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  1. JimS123

    Hull form versus engine power and torque In maintaining a boat on plain

    Your "lighter boat" theory would seem to blow the OP's theory out of the water. Your 4-blade prop comment is inconsequential because that's an after-market product designed for a specific need. When did you ever see a factory boat with an OEM 4-blader? Fiberglass boats today are built and...
  2. JimS123

    Hull form versus engine power and torque In maintaining a boat on plain

    My experience is just the opposite.
  3. JimS123

    Semi fitted boat covers, how to choose one?

    My last 2 covers have been specifically for the boat model and they were 100% perfect. Prior to that my boat model was not listed and I had to buy a semi-custom. (I.e., length, beam, etc). The cover fit poorly and was not acceptable to me. They took it back no questions asked. What I...
  4. JimS123

    Lounge Seat Question

    I have owned 2 boats with the same type of folding seats. I didn't write the safety manual, but I see no problem having 4 people on one that is folded while underway. The only potential issue would be listing if that side of the boat was overloaded and not balanced on the other side.
  5. JimS123

    Best lower unit lube

    Buy regular Mercury Marine lower unit lube. Its the best on the market and it will not void your warranty.
  6. JimS123

    Got a free boat!

    Any advice here would undoubtedly be wrong. A simple phone call to the DMV will give you the correct answer. It would also be much quicker than waiting for an internet answer.
  7. JimS123

    Trolling motor for this 16 footer?

    What's a trolling motor? Do you want to move around the weeds and structure, while casting a lure? Or, do you want to move in a straight line at low speed with a lure on a long line trailing the boat? If the former, you need a bow mount with a seat and foot pedals, If the latter, you need a...
  8. JimS123

    Wheel bearings full of water

    Of course they don't seal unless you completely fill the hub with grease. Even then you will get a few drops inside by Fall. Of course, the rear seals are replaced every time. 30 years of repacking every season end, and I NEVER had to replace bearings. Just wipe them off and repack. You...
  9. JimS123

    Buying a used boat anxiety-talk me down.

    That means that the boat will be safe with 1100 pounds, and if crammed in the seats will hold 8 skinny butts, with no extra capacity for gear. Now show me where you could possibly find eight 137 pound people....LOL. That SeaRay would be uncomfortable with 6 people aboard. (My SeaRay 190 lists...
  10. JimS123

    Mounting Kicker on 1989 Bayliner Capri

    The curve in the transom is the least of your problems. You don't have enough freeboard for that mount. It's not suitable for your boat. The only possible kicker mount would be a fixed mount, not a retractable one.
  11. JimS123

    Why's the boat leaking?

    The stringers may be rotten, or maybe not. Regardless, rotten stringers wouldn't be a source of the leak. If the plug is leaking, obviously it wasn't installed correctly. I would think 5200 would be good, but not just smeared on the outside. The entire assembly should be removed and sealed...
  12. JimS123

    Options for towing boat w a non tilt/trim small outboard (25 hp)?

    Now for the solution... Cut / fabricate / build a block of wood that gets the motor in the place you want it. Install (temporarily) a SS allthread the same size as the highest tilt pin hole (probably 3/8" OD). Add a second one for the engine tilt pin. Connect the 2 with turnbuckles on both...
  13. JimS123

    Options for towing boat w a non tilt/trim small outboard (25 hp)?

    The worst idea. The tilt pin will make the engine wiggle, and eventually the up and down bouncing will damage the transom, no matter how smooth the roads are. Ask me how I know....
  14. JimS123

    Universal cover over factory cover

    The thing that ruins covers is the UV. So, a second cover is an awesome solution. The thing that ruins boats is a cover that seals in the moisture and causes mold and eventually rot. A quality boat cover lets the boat "breathe". Just be sure that the second cover will do the same.
  15. JimS123

    Is an aluminum steel prop better than stainless?

    As an inexperienced youngin I used to hit things too. Ruined a few aluminum (not aluminum steel) props beyond repair. Then, I learned how to not hit things any more. A friend showed me the performance with his Stainless Steel prop, so I bought one too. Better speed, better fuel economy and...
  16. JimS123

    Boat Check list

    We are a boating family. That's our thing. After trial's and tribulations when we moved the last time we decided to build rather than try to renovate as before. We built a garage with an attached house. I can back my rig in and close the garage door with the car still attached. No need to...
  17. JimS123

    Boat Check list

    One house I had was drywalled, so I cut out a small piece so the O/D would slide in between 2 studs. As long as the boat was very slightly angled the door would close because the door handle would not hit the tongue. The garage door opening was also 4" wider than the boat. That's where I...
  18. JimS123

    Looking to add a drain plug to a jon boat

    A "Garboard" is the first bottom plank on a wooden boat. They call the bronze drains "Garboard Plugs" because that's where they used to put them. I have installed drain plugs on 2 boats in the past, because neither came with one. IMHO, they work much better on the bottom. A garboard plug is...
  19. JimS123

    Boat Check list

    Trimmed up and it sticks out further. Trimmed down is the only way mine will fit in the garage. We inspect periodically anyway, regardless of how its trimmed. O/Ds should ONLY be trimmed up on the highway, or at anchor on the sandbar. That's a best practice kinda thing. In case you missed...
  20. JimS123

    Buying a used boat anxiety-talk me down.

    Boats and bathtubs are opposites. Although both live in water one is built to keep the water in and the other built to keep the water out. No reason for a boat to rot. Not rocket science. Wherever it is stored, its not that difficult to keep the bilge dry and keep it covered with a...
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