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  1. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    Not understanding your question. Is what happening in the outdrive?
  2. harringtondav

    RWD Tow Vehicle Launch Issues?

    We've boated on the upper Mississippi for 26 yrs. Plenty of concrete grooved ramps. Slime isn't the problem. Erosion at the foot of the ramps occurs causing a drop off, and is a big problem in low water. I've watched two rigs stuck. One tore the axle off one leaf spring pulling out. When things...
  3. harringtondav

    RWD Tow Vehicle Launch Issues?

    This maneuver requires a copilot who knows what they're doing: Copilot drives the boat on the trailer and leaves the motor/engine running. Once the winch is tight the copilot gets back to the helm, trims down as far as safe and waits for the tow driver to start moving. Copilot gives meaningful...
  4. harringtondav

    IO steering

    Exactly. Shops charge the same hourly rate for diagnostics as they do for repairs. You can save yourself significant money by isolating the problem and tell the mechanic "fix this" vs. "find the problem and fix it". Part costs will be the same either way, but if you control things getting 'sell...
  5. harringtondav

    OMG - I got an oversized load permit !!!

    I'm not familiar with salt water fouling. Will this growth come off with a pressure washer, or will it take chemicals?
  6. harringtondav

    IO steering

    Assuming Mercruiser, remove the actuator clevis from the steering arm/tiller and crank the steering wheel full port/left to get the clevis out of the way. Go the the stern and manually push the outdrive full travel left to right. It should swing 'easily' ...without much effort. It would have...
  7. harringtondav

    IO steering

    ^^^Yes, which outdrive do you have, and which year? If it is a Mercruiser +-1990 on with "new style" steering valve it could be your steering cable. New style doesn't have the valve at the steering wheel, but connected to the steering cable sheath at the transom. Mine seemed to be loose and...
  8. harringtondav

    Can't get wheel off

    You've got serious rust between the hub and wheel rim bore. Start by jacking up the wheel and removing the six lug nuts and see if the wheel loosens. If not spray between the spindle hub and rim with a penetrating chemical. Take a wood block and a large hammer and whack the rim close to the tire...
  9. harringtondav

    OMG - I got an oversized load permit !!!

    Wow! That is a LOT of boat. ....and I thought the trailer was huge. There are boats this size in our Dubuque IA pool. Most are closed bow cruisers. And nearly all rely on the marina's travel hoist or crane. Approx $1000/yr for take out - put in, and winter blocking. There is a wait list for...
  10. harringtondav

    OMG - I got an oversized load permit !!!

    I've seen edgewise bunks on pontoon trailers. Makes sense for a big heavy boat. Looks like the long span between supports provide flex to follow the hull's contour. I spent much time this summer learning with my new boat that having the bunk trailer, and my bunk rail boat lift, a little shallow...
  11. harringtondav

    OMG - I got an oversized load permit !!!

    Interesting bunk arrangement. Custom I assume. Chines rest on the bunk edges?
  12. harringtondav

    OMG - I got an oversized load permit !!!

    My 2019 Ranger's factory is nothing special, but it works great. It has moving line of travel indicators plus a center one directly over the hitch ball which I can see. I nail the hitch on center every time, but I still have to get out to tweak the distance.
  13. harringtondav

    How much trim?

    There are two U joints coupled with a cardan. Unlike automotive unis, your driveshaft unis stay submerged in a leaking bellows. Worse is what the water does to your gimbal bearing and outdrive gear yoke seal surfaces. Recommendation is to pull the drive annually to verify a dry bellows. ....I'll...
  14. harringtondav

    Fix gel coat or use keel guard

    Best to get it as dry as possible before beginning the work outside. Homemade pigs from pillow cases and cat liter/oil dry. Heat gun. Maybe a dose of "Heat" methanol gas line deicer to help move the water out. You'll know when you start sanding the keel down if moisture is still oozing. You'll...
  15. harringtondav

    Fix gel coat or use keel guard

    When you get to the gel coat sand it and buff it as if it on the most visible part of the boat. ....good practice for when you get an ugly guff or dock rash. You'll be ready.
  16. harringtondav

    Fix gel coat or use keel guard

    I patch repaired several areas on a previous boat using epoxy with fairing filler. No issues with Spectrum gel coat adhesion, but it is polyester. More on the subject below. https://www.epoxyworks.com/index.php/applying-polyester-gelcoat-over-epoxy/
  17. harringtondav

    Fix gel coat or use keel guard

    You could get by with a quart of resin if you start slow and learn how much to mix for each course of the glass mat to reduce waste. ...too much and it will set (kick) in the mixing container before you can apply it. I had good luck with West System epoxy and hardeners. iBoat carries these...
  18. harringtondav

    Fix gel coat or use keel guard

    I figured about the same price, Iowa prices. Per my earlier comments this is a good area of the boat to learn with. The function will end up great. If the looks are a little iffy, who cares? Few people crawl under the trailer for a look.
  19. harringtondav

    Upper shift control cable Mercruiser 228

    I assume you have a Mercruiser control. They publish parts catalogues for most of these. ...availability on a 1979 controller is likely to be iffy. Ref my comment on purchasing a replacement. Yes The lower is normally the problem. You can test it similar to what you did with the upper. (I'm...
  20. harringtondav

    Fix gel coat or use keel guard

    It is doable at home on your trailer. My first boat wasn't this bad, but I made the repair. Per @Scott Danforth this forum will walk you through it. My key points. Do the work when it is warm. Depending on where you live it may be best to wait until spring. Epoxy and gel coat components need at...
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