Pensacola Fishing Forum / General Discussion / Boat Repair - Questions, Answers and Suggestions

Bottom Cleaning

overNunder — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:34:47 GMT

Hey guys. Buddy of mine wants me to clean the bottom of his boat and what not. Whats the the best tool to use fer the job?

Need some props pulled

craasch210 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:11:50 GMT

Hello all,

I need some props pulled on a 1979 Marinette cruiser. I have never done this before and am not going to really have any time to do it. Any idea what is costs to have that done?

Thanks,

Chris

Salt Build Up

fairdinkum — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:39:51 GMT

When I pulled the engine cowling off my 90 yammer hammer I noticed what appeared to be salt build up on the bolt/screw heads etc. Is there a product out there to help remove this or should I be rinsing with fresh water when washing the boat ??

Help with Auto Bilge

reelfinatical — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:03:40 GMT

It's not a really "big" deal but we like knowing when we have a leak ....

The problem: auto bilge no longer cuts on.... we have to flip the switches ourselves to kick the water out.

We have 2 bilges: Rule 2000 (?) and a Rule 1200 (?). Scott thinks the auto bilge is set up to the smaller one.

How can we fix it so that the auto bilge works again?? Why would it not work anymore??

Floor Repair of a 91 Bass Tracker?

GreenF350 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:39:34 GMT

I suppose first off I should introduce myself real quick. I live in Crestview and mostly fish freshwater, but do occasionally get out in the salt. By no means am I anything close to a professional, I just subscribe to the theory that a bad day fishing is still better than a good day at work. With that out of the way, I have a 1991 Bass Tracker Pro 17 that I got used for a very good price. It has been up and going for the majority of the summer (Basically completely re-did the motor) It has a pretty big soft/rotted spot in the lower floor in front of the driver. The upper decks are in very good shape and I am just looking to get the lower floor back up to par. Here are my two questions...

1. Should I do it myself or pay someone to do it? I'm VERY good with mechanical stuff and can do SOME woodworking and have a friend that does very good work with wood. I just don't want this to be one of the projects that you start and never finish, and I don't want to miss out on too much fishing time.

2. If I should or I decide to take it somewhere, are there any recommendations? I called one business that was recommended to me and got a machine, I left a message with all of my info (boat, problem, what I was looking to get done, and of course name and number) and never even got a call back. I guess he didn't want my business that bad. Also, anyone know about what I can expect to be charged for something like that?

Thanks for any help you all can add to the situation.

-Aaron

Abandoned boat help

team_rover — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:41:36 GMT

I'm looking to salvage an abandoned boat. The boat is an old wooden boat and has been sitting on the bottom in about a foot of water for the past 5 months or so. I'm curious as to the legality of salvaging a boat. The owner can not be identified as there is no HIN or license number. The boat has been completley stripped, and I'm pretty sure the owner is not comming back for it. I just want to make sure I do this the right way. Anyone know anything about the legality of doing the salvage. Thanks

Scupper advise

SCUBA Junkie — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:46:41 GMT

I am presently using the plastic flap type scupper on my boat. I find these don't always seal well due to debris, and they tend to allow as much water in as out. I've seen the floating ball type scuppers, and I want some opinions on their effectiveness. They appear to have a more positive seal, and look as if they would work well. Thanks in advance for your input.

Suzuki 225 4 stroke

JHOGUE — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:31:09 GMT

i was wanting to know about the engine it's self and the service... if anyone could give me some pros and cons it would be great! my main problem is not knowing about the service from suzuki so if you have any input thanks..

35 HP Johnson Rod Throttle Control

CCC — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:44:20 GMT

Any idea how hard this is to replace on a "79" 35 hp Johnson ???? This is the rod with the gear with teeth at the bottom.

Trim problem after Gustav

Doogiesar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:28:17 GMT

I went out to the boat on Monday to check for damage from Hurricane Gustav and noticed my motor was trim'd all the way up and when I pushed to trim at the motor it would make an electrical sound but the motor would not trim down. Further looking into it I noticed the hyd motor was very hot. I have read a few posts on here saying to check the relays and switches. What is the possibility of the motor being bad? I also tried the trim switch at the throttle, nothing happended and I was too far from the motor to hear anything as well. I will check the the switchs tonight or tomarrow.

Does anyone know if you can service the hyd trim motor while it is still mounted on the boat and motor without removing it from the brackets? Also I did not see any corrosion on or around the ram or seals nor did a see anywhere to service the fluid but at the hyd motor itself.

I have a 97 115hp Mariner. Power trim/tilt. on an 18ft Ranger Center Console. Thanks in advance for your guys help. I am trying to get her fixed by this weekend.

23 FT MITCHELL

FISHBOXFULL — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:52:27 GMT

Can someone look at the boats for sale and take a look at that 23 ft 1994 mitchell. I have always fished and ran boats but never owned larger than a 16 ft. I am looking to get a starter boat for the bay and near shore but have never heard of a mitchell .I like the open layout of this boat. I know storage is slim but i would like someone to point out the positives and negatives if they know about this boat. seems like the owner never used it and I've seen pleanty of older motors than that run like a champ.

Any input would be helpful.

yamaha 250 issue

sail7seas — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:08:28 GMT

we decided to take the boat off the lift yesterday morning. i cranked up the engines and let them warm up for a few minutes. everything running fine. i left the dock and was slow cruising over to the ramp at about 1500-2000 rpms. a few minutes into it the stbd engine shows 0 rpm on the command link. i look back at the engine and she is not peeing. i turn the key off although i am not sure if it was still running at the point since the port engine was still running. didnt get any alarms on the command link and engine temp was still good. limped to the boat ramp on one engine. just curious if anyone has heard of this. all i can figure is waterpump or the cooling passages clogged. engines have 130 hours on them. we are going to take it in to get looked at but of course cant do anything today with the weather.

Big Problem

snakeman14 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:50:01 GMT

Alright we have a 17' Lake Sport, not the best boat but it catches fish. Since we have had it (7 years) we have been fixin her up slowly but surely. Well right now we are trying to change out the front seat with one of those little seats you see on most newer bass boats.

Problem, we dont have a way of gettin to the bolts that hold the seat mout to the boat because, they are up under neath the bow.

Well we went to go pull up the bow but couldnt find any screws or bolts. then we looked up under the storage area to find that the screws are up under the carpet on the bow. The only way we could think of to get to them is by prying up the bow, but if there is another way I would like to know. We dont want to pry it up just for it to mess up the carpet or possible the aluminum.

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Generator Problem

alanbarck — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:11:20 GMT

I am at a loss to figure out this problem.

I have a 5500W portable generator. The engine cranks and runs great. When it has sat for awhile (couple of hours) I can crank it and it will produce 120V for about 3-5 minutes then for some reason it just "fades out". If I let it set for a few minutes and crank it again it will generate 120V for about 30 sec to maybe a minute. During the period when it will generate it is only enough to run a light. If I try to plug in anything like a fan it immediately goes dead (current, not the motor).

I have tested the capacitor and it seems to hold a charge, I have tested the diode and it checks out (at least when I have the generator apart). I have tested each of the coils and they are not grounded out so I don't think it is fried.

Don't know what to try next...

Lighting Advice

Greenjeans — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:55:27 GMT

My boat is a 20' Mako and I am wanting to do some offshore nighttime fishing. The box that sits just under my T-top has two cockpit type lights but they are older. I am thinking of going the LED route. I have seen the ones at Academy (was suprised at how much just one LED light cost). I am also wanting to mount a bigger all around light forward and aft of my T-top (attached to it) so that I can see the deck well at night while fishing. So, my question is, what lights would you recommend to attach to my T-top for lighting the deck up when fishing, and where can I find little LED lights for lighting the cockpit area.

Any advice appreciated.:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag

Gas Tank Flushing/cleaning

kahala boy — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:23:05 GMT

Does anyone know who can do this? Between P'cola and FWB preferably....

mechanic / repair advice

netboy — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:22:34 GMT

Hey all,

1st post and it's a doozy.

Purchased a '02 pursuit 3000 express in may and had it for 2 weeks before starboard engine started running rough. (250 hrs each engine) had mechanics come on down and sea trial and trouble shoot and parts change obvious stuff plugs fuel filter, electrical etc., to no avail. had boat pulled so they could work on it at their facility. well its going on 2 months i don't have a boat yet and they are still trying to get it running properly. engines been pulled and sent to machine shop twice due to low compression in some of the cylinders, i have incurred $3200 in machine shop charges, and in total my bill is over $10,000. I checked at crusaders web site and i could have a brand new engine for less than that.

What can/ should I do?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Living the dream,

Netboy:banghead

Boat transportation Albany to FL

FishinSpot — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 16:14:58 GMT

Does anyone know of a decent company that can transport a 19 ft boat from Albany,NY to Ft Walton Beach,FL? Trying to see about how much that would cost. Never done this sort of thing before.

Thanks

Boat Junk Yard

weatherman — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:09:05 GMT

Crazy question.... Does a boat junk yard exist anywhere, looking for a place to get some parts cheap.

GPS Internal or External Antenae?

Shiner — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:04:24 GMT

I'm needing a new GPS unit for my boat. I'm needing to know if the internal or external antenae makes a difference. I have a boat with a T-Top, but that shouldn't keep the internal from working, right? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Evinrude problms

topwater — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:39:58 GMT

The last time i went out my motor was acting up when i hit the power pack it ran better. So i bough a new power pack and put it on and now i have no fire.:banghead

1985,Evinrude 90

overhauling a 14 foot kennedy kraft

jgator286 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:50:47 GMT

Hey guys, i just bought a 14 foot kennedy kraft, it actually is in pretty good shape. Here are some things im going to have to deal with and I need suggestions. The previous owner triend his own fiberglass on the floor it has bubbles where it doesnt feel solid in it and then has a couple chip spots but they are on there pretty good. He painted the hull a flat black color but i want to put a different glossy color on it. What do i need to do there. Anybody know what i can do. if you need more description ask me what you need to know to help me.

Another trim question????

Rodznreelz — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:17:03 GMT

I have a 01' Evinrude 250. When trimming the motor down (before it gets to the two pistons), the motor is bouncing. I talked to Jack Wills about it and he said to tighten up the nut where the streering tube slides through (where the engine and transom brackets connect). I tightened it up, but it is still bouncing?

Does anyone have any ideas?

Could it be the seals in the trim pump or the nylon busings where the trim piston connects to the motor?

Thanks in advance, Ryan

TM Question

Five Prongs Of Fury — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:42:27 GMT

I have 101 lb thrust Minn Kota Riptide and I have noticed that even when it is off it will still cause a small arc when disconnecting it from the batteries. This tells me that there is some draw on it all the time. I currently have it hardwired to them with nothing but a circuit breaker on the positive side. My question is do you think that a plug is necessary to be able to disconnect it from the batteries when charging? Will having power to it all the time without using it cause an eventual problem? Just trying to prevent an expensive problem before its to late!!!:doh

Rhino lining a 10' john boat

Firedawg — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:31:43 GMT

I was given a 10' aluminum john boat that has a few leaky rivets, and was wondering if I got that do-it-yourself rhino lining at walmart if that would fix the leaky rivet problem?

Fishtailing Trailer

weatherman — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:21:02 GMT

My trailer fish tails at about 60ish mph. What do I do to fix it?

Shifter not working

baycoastal — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:08:36 GMT

When I go to engage "forward", it is going into nuetral (2002 Mer 115 OB). I have to try 2-3 times before engages. Seems like it is at the controller not the motor.--Not sticking or tight, just not engaging.

Tried accessing the controller--how do you? The plastic cover--does it pry off? (Quicksilver model)

Or do I have to go thru the counsel from behind? Stuck cables?

GENERATOR INSTALL QUESTIONS

TONER — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:39:24 GMT

I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT TO INSTALL A KOHLER GENSET IN MY SUNDANCER IT NEVER HAD ONE I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH BUT GOOD INFO IS HARD TO FIND IF ANYONE HAS SOME GOOD TIPS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THEM HERE IS ONE OF MY IDEAS HOOK THE AC POWER TO A PLUG END AND JUST PLUG IT INTO THE SHORE POWER RECEPTICAL ON THE BOAT ? ANYONE FORSEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT ? I ALSO HAVE SOME EXTRA PARTS IF SOMEONE ELSE NEED THEM, 3/4" THRU HULL STRAINER, 2"CHROME THRU HULL WITH SCUPPER , THANKS CHAD:banghead

washdown pump quit

pappastratos — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:35:45 GMT

My washdown pump quit, I took apart, cleaned, but no hope. Can I use another type of pump than the usual washdown pump ? I saw a new 28' Mako at basspro shop it had a plastic thru-hull type pump in the bottom, (yes, thru the bottom). The pump attached directly to the brass thru-hull, any ideas or pumps ?

stupid trim question! But I need help

jspooney — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:54:55 GMT

I know this should be simple...but how do I hook up the wires for my tilt and trim? Replaced the throttle control and this one has the t/t on the control. 3 wires...red, blue and green. I "rigged" the t/t with a 3-way switch before but want to do it right this time. I have a 90 hp evinrude...'87 model. For the 'rigged" version I ran a hot and common to the 3-way switch and then the green and blue but reversed the order for up or down. Is it as simple as connecting the green and blue respectively, and then the red to the positive terminal on the battery?

Need pull start for 35 hp Johnson

Breeze Fabricators — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:08:32 GMT

Anyone know a good place to look for used parts for this motor.

Lower Unit, Clutch Problem

leo75 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:48:01 GMT

Hello all,

I have rebuilt the lower unit because of a broken drive shaft. After reinstalling everything, I can’t seem to get it to go into the forward gear. If I disassemble propeller shaft part and put pressure on the clutch, pushing it forward, then it goes though all the gears with no problem. I noticed the clutch, just with the propeller shaft out, rest in the natural positions. I can seem to find anything pushing it forward, to engage the forward gear.

Is there something meant to be pushing the clutch forward? Is the clutch meant to be resting in the natural position?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Donnie

:banghead

What grit sandpaper for fiberglass hull?-prior to primer

Kodiak_Man — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:54:36 GMT

I'm sanding down my hull and will be painting the entire thing. I was wondering what grit of sandpaper I shoud use just before priming? I used 80 grit on the transom and it just doesn't look smooth enough. So before I go screwing up the rest of the boat, what do ya'll suggest?

Thanks!:usaflag

Motor question

Georgiaboy — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:35:54 GMT

My motor (optimax) started running hot this weekend after running at cruising speed for about 5 minutes. I shut it down, started it later, and same thing. Let it cool back off and idled in. Motor was pumping water out pee-hole at good rate. Any thoughts?

Parts fer a 2002 Tohatsu

overNunder — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:35:19 GMT

Hey guys, had a mishap a couple of weeks ago fishing the little lagoon, and took my motor for a swim. Anyway, the guy that tore it down for me said its not worth putting the money into to getting going again, so if any of yall or anybody you know might need some bits and pieces let me know. I'd feel better if i could get some kind of change for something.

Washdown/baitwell pump question

bullet175 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:10:36 GMT

My boat has what I think is an odd setup for the washdown pump. The pump is providing water for the baitwell as well as the washdown from a single sea strainer. There is a T in the plumbing on the outlet side of the pump, one side goes to washdown, one to baitwell.

Seems to me with this setup the washdown pump will be working overtime keeping bait alive (there is a history of washdown breakers throwing alot) and when you need to washdown there will be a loss of potential pressure at the hose because some water is diverted to the baitwell.

Is this a common setup?

I also find it odd that I have separate baitwell and washdown switches on the dash and the baitwell switch goes to nothing.

I think I should probably install a dedicated baitwell pump but would I need to add another sea strainer under the hull (cringe)......or would it be OK to T off the existing intake hose coming off the sea strainer.

Drilling holes in my boat....

weatherman — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:49:34 GMT

I have to change out a vent, and guess what? There is no access to the back side. Someone had already put access to the other vents on the other side. Waxed the boat Saturday and bammo, vent pops off, corroded like a mad man. So, I have ordered another vent, pick it up today. I am also going to add an access hatch, due to the fact I have to put one in to change the vent.

So the questions are.... Do I need to pre drill holes for the screws for the hatch? Guessing yes here so I dont crack the fiberglass. Question 2.... What do I use to drill out the big access hole?

Thanks in advance.

Boat Graphics

Billable — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:34:04 GMT

Who does a good job on boat names and graphics in Pensacola?

Oil Bath Caps

OrangeFish — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:41:46 GMT

I have a Oil Bath Lubrication system on a 2006 EZ Loader trailer and and need to replace one of the clear caps. I have been unable to locate any locally, does anyone know who would carry these?

Boat Painting/ T Top

Jarhead — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:13:14 GMT

Can anyone recommend a place to have my boat painted in South Alabama. Mobile, Baldwin County or near. I also need a custom T top made..

Thanks in advance.
:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag:usaflag