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  1. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    I have 2 Karavans. Both were private labeled Whaler and SeaRay and came with the boats. I think those sure lubes are the cat's meow. So far combined I have lubed them 15 times combined. No blow out. The instructions say to rotate the wheel during the lube process. Maybe that was the key...
  2. JimS123

    Portable Gas Tank Location

    The only comment I have is to be sure the compartment is vented. If not, cut a hole in the side and add a vent.
  3. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    I used to repack yearly. I always had a few drops of water in the hub, but never had a rusted bearing. Then, I got bearing buddies and got lax. I went 5 years before I checked them again. Now, not a drop of water and still no rust. Now 5 years is my regimen. My caveat is that I boat in...
  4. JimS123

    Boat budget question

    As an Engineer in charge of product development and process improvement, I always had to do the calculations to validate my projects. I was given a budget and had to stay within the lines. Over and I got no raise that year. A lot under and they had to shortchange my coworkers so they could...
  5. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    I rode all thru High School and College. My Sweetie went along with me many times. After our Engagement, 2 things happened. First, my best buddy got broad-sided by a truck that went thru a red light. (he survived) Second, my Fiancé's cousin was killed on his bike, leaving a wife and 3 small...
  6. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    Firearm deaths in 2023 were 18,874. That does not include suicides, which of course were not accidental. Of the 41,000 auto deaths, how many were due to improper auto maintenance, texting or from drunk driving? THOSE conditions are due to irresponsibility, which isn't really accidental either!
  7. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    We stop every 100 miles. I walk around and check bearing temp, look for grease spatters on the back of the tires and check the tires. I would not do that with a car, but boat trailers are notorious for problems. The ONLY issue I EVER had on the highway was with bad tires, even though they...
  8. JimS123

    Trailer bearing blowout. Need help with repair(s)

    Our journey to our Summer vacation is 200 miles on an interstate at 65 mph. We caravan - 3 cars with 3 trailers and 3 boats. We adhere to the speed limit because anybody with a brain and and experience knows that trailers are not supposed to go that fast. One year I was 3rd in line and an...
  9. JimS123

    Kicker motor vs towing

    I have a Panther mount on 2 of my boats with kickers. These mounts are awesomely sturdy, and I use multiple boats thru bolted with a SS backer plate on the inside. Additionally, I bolt the kicker to the bracket. If the motor's transom mount is not fitted with bot holes, I devise a method...
  10. JimS123

    Kicker motor vs towing

    Not necessarily. My last boat had an I/O with a built in tank. My 9.9 2-stroke used a separate 6 gal portable tank, stored under a rear seat. No way to connect the wrong tank to the wrong motor. That rig used an OMC retractable bracket. After using several other brands over the years, I...
  11. JimS123

    Kicker motor vs towing

    If you boat in small bodies of water with little current, have a cellphone and know that there are boaters that can help you, and/or have access to SeaTow, then maybe a kicker is an unneeded expense.
  12. JimS123

    Kicker motor vs towing

    Calm winds, mid day Friday, full sunshine, the morning weather report said seas less than a foot. At the launch ramp the VHF weather channel repeated the morning forecast. Went out in Lake Erie about 6 miles. Dropped the downriggers. Had barely set the poles into the holders when the wind...
  13. JimS123

    Kicker motor vs towing

    As a member of BoatUS, my towing policy is included. With 57 years of boat ownership behind me, I have been stranded in a boat 3 times in my life, all with brand spanking new engines that failed during the warranty period. In other words, not my fault. I never hit a reef or ran out of gas...
  14. JimS123

    Boat Recommendations

    We boat in the upper Niagara River above Niagara falls. Safety has always been a concern. There was never an issue, nor did we feel unsafe at any time. My 'ole Stingray never took a dive even in heavy seas. I admit, though, since Covid I would never load a boat fully. The NEW boaters on the...
  15. JimS123

    New Winch or Winch Strap?

    If you have a spare tire on your trailer, naturally you put a tire cover on it. If you store the boat outside naturally you put covers on the tires. Cover the winch outside and the straps will last a lot longer. The appearance of the strap will tell you it needs to be replaced.
  16. JimS123

    Boat Died on the Charles River (Massachusetts) - Had to Self Rescue!

    Rule #1 - ensure the fuel tank is full of fresh gas. Rule #2 - make sure the motor is running 100% on the muffs before you ever leave the driveway. Rule #3 - don't leave the dock until the motor is running 100%. Rule #4 - always have a kicker onboard in case something happens. Rule #4b -...
  17. JimS123

    Question for People Living In NY

    Not a way to go. They won't have a clue. They won't give you any info on the particular vehicle, even if they know the registration number. Plus, even if you know the year, make and model the answer they give you may or may not be correct. Call them 10 times and if you get the same answer 10...
  18. JimS123

    Question for People Living In NY

    If he has a registration document in his name, and the document says "transferrable", you should be good to go. If a title is needed to transfer it, it won't say "transferrable". Simple thing - have him send you a scan of the back of the document. Now, OTOH, the rest of the story is what do...
  19. JimS123

    1957 Johnson Seahorse 35hp value?

    I can't answer for the previous poster, but IMHO it's Sturgeon Point, Lake Erie.
  20. JimS123

    1957 Johnson Seahorse 35hp value?

    Sadly, my 4-stroke Merc kicker would not start yesterday. A carb problem for sure. Since I don't have a tank to run it in and I didn't want to work on it at the launch ramp, I took it to my local dealer for repair. (I realize that these tiny motors have small jets, and I have been diligent to...
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