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  1. 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...
  2. 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...
  3. 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...
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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...
  8. 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.
  9. 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...
  10. 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...
  11. 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...
  12. 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.
  13. JimS123

    Lets see some motor & cowlings paint jobs!!

    I say it's my Boat House. My wife calls it "The Museum"
  14. JimS123

    Lets see some motor & cowlings paint jobs!!

    I'm rapidly running out of room...
  15. JimS123

    Bolts ?

    Lube the bolts with penetrating oil for awhile so they get some penetration (hopefully). Mask the head to insulate it, then put dry ice on the bolt head. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I personally use Blue Locktite when I hope to never have to remove the bolt again, and anti-seize if I...
  16. JimS123

    Boat support with rollers and bunks

    A high quality "all roller" trailer will be designed so each roller carries no more than about 125 pounds per roller. I've seen some cheepie trailers that have too few rollers and each one carries as much as 175 pounds. Those are the ones that you see roller damage on the hull. If you have...
  17. JimS123

    Battery Straps?

    Yeah, I have never replaced a battery strap. Every boat I ever had the strap lasted the life of the boat. My last boat was 35 years old with the original strap. Must be sumting wong! Is the battery box out in the open subject to sunlight all the time? Certainly, an un-boxed battery would...
  18. JimS123

    Trailering clips?

    Its like insurance. If you never had an accident, why did you need it? Read your owner's manual. Mercury recommends that they be used. Maybe they know more than we do. When I bought my first I/O I read the manual and then asked the dealer what to do. He didn't know, so I followed the book...
  19. JimS123

    Engine height on Offshore repower.

    When you're on the hard, you have to start somewhere. While above or middle may be viable options, below is not a good idea, especially with a setback.
  20. JimS123

    Engine height on Offshore repower.

    There is no "standard". Every boat needs to be optimized by collecting data at different heights with trial runs. Just for reference, my 2 boats were set up by the manufacturer with the following specs: 16" setback - AV plate 4" above keel No setback - AV plate 2" above keel I am assuming that...
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