinning reels. Shakespears are good, Mitchells and Pfluegers are better. The other day I was in Cabelas and their reel display must have had at least 50 of the fancy bait casting reels. I couldn't belive the...
  12. JimS123

    Can someone help me identify the boat on the left in this picture?

    Yup, that's exactly the same one I had. Mine was bought brand new in 1971 for $2900. It came with an Evinrude 60 HP 3-cyl Triumph. I upgraded to a 75HP Johnson Stinger in 1978 and sold it in 1984. The pic below was taken in 2011 when the second owner sold it after it had been garage kept for...
  13. JimS123

    Priming and painting question just happens to be boat related.

    For OBs I use rattle can self etching primer, which is a medium green. I topcoat that with white or black and everything in between and see no difference. Topcoat with a light coat followed by a second light coat followed by a medium heavy wet coat, with an hour between coats. Don't forget...
  14. JimS123

    Unstuck a Stuck Engine

    I've gotten stuck engines running again in the past, but this one is a particular bugger. It's a 1941 Johnson 9.3 HP twin and the pistons are froze solid. Its beeen soaking for a month now. One piston is all the way up and the other all the way down. I've pulled the exh manifold and can see...
  15. JimS123

    Bow flag pole

    Piece of cake. Personally, I wouldn't own a boat that didn't have a bow pennant and a stern flag. If your bow light or your bow rail's bow form have a hole in it, buy a mahogany flagpole and whittle the end to fit the hole. If you have neither, then buy a simple flagpole socket, either straight...
  16. JimS123

    DIY boat storage stand?

    My workshop has a 16' door so I didn't have the same problem. My working stands are 2x4's with the top covered with a remnant piece of carpet. If the door were too small I would have put casters on the stand and unloaded the boat in the driveway.
  17. JimS123

    2015 Waverunner Winterizing

    Hate the thought, but I like to be prepared ahead of time. Anyone familiar with the 2015's with the new "RIDE" system? Just paid $85 for a full shop manual and it is basically useless. It tells what to do in some cases, but doesn't explain how to do it. Worse than that it shows maintenance...
  18. JimS123

    Failed winch...almost lost the boat...(with pics)

    A safety chain catches the boat as it flies in the air after something fails. A secure bow tie down won't allow the boat to move in the first place. Mine isn't home made, its OEM original equipment.
  19. JimS123

    Mounting a flag on a 12ft Aluminum boat

    Mine is a Starcraft 14 footer. Most tinnies have an aluminum bow form, plus transom forms with handles. My flag is attacghed to a simple flagpole socket, screwed into the transom form with self tapping screws.
  20. JimS123

    Jet Boats Are Out - Outboards Are IN

    Last year was the year of the outboard. Many manufacturers that previously only sold I/Os introduced OB models. This year, even more companies followed suit. Based on my own persomnal observations there were more new OB boats than Jets last season. While recently on vacation in the...
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