Progress so far

[Repirts]

Pulled the leaking tank, got a plastic one. Have holddowns in place but need to reroute the lines. The wiring was a mess. Replaced most of it. Put in a new distribution panel (switches and fuses) works great and really cleans up the console. One problem they are lighted switches but I can't figure out how to get them to light. There were no directions with the panel. I know I must have to put a jumper on some where. Can any one give me a quick hint.

Jobs remaining: finish some wiring, remove thru hull transducer that looks like a boat sinker. It runs thru a wood fairing block that is soft. Remember to glass hole where transducer was! Gel coat the worst of the dings in the hull. Paint bottom. Buy and install VHF. Sweep it out and put it in the water.

Saw a post about the the two under gunnel rod pockets. Mine were pretty badly cracked with most of the flanges just hanging. Lined them with glass tape and resin. Look good and seem bullet proof. A lot cheaper than buying new.

Finding a permanent home for it is another story. Probably for tomorrow night.

[macojoe]

I belive that the rocker switches have 3 post and one goes to ground for them to light. Sounds like you are moving rt along! I have to do something with my dash panale some time also. I have rewired the hole thig but it could have been better!! But I was in a hurry.
Alot of people have problems with them rod holder pockets!! I don't have them in my boat.
Good Luck hope to see you on the water soon

[Repirts]

Once I'm done working on the boat, the problem becomes what do I do with it. Right now it's in my sister' s driveway because I don't have any room at my place. She is being really nice about it but I my guess is that I'll be wearing out my welcome pretty soon.

I have applications in at two yacht clubs on Boston Habor but it doesn't look very promising for this year. A slip at Boston marinas is outside my budget. So I'm looking to rent a place to store it on a trailer, preferably in or very near Boston. Does anyone have any suggestions? i'm not desperate yet but it may come soon.

[macojoe]

Well I have kind of the same problem in tthe way I don't want to keep trailering it all around. And there is no slips or morins around. I have no problem with it in my yard but it takes like 1/2 to 40 min to tow to Falmouth.
Now a buddy of mine has a sweet deal and I am going to try to find someone in the Falmouth area to do the same thing with my boat.
What he has done is went to a boat yard near were he fishes and asked to leave the boat there on the trailer. He needs 24 hour acess to it. They said sure park it over there. And he pays then $50 per month. It is 1 mile to the ramp, 2 miles to were he sells the fish, 1mile to the gas station and 1/2 mile back to the yard. So it is like a 5 mile circle each time he takes the boat out. This is great because he lives some 70 miles from the ramp. He saves $50 + in gas towing!!
I have a coupkle of car dealer ships and a couple of boat places down were i go and I am going to make it a point to stop and ask about a smilar deal for my self.
You may be able to do the same?? Just make sure you can get the boat when you want!! Because there will be no one around at 5am when you want to get going.
Hope this helps you a little. Try a boat yard near your ramp. You never no unless you ask?
Let me no how you make out

[bigshrimpin]

reprits,
How much do you want to spend?

I've looked into a self storage area in Medford (which is quick access to presidents landing (mystic river above the locks) and the Schrafts building ramp. Most places want $125/month and they don't have a fence or security camera's.

All winter I stored my boat in Marblehead behind the marblehead laundry for $50.00 a month. Chris Peach (the owner) will allow you to store your boat their during the summer too. She has about 100 - 150 boats on the lot during the winter and nearly 100 trailers during the summer.

If you are south of boston then I believe your chances are much better at finding a spot. Keep looking around.

My Brother and I are looking at land down in on the cape for this very purpose. Maybe next season I can offer you guys a good deal ;D

[Repirts]

Progress has been made - some good, some bad.

Finished rewiring the console and installed new running lights, bilge pump, cabin light. Dumped the old switches and replaced with a distribution panel. Just about replaced every wire on the boat except engine control wiring.

Replaced gas tank with a new poly one.

Removed and old thru hull FF transducer. It was faired to the hull inside and out with wooden blocks that were very soft. When i undid the nut the whole thing just fell off and the blocks were as soft as sponges. Glassed the 1.5 inch hole it left. Good I took it off before it fell of at the wrong time.

Repaired the worst of the dings in the gel coat. :-/ :'(

Found a place to keep it at Town River Marina in Quincy. I'm keeping it on the trailer. It's only about 100 ft to the ramp. This gives me good access to Quincy Bay and boston Harbor. Got it out of sister's driveway just in time for her big birthday party and present- a new car!

Now for the bad news. Got it in the water for the frist time today. When she started, the idle was rough and she stalled a number of times. Didn't get a half a mile before I turned around and went back to the ramp. It ran fine when i checked it out before I bought it! I'm hoping that all it needs is a tuneup. After all this work I'm getting pretty discouraged and am straining the budget.

[chumbucket]

Must be all that new fresh gas you just gave it. ;D Seriously though, if it ran good when you did the sea trial and now it's not, I would start looking at the changes that were made first. While a tune up certainly wouldn't hurt, try to troubleshoot one thing at a time. Just double check all your hose connections, bulb, etc. to make sure everything is tight and not drawing air into the line. When it runs rough, was the bulb staying hard? If not, there could be a restriction (kinked line, or something in the line from the previous tank) or air being sucked in from a loose hose connector.
If everything checks out, then look at the tune up. If the fuel supply was as bad as you said it was, chances are, the previous owner tuned the motor with poor fuel and possible low gas flow to the carbs. He probably made some adjustments to the motor to compensate for the problems with the gas. If you think you're comfortable working on the carbs yourself, pick up a manual for the motor that you've got and follow the directions. It's not really a difficult job, but can sometimes be tricky. Otherwise, bite the bullet and pay a mechanic to work on it for ya.
I hear ya on straining the budget. Welcome to the world of boat ownership. It's always about straining the budget. :'(

[macojoe]

When you put the new tank in did you make sure to vent the tank?? and was the hose and vent clear?? I had a spider nest in one of my vents and it caused all kinds of problems.
What kind of motor is it?? Like CB says ck all the lines for kinks or obstructions. Some time's iit's the little things.
Owning a boat is a great thing but it can be real fustrating at times and the spending of money will never stop!!!!!!!!!!!
There is a lot of nice mahcanic marine at http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi
That might be able to help you. They helped me alot when I was repowering my boat and lookingfor a motor!! They told me everything to look for and it helped. Give them a try
Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!

[Repirts]

Last night replaced plugs. Some of them were pretty badly fouled. Also replaced priming bulb that seemed to be leaking. Ran it on ear muffs. Runs much better. The other day whenever I opened the throttle it stalled. Now it doesn't. Plan to run in water thursday evening. Wish me luck.

[bigshrimpin]

Good Luck Repirts!!! I think you found the problem.

[Repirts]

Took her out this evening. Much better. Only problem is that occasionally (not all the time) when I go from a neutral slow idle and try to accelerate it dies. Maybe, the carbs need cleaning?

Question: It seems to take an awful lot of pumping to get the priming ball firm and as I pump it makes alot of gurgling. Is this a problem? The bulb is new.

[chumbucket]

Bulb should remain firm. Check valve in? Flow arrows facing right direction?

[Repirts]

Bulb doesn't remain firm! Arrow on bulb pointing to engine. Maybe the check valve in this NEW bulb is not working! I'll buy another and try that. Could this account for the stalling. I'll describe it more. If I slow down to just above idle and then try to accelerate, it will occasionally die. Today when this happened, I squeezed the bulb and at first there was no pressure.

So tomorrow night, I'll clean the carbs and change the bulb.

[macojoe]

You may need a new fuel pump on the engin?? When it does this have someone pump the bulb at the same time you are trying to accerlated. I would think that if you are hearing a gergle soung that maybe the pick up in the tank might be out of the fuel or there it is pumping air from somewhere?? Check all connections from mototr back.
Good Luck!!

[Repirts]

Worked on the boat Monday night.

Changed all fuel lines including the priming bulb.
Made sure there were no leaks at hose fittings
Replaced engine in-line fuel filter
Decarbed the engine
Pulled and cleaned the plugs- all of them looked good before cleaning but I was already greasey so why not.

Runs much smoother now but I think I still hear an occasional miss at slow idle, seems to smooth out when idle speed increased. Next need to find out which cylinder is missing and why. The wires look good but you never know.

On the whole, it seems like good progress. Will give it the real test Thurs night.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

[Repirts]

Still having the problem. Spoke to the mechanic at the marina last saturday and he said he would look at it this week and call me the day before because I have to pull it off a float and bring to dock. Well, it's Thursday and haven't neard a thing. Doe's anyone know how to get a mechanic to answer his phone??

[chumbucket]

Wave money under his nose! ::)
Good luck with that >:(

[bigirishk]

Cold Cash or Parts that they want!

[Repirts]

My progress seems to be only in one direction - BACKWARDS!!

Water in #1 cylinder. Probably leaking head gasket. I need to find a shop in the Boston/Quincy area that can turn this around fast. I'm tired of dealing with mechanics who promise but don't deliver. Any suggestions?

PS. What can I expect $wise to replace the gasket on a 175HP Mercury?

[chumbucket]

Repirts, sorry about your run of bad luck lately. The only decent Merc mechanic I know just had open heart surgery, so he's down for a bit. Just out of curiosity, did the guy who looked at it suggest all you need is a new gasket? Sounds like it may be a little more involved to fix correctly than just a gasket. A new gasket may get you by for a short time, but my guess is that it's still not going to run the way you want it to. Not trying to rain on your parade or anything. Unfortunately, you're going to have a difficult time with a quick turnaround this time of year unless you or somebody else knows someone. I sincerely hope you guys get this thing running and get to enjoy it before the season is over.

[Repirts]

He THOUGHT that was all.

[Repirts]

IO guess I'm getting desperate But-If I can't get someone to do it soon - As a last resort I am considering doing it myself. Anyone here done it? Got the Clymers manual but it's pretty poor but looking at the engine it doesn't look all that difficult. I'll see if I can get a factory manual.

[macojoe]

Sorry to here about your motor!! But as I said when you were buying it , have some cash for repair!! Its not unlike a used car you need to put money in!! I never bought a boat for the whole package! I buy the hull when I am looking, then the trailer. As for the motor unless you are very lucky!! you have to replace the engin when you get it. This is why most boats get sold. They just have had it with the engin problems and can't afford a new engin at $10,000.00 so sell it.
I also belive you are going to put good money after bad if you think it is just a gasket. You now have water in that cylinder and it is rusting things as we speak!!
I don't know how you are for money but I have a guy who will sell you a complete rebuilt Yamaha 150hp installed with garratee for about $6000.00 I know it is alot of cash but the best way out. I also have a great Mercury/Johnson guy I have used for 10 years and he is great, no bull s*^t, tells it like it is weather it is good or bad. I don't know how backed up he is but I can call him. But he is in Raynham, Ma.
Let me no if you want me to call him. And good luck with what ever you do!!
I have been there and done that, and it is very upsetting!! You try and try and try and hit a dead end everytime!!

[Repirts]

Pulled the head off last night. Came off easier than I expected. Cylinders looks ok, no rusting or scoring and the top of the pistons look fine. But the inside of one head had some dings like a piece of ring was flying around in there. I'm hoping it is old damage taken care of at the last rebuild. Compression check done when I bought it was good. Will put a new gasket in this weekend and do a compession test. Wish me luck because I don't have $$ for new engine this year.

PS. Not looking for trouble (already found it when I bought a boat) but if I need to replace rings do I need to tear the entire engine down?

[Crusher]

Repirts, Check out Blackbird Remanufactured Outboards & Powerheads. They have some interesting information on proper equipment needed to redo ( Honning ) cylinders. http://1outboard.com Crusher

[bigirishk]

WOW,

This sounds really familiar!! I pulled off the head with the leaking head gasket 2 weeks ago and was also greeted with a pitted underside on the suspect cylinder. This is definitely from an earlier rebuild in my case, but my buddy and I rotated the engine around and took hold of the piston top. We could wiggle it back and forth WAY TOO MUCH. We didn't get a mic. on it, but It's got too much play. The Johnson has an inspection plate up on the cylinder wall that we removed and looked into. We could get a little flathead screwdriver on the rings and they would wiggle back and forth with too much play. This baby was about to let go, and the dead ignition to that cylinder (coil pack) was saving me a tow to the dock.

Unless yours is just a simple blown head gasket (coincidence that it's the old blown cylinder that blew again?) I'm in the same boat as you :(

[Repirts]

Well now I'm screwed. Replaced gasket, checked compression, that's Ok. Put it in water and result really bad. Won't idle and there is an occassional knock that sounds like metal hitting metal. Concensus is engine is shot. Now what? I don't have the money for a new one. really don't even have the money for rebuilt. SH%T!!

[macojoe]

First thing is to relax!! We have all been there and we will all be there again. Welcome to the world of boating.

First, did you put it all back toghter again the right way?? I am not trying to say that you are stupid or anything. But did you go just like the manual said? Some bolts have to be torqued just rt. Is everthing sealed good?? Just a little air leak can mess things up good! Or a water leak! Take plugs out and make sure there is no water in the cyl. If there is maybe there is a crack in the water jacket not the gasket at all?? Did you remove the Carb's at all?

I found that I Boats is a nice place to ask ?? and they really no there stuff!! Give it a try

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi

I hope all works out well!! If not its not the end of the world, Fall is comming and there will be lots of motors on the market. You might find a nice used deal. I found a 1989 175 hp Yamaha for $1800.00 with everything!!
If not then then in early spring? I use my Tax refund to suport my habbit ;D One year the boat next year repairs, next more repairs, next more repairs, next Repower, ect, ect............. Get the picture.

Why we spend so much money, sweat, tears, hate, discontent, all in the name of fishing is beond me!! But I love it!!

It has taken me 5 years and $6000.00 above the $2000 I bought the boat for to get where I am today. And this is for the boat! Wait till you get into the fish finder, GPS, Rods, Reels, and all the other little things you need.

Good Luck!! If you need ant Info I will help all I can! But take it easy!! You have had no boat all this time and one more season won't hurt. You will get there!!

Listen to me if I lost my boat for a day I would be like a new born without his mother.

[Repirts]

Macojoe,

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm pretty discouraged right now and my kid is crushed.

Right now, the way I see it, is that this season is gone, I spent $3000 for a good hull and a lousy engine. I guess it boils down to my paying a little too much for the hull. If I sell it I'm not going to get my $$ back so I might as well keep it. Right now I don't have the money to repower.

This motor is a machine. In fact, it's not really all that complicated. I don't want to brag but all my life I've tackled jobs that everone said I couldn't do and done them. So, here's my plan.

Pull the power head, put it in my basement, open the damn thing up a see what is wrong. At that point either fix it or put it in the dumpster. What have I got to lose? Even if I can't fix it, I'll learn something.

I'll keep you posted.

[chumbucket]

Repirts, good advice from macojoe. And, $3000 for a decent hull and trailer isn't really too far out of line. They should be worth $2500 at least. Hey, any time you buy a used motor, you take a big chance unless they offer some sort of warranty which just never happens except for the few times you might buy from a dealer and even then, they might only give you 90 days at best. If you're interested in getting that motor rebuilt, I know someone that would probably do the job. Just don't plan on getting it turned around right away. You could get it rebuilt and running possibly for some fall Striper action or get everything set for next year.
If the motor is rebuildable, you'd probably be looking at around $1000-$1500 depending on what needs to be done.
The guy is in Marshfield. Let me know if you're interested and I'll talk to him.

[Repirts]

Well, since I don't have the $$, I have decided to pull the power head and take a look inside. What the h#ll, I've got nothing to lose and maybe a lot to gain.

Went to the marina tonight and started removing all the cables and hoses hanging from the engine. Took digital pics and notes so that I can get it back together again. If the lousy weather we have been having in Boston clears for the weekend i may have it off soon. I'll let you know what I find.

[bigshrimpin]

Repirts,
Good Luck!! Let us know what you find. Probably not a good sign when hear metal on metal. When did you buy the boat? Can you contact the person or place that sold you the boat and ask them for assistance helping you fix or locate a new powerhead?

[Repirts]

Bought the boat 1st week in June. Got it for about what the hull and trailer are worth. Maybe a little high but in the right ball park. Sold "as is" so I don't think I'll get much help from seller.

Yah, metal on metal doesn't sound good! But, let's wait and see.

[bigshrimpin]

Good Luck RP!!! *I'll keep an eye out for a deal on ebay. *

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2426427378&category=26 454

[Repirts]

My son and I pulled the powerhead yesterday. What a job! There were ten studs with nuts holding the powerhead on. Nine let go pretty easily but the tenth was another story. We were using a boom truck to pick up the head. That one stud was stuck firmly enough to lift the boat off the trailer. Eventually, with enough pounding and prying we got it moving a little. All of a sudden it let go and there was enough tension and stretch in the line to catapult it about 12 feet into the air. Luckily the lift line held and it didn't hit anything or anyone. When it let go both my son, Christian, and I hit the dirt. I can't remember jumping that far or that fast in a long time. Found myself under another boat about 10 feet away.

Right now it's outside letting some of the gas fumes evaporate before I bring it into the cellar. I'll start on it tonight. Hope when I open it up it doesn't look too bad.

Repirts (Steve)

[Repirts]

I've pulled the cylinder heads and the exhaust manifold. So far it doesn't look too bad. One cylinder has a small score that is just detectable if you run your fingernail over it and one head has the nicks mentioned before. Pistons and rings look good. Everything seems OK when I turn it over with the flywheel. Before I pulled the power head, I checked the compression it was between 120 and 125 all six cylinders.

Now I'll flip it over and open the crankcase to take a look.

[bigshrimpin]

Good Work!!

[Repirts]

This engine has chrome bores and can't be honed. The only way to do anything with the cylinders is to have it bored and sleeved. I only want to get one or two more years out of it. As I said, it has one very small score in one cylinder, should I have it sleeved or should I forget about it, close it up and run it..

[bigshrimpin]

I don't know any better, but you might post the question on bostsetup.com or iboats.com. I've gotten some excellent information/help from both sites.

[Guest]

If comp checked out at 125 PSI and that is within specs I would not do anything as long as bottom end bearings look good.
You can do a leak down test, I have never done one on a two stroke but have done many on car engines. This is the real test of the sealing of the rings. Not sure what % of leak down is OK for 2 stroke.

Charlie

[bigirishk]

Steve,

It's just a thought, but what is the piston to wall clearance? This is probably difficult to test since you can't rotate the piston up easily while it's already off of the engine. I assume you're looking the cylinder wall with that piston down in the bottom.

If you have a scar, it's probably an indication that your rings on that piston could be in bad shape and are about to let go. My Johnson had a little sight panel that I could pull off and inspect the rings. When I did, they were loose when I put a tiny flathead screwdriver on to see how tight they were. In short, I had low compression because of a blown head gasket, and when I pulled the head, I found a gouge in the cylinder wall. I could put it back together with a new head gasket and run it, but I felt that the rings would certainly let go and strand me. Obviously it hadn't let go yet, or we'd both be picking out shrapnel.

Just my $.02, but I couldn't risk it. In my case, rebuild kits are about $600 with oversized pistons and all the gaskets and bearings. However, they want $75 a cylinder to hone (assuming it would clean up & that's not even resleeving). Plus, if the head surface is uneven it would need to be milled or decked at an additional cost (unlikely in your case because you didn't blow a head gasket, and the engine doesn't show signs of overheating). This coupled with the fact that you're doing all of the work yourself with no warranty, has lead me to get a rebuilt powerhead. Even a used engine from Ebay or iboats is a black box- who knows what it was used for or how it was maintained.

If we could only find a pair of clean late model 175's to split for cheap....... ;D

bigirishk (Kevin)

[Repirts]

Flipped engine over tonight to start digging my way into the crankcase. This is the complicated side of the engine. I'm trying to dismantle as little as possible so that I can get it back together.

The line from the oil pump to the intake was only barely attached. I touched it and it fell off!! Glad it happened now and not while it was running!

Lesson learned: inspect everything

[Repirts]

Took off reed block housing. Reeds etc look like new! Nothing obvious but I'm going to open the crankcase to have look. Something WAS wrong the last time it ran!!

While doing all of this I've found enough small things that would have eventually caused big problems. This in itself amy make the job worth doing.

[Repirts]

Thought I would give an update. I decided to open the crankcase to have a look. That requires pulling the flywheel. That requires a Mercury flywheel puller, can't use a gear puller because there is no room for the arms. So, off to Bills' Outboard in Hingham to buy one. As I'm pulling into the parking lot, BAM I'm hit broadside by a big Buick. I guess it was my failt, just didn't see them coming. Car is a total loss but nobody injured! Since I was already there I got the puller.

Got the wheel off. Even with the special ($70) puller it wasn't easy. Opened the crankcase today- again nothing obvious. Will start breaking down the cranks tomorrow. What should I look for? Any advice is appreciated.

[macojoe]

Sorry to hear about the Car!! But at least you got the puller LMFAO

Good luck with the rest!

[Repirts]

Haven't posted for awhile but have done some more work. Pulled the crankshaft out. One journal is little rough but not too bad. I think polishing it up may do it.

Crank was stamped with "99". I am guessing that that was the last time there was work done.

The crank bottom bearing and the piston wrist bearings on #1 cylinder are pretty rusty. That's the cylinder that had water in it. I'll replace those. This may have been the problem.

The oil pump gear on the crankshaft is prettywell chewed up and will need to be replaced. I am thinking of just removing the pump and going to premix. Any opinions?

Going to buy gaskets and bearings tomorrow and then I'll finish cleaning it up and begin to put things back together.

[chumbucket]

At least if you premix yourself, you never have to worry if the pump is going to STB. Nothing wrong with that and will save you a couple of $$.

[macojoe]

I haver been per mixing all summer!! It runs well. I have had a small problem with the plugs fouling as the mix is a 50:1 mix all the time and the Yamaha mixes as needed 200:1 to 50:1 so I am running rich if I am not WOT

[chumbucket]

Plugs'll foul but you're not going to blow the motor for lack of oil. ;)

[macojoe]

This is ture but it cost me $12 evertime I change them which is about every 5th trip. And the aount i have gone out this year it adds up!!
I am going to try to go to a hotter plug??

[chumbucket]

Can't you just keep two sets and alternate cleaning them? I haven't seen them in a while but my dad used to have a spark plug cleaner. It had a small electric motor with soft brass brushes inside and you just stuck the plug in the hole and it came out all spiffy clean. They must still make them, but even if you cleaned in gasoline and wire brushed them yourself, I would think that you'd be able to reuse them a few times.

[macojoe]

well I have done that in the past and they don't last that long , maybe one or two trips. So as soon as they give me crap I change them.
I am going to be taking it to Jeff for a tune up, water pump, and winter fogging. I don't no how long it has been since this stuff has been done so want to get it out of the way.
I will ask him what he thinks?? I no he wants me to fix the injection system but I don't have the faith that it will work all the time and Blow the engin. If there was a alarm for the system shutting down i would do it.

[Repirts]

Been quite a while since I last posted. Had some trouble getting parts quickly and as the season ran down, decided to concentrate more on fishing and less on being a mechanic. Also had some employment problems that took most of my attention for a couple of months. But now I'm back working on the engine.

Tore the whole thing down, polished all the journals and replaced any bearings showing wear. Pistons and rings are good and only one cylinder shows very slight scoring due to a stuck ring. I've removed the oil pump and warning module because the oil pump gear on the crankshaft was chewed up. Going to premix.

Finally began reassembly the other day. It's going pretty fast. In just a couple of hours, I put all the pistons and crankshaft in and got the crankcase cover back on. It looks like a engine again.

During the teardown it was obvious that a couple of the spark coils were pretty well corroded and need to be replaced along with ignition wiring. Haven't looked at the carbs but I might rebuild them too.

I'll keep you posted.

[macojoe]

Sounds great!!
Better hurry up, fishing is just around the corner. At least I like to think so!!
You going to keep that thing moored?? or trailer?? I like to show you and Christen around the Vinyard sometime.

Well keep us posted!!

[Repirts]

Hi Macojoe,

If you check out Striped-bass.com, you'll see that we haven't stopped fishing (and , at least for Christian, catching) stripers yet. The engine is going back together a lot faster than it came apart- so it will be ready for an early season. Let's just hope it runs when I'm done!

With any luck it will be moored at a yacht club in Boston Habba this year. Cost of theBoston south shore marina it's at now is too high. It's on a trailer which really needs some work before it goes very far. Planning on doing trailer work when boat is in water this summer.

Christian and I would really enjoy hooking up with you this year to check out the Vinyard.

Repirts (AKA Christian's Dad)

[macojoe]

I left Christian a message saying that hes going to be showing us how to fish soon!! on the SB site.

Well if you can't trailer you can come out on my tub sometime this summer, and I will show you a nice Fluking area around the Vinyard. But you may have to clean the fish gut off your feet before geting in your car? I really don't clean that old tub to much. ::)

Lets no how it comes out!!

[chumbucket]

Can I go on your tub too? huh? Can I, can I? hmmmmm? :-*

[macojoe]

Only if I get some tounge :P

[Repirts]

Ok with that picture in my mind, I won't sleep for a week.

Hi Macojoe,

It was great to talk to you and your daughter last saturday. Worked on the engine when i got home. I'm 99% done. Just going to replace a couple of suspect spark coils and plug wires and I'm done! As soon as it warms up a little I'll the powerhead back on the boat.

Sure hope it starts in the spring but I don't see why it wouldn't.

[chumbucket]

That tongue is why I didn't go to the Plugfest Saturday. :o I was afraid of catching whatever unidentified germs and fluids MJ has been expelling the last few days :-X
I hope it works out for ya Repirts. We'll have to have a Northeast V20 get together on the water this year. ;D

[macojoe]

That sounds great!!

[Monterey10]

I've had to run mine on the trailer from time to
time to make adjustments and check operation.
It's far easier to do next to the shop, vs being out
in a remote launch ramp.

I like the Racor fuel water seperator filter. It's
expensive, but you can clearly see the water
acumilation in the lexan bowl. I've always had
some water in my gas due to condensation.

[Repirts]

Well the engine finally totally done! Replaced one badly corroded spark coil and the starter solenoid. Looks like I'll be moving the boat this year to a yacht club. Should save some money compared to the the marina. Not quite as convenient getting to boat but quicker to fishing so it should work out well. Really do need to save some $$ his year since I got laid off in October after 26 years with the same company. Got a good severance package so i'm not broke. But, gotta save my pennies anyway.

I'm looking to put the power head back on in April and, weather permitting, do some spring cod and mackeral fishing in Boston Habba. Plan to spend this coming year figuring out how i want to set up the boat. probably will replace the port lounge seat with a pilot seat mounted on live well or tackle storage. No lounging allowed, just fishing!

Just finished two martinis so I'm feeling pretty talkative. So I'll tell you a little about myself.

Some of you may know my son and me from the Striped-bass.com web site or the MSBA. He's "Christian" and I'm "repirts" ( better known as christian's Dad). My real name is Steve. We have done a lot of surf casting but since we bought the wellcraft last year we will probably be doing a lot more from the boat this coming season.

If you know Christian from the other site you will know the stiff competition I'm up against. One way or another he always outfishes me. Either bigger or more or bigger and more. i just can't win. Just a couple of weeks ago he took a keeper striper though the ice! But, this year dammit, I'm going to beat him!!

[chumbucket]

Repirts, what yacht club are you going to be at? I fish the harbor quite a bit as well but I'll be trailering. I use the Wessagusett Ramp in Weymouth.
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you or Christian yet but maybe sometime this coming season. Christian seems like a good kid and you must be proud of him. He's well on his way to becoming quite a seasoned fisherman and skilled plug maker. He's very intuitive for a young person. More so than many people twice his age.
Looking forward to seeing you guys on the water.

[Repirts]

Hi Chumbucket,

Right now the boat is just up 3A from you at Town River. I'll be moving it to the other side of the harbor. The club is Jefferies in East Boston right next to the air port. A bit of a pita to go thru the tunnel but you can't beat the $$ and I also have a good friend who runs a boat out of there. Easy access to the airport flats and the Deer Island rips.

Christian and I would like to get together with you thsi summer on the water. Thanks fro the kind words about Christian - he really is a great kid (young man).

[macojoe]

Don't go with CB,!! I still have to give him some fishing leassons first!! ;D

[chumbucket]

Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. How you feeling, you mangy POS?

[Repirts]

;D Put the power head back on this week. Started it up today!!! Sounds and runs much better. Still idles a little rough so I'll get it tuned up. Saved enough $$ rebuilding to it so I'm going to have the tune up done at a shop. Someone told me about a good merc repair in Everet but I forgot the name. Anyone here know it?

[macojoe]

Iwas just thinking about you the ither day! And was wondering how you made out?
Well there something to be said that you were able to tear it down and put it back toghter and have it run at all!!
Thats great!!!
If it was I, it would have blown up in my face~! :o
I am sure it will be fine!! And buy taking it to someone for a tune uo is great cause they will be able to look at everything and see if you missed anything!!
I am sure you will be fine!!
I hope to see ya on the water this summer!

[bigshrimpin]

Congrats repirts!!

The merc shop in everett is

MC LELLAN BROTHERS
158 CHELSEA ST
EVERETT, MA 02149
Phone 617-389-5508

[Repirts]

Macojoe - a couple of anxious moments holding my breath until it caught. Felt relly good when it did and didn't blowup.

Bigshrimpin - ya that's the place. I'll call tomorrow. Thanks

[Repirts]

:) :D ;D

Pulled the boat out of the marina the other day and brought it home to do some spring cleaning. Called the shop about a tuneup and they couldn't get me in for a couple of weeks. So, got the manual out again and did it myself. Runs really well now. Tune up is really easy if you have a timing light left over from when you could actually work on your own car.

Moved to the yacht club in East Boston. Pretty nerve wracking pulling it thru the city and the Ted Williams tunnel-but no prblem.

Got the bottom painted and the boat on the mooring yesterday. Ran it around the harbor - runs GREAT!

Keeping my fingers crossed but I seem to be on my way.

Now I'm thinking about picking up a broken down kicker engine to rebuild over next winter!

[macojoe]

Sounds great!!
But you are getting a little cocky now!! Going to rebuild a kicker now!!

Only kidding. Good job!!