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    1979 Starcraft American Offshore 22’

    Before starting any work....check carefully the wood skeleton for dry rot. At the boats age, it is highly probable the wood is rotted and needs replaced. For your safety and your passengers, do a thorough test of that wood structure.
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    Reminder to check gear before towing.

    Years back, I had an open skiff with no storage either. Picked up a couple old coolers at garage sales, added a couple vents and bungee corded them to the bench seats. Kept stuff in place while boat was underway and nothing flew out on the highway. Could easily be moved into another position if...
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    2012 3.0L TKS runs great with muffs, but slow on lake...

    Did you blow compressed air thru all the small holes and passages ? Some are barely needle size so a piece of wire needs pushed thru. Just soaking won't clean out the tiny places. Also ..you should have bought a factory rebuild kit to replace all the gaskets, needle and seat for the float...
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    Reminder to check gear before towing.

    Learned my lesson in my early days of boating. Just had new canvass made for my center console, thought it was folded and stored away and would not blow out. Boy was I wrong.....back then it was well over 500 bucks gone in the wind....actually !! Now everything is stored in lockers or have...
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    Interesting, never had the opportunity to fish or control a boat in a current that strong. Looks to be a lot of work and skill needed to make it work.
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    Flat tire on haul-out today . . .

    I keep a number of pressure gages in my garage and barn, always one handy to check pressures before heading out. Just part of my getting ready to go routine. Once the trailer is pulled out if my barn, I do a walk around to check lights, be sure safety chains are connected, coupler locked and...
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    If you can get enough speed from just the bow mount electric then you are good. Here on the big lake, there is often enough wind that the electric can't give enough to reach the required trolling speed. I use my electric only as much as I can, but when the going gets tough, the little kicker...
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    Wind won't allow a front rudder to work, you need the pull from the trolling motor....been there, done that....
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    For spot lock, no kicker needed. Spot lock relies on wind or breeze and keeps boat headed into it while it uses the GPS to hold position. Depending on how breezy or how much current, it will self adjust the speed to hold position. I use spot lock the most, haven't used an anchor in years. I...
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    Alternators for deep cycle batteries are not recomended....not saying they don't work, they can shorten the batteries life and are a big no for Lipo type batteries. Charging at the same time as your electric motor is running is not recomended either.. Charging currents produce higher voltage...
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    Yep....the gas motor on the transom gives you forward thrust, then the bow mount just steers. Uses less battery than than using the electric only. Better if fighting wind or current. There are times when I need more trolling speed than just the electric can give, so adding the little kicker...
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    Actually, I set the gas motor at the speed I want then use just enough electric power to steer. I guess it really won't make much difference unless your in current, wind, or other situation that needs more power. Just remember, at 12v you are using much more battery power than a 24v would use...
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    Been using that method for many years, very popular in the walleye capital... I use a little 2.2 up motor for forward thrust and my remote control bow mount electric for steering. The kicker is locked straight ahead and just give forward thrust to battle wind and rough seas. Works great !
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    What Thrust Size Trolling Motor?

    Plenty....no...adequate ...yes. If trolling in chop or rough seas, the 55# is light, but will work as a steering motor for your kicker. If trolling electric only, you need more thrust. I have a 16' Sylvan with 40 up Merc. My 12v 55# thrust MK does the job but nothing to spare. I also use a...
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    28' Pontoon with 3.0 Mercruiser Prop

    Yep....gotta be sure your engine is running at peak performance or your wasting time and money. You need to adjust the pitch to achieve max operating rpm at wot. SS props are mostly for performance boats and typically do little to nothing for barges like a pontoon boat unless you have big...
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    Prop problem

    Whatever they are making props out of today.
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    2012 3.0L TKS runs great with muffs, but slow on lake...

    Do you have a "Mercruiser" manual or an aftermarket manual ?
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    2012 3.0L TKS runs great with muffs, but slow on lake...

    Most all auto supply stores carry an adjustable gap jumping tool, usually less than 10 bucks. You can adjust the distance where the spark jumps to see how strong the spark is. Why replace parts until you know it is bad ?
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    2012 3.0L TKS runs great with muffs, but slow on lake...

    If it gets an air lock when running at high rpm on muffs, the damage will be done before it shows up on the temp gage ! That motor should idle around 650 rpm in gear, underway, in the water, with no issue. If not you have a problem. Get a good compression gage, you can use it on any motor...
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    making your own gaskets / seals

    My granddaughter has one of the vinyl cutter laser machines that uses a tiny knife to cut thru material. The company advertises it can make automotive gaskets, even though she has never tried, it makes awesome vinyl cutouts with great detail. I would guess just a change in material and it would...
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