First time keeping the boat in the water

[guyjusthere]

I have a 2000 I/O 18 ft. (Mariah Shabah 186 4.3 Alpha gen II)

Do I run a battery charger at 12V-2amps all the time?

Tricks to keep ants off the boat?

If I don't have an auto bilge...Is a new pump with auto necessary, or are the float switches acceptable?

Any tips would be helpful

 

[QC]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

Do I run a battery charger at 12V-2amps all the time?

Kind of depends on how often you are going to be using the boat. How long away? I assume you have power at the slip?

If I don't have an auto bilge...Is a new pump with auto necessary, or are the float switches acceptable?

Adding a float switch to your existing bilge pump, makes it an automatic bilge pump. So, yes.

 

[Theta098]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

Kind of depends on how often you are going to be using the boat. How long away? I assume you have power at the slip?


Adding a float switch to your existing bilge pump, makes it an automatic bilge pump. So, yes.

Ditto. If you are going to use it often enough that the battery doesn't die, it is better To use it without charging. If you won't use it that often, charge it enforce you use it for several hrs. My 16 ft boat sits in the water behind my house sometimes for 3-4 Sks with no problem cranking. Once cranked run it to charge the battery. Just my .02.

 

[Maclin]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

Tricks to keep ants off the boat?

Make 'em pay for gas and snacks

There are some really good ant traps around. I found one brand that really works, 2 different traps and they have a spray also. One is large and intended for outside. The other is smaller and can go in the boat. Both kinds trpa the ants as well as whatever they track back to their home kills the colony too. TERRO is the brand. I had a carpenter ant infestation and the 2 different type sof traps got 'em all.

 

[444]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

I never have the batter charger on mine, and I usually only take it out a couple times per month.

 

[BonairII]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

Make sure you have a quality cover on your boat that will keep out the rain. A solar battery charger might be a good way to keep your battery fully charged while your away.

To keep ants away....just throw some food in the boat next to yours.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

float switch.
no battery charger. but have a battery switch to shut off all power except to the bilge pump float switch.
Ants? seriously? try making those rat shields they put on ship's hawsers out of tin foil.

bottom paint?

 

[guyjusthere]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

it's a freshwater lake. So, I should be okay without bottom prep...

I was worried about the bilge float switch, but I shall tackle that one this weekend (After bellows change FML).
Great tips on battery switch. I use the boat 2 time a week. I guess the battery charger was a lie told to me by capitalist America

Will Leave sugar in my roommates boat from now on! HAHA

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

it's a freshwater lake. So, I should be okay without bottom prep...

Not neccessarily. Stuff still can grow/attach to a hull in freshwater.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

Not neccessarily. Stuff still can grow/attach to a hull in freshwater.

agreed. consult the locals

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

agreed. consult the locals

Yep. Look around at other boats, see if they have bottom paint. When/if they do, find out what type and why.

Also, an epoxy barrier coat prevents blisters from forming.

 

[guyjusthere]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

Well... The good news is that I DO have an automatic pump (Rule-Mate 1500).

The damn auto fuse was popped.
Fuse was located at the battery switch terminal and the incorrect amp fuse was broken inside (7.5A instead of necessary 10A).How the hell do i remove a broken fuse? glass type

I was scared because the pump doesnt turn off until ~3 minutes after auto mode is enabled through float switch.But, I'm happy.

Now, I just need to replace the bellows and get her back in the water... womp womp. Anyone in Miami that can lend me their specialty tools? I will pay [9/16 deep deep socket, bearing pull, worm socket driver, bellows expander, Other tools I haven't read about]

 

[Brewman61]

Re: First time keeping the boat in the water

If you're using the boat twice a week, you shouldn't need a battery charger. I let my boat sit in the water from mid May till Early October, lucky if i get out once a week, sometimes only once every couple weeks, never had a problem with the battery holding a charge.