Search results

  1. ratdude747

    Tow Smart "Submersible" LED tail lights are junk... better solution?

    This weekend my LED tail lights suffered a progressive failure. Despite being marketed as submersible, unlike some LED tail lights I've seen (which despite that fact, also failed in a similar way on a car hauler), they didn't fully seal the light (has a drain hole) nor did they...
  2. ratdude747

    Process for changing boat trailers?

    Got the bunk fabricated yesterday and installed today. The front mount was supposed to be attached after all and is now. All better: I used new fabric (raider fabric from Acadamy sports, what I could get on short notice), treated #2 Pine, and stainless staples and lag screws (originals were...
  3. ratdude747

    Process for changing boat trailers?

    For the record, here's my pre-drill template. Took several tries to get a set of board locations that added up. The trailer beams are exactly 35" apart but to reduce slop, the C-brackets are flipped between beams. This is the rear and center mounts... the front mounts do not bolt up (and the...
  4. ratdude747

    Process for changing boat trailers?

    Have a plan. I'll replace the bunk in the parking lot this weekend while my friend is driving his cousins around the lake. Using a treated pine 2x4, stainless 1/2" staples, and new stainless 5/16x1 lag bolts (same as existing, only existing isn't stainless). Old carpet is still in decent...
  5. ratdude747

    Process for changing boat trailers?

    What if the trailer frame blocks access to the transom? The back bar runs almost directly under such (to the point that the boat doesn't sit on the rearmost keel roller, which instead hits the front of the outdrive near the bottom of trim swing). The bow/winch bar is as far back as it can go...
  6. ratdude747

    Process for changing boat trailers?

    Yes, but I'm trying to work out how best to do that given the weight of the boat back there and the close spacing of the existing bunks. I'd have to either support it by the keel with a V-notched hunk of wood or with two blocks very far from the stringers. Maybe somehow use a wood block and a...
  7. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Prop came in. Will need to swap anode to clear... But that and a fresh tab washer are on order. For now, I tried trimming with my oscillatory saw: Kinda rough, so for now it's a placeholder. The new anode is an offset variety:
  8. ratdude747

    Process for changing boat trailers?

    Might have to pull the boat after all... As apparently one of the long bunks is rotten: The rot tapers off pretty quick but does pass under the transom a bit. The other three by ks seem OK but yeesh... Maybe I ought to keep an eye out for another trailer after all. Or at least plan on doing...
  9. ratdude747

    How to fix stress crack in fiberglass under seat cushion

    What if I cut the worst of it out with the saw (the split wood only goes to the edge of the rim), drilled the end of the cut, feathered/beveled the split, then JB welded that? (Red cut and drill, yellow is feather/bevel area). Trying to see if there is anything I can do with current...
  10. ratdude747

    How to fix stress crack in fiberglass under seat cushion

    Would a bead of JB weld on the bottom of the crack area suffice as a temporary fix at least? The only grinding tools I have at home are an angle grinder and an oscillatory saw, neither of which feels like the right tool. A die grinder with a carbide burr would be ideal but that's not something...
  11. ratdude747

    How to fix stress crack in fiberglass under seat cushion

    While replacing some bungee cords on my bow riding seats, I found a stress crack in the seat opening: Specifically the crack radiating from the hull edge (the other is just in the Gel coat AFAIK). It goes all the way through the wood and inner glass. How should I mitigate this? Not looking...
  12. ratdude747

    Broken "oddball" stern light socket- how to fill old hull screw holes?

    Socket came in. Had to open the hole a bit with my oscillatory saw and file (due to being of the newer style) but it did otherwise fit up: Since I didnt need to fill holes, then no need to bother pulling the old pitot hardware... For another day.
  13. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Didn't know the combustion chamber size was different, I was thinking more along the lines of bigger valves flowing more/better. Duh. Cam is the stock one Mercruiser installed. 351W firing order. Here are the supposed specs on the 888 in stock form (225 supposedly is the stock 4-barrel...
  14. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    I've been through the rest of it. Ignition was stock and why it was marooned in the first place; I upgraded from points to Pertronix Ignitor/Flamethower (still using the stock Prestolite marine distributor) per a prior post. Starter is a newer PMGR-type but is in fact marine rated (I did redo...
  15. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Carb/Intake upgrade: Edelbrock Performer 289 intake (it's freshwater only, so no worries), 1" carb spacer/PCV hookup, and a Holley Marine 4160 carb, factory tuned for a Mercruiser 5.0 (Chevy 305?). Previous owners had the same setup other than running a non-marine 4160 off a 1970's ford...
  16. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    I am assuming that we're talking actual WOT RPM and not "designed" RPM. The latter is hard to say since the engine isn't 100% stock (likely putting out over 200HP, but I don't have dyno data on such) ; the redline is at 5000RPM per the original tachometer. As for the former: If I had a prop I...
  17. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Wrong blades... forgot that despite the comprop box having an "L" in the part number, it's actually an RH prop. I actually need RH blades. Working on getting that straightened out (the seller has 8 RH 1418A-4 blades for sale, so I'll buy all of them so I have a complete spare set).
  18. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Figured it out... yeah, I want A-series since that's all they make in my size. LH rotation too. Found a deal on an NOS hub (MA4) and 5 blades (1418A-4LH). Saved a fair bit compared to factory direct... ;) Will try... it's a hair larger (14" vs 13.7") but everything else matches.
  19. ratdude747

    Broken "oddball" stern light socket- how to fill old hull screw holes?

    May have found a used one off an '88 Celebrity that's the correct screw pattern and looks very similar. $37 after shipping, but unless I find an NOS one like it, that'll be what I do. The internals are slightly different (newer style) but that's not a bad thing...
  20. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    I thought to go through the lock you needed 50 feet of rope... And some other requirements. Also, I thought the reservoir downstream had more issues with zebra mussels and silver carp? Or am I reading DNR maps wrong? I did look at the New Albany ramps (where I used to live andy parents still...
Top