What have you done for your boat lately?

No pics, fired up Sled from her winter nap. Kicker too, got some new gas in the tank. Going to get her rigged for Lake Goodwin, I want to try for some of the big fish it has. Looking at the depth map it looks fun. Last week I sprung for a yearly pass as it's close and has been a think for some time. Before they added $ to launch I fly fished it in the leavenings and had fun.
 
Last fall I got the whole fam damily out on Elliot Bay and lost power—the motor wouldn’t stay running. Seemed like a fuel issue. I replaced the spark plugs last year then took a long break, then I replaced the tank-to-OB fuel line and the fuel filter in the OB.
I hooked up the hose and clamshell today and it fired up second pull.

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The impeller stream wasn’t amazing and then I saw the water was steaming and then it cut out. So I cut the motor off. I figured out I could pretty easily set up a tank. Immersed, it was pissing like a horse. Well maybe a pony, it’s only a 9.9. The clamshell is easy but maybe not the most functional thing.

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I suppose my 13 foot Smokercraft could be ready for Mayfield if I wanted to be all complicated. Mostly I’m stoked for the gorbuschas.
 
In the middle of a big battery / power makeover for our little 19' jet. Inherited the wiring from the previous owner. My fishfinder and radio would both reboot every time I turned on the ignition. Plus, age is catching up with my back so switching to the LiFePO4's for my trolling motor. Three new batteries and a new onboard charging system arrived Friday. Giving the electronics their own battery to hopefully get rid of the reboots, and avoid draining the starting battery. The other two batteries are for the trollling motor.
 
Last fall I got the whole fam damily out on Elliot Bay and lost power—the motor wouldn’t stay running. Seemed like a fuel issue. I replaced the spark plugs last year then took a long break, then I replaced the tank-to-OB fuel line and the fuel filter in the OB.
I hooked up the hose and clamshell today and it fired up second pull.

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The impeller stream wasn’t amazing and then I saw the water was steaming and then it cut out. So I cut the motor off. I figured out I could pretty easily set up a tank. Immersed, it was pissing like a horse. Well maybe a pony, it’s only a 9.9. The clamshell is easy but maybe not the most functional thing.

View attachment 148284

I suppose my 13 foot Smokercraft could be ready for Mayfield if I wanted to be all complicated. Mostly I’m stoked for the gorbuschas.
Those pump balls go wonky, been there.
 
Last fall I got the whole fam damily out on Elliot Bay and lost power—the motor wouldn’t stay running. Seemed like a fuel issue. I replaced the spark plugs last year then took a long break, then I replaced the tank-to-OB fuel line and the fuel filter in the OB.
I hooked up the hose and clamshell today and it fired up second pull.

View attachment 148283

The impeller stream wasn’t amazing and then I saw the water was steaming and then it cut out. So I cut the motor off. I figured out I could pretty easily set up a tank. Immersed, it was pissing like a horse. Well maybe a pony, it’s only a 9.9. The clamshell is easy but maybe not the most functional thing.

View attachment 148284

I suppose my 13 foot Smokercraft could be ready for Mayfield if I wanted to be all complicated. Mostly I’m stoked for the gorbuschas.
I could never get the clam shell to work on my 25hp Yamaha, I think they’re meant for bigger motors that are thicker in the drive shaft area.
 
Replacing the remainder of the old wiring throughout my big boat. Not as fun as it sounds.

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Got the engine oil done on my Suzuki 200. I don't know how the oil filter could be placed any worse. Gotta remove the bottom cowling, then it has no clearance around 3/4 of it so getting a filter wrench on is almost impossible. Then there appears to be no way to keep it from making a massive mess. I've tried my usual tricks to contain the mess, but with the lack of clearance around the sides, I can't get anything around it like a ziploc like I usually use on other engines.

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I could never get the clam shell to work on my 25hp Yamaha, I think they’re meant for bigger motors that are thicker in the drive shaft area.
I was thinking it has to do with water pressure. Usually it works pretty well…out front of my house, a downhill run. This time I was in the back alley, a long uphill run and water pressure was noticeably less. Someone might’ve taken a shower or done laundry and messed up my whole situation!

You can get the clamshells to squeeze tighter by sort of forcing the spring to be narrower. It worked okay for me on a 9.9 Mercury, too.
 
Took my 14' dory out of the garage, oiled the gunwales, got it attached to my trailer with the locking system I created last year, and put the cover on. It's now ready to go, so I can just hook it up to the hitch and drive.

I'm looking forward to exploring some new lakes this summer!
 
Finally getting around to removing 30yrs of wiring. Lots of this was replaced over the years, but the old wires just left where they were to be in the way. Been super fun because in the middle of all the zip tied bundles and old wiring harnesses are wires still in use. Finally decided to just cut it all because it'd be faster to just make new connections for the things I need. So this week I'll be hopefully getting most of this out. Already made a good dent.

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Finally getting around to removing 30yrs of wiring. Lots of this was replaced over the years, but the old wires just left where they were to be in the way. Been super fun because in the middle of all the zip tied bundles and old wiring harnesses are wires still on use. Finally decided to just cut it all because it'd be faster to just make new connections for the things I need. So this week I'll be hopefully getting most of this out. Already made a good dent.

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Your boat has more wiring than a fucking house!
 
My boat is having it's trailer totally refinished. The trailer might look almost as good as the boat when it's done. Paint, epoxy, some new wood, new tires, wheels and wheel bearings. The tongue box which holds the spare and jack is getting a non skid top since I walk on it. When finished it will look almost the same as before only better.
 
I just about finished detailing my 1968 Boston Whaler. The gelcoat had some oxidation and was chalky, but worst of all it stained really easily. I watched some YT videos and studied the craft. Bought some tools and supplies and got to work. Did some compounding, polish and finish. I'm pretty happy with the results. Will see how well it holds up. I'm sure it will cleanup much easier at least.

Now I need to get her put back together and get her bloody. 😜


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