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  1. tpenfield

    Tiny boat performance help

    I have an 8-foot pram with a 7.5 HP outboard . . . similar situation with planing. Weight shift will help, but you may want to make some static trim tabs out of marine HDPE board (starboard) and stick them on the transom.
  2. tpenfield

    Pushing Run-Flat tires to the limit

    I may think about having a spare, but no place to put it, unless I sacrifice some trunk space. Underneath the trunk 'floor' is the car battery.
  3. tpenfield

    Pushing Run-Flat tires to the limit

    The tire in question is disposed of . . . once you drive on them in a deflated state for any reasonable time, they are done. If I get a nail in one again, I'll have to keep that in mind . . .
  4. tpenfield

    Pushing Run-Flat tires to the limit

    I have AAA, and used them to fix this tire 5 years ago. Interestingly, we were looking at a new boat in Ticonderoga, NY when we go a nail in the tire, right dead center in the tread. So, it was fixed with one of those quicky plugs. That tire has mysteriously been loosing air (5-10 psi) now &...
  5. tpenfield

    Pushing Run-Flat tires to the limit

    The run flat tires are rated for 50 miles at 50 mph. Based on my experience today, I’d say 30-40 miles.
  6. tpenfield

    Pushing Run-Flat tires to the limit

    My theory is that the tire in question was ‘repaired’ back in 2021. 5 years later the temporary ’plug’ proved itself 😆
  7. tpenfield

    Pushing Run-Flat tires to the limit

    The Admiral and I were on our way to VT for the Easter weekend . . . after leaving a rest area a warning came on the dashboard for the left rear tire. We watched it as it went to 1.1 psi over the course of a few minutes. :oops: At that point we were pretty much in the center of nowhere. 40 +...
  8. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    I tried my hand at the VE fairing compound . . . It is a work in progress. . . I'm not sure I have the patience to do fairing compound, but we'll see. I got a final reading on the transom thickness, now that I have given them flatness. . . No worries there . . . I just wouldn't want to be the...
  9. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    The swim deck covers those holes . . . more than half of the extension bracket goes UNDER the swim deck.
  10. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Flatness has been achieved . . . I mixed up the goop (assorted fiberglass stands, VE resin, adhesive filler) and used the 1" Coosa pieces to form a flat surface. Clamped in place and heated for curing. . I'll need to do some finishing/fairing around the edges. but the engine mount surfaces...
  11. tpenfield

    NEED HELP WITH CHAPARRAL 224 REAR BENCH SLIDING

    I assume that your boat looks something like this . . . Non-folding seat. . . In general, it is a fairly big job. The back-2-back backrest looks like a single cushion, so that would need to be re-fabricated into 2 backrests. Then there are hinges and rails. The base cushions would get...
  12. tpenfield

    2007 Mercruiser Bravo One Service

    Bellows inspection/replacement, outdrive pull might want to replce gimbal gearing and u-joints. At a shop . . . probably $2K
  13. tpenfield

    Installing Water Heater w/ closed loop 8.1 engine?

    You should be able to tap into the recirculating pump on the engine to heat the domestic water from the engine. Additionally, You'll be able to run from shore power. You will need fittings and hoses to tap into the recirculating pump. Also a good idea to put in a couple of shut-off valves
  14. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Wee bit, goop, and bog. Those are the terms that will come out of this project
  15. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    I'll be mixing up the goop tomorrow. :LOL:
  16. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Transom is done for fiberglassing. I got up early and did the final 2 layers of glass 1808 & 1708 . . . The transom is just under 2" thick with some variation (+/- 0.05"). . . I need to make the engine mounting area flat, as it is not flat enough. The plan is to use the pieces of 1" Coosa...
  17. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    Happy Monday . . . I got my VE fairing compound (LBI Composites #940), good for below the waterline applications. My goal is to finish off the extension bracket this week and begin working on the boat. There are a few more layers of glass to put on the transom (1708, 1808, 1708), then it...
  18. tpenfield

    Support for new floor

    At one point the foam was closed cell, but over time, it can become saturated leading folks to think it is open cell. It looks like there is only room for 1 stringer, and I agree with @racerone that the foam was serving as some structural rigidity. If you wanted to 'beef-up' the structure...
  19. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    I think the gelcoat I have is poly-based. Not sure, but probably.
  20. tpenfield

    I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

    I picked up a couple of gallons of Vinyl Ester fairing compound on the way to CT . . . Feels pretty light. I might have gotten a 5 gallon pail, but I hoping what I got will do. Ondarvr told me that if I go with VE fairing, then I can gelcoat. If I went with epoxy fairing, then it would...
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