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  1. Captain Caveman

    Boat Storage Contract

    I'm storing my boat in a neighbor's garage this winter. I want to draw up a simple contract that covers the major storage issues without being too extensive. Issues that I addressed so far: - Storage dates - Payment terms - Right to visit/work on boat - Expectation of basic security and...
  2. Captain Caveman

    Connecting Bilge Float

    I installed the float and now just need to hook up the wiring. It should be easy to splice into the wiring at the pump. However, at the captain's seat the bilge is currently controlled with a 2-way rocker switch. It lights up when you turn on the bilge and goes dark when you turn it off. Of...
  3. Captain Caveman

    Trailer Jack Grease Cap

    My new trailer jack lasted one trip up north before the grease cap came off. Something brown (fox or dinosaur) ran into the trailer while I was doing 75mph in the middle of the night. That might have knocked it out. No matter what, I need to cap the jack. Does anyone have a good suggestion...
  4. Captain Caveman

    3hp Seahorse Wants To Run Lean

    I brought a 3hp 1957 JW-13 Seahorse back to life over the winter. I replaced the ignition, most of the lower unit, and threw in a carb rebuild. I've now run it twice in a barrel for limited periods (less than 5 minutes). It runs a little rough and doesn't run well at low or high speeds. It seems...
  5. Captain Caveman

    We Need Boat Launch Videos

    I didn't want to hijack the other thread, but I got an idea. Someone with a video camera should sit at a few busy boat ramps with a video camera in hand. One could put together an informative "don't do this" video available online. I know that there are various videos out there showing swamped...
  6. Captain Caveman

    Correcting Camber on a Trailer

    I've got a 2008 Karavan single axle boat trailer with a nasty positive camber. I do tow a lot of miles since it is 500 miles round trip to my cabin, and we go probably 8-10 times per season, so 4-5k miles annually. I got 1.5 seasons out of the stock Goodyear tires before they were slippery...
  7. Captain Caveman

    Best Way To Remove Oil Seals?

    I've been tearing apart a 3hp 1957 Johnson Seahorse. I replaced the oil seal between the gear case and the drive shaft (just below the impeller). It was a real pain to remove and required lots of different attempts with various tools. I was thinking about replacing the one in the gearcase as...
  8. Captain Caveman

    Replacing Spark Plug Wires to Coils - 1957 3hp Seahorse

    This is for a 1957 Johnson Seahorse 3hp (JW-13). One of the spark plug wires is bare to the wire in a spot. I've got the flywheel off and have new wire, but am stumped about how to swap out the wire. Do you just pull the old wire out of the coil and somehow shove the new wire into place and...
  9. Captain Caveman

    1957 Johnson 3hp - Gas Tank Extra Parts?

    I just cleaned the piles of insulation and foam out of the 1957 Johnson 3hp (JW-13) motor that I picked up this summer for $25. When I turn the rope, the prop turns but it's completely drained of fluid - so she's about to get a complete rebuild of gaskets, etc. The first order of business was...
  10. Captain Caveman

    State-By-State Towing Laws

    The link in the sticky thread (above) is dead. Here is the new link to towing laws: Towing World Official Website
  11. Captain Caveman

    Jumping Starter with Deep-Cycle

    I have a starting battery and a deep-cycle in my boat. I've never worn down my own starting battery, but did help a neighbor this spring. Her boat wouldn't turn over. I ran my jumper cables from my deep cycle to her starting battery but realized that it wouldn't work. I then hooked the jumpers...
  12. Captain Caveman

    Wrong Button

    Am I the only one who clicks on the big "Reply To Thread" button after typing a long response, instead of clicking the "Post Quick Reply" button? I can't tell you how many times I've done this recently. I must be getting old, but I sure wish that both buttons weren't so close to where I type...
  13. Captain Caveman

    Transom height and cavitation plate relationship

    Re: Transom height and cavitation plate relationship Don't mess with the system in place unless you think that the performance is suffering. I had the same issue with incompatible transom and motor issues. Initially I used a 1x1 block but found that the motor fasteners were too close to the top...
  14. Captain Caveman

    Lowrance X50 quit working after reset

    No matter what I did, I couldn't get the fish arches back so I did the factory reset procedure in the manual. The unit was working fine (except for not showing fish arches) prior to the reset but now doesn't work. It reset to the factory settings. I turned off the 'Simulator Mode' but as soon as...
  15. Captain Caveman

    Mirror for Single Console

    I have an Alumacraft Navigator with a single console. In Minnesota, we need to have a mirror if you are pulling a skier or tube without an observer in the boat to monitor what is going on behind your boat. I've looked online and in stores but haven't seen anything that would work well as a...
  16. Captain Caveman

    New Gas Can for '63 Johnson Seahorse 5.5hp

    I've got a 1963 5.5hp Johnson Seahorse. This spring I put a new hose on because the old one was very brittle. This worked and the motor ran, but in the process I broke a part off of the metal gas tank. It's an original tank and the intake tube that draws gas broke off. It looks like there is a...
  17. Captain Caveman

    Installing Separate Switch for Dashboard Lights?

    I just got an '08 Alumacraft Navigator. I've noticed that the glare from my dashboard lights makes it very difficult to see when boating at night. Has anyone ever installed a separate switch to control the dashboard lights? Is this a bad idea? I don't really care about my...
  18. Captain Caveman

    Engine in gear to prevent prop from spinning?

    On another forum, there is a debate going on about whether or not to shift your boat into gear when trailering. Apparently this keeps the prop from free-spinning during the drive, which some argue will heat up and wear out the bearings or ruin the outer propshaft seal (due to not being cooled by...
  19. Captain Caveman

    Fix hole in keel?

    I just got a sweet deal on an older aluminum 12ft Starcraft. I've got a money-back guarantee on the boat if it leaks. However, when I unloaded this gem in my yard, I noticed that there are dime-sized holes in both the front and back of the aluminum keel. It doesn't look like there is a hole in...
  20. Captain Caveman

    Adjust mixture knob for cold weather??

    I've got a 1979 Evinrude 35hp motor. As we're getting into the cold season here, with temps in the 20-40 degree range, should I be messing with the knob to richen the mixture? Is there a sign to watch for that would indicate that the mixture needs to be more rich, or should I adjust just based...
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