Getting paranoid

67GTA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
32
Other than fluid and impeller changes, the boat has been running great for about 3 years now. Getting worried that something is going to break. Not complaining, been great not having to work on it and just being able to just enjoy it. Any body else get worried when it's been running too good?
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,221
I'd say you are doomed . . . Boats always have a way of getting even and then some. :rolleyes:
 

67GTA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
32
That's what I'm worried about. Better start carrying a good luck charm.
 

R055

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
579
You can always unload that trouble waiting to happen to me for a small fee😂
 

Pusher

Lieutenant
Joined
Sep 2, 2014
Messages
1,273
We need to update boat to be spelled BOACT's for inflation purposes.
 

67GTA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
32
I would sell but an old Cobalt in good shape are hard to come by out here. Seems like most used boats out here are Bayliners. Not to put them down, but they don't seem to hold as well as a Cobalt.
 

Philster

Captain
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3,344
If something breaks, you might not get to use your boat for a bit of time. If you don't use your boat because you're worried about something breaking, then you're definitely not using your boat

Generally, the therapy of maintenance and care is something that is action-oriented that will relieve some stress/concern.

This is a common theme on message boards, be it 1-million dollar yachts or a Toyota message board. You read about problems all day, because that's what dozens or hundreds of people come to these message boards with. Nevermind the millions of people that don't!
 

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
19,189
I try to save all my problems for the winter ... Didn't work this year, but usually does ...
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,790
Back when I joined this forum in '05, there was a lotta chatter about Sea Foam.....about what? Sea Foam fuel additive. There were procedures like "Decarb" (in the archives or just Google the term) for example that told you how to "uncrud" your engine. History has taught me that having that in your marine gas tank is money in the bank.....auto parts stores carry it. Or as some suggest, not saying whether or not they practice what they suggest or what, mix your own out of Naptha, Alcohol, and light mineral oil to save on the price......let's see what kind of Naptha do I need.....hmmmmmm......wonder what ratio works best........hmmmmmm....where do I get the right stuff......hmmmmmmm.
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,603
Didn't take long to talk about snake oil. When are we going to start talking about ethanol?
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
11,777
I'm not sure I've ever had a clean year....


The Carver is in the shop, and I'll have a thread about that and it will make your blood boil, and the Lone Star is having either a battery or charging issue and broght home the fishing boat form the brothers who hasn't used it since I gave it to him a year and a half ago so who knows on that one.
 

DeepCMark58A

Commander
Joined
Aug 17, 2015
Messages
2,581
I am finally optimistic and I realize that when you are running a 56 year old outboard optimism can be dangerous. I am running a motor I got as a bargain at $500 that was allegedly completely redone. That $500 motor is now a $1700 reliable motor. New drive shaft and lower unit rebuild, newly rebuilt carbs and fuel pump, even the prop is shiney.
 

Old Ironmaker

Captain
Joined
Dec 28, 2015
Messages
3,050
I'm going to take a guess and say you are new to this boating thing. When I first started going out in my new to me boat my only experience boating was running tinnies that you could smash into the dock or run WOT onto the beach. Man what a steep learning curve. I didn't even know how to use or put a fender on. Tie a bow line? are you kidding me. I would start stressing about launching the night before then as soon as we got out stress about breaking down which I did but actually didn't the first time. I couldn't start the boat, no crank, nada. So a kind man towed me in 4 miles. Took it to the marina and all it was is I didn't have the shifter centred, stuff like that. No bilge, I didn't connect the cable to the battery in the spring. Forgot to take of the straps so the boat wouldn't float off the trailer. Tripped the kill switch, freaked out, ask for a tow and the experienced boater asked about the kill switch, duh!. The stuff they don't teach to get your Boating Card here in Canada. Stuff like that? But that doesn't really answer your question. Of course it's going to break down but not from lack of maintenance or contingency, that I have learned. I put on a 15 HP kicker to troll, I really put it on to have a good backup, my 100 lb thrust hood ornament is now back up #2. My booster pack helps my battery stress level. Relax this boating is supposed to be relaxing, especially if you don't own one.

Experience is a lifetime of mistakes, wisdom is knowing how not to make them again.

You will be fine.
 
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67GTA

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
32
I understand that I will eventually have breakdowns. Already have more in repairs than what I paid for the boat. Just been nice having an extended period of time without having to do anything major to it. You are right about the learning curve. It is very steep and can be expensive. I have learned a lot by reading the post here and trying to not make the same mistakes that others have. But it is a mechanical thing that is 38 years old. It will breakdown. Just counting by blessings until then.
 
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