Progress so far
 

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.

Re: Progress so far
 

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

Re: Progress so far
 

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.

Re: Progress so far
 

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

Re: Progress so far
 

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

Re: Progress so far
 

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.

Re: Progress so far
 

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. :'(

Re: Progress so far
 

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!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Progress so far
 

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.

Re: Progress so far
 

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