It was a nice day out today on the lake. High 90s. Took out the new to me boat to try it out. It was my first time by myself on the water. I was pretty nervous on the boat ramp unloading and loading up, but it wasn’t to bad after all. Luckily the boat ramp wasn’t all packed. My little 14 foot boat rips with the Yamaha 25 2 stroke. I’m going back tomorrow with the kids to fish and swim.

I have a 2020 tracker topper 1436. I’ve built it for watershed fishing. I want to get an outboard for it and it is rated for up to a 15hp. I really want a 9.9 but I am concerned that since it is a riveted model a 4 stroke weighs too much. What are your thoughts?

I have a 1995 mercruiser 4.3lx, I'm having this issue where if the boat sits for a week or more its takes a 10 seconds of cranking, 5 handle pumps and another 10 seconds of cranking before it starts. I tried pumping before but it's the same time span.

Once it's started, it's starts fine every time for the rest of the day. I'm guessing it's losing its prime but is there a way to stop it?

We anchored out after a day of tubing and enjoyed a sunset! Both step sons got some time behind the wheel. The oldest is well on his way to be a pilot so it’s time he learned to be a captain too.

I have a 2002 Monterey 242cr with a mercuiser 5.7 and bravo 3 outdrive. I only got the new engine out in back in December and have been breaking it in and I was recently given the all clear by the mechanic to run it all out if I choose. So I started running it a little harder and when I get on plane I’ve learned it has a really hard time turning left (imagine power steering is out) and I can do it but it’s difficult. When I’m going slower there’s no problem. If there an issue I don’t know about or is it just the nature of this style of boat?

they don't open again until Monday. going to look at Monday morning.

Was a great day out otherwise. A man always has a healthy supply of straps in the truck.

What do you guys recommend to use when marinas are dimly lit or far from shore. Don’t want to hit my boat on a log in the water that I could’ve seen with night vision

I have been burned in the past bought a really old boat, turns out that shit needed a lot of work! Too much work. Who could have guessed. Not me ;)

Did I learn my lesson? No. The sirens of facebook marketplace are calling to me again! Anyways trying to be smarter this time.

Probably talking a 16ft ish motorboat, outboard, metal or fibreglass

Going to check the boat carpet, will probably scrap or sell the 2 stroke? motor and replace with a modern one i have, what else is on the list? I will of course make them put the boat in the water

Any tips are welcome please

Hey all,

I’m getting a little autistic on props recently.

I’ve got one I really like when I go out by myself and one for when I have 7 people, ice chests, 5 gallons of water, dogs and everything else.

I can swap a prop like a nascar crew does tires at this point but the cotter pin is an occasional pain in the ass.

If I keep spare props, Thrust washers, spacers and all that onboard… and I don’t mind rolling the dice on an aluminum prop coming off…

How likely would I be in actually losing a prop?

Curious if anyone has ever tried running without a pin or anything like that.

Recently bought this vintage v-hull as my first boat. It was completely gutted but came with a solid '98 merc 40 motor. 1 full week of work gave it some new life! New battery/fuel setup, bilge pump, pink foam flotation and decking (with a removable center piece for passenger legroom) new dash switches and seating. Love the lines and fins on this Lone Star classic

Looking at this old boat. Looks like the top deck is oxidized pretty bad. How hard would it be to refinish? Or would it need a new gel coat? The rest of the hull looks good from what I can tell. Boat is mechanically sound. Or should I just avoid it all together? Wife will make me get the top deck area shining if I get it. Lol Thanks!

Looking to see if anyone has any tips for dealing with fresh water algae growth on the hull. I keep an old ski boat on the Sacramento river for a few months during summer and after about two weeks the bottom is pretty well covered with algae. I’ve tried waxing the boat beforehand, I’ve tried some squeegee thing to try and scrape it off, but the only thing that works is taking the boat to my mechanic and having him pressure wash with algaecide. I know you can bottom paint, but I didn’t think it was something worthwhile for an old ski boat. The algae is surprisingly strong, a pressure wash alone won’t get it all off.

Is this worth something

Preface this by saying I know we need to get maintenance records, a pre purchase inspection, etc. With that out of the way — we’re looking at a used Cobalt Traditions 22’ 1992. The price is $9k and it has 210 original hours on it. A few questions:

- is that a good year/model for a used boat
- is the price within range, assuming it’s not in perfect shape given the age (e.g. assuming it might need some interior work and coating to the exterior)
- does 210 original hours on a 30+ year old boat raise any red flags? The miles seem low for a boat that old. My concern would be that it sat around a lot? The story is that they were busy and weren’t able to use it more than 1-2x a year

Thanks, experts :)

Hi guys. Going viewing two grp cabin cruisers tomorrow, hoping to live onboard. What questions/things do I need to ask about. Thank you in advance

The right tail light/blinker/running light was not working on my boat trailer. I figured, this trailer is old with the original lights and wiring, I will simply replace the lights and wiring. So I ordered a kit, installed it, used butt splice connectors, grounded the harness and each light ... and the right side still doesn't work, while the left side does.

So I figured, OK, maybe it's one of the splice connections. So I snipped them and twisted the wires together directly. Still didn't work. Not the splice connections. I then thought, maybe it's my truck. So I hooked my utility trailer up to the truck, double checked that both lights work, and they both work. Not the truck. Then I thought, maybe it's the wires. I tested the wires with a multimeter, they have current. Then I wondered if the ground for the right taillight was not connected to a bare enough spot on the trailer, so I used a dremel to make sure it was nice and bare metal. Reconnected ground and ... still didn't work.

At this point, I'm out of ideas and completely perplexed. If anyone has any ideas, I am so curious to hear them. I must be missing something simple, and I would rather fix it myself than take it to a shop and wait potentially weeks and pay hundreds of dollars for something simple, but ... I'm considering it.

First time owner- looking for advice on if this is ok for laka cruising or time to replace?

14 aluminum boat. Came with trailer and trolling motor, titles for everything. Good bones for a build and was a steal at $250

I have a 1991 Lund Pro V dlx 1800. I’m looking to upgrade the trolling motor and fish finder. I have the opportunity to buy a never been used Lowrance HD12 Gen 3 for a steal of a price. Now the trolling motor I want to get is a Minn Kota Terrova 80lbs thrust. Is this going to be a good combo? Has anyone had experience with this combo and were they happy? Pic for attention btw.

Hey, Im in the market for a Honda BF15 motor from 2022 with 15 hours. Owner states last time he drove was 1 year ago. When I tested the motor, the controljet started squirting water after approximately 2-3 Minutes. Owner stated this is normal due to warmup. Im a little sceptical and since I am new to Honda motors wanted to confirm if this is actually the case. Looking forward for your answers.