Search results

  1. ahicks

    1986 lowe 160 16ft -motor weight problems

    Yep, exactly my point.
  2. ahicks

    1986 lowe 160 16ft -motor weight problems

    Just a guess, but if add copy was showing 186 somewhere, it would be no surprise here if you were expected to take that weight then add for elec. start, TnT, and long shaft.
  3. ahicks

    Skeg Welding

    Guys with some experience that do this routinely are pretty good at it and don't take all day doing the welding. Kinda routine here on the Gulf side of Florida. I could see guys that have never done one being a little shy of the project. Another way of looking at this, maybe a mechanic's take...
  4. ahicks

    1986 lowe 160 16ft -motor weight problems

    I doubt that's going to happen from a weight or speed perspective. Next step up from the 40-60 weight class is about at 375-400lbs for a 75hp. That's too much for bass boats in this size range IMHO. Suggest you proceed with caution.
  5. ahicks

    1986 lowe 160 16ft -motor weight problems

    I do a lot of work on Honda 40 and 50 hp 4 strokes that both weigh 250 or so with power trim and tilt. I have a 17' side console (Polar Craft) bass boat in Florida that I use for a test boat, and a 16' side console (Smoker Craft) in Michigan. These are both used to test run motors motors for a...
  6. ahicks

    Merc 80hp 4stroke restarting itself???

    I could see how a severely corroded connection might do something like that. A look at the main engine connector might be worth your time. And taking that just one step further, disconnecting the battery until you have identified the problem might be a good idea as well. The idea of the motor...
  7. ahicks

    Fuel tank dimensions

    You can throw parts at it to see if any fixes the issue, or you can troubleshoot to see what the issue really is. Like a simple blown fuse? That would kill it. A broken wire or bad connection? A new sending unit won't fix either of those issues....
  8. ahicks

    HELP with new boat - glasstream 20ccr

    Again, it's about the conditions. We have a 22'deck boat with a nearly flat bottom that's just terrible in anything over an 18" chop, and we go out into the Gulf all the time with that. We used to use a pontoon boat! Difference might be the swells on your side...
  9. ahicks

    HELP with new boat - glasstream 20ccr

    Clearly the answer is going to depend on weather. I doubt you're going to want to go out when the wind is kicking up a chop. Second (for me) would be your Nav. equipment. Can you say chart plotter? I wouldn't be without one, and it would have a large enough display where I wouldn't need my...
  10. ahicks

    Air don't freeze... RV antifreeze DOES!

    Bottom line, you need to realize that stuff WILL freeze. Many (way too many) have no idea of that potential and will learn the hard way. It's one of those lessons that people need to see for themselves. I think one of the bigger reasons more aren't using air is the lack of an air compressor...
  11. ahicks

    Need help deciding!! Wakeboard boat vs bow rider!?!

    A little simpler approach here. Not knowing how these kid's interest are going to develop in the next few years, for inland lake use, I'd just get a well maintained inboard ski boat that's several years old. Think a generic/hybrid boat. Pretty easy to find these that have been well maintained...
  12. ahicks

    What should I do with this free boat?

    I would ask, what do you want to do with it? If the intent is to make a buck or 2, then sell it for parts. If you absolutely love the look of the boat, and think there's a place in your life for something like it for a period of at least several years from the time it's restored, THEN maybe...
  13. ahicks

    Propeller assistance

    Idea behind 427 Sanger ski boat was we would NEVER be limited by the amount of power available. We never were either.....
  14. ahicks

    Propeller assistance

    First time I skied was behind a 45hp Montgomery Ward motor on a 16' glass boat, don't remember it much, other than it was green. 2 skis of course! The 427 powered Sanger we had (many years later) was set up for skiing. We could pull 2 bare footers up out of deep water starts. Plan there was...
  15. ahicks

    Propeller assistance

    You have boat or engine problems. I easily slalomed at 250# behind an 18' Caravelle bow rider running as high as 35 MPH at times (ouch when I fell off) with wife driving plus 4 kids and gear powered by an engine rated 125 Johnson (1972) with a 13+17P SST prop with only a tilt bracket....no PTT...
  16. ahicks

    Only runs while hitting primer key

    If you have compressed air available, use it to confirm what you think is clean IS actually clean by blowing through it.
  17. ahicks

    Propeller assistance

    Like many other things, props are about compromise. I like the 4 blade idea, but to do that right for your ski application, you're going to really affect your top speed. Decide which you'd rather have or get a bigger motor.....
  18. ahicks

    Only runs while hitting primer key

    There's a few things it could be (vacuum leak somewhere?), but my bet is you're missing a set of jets hidden in the carbs somewhere.
  19. ahicks

    454 Lifter Adjustment

    Compression check may be in order.....
  20. ahicks

    454 Lifter Adjustment

    The lifters get crud built up in them and won't pump up fully. That (or a bent pushrod) is generally the story with a noisy lifter. Before I give up on a noisey lifter, even these fixed ones COULD be loosened a bit to see if they'll extend fully, then quiet as they are snugged up. This far into...
Top