Search results

  1. ahicks

    New (old) hard top pontoon owner

    Sorry, you're right. It would be the back bolt on the bottom, and the front bolt at the top. I wasn't thinking of the upper bolts at all. As far as what is preventing it from crashing down on the rails (and the top of the console/windshield/steering wheel) when the last bolt releases? Nothing...
  2. ahicks

    New (old) hard top pontoon owner

    That hard top is generally left in the up position, but it can be lowered by a couple of people when/if necessary. Generally (would need pics to be sure), there are 2 bolts securing the bottom of each leg. To lower, the back one is removed.
  3. ahicks

    Trailer Brakes or Not

    I would add that where and under what conditions might be a relevant factors making this call, as well as how often you planned on towing. For instance, if this trailer is to be used to launch and retrieve a boat once a year, over a distance of 1/2 mile to and from the boat landing, I doubt...
  4. ahicks

    Motor vs. draft

    I'm wondering "as compared to what" would be key to gaining any practical info? Another boat with that same 90, or that same boat with different power? Would an inch of draft (one way or another) matter?
  5. ahicks

    new to me 1970 Johnson 25hp tiller short shaft. locked up

    Amen to that! "It ran when I put it away".....
  6. ahicks

    new to me 1970 Johnson 25hp tiller short shaft. locked up

    Bored one day, I bought a "stuck" 90hp Honda, figuring I would be installing a used short block. Turned out the engine was fine. The LOWER UNIT was stuck! It didn't have a drop of oil in it, was totally full of water. That info turned what was going to be a PIA job into an easy peazy job!
  7. ahicks

    Pontoon trailer springs

    So you are converting this trailer to be used with a pontoon boat?
  8. ahicks

    1989 Bass Tracker Pro17 Trailer

    If there's a second best place to be looking for a trailer, it would have to be in his back yard. Indiana is HUGE when it comes to building trailers - ANY kind of trailers. I would add that if this boat is going to be based in Indiana, that a lot of extra money spent for a galvanized or alum...
  9. ahicks

    Transporting a 20' boat on a flatbed.

    I wouldn't do it at all. I've learned you never buy ANYTHING without touching it first. Not a chance, no exceptions. That in mind, if you're serious about this boat, I would buy a trailer for it locally, and new trailer in tow, go have a look at the boat with the idea you'll be pulling it back...
  10. ahicks

    2014 Tracker 24 DLX vs 2015 Lowes SF 214 - Help

    The 21 would need to be pretty nice to pull me away from a 24'. The diameter of the tubes a big deal as well - especially in the case of a 21 with a 115 on it. I'm assuming the 115 is a 4 stroke? If so, that's a lot of weight on the back of a 21. The 24 will handle that weight much better....
  11. ahicks

    is it to heavy

    My thought is you may not need the performance of a 25 for what it is you're asking the boat to do. We all know boats are an exercise in compromises. Maybe the 4 stroke virtues outweigh any performance losses. So I'll answer the OP's question regarding weight. No, I think you'd be fine with...
  12. ahicks

    Your Worst Nightmare.-

    I work on a lot of "salties". When it comes to head bolts, I'm an impact wrench fan here as well. I generally start at about half of full power and let them rattle for a few seconds. If they refuse, I'll keep turning up the power until SOMETHING lets go. I used to mess with trying to save...
  13. ahicks

    2005 Mercury 90hp 4 Stroke

    I would add that for every person I know happy with the wide open throttle 4 stroke performance there are a hundred more who are just nuts about they way these motors can just putt nearly silently for hours and hours without complaint. And the big one among women especially, is there is no foul...
  14. ahicks

    2005 Mercury 90hp 4 Stroke

    I can see the logic in that minimum parts count thinking. There's little doubt the 4 strokes are more complex. Beyond that though, it's pretty clear they are holding their own when it comes to reliability. Consider the automotive motors that now routinely go 2-300k without having their heads...
  15. ahicks

    1986 lowe 160 16ft -motor weight problems

    We're agreed. You HAVE to figure in the weight!!! Working power to weight in that class, Yammi or Merc 115 would be my choices.
  16. ahicks

    2005 Mercury 90hp 4 Stroke

    The better question from where I'm sitting, is "do they break parts?" In my own experience, and from what I've read, they don't. Worst case is they're no worse than the 2 strokes.... really......
  17. ahicks

    1986 lowe 160 16ft -motor weight problems

    So assuming your boat had one of those on the back, and you wanted to replace it, you would be safe staying UNDER 125 hp AND less than 252 lbs. Clearly there will be exceptions depending on the boat. Trying to replace that motor with something similar in power might be tough depending on the...
  18. ahicks

    2005 Mercury 90hp 4 Stroke

    Realizing full well the 2 vs. 4 stoke controversy is not going to end any time soon - but - comments like this generally come only from somebody that's never owned a 4 stroke "Doesn't take but a heartbeat for you to realize you are getting in way over your head with all the gadgets that can...
  19. ahicks

    1986 lowe 160 16ft -motor weight problems

    JLH3rd has it here I think - "whatever the weight is for a motor of that hp back then would be the max weight you should put on the boat" You factor not just the HP rating for the boat, but also the weight of the motors of the day making that power..... neither should be exceeded.
  20. ahicks

    Merc 80hp 4stroke restarting itself???

    It sounds the same as a late model car. Foot on brake, hit and release the start button, and off she goes. Betting the same circuit is found in some of those remote start accessory key FOB's. They work the same way. You don't hold the start button down on those either.
Top