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  1. JimS123

    Is it true that Easy Load roller trailers ruin fiberglass boats???

    As a 19 year old getting his first boat, the magazine ads about how good roller trailers are swayed me. My first trailer was an all roller Holsclaw. Now, almost 60 years later I have only owned 2 bunk trailers. One had the bunks replaced after only 1 launch. The second had bunk slicks and...
  2. JimS123

    RV build quality - Rant

    Yes and no. It depends on what brand you buy. Even among the different labels manufactured by the same company there are differences in quality. It's all about the price point. Our introduction into RVing was with a 13 year old Four Seasons (brand). After 26 years we gave her away and...
  3. JimS123

    Help - Boat Accident and Insurance

    My story dates to 1971, so the costs I list are quite dated. My introduction into boating was in 1968 when I bought a $165 boat kit and built my pride and joy in Grandpa's garage. Three years of pure pride, and of course pleasure. Three years later I was on my way to my girlfriend's house to...
  4. JimS123

    Ethanol!

    It's the same fuel and same gas station that is used for 3 cars and 5 outboard motors. It's not a remote tank but rather the integral the tank on top of the motor. I had 8 trouble-free years. The problem started last year. The carb was rebuilt last year, and was only run for 1/2 hour last...
  5. JimS123

    Used Glastron GX 205 with engine issues

    I have been blessed in that every boat I ever bought was exactly what I wanted. And then they have always been meticulously taken care of. My only reason for selling was that we wanted a bigger boat. The saddest day was when the new owner took them away.
  6. JimS123

    Ethanol!

    E10 is a big boon. When a mechanic can't figure out what the problem is (was), now he has something to blame. Lots of reading to be had if you google the myths of ethanol. My old 1980 Ponch has been running on E10 since it was first available. Never had a carb problem. My 1952 'Rude Big...
  7. JimS123

    Ethanol!

    Yeah, yeah THAT thread again. I have my opinions, but I just wanted to see what the general consensus is. My problem has been with a Merc 3.5 HP 4-stroke. I knew going in that it had small jets and they recommend running the gas out after each use. So, I do. Also use stabil with every...
  8. JimS123

    safe?

    We don't need to see the trailer or the boat or even know any of the data. If the trailer has no specs then it's a hard no. The only suggestion is to find out the manufacturer and serial number of the trailer and then call THEM to ask the question.
  9. JimS123

    Stainless Steel Rowboat

    Beautiful boat and excellent restoration. But are you sure it's not polished aluminum and not SS? If SS it must be pretty heavy.
  10. JimS123

    Home Built

    My very first boat was home built. That was in 1968. Even though I went to college AND worked full time, I simply HAD to have a boat. At the time a wooden runabout was in the $2000 range, a tinny utility about $1200 and a nice fiberglass runabout was about $3000. I bought the wood as a...
  11. JimS123

    Advice on Buying a Jon Boat

    We all have opinions. They all differ. Also, our likes and dislikes and needs and wants differ as well. Besides that, the type of waterways we have available will to some extent mandate the type of boat we buy. That said, when I hear "Jon Boat", what comes to mind is calm water and only 1 or...
  12. JimS123

    Mercury 4-stroke Gas leak

    So I fired her up in the driveway and she started right away. I did it with the cap off completely. Then I disassembled the cap and did a thorough cleaning, even though it looked just fine. Finally I put the cap back on and open the vent and she ran good then too. So I still don't know the...
  13. JimS123

    Mercury 4-stroke Gas leak

    9 year old 3.5 HP kicker. I had trouble last year and had the carb rebuilt. It ran fine after that. So, it's 92 F today and full sun. I try to fire her up and she started to run but then choked and gas was running out of the carb overflow line. Shut off the gas shutoff valve and it...
  14. JimS123

    Non-skid for aluminum floors

    FixAll Skid Grip. They make it in different colors. The primer was Rustoleum aluminum primer in a can.
  15. JimS123

    Non-skid for aluminum floors

    Every motor is paired with a boat. All period correct. The rest are restored and mothballed for long term storage.
  16. JimS123

    Non-skid for aluminum floors

    Yes. The boat is a 1964 and the PFDs are period correct. They are used only for display purposes. When underway we use modern technology.
  17. JimS123

    Non-skid for aluminum floors

    Acid etching aluminum primer topcoated with non-skid tennis court paint. Looks good so far. I'll report back after we get her in the water.
  18. JimS123

    Need A Metallurgist's Advice

    Thanks to all for your replies. The boat is ready to sail so this oldie will be a Winter project. I'll reply with the results when I do it.
  19. JimS123

    Need A Metallurgist's Advice

    Would a hand held propane torch be adequate? The bars are aluminum.
  20. JimS123

    Need A Metallurgist's Advice

    Picked up a 1945 Neptune outboard at a garage sale. The PO bent the tabs on the bottom of the gas tank for whatever reason. The tabs are to support the motor when set down. I have an idea how to bend them back straight again, but I thought I would see what y'all have to say. I'm afraid that...
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