Question
| Tom & Mel Neale:, |  |
| I purchaced an 18 ft Aluminum V-Hull Center console boat with a 1985 Suzuki 85hp 2 stroke outboard whith no prop what pitch do you recamend i buy for best overall performance. | |
| Bruce | |
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| Bruce, | |
| I can¿t recommend prop size or pitch. I suggest you contact a Suzuki dealer. They should have that information. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
we would like to have our 1993 carver motoryacht hauled to florida ..any suggestions? Is this particularly hard on the boat ?
thank you for your time. | |
| Dennis | |
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| Dennis, | |
| You didn¿t say where you would be hauling from or the size of your boat. BoatUS has links to boat transport companies at http://www.boatus.com/links/transportlinks.asp . This would be a good place to start. We have had only one experience with this. We know that there is a vertical height limitation on interstate highways (we were told that it¿s 13¿9¿ on I-95 between VA and FL but you should ask a qualified carrier). Some powerboats have to have fly bridges removed, and all items that would be damaged by moving down the highway must be removed or secured. The trucking companies should provide you with all information as to preparation of the boat. It can be hard on the boat in that it can stress parts that may not be intended for stress, but proper preparation and support on the truck can help. However, trucking, if done by a good company, may be better than running the engines and all associated expense and wear and tear of making the trip in the water. You will have to make that judgement. Be sure you¿re insured for the trip. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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Question
| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
I have some teak deckwork, where the black rubber caulking between the teak slats is coming out. How do I fix/repair this black rubber caulking? What product do I need to get to replace it?
thanks, Jim | |
| James | |
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Answer
| James, | |
Try this link: http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/search.do?freeText=Teak+Deck+Caulking&page=GRID&engine=adwords!6456&keyword=teak_deck_caulking
They have videos on how to do it. Watching the second video makes me glad to have fiberglass nonskid. But the teak is beautiful, and no-slip. Good luck.
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| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
I have had my Duffy37 winterized and stored at the same marina in NY for the past 5 years. This spring it wouldnt start up. The marina then stripped the engine and told me it had water in it and proceeded to rebuild my 2004 480HP volvo diesel. New cylinders,pistons,rings etc. I got the boat back this September with a bill of $14,000.00 Nobody can tell me where the water came from. The boat worked fine when i left it the previous fall, the head gasket wasnt broken and no part is being blamed for the problem. What is the marinas liability in this situation? Do I pay the 14,000K ?
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| John | |
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| John, | |
| First, we can¿t give legal advice here and that seems to be largely what you¿re asking. As to the factual situation, it is possible for water to get into the engine from various causes such as, for example, the failure of an anti-siphon valve or unusually hard winds and current pushing water up the exhaust. I¿m not suggesting that either of those happened to your boat or is possible with your boat, I¿m just pointing out some examples from general experience. I¿d press the marina as to what they found as to the cause. You need to know because you don¿t want it to happen again. If you feel that you need legal advice, I have to suggest that you to talk to an attorney. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
| i have a Chaparral 245SSI with a 305 HP Merc I/O - My tilt n Trim will not lower until the RPMs are high... Is this likely an electrical issue? | |
| Michael | |
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| Michael, | |
| Of course I¿m not familiar with your particular engine. The problem could be caused by an electrical issue, but without knowing more this is just a shot in the dark. For example, if your batteries are weak or if the tilt motor has a problem that causes it to need more electricity, the additional output from your alternator at higher RPMs could supply more juice to your batteries thus making more able to do it¿s job. But there could also be other causes for this situation. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
Hello, I have a 1984 Sea Ray 270 Sundancer. 3 yrs ago I had twin 5.7L V8, Marine Power EFI's, fresh water cooled engines installed, onto the existing Mercruiser Alpha 1 outdrives. On a recent trip out both engine couplers went out on me leaving me dead in the water. There is only 50 hours on each engine. One coupler is mangled and the other the tines are completely gone.
My question is, in order to replace both couplers do the engines have to be completely removed ? Also do you think I have any recourse on the installer who fitted the engines as I would think that there was an alignment problem in order for both to go on the same trip within a couple of hours of each other.
This boat is kept on a trailer & not in the water.
I look forward to your response.
Many thanks
Ronnie | |
| David | |
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| David, | |
| I¿m sorry but I could only speculate as to your issues. The failure could have been caused by various things, and I wouldn¿t want to guess at it. I¿m not familiar with your boat and would need to be on scene. You may need to hire a good surveyor or take it to another good repair facility to get an opinion as to cause and what to do. Also, we can¿t give legal advice here. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
| Any problem with Pirates in going between Florida and Bimini? | |
| Douglas | |
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| Douglas, | |
It¿s around 50 miles from the south Florida east coast (Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, for example) and Bimini. Those waters are supposed to be under constant surveillance by our government. However, frequently boats full of desperate Haitian refugees turn up there, as they try to secretly enter the US. Also, frequently boats operated by others cross those waters trying to smuggle people into the states. Also, there have been reported over the years many drug runs across the stretch, although we hear of far fewer of these incidents in recent years. I haven¿t recently heard of reports of actual piracy in those waters, but the fact that I haven¿t heard of it doesn¿t mean that it hasn¿t happened.
On any good day (and it¿s important that you pick a good weather/wind/wave day to cross) there are usually many pleasure craft making the trip both ways. We always prefer to travel with other known boats or at least have radio communications with friends as a matter of general principle. But this is true of many areas. If we saw a boat approaching that gave us concern, we¿d immediately call the Coast Guard. We prefer to not make this trip in the dark. A huge number of boaters make this trip regularly and have a wonderful experience. Use good sense, keep a good lookout (which you would do anyway) and exercise prudent seamanship.
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| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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Question
| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
I have a 38 Bayliner and I need to replace the dock lines as well
as the anchor rode.What diammeter should I purchase where my
vessel is in a medium traffic area?
Richard | |
| Richard | |
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Answer
| Richard, | |
| We would use at least 5/8 inch diameter nylon for a boat that size. Chafing gear is very important also. You may want double braid for the dock lines as it is more supple and, in our opinion, does not get stiff as fast. If you are not into splicing (double braid is especially difficult), the pre-spliced packaged lines are great for the dock line. We would use three-strand nylon for the anchor rode, with as much chain at the anchor end as is practical and safe for your boat to carry. (Chain adds weight to the bow, so don¿t add too much weight, but the more chain you have, the better your anchor will hold.) Make sure it¿s good quality line, not bargain basement. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
Can neutra-salt concentrate be used in a salt away mixing unit?
I have two volvo 8.1 gas inboard engines and have been using salt away but a local volvo service location recommended neutra salt only.
Pat McDonald
pjmcd.fl@gmail.com
Ft Lauderdale, Fl | |
| Patrick | |
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Answer
| Patrick, | |
| For issues such as this, it¿s best to ask the manufacturers of the products involved. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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Question
| Tom & Mel Neale:, | |
| Last Saturday, my Marina accidently pumped some 36 gals of diesel fuel into my starboard gas tank (cap @ 125 gals). My engines are 8.1 Sho Merc Cruisers (year 2006 - low hours) - gasoline. The Marina pumped out some 60 gals and refueled with another 60 gals of gas. After we left dock, we ran at low speed and RPMs @ 1 hour to anchor overnight. Next day we continued trip to Pensacola Beach but coul not get starboard engine any higher than 2400 RPM's. Port ran at 3200 -3400 RPM's. Spent the night at dock and refueled another 45 gals of gas for each tank and returned to home port. I was still unable to run starboard engine over 2400 RPMs. I normally cruise at 3400 RPMs. Home dock had engine checked for me. They now report that I have a blown head gasket on starboard engine. Would this be caused by the diesel contamination?? Peter Breslin (251-607-7890) | |
| Peter | |
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| Peter, | |
| I can¿t say for sure but it¿s not a good thing to run a gas engine after diesel has been pumped into the tank unless ALL the diesel is out. Maybe it was all removed; I don¿t know. But there could have been diesel still in the bottom, depending on your tank configuration, boat trim and other things. It¿s going to take a good knowledgeable mechanic who is on scene and who can actually inspect your engine to answer your question. | |
| Tom & Mel Neale: | |
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