splashdown

[THEFERMANATOR]

Well I got impatient today and decided to get my SEARAY to the point I could dunk her and get the next list of repairs together. I couldn't stand working on it anylonger without some sort of payoff.
I borrowed my uncles pickup to move it(no pink JEEP shots today-almost)
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/onmyway.jpg
Here it is, FINALLY in the water
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/FINALLYinthewater.jpg
The ramp looked good in my rearview
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/rampbehindme.jpg
All systems were pretty good for the most part, the temp guage is off by almost 20 degrees though.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/allsystemslookgoodsofar.jpg
I even got to relax a little and let EL CAPITAN take over for awhile
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/ELCAPITAN.jpg
And now the real fun begins, the trailer needs some SERIOUS work. So loading was a BISNITCH!
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/theFUNbegins.jpg
All in all it was a good day. The engine ran great, although I didn't even try and push it over 3700 RPM's. I took it super easy on it since I didn't know what it was gonna do, plus I've been waiting 3 weeks for my synthetic MERCRUISER HP gear oil >:((MERCURY's new dealer system kicked my order out) so I'm just running some cheapo WAL-MART gear oil in it for now. I need to get an ALPHA T-stat housing for it, at low idle the temp guage would every once in awhile start to jump eratically. I only had a BRAVO housing(that's what came on the replacement engine), and I wanted to run it and see what would happen. And I still need to fix the trailer, as well as some of the interior. I should have it all buttoned up by next week.

[reelapeelin]

Looks like a good splash, Ferm!!...The SeaRay's gonna be a nice one 8) ...

[spareparts]

ferm, if thats an MPI type engine, check the t-fitting that splits the outgoing water to the risers, on a bravo or inboard, the t-fitting is open, on alpha applications, they put a restrictor in the t-fitting to keep the water in the engien at low rpm, had an engine in hte past that didn't come with the restrictor, no one knew about them, made the temp gauge jump like yours, took me forever to figure it out, the merc rep didn't even know there was a restictor in there till he talked to engineering, one of those lessons I won't forget. All they do to identify an alpha t vs. a bravo t is to slip an oring over the fitting indicating it has a restrictor in it.

[Pipe_Dream]

Congrats, Ferm! Looking good. 8)

[macojoe]

Congrats!! i went yesterday and never made it in the water, to much wind :(

[THEFERMANATOR]

Hey SPARE, you wouldn't happen to know where I could get just the restrictor would you? Mine is the open style housing, so I know that is my problem. I've considered putting the spring loaded poppers in it off of the old engines housing, but didn't know if that would cause other issues. I'm watching an ALPHA housing on E-bay right now though. MERC wants $241 for a new housing >:(, so used or self design will probably be on the agenda.
And the wind was blowing pretty good on the lake yesterday as well. You can see all of the smoke that has come down from GEORGIA in the one pic.

[msbhammer]

Therm, congrads on the Splash down. Glad it all went well. You even thought of us and brought a camera to snap a few pics. It's heart touching. :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
;D ;D

[THEFERMANATOR]

Here's a little bonus for you guys, she's pretty friggin quiet underway.
http://s162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/?action=view&current=searayrunningunderway.flv

[spareparts]

ferm, went back and found a pic of your engine, sorry wrong type of engine, but check with any one that carries Sierra or Aqua Power, they have the replacement thermostat housing that looks just like the merc, even comed with the gasket and thermostat, last time I checked they were around 125, check with ebasicpower.com or marine partsfinder.com

[lumberslinger178]

ferm good luck nice job and happy boating ;D

[THEFERMANATOR]

The SIERRA housings are for the BRAVO style housing. I couldn't find a cross reference for the ALPHA style housing to the aftermarket, but I'll do some more checking.

[spareparts]

your right, i couldn't get the crossover to the aftermaket from an Alpha housing, only bravo, Hmmmm? If all else fails, tap the water outlets to the risers with a pipe tap, thread in some brass plugs and drill them out to 1/2 inch, use a pressure gauge( tap it into the temp sender hole, or the block drain, keep increaing the hole size till the block pressure drops below 4-5 psi at idle

[msbhammer]

Love the link Therm. ;)

[THEFERMANATOR]

Maybe there's hope afterall fo me, there is one on Ebay just like mine bringing some money. Maybe I'll be able to recoupe my money from this one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&sspagename=STRK%3AME WA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=280113162994&rd=1&rd=1

[Sean]

Congrats!!!
Nice looking dog, what breed is it?

[THEFERMANATOR]

RED-NOSE PIT, they're pretty much all I know. And I HATE the rap that irresponsible owners have gotten them.
Here's a better pic of him.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/fayscamera035.jpg

[reelapeelin]

Hey Hammer!!...DONUTS!! 8) 8) 8) ...





...and Stinky...see what I see??...ya gotta be more careful, Ferm ;) ... ;D ;D ;D ...

[THEFERMANATOR]

Down boys, down. I guarantee the dog will fight you over the THONG! ;D

[reelapeelin]

The THONG??...WHEW!!...glad it was hidden from view...mightta beena uproar for sure!! ;D ;D ;D ...

[msbhammer]

THONG, I wanna see thongs. Pull those sheets up. *;D
I do see a few toes hanging out to tease Stinky a bit. ;D

[lumberslinger178]

stink will be all over those toes....lol

[THEFERMANATOR]

I'm sure STINKY can see the alarm system. ;)

[Blue_Runner]

Nice report and pix Therm! Congrats on the shakedown cruise! El Capitan looks happy to be on the water. ;)

[Sean]

They are great dogs with a bad rap.
Heres my 12 yr old napping with his buddy

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/MerrickFlea.jpg