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    When To Replace Tow Rope?

    I have an 18' OB so I use a rope bridle to connect my tow rope. These are used only for tubing (4-person tube). I've had these ropes 5 years, use them probably 10 days per year and take good care of them. Neither are fraying. My question is, should they be replaced soon? Other than fraying...
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    Car Rental Companies That Permit Towing

    My son just totaled my Suburban. 😥 While I'm awaiting the insurance settlement, I'll need to rent a tow vehicle. I've heard that some car rental companies don't allow you to tow. Does anyone know anything about this? You'll save me a lot of useless calling. Thanks! Dave
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    stalls when hot

    I have a Merc 125 (1997) that starts well and runs well in the morning. But after the sun starts warming the day past about 85-90 degrees, the engine stalls when putting it into gear. I find myself having to rev the engine in neutral and then quick get it into gear before the revs drop too...
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    Insurance: Fuel Spills?

    I just got a quote from Boat U.S. that had an interesting coverage: $854,400 worth of coverage for "Fuel and other spill liability". None of my other quotes (State Farm, Progressive) include that, and I don't even know if it's available from them. I'm wondering: 1. Has anyone ever heard of...
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    Cheap way to sit higher?

    My back-to back seat is too low,a common problem from what I've read in various forums. The base on my B2B seat is 6-8" high. I've tried using a cushion but it's not enough. A captain's chair with flip-up bolster would be perfect, but they're $300 plus a pedestal! A cheaper seat with an...
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    The Proverbial Slipping Throttle - One Expert's Opinion

    I just called the Mercury Tech in the resort town I'm visiting. Me: Is there anything that can be done about a slipping throttle? Tech: Nope. Me: You mean I just have to buy a replacement? Tech: Nope. It's supposed to slip. Safety feature. Me: Huh? Tech: Keeps you at the helm; not...
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    Stalling Question

    Bought a '98 Sea Ray with a Merc 125 last summer. Ran great, then began stalling when I put it into gear, This May I took it to a shop and had a full service done on the motor - tune, sync & link, etc. They said they found oil in the carbs - that the previous owner had probably run out of gas...
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    Whoops - left oil out in the rain

    I found my (closed) half-full gallon bottle of 2 stroke oil outdoors today, so it's been rained on all winter. (California - never below freezing) Is this oil safe to use? Or did I blow it by leaving it outdoors? Dave
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    Stalls off idle, and more

    I bought a nice Sea Ray with a '97 Merc 125 O/B. Good compression in all cylinders. Runs well and strong, except... Coming off idle (after the engine warms up) it will stall. Requires a good bit of lever movement forward to make sure it doesn't, so gentle starts are difficult. Then, it...
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    Surge Brake Coupler Problem

    I just got surge brakes mounted on my boat trailer - cost me $900! (Better of 2 bids.) The second time I hitched up, I accidentally forgot to flip the tab up whilst lowering the coupler onto the ball. On my previous coupler, no problem - I'd just stick a big screwdriver up there and work it...
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    Carb or Shift Control?

    The shifter on my Merc 125 gives very little power until I've moved it quite a ways forward, then WHAM it takes me to 4000 RPM. I like to pull tubers at about 4200 RPM. But then, the shifter begins to slowly slide back, and before I realize what's happened I'm down to 3200 RPM. In addition...
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    Ski tripod OK for pulling a tube?

    My transom hooks are mounted pretty low on the stern of my boat, so the tube tow rope drags in the water. Is it safe to pull a tube from a tripod-type pylon? Dave
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    Raising Tow Points

    My new boat (well, new to me) has the transom loops mounted fairly low - only about 6" above waterline with 4 people in the boat. This causes a lot of rope dragging when I pull tubers. I understand that a tripod is not safe for pulling tubes, so I'd like to mount new hooks up higher. My boat...
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    Shifter Problem

    The shifter on my Merc 125 gives very little power until I've moved it quite a ways forward, then WHAM it takes me to 4000 RPM. This works for tubers - barely - but I don't dare try pulling up a skier with the throttle acting this way. The 4000-4200RPM seems to keep the boat at a good speed...
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    Tranny Cooler vs. Synthetic Fluid

    I've been told by several people that the tranny (automatic) on my vehicle is known for being weak. My new boat/trailer is heavier than the last one, but well under the weight limit. 2 shops have recommended a tranny cooler; another said that, for the same price, flushing & replacing with...
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    Ski Locker Cover

    Hi! Just bought my 2nd boat, a '98 Sea Ray 175 with a Merc 125 o/b. While the deck feels solid, the cover over the ski locker is a bit spongy. I figured I could easily build a new one out of plywood, especially as I'll probably be re-carpeting the boat. But when I pulled the cover up and...
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    Floor Question

    Moved
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    Finally Found My Dream Boat!

    I finally found - and bought - the boat I've been looking for. It's a Sea Ray 175 with a 125hp Mercury outboard. It's a 1998, a little older than I would have liked, but I spent months, literally, finding this type of boat here in Northern California. (There were other 175's, but they were...
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    Anyone ski with a 3.OL?

    Lots of boats (bowriders, 18-19') for sale in my area that have 3.0L i/o engines. I'd like to know your experiences with them. I have no need for speed (30mph is plenty) but I'll have 5 teenagers in the boat with me, with one who's destined to be 180lbs. If he gets to where he can slalom ski...
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    All those NADA stars

    Does anyone know what the asterisks next to a boat size mean in the NADA guide? I can't find the footnotes anywhere. Ex: 190SE ** Thanks, Dave
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