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  1. K

    Installing an inverter

    If it's free then that's one thing; otherwise I wouldn't install a modified sine wave inverter. They are kind of like black and white TVs; you could use one but why? 1,200 watts output will be drawing around 100 amps on the 12 volt input. You would want a bare minimum of 35 mm2 wire for that. If...
  2. K

    Replacement belt size?

    Thanks, So if the 865615Q03 is the one I need then that's over $120 just for a belt. I don't buy that many serpentine belts but I wasn't expecting that. I know the belts for my Chevrolet Suburban and Impala are more like $30 to $50. I was going to replace the one on the boat just as a...
  3. K

    Replacement belt size?

    I thought I got the right replacement serpentine belt for my engine but it doesn't fit. Upon closer inspection of all the ordering guides I can't seem to find my combination at all. I have a 2004 Mag 350 Bravo 3, S/N 0W005823. It has power steering and standard cooling (it sucks in lake water...
  4. K

    Sea Ray tow

    I wouldn't try the WDH on the boat trailer if it has surge brakes. WDHs have a tendency to prevent surge brakes from working very well. And, with a load like that you will need all the braking help you can get.
  5. K

    Power outlet

    Big coffee pots can be 1,500 watts. Small ones are probably 800 to 1200 watts. That will be roughly 80 to 150 amps out of a 12 volt battery bank. I think at minimum you would need 2 sets of 6v golf cart batteries to support that. That's still considered not enough battery for that load but since...
  6. K

    Open Bow Boat Sleeping ideas

    I've also been plotting sleeping in my bowrider this year. I plan to take the snap-on bow and cockpit covers and just attach them overnight. I won't be able to get the cockpit cover completely snapped at the back because I will need to get back under it but it should be good enough.
  7. K

    DuoProp choice ?

    I would also vote for the lower pitched set. I would guess the dealer tested with just a driver, possible a second person. When you operate the boat it sounds like you might have a family or tow on board plus toys, cooler full of drinks, etc. This makes the boat heavier and which could possible...
  8. K

    Looking for first boat

    We're a family of 5 and generally go boating with another family of 3 to 6 people. This is on a 23' bowrider. So we're generally at 4 adults and 4 to 7 kids. It's a little tight but not bad. I used to do the same thing on a 21' bowrider, that was cramped. If you're talking about 8 adults then...
  9. K

    Looking for first boat

    What are you going to use it for? Cruising, water sports, fishing, etc.? At that price it will be a well used boat. In that case the condition of the boat, how it's been maintained, etc. will matter a lot more than the brand. Do you have someone you know who is knowledgeable about boats that can...
  10. K

    Opinions on shop's quoted Bravo 3 maintenance cost

    Thanks everyone. It sounds like it may be a bit high but not too bad. I can live with that. As for doing it myself I just don't have the time to mess with it. I run my own business 50 to 60 hours a week and try to help my wife with our 3 young children when I'm not working. When I manage some...
  11. K

    Opinions on shop's quoted Bravo 3 maintenance cost

    I don't think it's a more expensive area. The shop is at Lake Anna, VA. I live about 100 miles west of their toward the mountains so they're really the "closest" marine mechanic. It's not like I'm near the beach or something where there's a ton of shops to pick from. I don't mind slightly high...
  12. K

    Opinions on shop's quoted Bravo 3 maintenance cost

    I just took my 2004 Rinker to a mechanic for some winter maintenance for next season. The boat has a 350 mag and a B3. i'v never paid for maintneance on a Bravo setup before; my last boat was an Alpha. It's on my trailer in their yard. They are located right on a lake. It's a shop that has been...
  13. K

    Generac Generator 17kw Guardian Series- runs constantly

    You're right, fuses don't just go bad. It's hard to say what may have happened. A mouse or squirrel chewing up some wires, a wiring harness abrading on a vibrating engine edge, a shorted out control board somewhere, etc.
  14. K

    Is my 77 Inline 6, 250 CID, 165 HP a GMC or a GM Chevy

    GMC and Chevy trucks are made in the same factory on the same assembly line with the same parts. They make one "brand" one day and the other "brand" the next. I once worked for a company that had a 90's truck with a Chevy badge on one fender and a GMC badge on the other fender. They said they...
  15. K

    Proper Engine Oil Level

    I chased this same issue a couple years ago on my '04 Mag 350. I could fine sources listing anywhere from 4 to 6 quarts for the same engine. I typically run it about 6 quarts which actually reads to much on the stick. I figure too much is better than too little. I've had no problems in 3 years...
  16. K

    Generac Generator 17kw Guardian Series- runs constantly

    I agree. There are 2 fuses in the transfer switch, one for each phase. If either one is blown the generator thinks there's a power outage. Check for 240v AC leaving the fuse block. You may have 3 fuses, one of them is probably for a block heater or battery charger.
  17. K

    First time buyer

    Back before COVID raised the prices of boats I'd say that's a high price. I sold a 20' 1997 Larsen with a 5.7L V8 back in 2015. It was also in good shape with a trailer, bimini top, and decent stereo. I sold it for $8,500. Now days, who knows on the price. People are paying crazy money for...
  18. K

    Potential Purchase of a Rinker.. Thoughts?

    I wouldn't buy a boat, particularly one that old, with out running it in the water. After you're done just pull the drain plugs out of the engine and tow it home. All the movement of the boat during the trip will help get any trapped water out of the block; it will probably be even more...
  19. K

    Bowrider

    We're a family of 5 and often take another family of from 3 to 6 with us on the boat for the day. This typically gives us 4 adults and from 4 to 7 children. We have a Rinker 232 with a 300 hp Mercruiser 350 mag. It's a crowded boat for sure but we have a good time. The engine is powerful enough...
  20. K

    Should I remove the batteries from the boat when I charge them?

    Why bother charging them? I leave mine in the boat all winter with the battery switch off. It always starts in the spring.
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