The boat thread

So, where are we getting things like engine internals for 24 year old boat motors these days?
 

In reply to Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) :

I "think" those 4 stroke Mercury's are by Tohatsu.  I haven't been this route, maybe start with a search with the Mercury model number for the engine and see who comes up?   

Edit: These guys look like they may have what you need: https://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury/oem-parts/outboard/25-hp

I've listed my Key West for sale. I didn't bring it down to the coast when we went there for a week because the hurricane had just stopped being a menace the day before we left. Instead I brought a plastic armada of kayaks down. Nobody missed the boat very much and they had a great time with the kayaks. Locally, I've been in my kayak or canoe every time I went out fishing.

In the past three years, I've used this boat for a grand total of about 10 days, at best. So, it's mainly just a money pit, and it should move onward. I'll save on Sea Tow, insurance, maintenance, property taxes, registration, etc. It also means that I don't have to keep a tow vehicle around that can haul it, though I'll probably still keep that, since it's my 4Runner and I really like it- but I won't HAVE to have it.

I think once I get a smaller boat that's easier to handle solo ready to go, I might take that out more often. 

We are in the process of downsizing too. We sold out Tiara 3600 open because it was so expensive to operate it and we used it a LOT. Sometimes twice a week at $4-500 fuel each time got old.

We're looking at a Hunt Harrier since it's a single engine which should cut fuel costs by more than half. Also going from a covered 40' berth to a covered 26' berth is half the price.

We kept our old ski boat on a Hydrohoist and we will do that with the Harrier too. No towing so no tow vehicle for us.

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) said:

So, where are we getting things like engine internals for 24 year old boat motors these days?
 

 

Honestly... the marina.  I just got two new coils for a 1966 Evinrude 6hp this spring.  I haven't found parts to be an issue unless you're back in the 50s, but even then you have a good chance.  Most marinas can get parts for stuff back as far as 60-70 years without much fuss.

I can't recall if I posted this or not. Back in June, I saw this boat listed without a title. A storage company had had it, didn't get paid, and was just getting rid of it versus going through the process themselves.

I haggled them down a bit, and picked it up.

Yesterday, the lengthy paperwork process finally completed and I now own the boat. It turns out that the process isn't difficult to go through, but there is always the chance the owner could make a claim on the boat. In this case, I had notarized documentation from the storage facility, and that made it a lot less risky.




 

An old kayaking friend built a cruiser recently. Damn it's nice. All I need to duplicate it is retirement, $50k or so and 4 years of spare time and I can have one too!

https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/outer-banks-26/

Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:

An old kayaking friend built a cruiser recently. Damn it's nice. All I need to duplicate it is retirement, $50k or so and 4 years of spare time and I can have one too!

https://smallboatsmonthly.com/article/outer-banks-26/

 

 

That was a nice read!!! 

I finally bit the bullet this fall.  After 2 seasons of a horrid-fitting and no longer waterproof cover, I ponied up for a custom installation from a local upholsterer who came well recommended.  I'm pretty happy with the results for $1200.  Two piece watertight and UV resistant cover with counterbored snaps and a 5 year warranty- 

Hopefully this does a better job at keeping the interior dry and full of leaves/pine needles, since it's docked from Memorial day to Columbus Day. 

The Free Boat was trash. It's gone. I'm going to work on the motor that was on it and the blue boat from the storage facility now.

This winter's project, rebuild the 140HP

I bought it for $100 for the lower gearcase, which did not fit my 85HP. But looking at it, she seems like she could run just fine. Good and even compression across all cylinders, some new parts on it, missing parts are not hard to replace. Hopefully I can get it running, make it look pretty, and either upgrade my boat or sell it. Fingers crossed. 

In reply to golfduke :

Looks good! You'll want to buy these to keep in the boat for next year: Snap savers/extenders

No matter how high quality the material and how well made, it will somehow shrink and you'll find at least 2 snaps that don't quite reach. 

Peeled the stickers off the winter race boat project. This one isn't a hydroplane so it's all new to me.

In reply to 1SlowVW :

So good to see you! I was thinking about you today when I saw a clip of hydroplanes on Flo Racing. I hope you are doing alright. 

mtn said:

In reply to golfduke :

Looks good! You'll want to buy these to keep in the boat for next year: Snap savers/extenders

 

No matter how high quality the material and how well made, it will somehow shrink and you'll find at least 2 snaps that don't quite reach. 

Great idea, thanks for the heads up!!!

Since I tried to sell my 20' Key West at the exact wrong time of year, I guess I'm going to unlist it and do some work on it to make it more attractive to buyers in the Spring. 

NY Nick said:

In reply to 1SlowVW :

So good to see you! I was thinking about you today when I saw a clip of hydroplanes on Flo Racing. I hope you are doing alright. 

Nick, 

I'm doing ok, rough summer of boat racing. I have goals for next year. 
We had to rush repairs on my show boat after it turned into more plane than hydro at our local fun run. I wasn't hurt (other than pride) and we did get it fixed in time to go race in NH in September. 
 

Well last week was sunny and almost warm, then we got 5' of heavy wet snow.    I took advantage of the sun to clean up the trailer.  These were originally blue and tan, but I have a bunch of white Rustoleum for the fenders and bunks.  I also replaced the sun dried nasty hard rubber rollers; $12 each at West Marine, and I need 10, so I bought roller bearing skate board wheels @ 4 for $18.

Eventually I want to get larger diameter 4 X 4 wheels, but I just sprung for new tires.

The mud flaps are just two corners of a rubber-carpet door mat.

I also kissed the undercarriage with satin black.  Next week, OK before spring, the dashboard.

1SlowVW said:

NY Nick said:

In reply to 1SlowVW :

So good to see you! I was thinking about you today when I saw a clip of hydroplanes on Flo Racing. I hope you are doing alright. 

Nick, 

I'm doing ok, rough summer of boat racing. I have goals for next year. 
We had to rush repairs on my show boat after it turned into more plane than hydro at our local fun run. I wasn't hurt (other than pride) and we did get it fixed in time to go race in NH in September. 
 

Where in NH did you race?  I'd love to go out and spectate on this and maybe meet up!

In reply to golfduke :

Agree on that one, I make it out to Vermont a few times a year and have some friends in NH so that might make a nice weekend trip.

Boat launching question - 

My son and I built a john boat this summer. I have been taking it to the lake with my Cayenne with good success. 

I love the Cayenne but it get horrible gas millage with the offroad tires and V8.  Probably 12mpg

My question - can a 14' boat be launched with a car? Could be be launched with a electric car like a Chevy Volt?  Currently when we launch the rear of the Cayenne gets pretty wet and the exhaust is close to the water. This is with a lift and 32" tires. Would a car be submerged? 

Thanks

I regularly launch a 14' Jon boat behind a Polaris SXS. 

As to the car getting wet, it depends on the steepness of the ramp and the length of the trailer tongue. Our ramps tend to be fairly steep so the vehicle never gets wet. 

I regularly launch my 16' aluminum boat with a FWD Dodge Caravan. No drama, no fuss. I'm sure a Volt could handle it but keep in mind they are not rated for towing so you're going outside the envelope of what the car says you can do. (The Caravan is rated for 3500lbs.) Maybe you have a really shallow boat ramp? My van is not tall at all and it stays dry with the rear tires at the waters edge. Maybe a longer trailer would work?

Yes our ramps are a gradual decline slope. As far as weight goes the boat and trailer is so light I often move it around by hand. 

Maybe a Fiat 500 could be hilarious to tow with. 

I've launched an 18' aluminum with a 2nd gen Honda Oddyssey, a Kia Sedona, Ford Crown a Vic... my wife's aunt used a Camry for her 14' Lund...

You have to be a little pickier about the ramp, but the short answer is yes. 

OjaiM5 said:

Yes our ramps are a gradual decline slope. As far as weight goes the boat and trailer is so light I often move it around by hand. 

Maybe a Fiat 500 could be hilarious to tow with. 

I actually did tow a 12' Jon on a utility trailer using my Miata. I didn't launch the boat, but would have considered doing it if I needed to.