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  1. jkimball

    Injecting Structural Foam into Cored Deck? any experience?

    So, before I get started, let me just say that I completely understand that cutting the top skin off and replacing the balsa that let loose is the proper way to repair the deck. I'm completely aware, and in time I may just consider that, but for the moment I'm trying to see what other options...
  2. jkimball

    Warm water in bilge after outing

    So, again my first I/O and I'm learning quick how much I loved the "problems" of an outboard. But if I could get all the little bugs worked out this would be a great boat. She runs amazing, aside from the typical 4.3 warm start problems (and has low rpm stalled twice) but other than that once...
  3. jkimball

    '97 Mercruiser 4.3LX wrong dipstick?

    Hi all, not new to boats but definitely new to I/O sterndrives etc. I have a '97 Regal Destiny 200 with a 4.3LX. The motor has the oil drain tube and the dipstick tube running along the side of the motor as usual. And the whole tube is really long since its mounted on the front port side. But...
  4. jkimball

    '97 mercruiser 4.3 oil filter

    I think I was sold the wrong oil filter. I haven't got the old one off yet (posted earlier for tips since mine is WAY out of reach in a tight spot) but planned to try tomorrow. So, being the creature of habit I am, I always research my part numbers one last time before installing anything. The...
  5. jkimball

    Alpha One Gen+ Lower Unit Lube Change Process

    Just recently became the proud new owner of a '97 Regal Destiny with a Mercruiser 4.3LX/ Alpha One Gen+. Before this I was strictly an outboard guy, and knew my way around them pretty well. But with the sterndrive, I have some learning to do. I want to change the LU Lube, which under normal...
  6. jkimball

    Mercruiser Oil Filter Removal Tricks

    Looking for a little advice or tips/tricks on how to get to the oil filter to get it off on a Mercruiser 4.3LX. It's in a'97 Regal Destiny 200. The boat is huge, but I can't seem to find a way to get my 240lb. self in there to get to the filter. Any tips or tricks?
  7. jkimball

    Alpha One Gen+ smooth fwd, clattering rev

    Recently made the move from outboards to my first stern drive. I have a '97 Regal Destiny 200 with a 4.3LX - Alpha One Gen+ I ran it yesterday on muffs, drive down within trim range and it goes into fwd flawlessly. Of course you get standard mercruiser "clunk" but nothing alarming. Reverse is...
  8. jkimball

    4 Blade Prop Results Good?

    So after about a year and a half of kicking the idea around I finally took the plunge and decided to try out a 4 blade prop. Before this I was running one of 2 props, a 17" SS (OMC/SST) and a 19" SS (Viper) both 3 blade, and I got decent performance out of both. I have a 17' Four Winns Horizon...
  9. jkimball

    Never a better feeling

    Today was a good day! there is no better feeling than the feeling you get when you call the bank and tell them you'd like to pay your boat off! The day I called them and accepted their loan offer pulls a close second, but this is way better!:whoo:
  10. jkimball

    Spraying Outboard Down with WD-40

    Looking for some input from some Old Salts on here. I've always been told that it's good practice to spray an outboard (under the cowl/ cowl removed) with WD-40 as part of a cleaning and post use regimen. Especially when coming back from a run in the brine. So as often as I can, I do. I also...
  11. jkimball

    Merc. Prop re-hubbed to fit Johnson/ Evinrude?

    Ran across an awesome deal on a local craigslist ad for an almost new, nearly perfect Solas HR Titan 4, 4 blade stainless prop for $35 Only problem is, I have a Johnson 115 & the prop is for a Merc. Can this be re-hubbed to fit a Johnson? I've had props re-hubbed because they needed it, but...
  12. jkimball

    Larger than recommended max HP

    Just curious, on a boat such as mine which has a dry weight of 1790 lbs. ('99 FW Horizon 170) but the recommended max HP is 115, what would be the consequences or drawbacks of repowering with a larger motor? Say... 150-175? The reason I ask is because, from what I've been told is that a lot of...
  13. jkimball

    Where to mount new Bimini Top

    I have a '99 Four Winns Horizon 170, the Beam of the boat is 7'6" (90"). I'm looking to install a Bimini top on it, but I need some input on where to mount it, and depending on where, how wide of a Bimini. iBoats says I need one that is 84"-90" wide, however when I got the boat it originally...
  14. jkimball

    Suwannee River (Branford FL) to Gulf

    I'm trying to plan a trip taking the Suwannee River to the Gulf sometime in the near future. Having been up and down the east coast of Florida on the intercostal and all around the St. John's, a less populated and more scenic trip would be much welcomed, plus the 74 mile span I'd be looking to...
  15. jkimball

    Swim ladder dragging

    I have a '99 Four Winns Horizon 170, with a 115 Johnson OB. on the back swim platform I have a folding swim ladder on the Starboard side. while underway the base of the ladder seems to drag a little in the water and throws water back in the boat. I've tried trimming up & down with little to...
  16. jkimball

    Broken Anode Bolt

    I have a '99 Johnson 115 and last week I dropped the lower unit to replace the water pump. I figured while I had it all apart this would be the opportune time to replace the thermostats, fuel filter, lower unit fluid and anode. Well, aside from the nut looking part of a thermostat housing...
  17. jkimball

    '99 115 V4 Impeller Replacement Help

    Hello All, I ordered and received the water pump replacement kit for my '99 115. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, so I feel like I should be able to accomplish this as everything I've read says it's pretty straightforward and not overly difficult. Aside from replacing the water pump, I'm...
  18. jkimball

    Impeller/Water pump kits

    I've been shopping around for an impeller kit for my '99 Johnson 115 and have found several options; -BRP -OMC System Matched -Red Rhino -Other Aftermarket Being somewhat new (not to boating, but to maintenance/PM on boats) I need a little guidance on what kit would be best, which I know comes...
  19. jkimball

    Viper Prop

    Wanted to see if anyone has any experience with Viper Stainless props. I have a '99 FW Horizon 170 with a Johnson 115. Recently I changed props from the original beat up 19p aluminum that came with the boat to an OMC 17p stainless and gained ~500 rpms (went from 4,900 to 5,400-5,500 WOT) and...
  20. jkimball

    End of season/ beginning of season maintenance

    I live in Northeast Florida, so not much goes into ?winterizing? a boat since temperatures don?t routinely get that low. Also unlike a lot of other places, our boating season could potentially be all year, but the season with the most use is obviously Summer and Spring. That being said, I?m...
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