Recent content by jth877

  1. J

    Buffing the hull

    Crap, I meant to say rotary. Yeah, I don't even own an orbital anymore. Sorry!
  2. J

    Tilt Not Working on MerCruiser Outdrive

    Pretty much. I got the idea a from a YouTube video from "madprops". Although he installed a switch on the transom. I didn't want to put a hole in the back of my boat and wanted to be able to use it while at the helm so I put the switch in an enclosure at the end if 10ft cord.
  3. J

    Buffing the hull

    I've detailed cars for a long time. Tried gelcoat last year on a moderately oxidized boat. The orbital buffer with a wool pad. I found that the polishing compound oils hid the oxidation that I thought came out. Days or weeks later the oxidation came back. You need a heavy remover even...
  4. J

    Tilt Not Working on MerCruiser Outdrive

    You can also make an emergency trim switch by bypassing the solenoids and throttle switches by connecting a 12ga 3 conductor cord to the up/down/ground terminal on the trim pump and wire at least a 20amp spdt momentary switch to the other end. This can also be thrown over the side when...
  5. J

    4 blade prop

    Weight of boat? I found the merc/quicksilver prop calculators very accurate. My boat is 21ft, 220hp 5.0L. 3000lb plus gas/meat/gear. The calculator chose a 4 blade aluminum 19p, 14.5" diameter OR a 3 blade 18p aluminum 16" diameter. I opted for the 4 blade. At a loaded weight of 3500lb, wot...
  6. J

    Rain water came in through cover

    Well after some more storms and the boat now sitting bow up, it was obvious that the cover leaked again. This is a brand new empire 1200d full cover with the straps that run under the boat for a tight fit. 10 year warranty. What a POS.
  7. J

    Rain water came in through cover

    I have been reading on the subject and found that out!
  8. J

    Rain water came in through cover

    Thank you for the thoughtful reply! I'm a bit more at ease now. I saw that a lot of boat manufacturers have ceased using wood in hull construction. The statistic I stated was from a search on this forum. Seems a few old salts have repeated it a number of times and quite frankly freaked me...
  9. J

    Caravelle boats wood free?

    I have a nice 1998 model 209. I read that caravelle switched to wood free construction at some point. The model 207 was called out as such. Anyone know if the 209s or any other information available of when the switch was made? It would give me peace of mind knowing I didn't have to freak out...
  10. J

    Rain water came in through cover

    Any good dying out techniques besides sun, heat, air movement and time? Some of the articles mention 90% of all boats over 15 years old have rot. Is this even remotely true? It seems excessive especially in fresh water seasonal lake environments.
  11. J

    Rain water came in through cover

    My boat is a 1998 caravelle 209. Typical era 21ft with an alpha one stern drive. It was my father in law's boat and he bought boat it new. Always trailered and very careful about water intrusion. I bought a new cover this year. Rain water pooled in the back cockpit area after some storms and...
  12. J

    Older Boats Not Welcome at Lake George, NY

    Actually I do launch at the million dollar beach state launch. It's very popular when in season and nice. Forget about weekends- it fills up by 7am and the boat must be out by 7pm. No over nights at any public launch. Kinda makes it hard to use the awesome camping islands in the narrows. I...
  13. J

    Older Boats Not Welcome at Lake George, NY

    It would explain dockage but not the trailer launch. I could take my boat anytime i felt like it to work on it. It must just be a money thing. When did they stop producing 3.0, 5.0, 5.7 blocks? AFAIK you can still buy them... I do know there are few mechanics working on stern drives as the...
  14. J

    How many Caravelle owners are on here?

    1998 209 Cuddy. 5.0 Merc
  15. J

    Older Boats Not Welcome at Lake George, NY

    New guy here. I just inherited a 1998 21ft Caravelle 209 from my FIL. Alpha One Gen2, 5.0 Merc 2bbl, 200 hours. Always trailered. I know it's an oddball. Boat needed a good rotary buffing, and little things fixed- Tach, limit switch etc... I repaired everything, did fluids and gave it a full...
See more
Top