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  1. Ristin

    Depth gauge-Vexliar Sonar phone vs Garmin Striker Plus 4 vs in dash mount gauge

    Following up on this post. I ended up installing this and it fits/works nicely. A bit of over kill for my needs :)
  2. Ristin

    Engine oil choice 1984 3.8l

    Thanks (belatedly) for the replies I'll try the Rotella T-4 15w-40. I already run that in my 1993 7.3L idi turbo diesel pickup. "However most likely your lawnmower and pressure washer also need SAE 30. I buy the big 2.5 gallon jugs at TS" This statement made me think for a minute. Looked up...
  3. Ristin

    Engine oil choice 1984 3.8l

    I'm the 3rd owner of a 1984 Seaswirl Sierra with a 3.8l OMC stringer 800. The boat was very well taken care of and came with maintenance records from date of purchase to current. I even have the original owners purchase documents and all owners manuals for the boat, power train and trailer. The...
  4. Ristin

    No Water To Engine

    I have a 1984 model year stringer 800. I don’t know if the 1978 models are similar but here’s something I learned the hard way. I use a rectangular shaped water muff. There is a small hole on the right side just forward (towards the transom) from the water intake. If that hole gets covered by...
  5. Ristin

    Depth gauge-Vexliar Sonar phone vs Garmin Striker Plus 4 vs in dash mount gauge

    I want to install a depth gauge in my 18' Seaswirl Sierra. At first I was looking at Hummingbird & Faria dash mount depth gauges with temp sensors. They seemed expensive. Then I discovered the Garmin Striker 3 & 4 which provide much more information and are cheaper. However I don't fish and the...
  6. Ristin

    VHF Radio antenna questions

    This antenna came with my boat, that is to say, the mount was there and the mast was laying on the floor along the seat. Figured out I was missing a bolt to reattach the mast to the mount. Got that straightened out but I'm not able to secure the mast in the upright position. Looks like the mast...
  7. Ristin

    Water in lower gear case Stringer 800

    1984 OMC 3.8L stringer 800. I bought the boat July 1st 2017. On June 28th 2017 the previous owner had the lower unit resealed due to water intrusion. At the end of the summer I found water in the lower unit so I drained it and left it empty for the winter. I did notice the fill plug gasket was...
  8. Ristin

    2018 Toyota Highlander Limited to tow 18' FIberglass bow rider

    My boat is an 18' Seaswirl Bow rider with 3.8L OMC. I haven't weighed the boat & trailer but I'm assuming the weight is under 3000lbs since the trailer does not have brakes. I currently tow with a 2000 Ford Expedition however the Expy is getting to the age where little things are constantly...
  9. Ristin

    Wow! was I stupid today

    Yay, our 19 month long winter is finally over and it was time to summerize the boat. Placed the battery in the boat and proceeded to connect the leads. Positive first then negative and a big burst of sparks, huh, that's odd there shouldn't be anything active to cause sparks especially a big...
  10. Ristin

    1983 Sea-Ray SXR V-260, dealer asking $6500

    Besides the fact this boat is 35 years old, was Sea-Ray build quality decent in the 80's? I read several threads on this forum about avoiding Bayliners from that time frame due to poor build quality. The boat I'm interested in looks decent. Needs a bath and a good buff out but there are no...
  11. Ristin

    Closed cooling 3.8 OMC

    Id like to make my boat more winter friendly since our big lakes stay ice free. Closed cooling was a dealer installed option on my 1984 3.8l OMC. Unfortunately theres not much info on the internet and the OMC shop manual doesnt have any detail. From the two pictures I can find on the internet I...
  12. Ristin

    Boat handling

    What happens in a boat? Will she give me warning signs that were on the verge of disaster?
  13. Ristin

    Open cooling system temp question

    1984 Seaswirl Sierra OMC 3.8L Owners manual indicates engine temp should be between 150 & 170 degrees. Does that mean at all times like in a car where once the engine is warm the themostat keeps the water temp at whatever setting the thermostat is? Reason I ask is today I noticed my water temp...
  14. Ristin

    1974 Bayliner Skagit

    Found a 22' 1974 Bayliner Skagit with trailer for sale locally. Ad says it runs but needs tune up, some minor repairs, a prop, and tilt motor repaired. Haven't contacted the guy yet since I need some advice on how to tell if the boat is structurally sound. How do I tell if it's rotted besides...
  15. Ristin

    Loud exhaust sound during cruise 1984 3.8l

    1984 18' open bow Seaswirl Sierra 3.8L OMC This boat has been a maintenance nightmare since purchase last month. So far I've had to replace the bulb in the bow light, replace the still original bilge blower (worked but not well), clean surface rust off the cigarette lighter so my cell phone...
  16. Ristin

    Not the usual gas tank venting problem

    Recently purchased a really clean & mechanically sound 1984 Seaswirl Sierra. She's my first boat and so much fun. Has the 3.8l OMC stern drive and she runs magnificently. However...(there's always a however right?) She has a 31 gallon fuel tank mounted under the floor just forward of the engine...
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