Lower Susquehanna

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

"well" I haven't been out yet, having lower shift cable issues and now I'm land-locked..got the new cable kit in the mail yesterday and getting assistance on another thread on how to do it properly, it don't sound fun.....And were talking about a 4' cable...lol..going to pull the drive today and check for other issues and try to install next weekend. So when you guys are at the sandbar over the 4th holiday weekend drink a cool-aid for me I'll be up to my armpits in grease, I'll sure be thinking of you..lmao....I had a 4 years of basically problem free issues with this boat, and I my luck just ran out, I guess I could have worse problems than a bad cable though.

I was going to have long-level marina replace the lower shift cable and they quoted me a price of $800.00 to do the cable and another $ 800-$1000.00 for a bellow job if needed and so on, man for that price if I haven't changed my mind and decided to do it my self I should just buy another boat.......I had a engine installed on my work truck and I was charged only $800.00 labor And I think that is more labor intensive than installing a shift cable, I don't understand it

Denny

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

LL Marina sucks.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

LL Marina sucks.

Yep,,,, and with those rates I can't understand how they are in business......if I charged those rates in my business I would be homeless.
Denny

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Denny, Look up Fisher's Marine and Custom Canvas located in middle of nowhere Brogue area. He's done some great work very reasonably for me and a couple friends.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Denny, Look up Fisher's Marine and Custom Canvas located in middle of nowhere Brogue area. He's done some great work very reasonably for me and a couple friends.

Thank you!

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I 2nd fisher's..No personal experience as I do my own work but I've heard nothing but GREAT things about him.

 

[fatherofive]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I was thinking of putting the boat in Lake Clarke and anchoring just below the islands at Wrightsville to watch the fireworks. Does anyone have an opinion? Has anyone done this?

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Yup,done it a few times...We sat at the sand bar and enjoyed fireworks all weekend last year.Wrightsville show is Tuesday night.There is a way to get up thru the rocks but be very careful and wait for the locals to navigate.Our plan is to be down there all day and night Sunday.

 

[fatherofive]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Can you use the ramps at the lower end after dark?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Can you use the ramps at the lower end after dark?

I can't see what would stop you.

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Can you use the ramps at the lower end after dark?

Never had any issues,been down hundreds of times fishing at night.There is a security outfit that patrols all hours of the night,be forewarned he will call cops out if he suspects any problems...I seen him bust two guys one night about 2am for be totally sh$tfaced and barely could walk,let alone drive.I usually just wave at him and go on my way.

 

[fatherofive]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Well I do not think I have too much to worry about. I will have my kids so we should not be too rowdy.

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I agree with cobia you will have no issues after dark. You will be questioned if you are wondering around after dark in the so called park or in the lot but if they see you are a boater you will have no issues unless you are running around naked and drunk.. Over the years me and my wife have spent many nights on the lake. You get a few regular houseboats at the sandbar that raft up and party all night and light traffic around the cabins but other than that you basically have the lake to yourself. This weekend will be an exception to an extent.

Make sure you have all your safety equipment on board and make sure any children have life vests on if required for the size of your boat. The fish commission will be at lock 2 watching and waiting either in a boat near the dock or in a truck in the lot with binoculars in the late afternoon when most people head back to the dock. They mostly look for registration issues and pick on the jet fleas and me lol....they don't like the color and style of my registration numbers....have fun.
Denny

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Wish me luck, I'm heading over to try to Install a new lower shift cable. I hope to be back on the water real soon..i guess I'm stuck sitting in the pool this weekend. Have a great weekend!
Denny

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Cobia,,
I was talking to Brenda yesterday and she mentioned about going down to the bush river again in late august for a weekend of crabing and running around the bay. As long as I can get this boat running again I'm in. Just thought I say something in case your interested it would be cool to have more company. They rent a spot for the camper and the wife and I stay in the boat in a rented slip, we had a lot of fun last time.
Denny

 

[fatherofive]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Wish me luck, I'm heading over to try to Install a new lower shift cable. I hope to be back on the water real soon..i guess I'm stuck sitting in the pool this weekend. Have a great weekend!
Denny

My first boat repair project came about when I took on a foot of water after docking my Sea ray 180 for about 4 hours. The shift bellows had a thumb sized hole in it. I replaced the lower cable and all 3 bellows. Sterndrives.com has step-by-step instructions that walk you through the job and the final adjustment. The boat shifts great. Although, I did buy a special socket to thread the cable into the drive housing.
Good Luck!!!

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I Have the sterndrive.com directions, I had issues yesterday, instead of buying the $30.00 socket I welded 2 deep well 9/16 sockets together the problem was That the socket did not seat the whole way on the cable "bolt" and I did not realize it until it started rounding off the edge....I ordered the thin walled proper socket yesterday...I just hope I did not screw it up too bad, it will be fun getting an easy out in there....I guess that's what you get for trying to cut corners.
Denny

 

[fatherofive]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

I Have the sterndrive.com directions, I had issues yesterday, instead of buying the $30.00 socket I welded 2 deep well 9/16 sockets together the problem was That the socket did not seat the whole way on the cable "bolt" and I did not realize it until it started rounding off the edge....I ordered the thin walled proper socket yesterday...I just hope I did not screw it up too bad, it will be fun getting an easy out in there....I guess that's what you get for trying to cut corners.
Denny

I have certainly been there. I actually ended up changing my exhaust bellows a second time a year later because I decided to go with the cheaper Sierra part vs. the Mercruiser. I quickly learned my lesson about quality. It's not a bad idea to check that gimbal bearing while you are in there. Mine was nearly seized. It was fun to get out of there too. I ended up making a tool much like the Mercruiser puller.

 

[CobiaXL]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Cobia,,
I was talking to Brenda yesterday and she mentioned about going down to the bush river again in late august for a weekend of crabing and running around the bay. As long as I can get this boat running again I'm in. Just thought I say something in case your interested it would be cool to have more company. They rent a spot for the camper and the wife and I stay in the boat in a rented slip, we had a lot of fun last time.
Denny

Sounds like a great weekend to me.Ill talk it over with the wife and let ya guys know.Also if ya need a hand with that outdrive,let me know.Im not too familiar with mercruiser but more then willing to hold the heavy end for ya,lol

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Lower Susquehanna

Sounds like a great weekend to me.Ill talk it over with the wife and let ya guys know.Also if ya need a hand with that outdrive,let me know.Im not too familiar with mercruiser but more then willing to hold the heavy end for ya,lol

Thanks for the offer, I'm wating on the correct special socket 9/16 socket and I will give it another try on sat....if the nuts too rounded off I will have to use an easy out,dono we will see.