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    2005 Mercury Optimax 135 rattling and shaking at low speeds

    ~~I recently changed the spark plugs on my motor. Once the job was done I hooked up to the water hose and started it up...started up great, but when I shifted into gear at low rpm the motor started rattling and shaking, almost like something was rattling around in the gears. Its not a continuous...
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    Anyone ever deal with marine max long distance?

    I'm looking at buying a used boat they (MarineMax) have advertised. Its 600 miles away so I havent actually seen it, but I have seen multiple pictures. I have talked to the salesman, and the original owner, and I'm relatively sure its worth the price. I am a considering making an offer, pending...
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    Boston Whaler 190 Montauk O.K. for shollow water bank fishing?

    I've been shopping for my second boat for a few months now. I have been looking exclusively at used Whalers. I live about 200 miles from the coast, but make at least 1 trip a year to the beach/ bay, (Destin, Gulf Shores, etc.) What I want is a low maintenance boat with a shallow draft that I can...
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    Disappointing lake test on 98 Boston whaler

    Was super exited to check this out today. Drove 180 miles to see it. Guy told me on the phone that its in great condition, nothing wrong, serviced every year, low hours barely used blah blah blah. Hull and interior looked great, but from the beginning it was obvious he knew nothing about the...
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    is putting a galvanized trailer in salt just once or twice a year going to hurt it?

    I'm thinking about buying a new trailer. The local place where I live only makes galvanized. It will be primarily freshwater, but maybe once a year in salt. I've seen a lot of posts from people who use galvanized in salt 100% of the time, and complain about the destruction, but mine will be in...
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    Newb looking at an older Boston Whaler to buy, any advice?

    I've got a deposit on a 16year old Boston Whaler with a mid 2000's Evinrude motor. I'm scheduled to go look at it next weekend. What sort of things should I be looking at hull wise? I'm pretty much new to boating, although I learned some pretty hard lessons last summer about boat buying. I also...
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    Need help choosing a boat...thinking a 21 foot bay boat, but not sure.

    Last year I bought a well used 18 foot BR runabout. I fixed some problems it had, and I have used it a few times and now looking for a different kind of boat. The runabout is a good little boat, but completely impractical for what I want a boat for. I want a boat that is lower maintenance than...
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    Update on 2003 VIP Vision 1886 Boat leaking...a lot. Pics. Rotten transom?

    If you've read my previous posts, I've been having trouble with a recently purchased 2002/ 2003 VIP Vision 1886. I've taken some members suggestions to find out where the leak was coming from and test for transom rot by drilling some small holes before bringing it to the shop. I was hoping that...
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    Quick question on 2002/2003 VIP vision 1886 transom; Composite or wood?

    I have a VIP vision built in 2002. I'm having some leaking into my boat and thought maybe my transom was rotten. But after doing some research, there is some question as to whether or not the transom is made of wood or a composite. I read somewhere that they were using composite transoms and...
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    Boat Repair; two mechanics with wildly different recommendations. Which one?

    I have a 9 year old boat, that recently started taking on water. After a bellow/ gimbal bearing service and replacement, it was still leaking. The mechanic who did the bellow service told me that he droped it in the water afterwards...and no leak. Then I took it out the next day...still leaking...
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    Do I need to disconnect the shift cable to remove the outdrive on an Alpha one?

    I need to remove my outdrive and bell housing to do a complete transom seal and bellow replacement. I've watched some youtube videos that tell you to disconnect the shift cable first, and then some that just tell you to shift into forward gear. I would think you would need to completely...
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    Bought a used boat; smoking engine and water leak

    I just bought a 2003 VIP vision with merc Alpha1 4.3L V6. I know nothing about inboard engines. It seemed to run fine on the test run with the seller, except for a little water in the bilge, and a non operating speedo and tachometer. I was getting a very good price (at least I think so) so I...
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    new guy with questions about engine oil

    OK, this is my first ever boat, and I'm completely new. My engine is a 2003 Vortec V6, and my outdrive is a mercruiser Alpha 1. What kind of oil goes in the Vortec engine. I fear that I may have put the wrong type of oil in it yesterday. I looked up Mercruiser v6 engine oil and I was told to use...
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