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  1. JASinIL2006

    Restoring a 1990 Larson

    The 6 oz. is so light, I found that it was really easy to get it out of shape and/or wrinkled. Woodonglass recommended using very little resin and start rolling from the center of the piece to the edges. I very lightly coated the surface with resin before putting down the cloth, and then I...
  2. JASinIL2006

    Restoring a 1990 Larson

    Seems like laying glass over a big, flat surface would be easy, doesn't it? I found it more challenging than expected, especially when working with CSM. 1708 was a bit easier, but still took some work to get it flat and rolled out. Yours looks really good. I'll be interested to see what you...
  3. JASinIL2006

    Trouble reinstalling pre-alpha drive

    Have you checked alignment with an alignment bar?
  4. JASinIL2006

    Help buying a used bowrider

    Start by reading this thread very carefully. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/for-new-members-needing-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyers-checklist.612841/
  5. JASinIL2006

    What are the essential tools to keep on board?

    Depends a lot on where you boat. If you're somewhere with lots of underwater obstructions (rocks, wing dams, stumps), it probably makes good sense to have an extra prop and hub. I carry one; I'd rather change the prop than try to make it back to the boat launch 20 miles upriver with a damaged...
  6. JASinIL2006

    What are the essential tools to keep on board?

    Interesting! That would be bit more difficult with an Alpha One!
  7. JASinIL2006

    Garboard drain cover

    Hammer test is pretty much worthless for detecting rot.
  8. JASinIL2006

    Best Way to get a title

    We found some very helpful people at IDNR, but with COVID stuff, I imagine they much harder to reach. Trying to get either a boat or a trailer titled in Illinois is really hard if you don't have the required paperwork. We were looking at a boat and trailer from Wisconsin, and their relaxed...
  9. JASinIL2006

    Can you start these in cold temperatures out of water?

    This seems like pretty solid advice to me. If you were more familiar with draining your engine to protect against freeze damage, running it now would be such a big deal. But if you don't know what you're doing (yet), the chances of a weather change coming along and freezing your engine with...
  10. JASinIL2006

    Battery Straps?

    I modified a battery tray to hold a battery box, so I have the best of both: the starting battery and its terminals are completely covered and I can secure it all without using those cursed straps. (For the time being, unfortunately, my house battery box is just strapped down. That should be...
  11. JASinIL2006

    Trailering clips?

    Those clips are one of those things that certainly aren't bad, and they would protect the drive if you were on the road and the hydraulics failed. On the other hand, how often do the hydraulics fail? The vast majority (like 99%) of boats I see towed don't have them, and I don't know that I've...
  12. JASinIL2006

    Can you start these in cold temperatures out of water?

    Might be helpful if you would let us know what kind of engine and drive you’re looking at...
  13. JASinIL2006

    Fibreglass boat floor replacement - do I need to use fiberglass?

    Agree completely. It really is that simple. I don’t agree that 2# foam cannot cause problems if the cavity is overfilled. That stuff can exert a lot of pressure when it kicks off, especially if a large cavity is involved.
  14. JASinIL2006

    Engine replacement

    If it's a stern drive, then yes, you need to remove the drive first. It might be possible to get the engine out without pulling the drive, but it would no doubt be much more complicated. It takes about 5 minutes to pull the drive, so there's really no reason to attempt to finagle the engine out...
  15. JASinIL2006

    Project with my sons

    Depending on where you live, there may be no commercial sellers of fiberglassing supplies that don't recall a day of roundtrip driving (that was my situation), and even then, US Composites' prices were low enough that even with hazmat fees, I probably saved money by ordering from them (rather...
  16. JASinIL2006

    Restoring a 1990 Larson

    I used two layers of CSM on the deck, then a layer of 6 oz. cloth. After that, I applied fairing compound and sanded it smooth.
  17. JASinIL2006

    Tahoe T16. Will it fit in my garage?

    Not knowing how big your garage is, this is a tough question...
  18. JASinIL2006

    Is this a fair price?

    That's about $23K USD... not cheap for a boat of that age. Still, pricing is so local... and with the pandemic, used boats are going for top dollar. How does that compare with other boats you've seen in your area?
  19. JASinIL2006

    Looking for first boat

    21' would be possible with 6 total for days on the lake. I think you'll find it will get rather cramped, though. No way you'd want 8 in a 21' boat; you'd like exceed the weight limit with that many. And it would be like boating in can of sardines. Even 23' might feel tight with 8.
  20. JASinIL2006

    What to use to repair stringers

    I'm not a big fan of using pressure treated wood... I've read too many accounts of people having problems with the fiberglass not adhering. I also would be concerned about the PT chemicals interacting with whatever metal is used for fasteners (e.g., to bolt the engine mounts down). PT would not...
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