[SPLASHED] I/O (Sterndrive) Conversion to Outboards

[Scott Danforth]

I’m going to make winter covers

Sew in some heat tape

 

[tpenfield]

A few finishing touches still needed, but these are the winter covers that I made for the engines.
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They are made from some left-over materials that I had from my upholstery business.

I plan on putting a draw string at the bottom to tighten the fit. I managed to make these on the Admiral's sewing machine, since my machine is a bit of an effort to set up.

 

[redneck joe]

your props are not happy you left them exposed...

 

[tpenfield]

Finishing touches . . . I got the draw-strings installed.
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Earlier today, I ran some PG antifreeze through the flush port as planned. Then secured the covers . . .

There are some 'stock' covers available for these engines, but I saved $350+ Beer Bucks going DIY, and made them so they cover the lower portion of the cowling to a greater extent..

 

[alldodge]

I have 2 covers shipped with my old chap but they were to small for the Mercs, and no way would fits yours, most likely were for Yam's. Sooner or later I'll find a use for them

 

[tpenfield]

I have 2 covers shipped with my old chap but they were to small for the Mercs, and no way would fits yours, most likely were for Yam's. Sooner or later I'll find a use for them

Yes, I used 4 yards of 54" wide material for each engine . . . a lot more than I was initially thinking. I also made them a bit bigger than they needed to be, figuring it would be easier to 'snug' them up if needed.

 

[aspeck]

Nice covers, but if you really loved your motors you would keep them in the garage ...

 

[tpenfield]

Nice covers, but if you really loved your motors you would keep them in the garage ...

Motors weight 800 lbs. each . . . I don't think they would fit in the garage. Where they are is where they stay

 

[Pmt133]

Motors weight 800 lbs. each . . . I don't think they would fit in the garage. Where they are is where they stay

Pole barn.

 

[alldodge]

Pole barn.

Not sure they allow those where Ted lives

 

[Pmt133]

Not sure they allow those where Ted lives

Fair enough. Also one of the many reasons I'm picking a place to disappear to when I can...

 

[tpenfield]

Pole barn.

Not sure they allow those where Ted lives

Probably, with enough land, a barn could be built . . . but I'm maxed out on what the house/land can do.

There is a place right near the re-power shop that is called "Boat Loft Condominiums" . . . For a mere $200K you can own a high-bay unit to store your boat. You can also rent similar spaces for $2,400/month (+/-).

I think I'm good where the boat is . . . in my driveway . . . $0 incremental cost.

 

[flashback]

Is the condo climate controlled, it should be for that kind of coin..

 

[Pmt133]

Probably, with enough land, a barn could be built . . . but I'm maxed out on what the house/land can do.

There is a place right near the re-power shop that is called "Boat Loft Condominiums" . . . For a mere $200K you can own a high-bay unit to store your boat. You can also rent similar spaces for $2,400/month (+/-).

I think I'm good where the boat is . . . in my driveway . . . $0 incremental cost.

Was only kidding. Dad built his whole pole barn for a year rent at that rate. I can't ever justify paying for storage of something at a rate like that. Just ain't worth it. I will note, my town rates lot coverage different for pole barns because they aren't considered dwellings or permanent structures. Otherwise we'd be over lot coverage too for development in our area.

There's a house I've been "looking" at... it's a little out of budget (950k) but is a manageable size at 1500 ft^2. But more importantly it is on 5 acres outside the pineland commission and has a 36x84 8 bay shop already built. A guy can dream but do you know how many toys I can fit on that much property? I'd never leave.

 

[tpenfield]

When the Admiral and I buy a 'permanent' resident a large barn or garage will be on the list of amenities . . .

 

[aspeck]

Atta boy!

 

[Lou C]

Yep I want the same thing, but have to get out of NYS to make it happen. The benefit besides all the others, is a longer boating season!
Real estate prices here are unsustainable for young people, I made my son and daughter in law an excellent offer, if they want to leave.
NYS is not the place I grew up in. No room for the middle class without working yourself nearly to death.

 

[redneck joe]

come on down to TN or AL

We did pretty good - our place was $386, on a small river, just over acre. 2/3 with 2000 sq ft. We've put about another $100 into it to make it 'retirement ready'.

$500 to $750 would get all the house anyone would every need, less for smaller retirement places.

Look up land around Tracy City TN

 

[Lou C]

Thanks, our states to investigate are:
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
my brother was a high-level tech guy for Asurion in Nashville Tenn, and when he worked for them, he lived in Brentwood Tenn. Beautiful place.
NY, will take the last nickel in your pocket, and then expect you to feel grateful for it.
The prices you quoted, I can almost buy 2 of them for what my little house in Long Island NY would sell for.
That's why I made the offer, my son and daughter in law get a free house, no mortgage, don't have to live the rat race working 2-3 jobs their whole life Iike I did.

We could stay here and give them $300,000 to buy a $700,000 house (nothing special, small, needs work no doubt, it's just the crazy high demand here) but they would still struggle to pay a $400,000 mortgage. That's why I say it is unsustainable here for young middle class people.
And I said to them "why do that to yourselves, for WHAT?!"
Another option is out west, northern AZ NV or NM. Can't take the heat of the southern parts of those states, but the northern parts, might be nice.
Anyplace in the northeast is out. We can stay if we want to, but paying $700,000 for a house that needs work, I advised then NOT to do. I looked at a few houses around here in the high 500s to low 600s and they were all OLD, poorly maintained and had obvious structural problems that any engineer would have found and said DO NOT BUY THIS. One place I really had to laugh, the foundation was collapsing and the real estate agent says we'd like our offers by next Tuesday. I said to him, there is something happening in that basement and it's BAD. Yet someone wants this neighborhood so badly they will buy it. Madness.