Spring prep final inspections and questions. need help with bimini, steering wheel

[RSVRMAN]

I have a 1995 Sea Ray 185 5 series with Mercruiser 4.3 Alpha Gen II.

I need help with bimini choice, steering wheel and battery question.

Here is the list so far. I’m trying to be as prepared for the spring as I can if you can answer just one question it would be helpful. I’m only asking the questions that I need help with. I have been using the search function, but I can’t find the exact answer to all of these questions. Everything so far ordered has been from the direct posts and advice from fellow iboaters and much appreciated!! PICS below for some questions.

Ordered:

Collinite, 303 Vinyl Protectant, Boat Wash, Hull Cleaner, Vinyl Adhesive (Small nicks in seat), Marine Adhesive 4200. For Bilge pump that wasn’t fastened down. Ordered from iboats!!

Other orders. Mercury Gimbal & U Joint Grease. Impeller kit from Tungsten Marine. Saw the one gasket missing on iboats.

Done:

Longer tongue for towing, new tires on trailer, bearings packed, buddies installed, new wires on trailer, folding tongue installed, oil changed in boat, new battery checked all fluids are on full lines.


Questions:


1. The boat has a new battery in it, but I plan on listening to the radio for up to an hour at a time. Should I invest in an additional battery?

2. Steering Wheel – about to crack in half. I was thinking of getting one from here. Boat steering wheel Id be willing to spend up to $50.00 for a new one any advice or got a sweet wheel I should buy?

3. I have to get a Bimini. It was the other halfs part of the deal and if you saw my past thread I stole the long part of the garage. So far I’ve read a lot on them and still frustrated. I’ve come down to either getting one from iboats or GMI. (Or if someone else has another recommendation) Only question is the GMI ones do not appear to be as tight of fitting as the iboats brands. Maybe they are the same, but if you have one or have a picture feel free to share!
Bimini top, boat top and boat accessory

I’m planning on getting a 6’ top and that’s all I know.

I have to have the rear struts for being able to fold it up, however can you fold them down from that point? I would be fine if I can just fold it completely down in the garage. Would I need these to have it removed? ANP inc. | SS quick release hinge

Any additional help on the bimini is appreciated. I’d really like to keep the final cost around $300-400.


Any advice is appreciated! Thank you for your time!

 

[eavega]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Any additional help on the bimini is appreciated. I’d really like to keep the final cost around $300-400.

I just got a bimini top for my '88 Stingray 176 SVB. It came with the support poles instead of straps for the rear. The support poles have quick-disconnect hardware, so it can very quickly be folded down and secured for storing in the garage.

Not to take away any business from IBoats, but I picked up my top (and the top I had on my previous boat) from eBay for about $150 less than anything I found elsewhere. I would probably spring for the more UV-resistant top materials that iBoats offers if my boat was exposed to the elements more (i.e. in an uncovered slip or outdoors, or even constantly out in the water) but the reality is that the top will only see the outdoors for 30 days at the most in a given year (I only use the top in the summer and only when not fishing). The rest of the time the boat is in the garage or the top is not on the boat.

Good luck.

Rgds

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

I just got a bimini top for my '88 Stingray 176 SVB. It came with the support poles instead of straps for the rear. The support poles have quick-disconnect hardware, so it can very quickly be folded down and secured for storing in the garage.

Not to take away any business from IBoats, but I picked up my top (and the top I had on my previous boat) from eBay for about $150 less than anything I found elsewhere. I would probably spring for the more UV-resistant top materials that iBoats offers if my boat was exposed to the elements more (i.e. in an uncovered slip or outdoors, or even constantly out in the water) but the reality is that the top will only see the outdoors for 30 days at the most in a given year (I only use the top in the summer and only when not fishing). The rest of the time the boat is in the garage or the top is not on the boat.

Good luck.

Rgds

Thanks for your reply! Do your support poles in the rear work like the struts I see often pictured. As in can you fold your bimini back on them with the middle pole and put the boot on for a cloudy day? What brand was your bimini on ebay?

 

[eavega]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Yes, the support poles replaces the back straps, and you can leave the top folded in the boot and resting on the support pole while cruising with the top down, or while trailering. Package included the top, all the hardware (plastic, but you can upgrade to Stainless Steel), and the boot. Brand was "4 Seasons".



Rgds

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

6. The boat has a new battery in it, but I plan on listening to the radio for up to an hour at a time. Should I invest in an additional battery?

I guess it depends on how loud you play the radio. Realistically, you probably won't phase it in an hour.

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Yes, the support poles replaces the back straps, and you can leave the top folded in the boot and resting on the support pole while cruising with the top down, or while trailering. Package included the top, all the hardware (plastic, but you can upgrade to Stainless Steel), and the boot. Brand was "4 Seasons".

View attachment 190392

Rgds

Thanks for the quick reply! How sturdy are the poles? One reason I was thinking of spending more was for better poles, but if they are all the same ill savebmoney and go with ebay. Can you cruise 30-40 mph with much shake? Did you go with stainless screws or plastc? Lastly do you have a closeup picture of your boat with it up or in the boot? Thanks again.

 

[eavega]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Thanks for the quick reply! How sturdy are the poles?

Their literature all mentions " 1" DOUBLED WALL ANODIZED ALUMINUM FRAME". It certainly seems sturdy.

One reason I was thinking of spending more was for better poles, but if they are all the same ill savebmoney and go with ebay. Can you cruise 30-40 mph with much shake?

Speaking from my previous boat I had this top on, there was no shake or rattle coming from the top at 35 MPH, which was top speed for my previous boat.

Did you go with stainless screws or plastc?

The screws are all stainless, but the mounting points are plastic. I went with the plastic, again because of the type of duty I expect from this top. I don't boat in salt water, and this boat lives the majority of its time indoors. If I had it exposed to elements on a regular basis I would've opted for stainless.
Actually, I am lying a little bit. My boat had mounting points for a top previously (chromed steel). I am experimenting with the current mount points, although they are not ideal, to see if I don't have to drill more holes in my hull. If I have to install the mounting hardware that came with the top, it will be plastic.

Lastly do you have a closeup picture of your boat with it up or in the boot?

I don't have a picture of my current boat with the top, as I only put it on last weekend, and have not had it out on the water. I finished up with the last "urgent" pre-launch projects this weekend (Installation of the Bimini and keelguard) You can bet I will have pictures of it next week at this time

 

[Don S]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

As far as your engine/drive questions go, you should really post them in the Mercruiser forum, or the Non repair IO forum depending on what you are asking.
CLICK HERE to download an owners manual for a 2000 engine and drive. The maintenance information and what to use and schedules are basically the same. It will at least get you started in the right direction.

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

I guess it depends on how loud you play the radio. Realistically, you probably won't phase it in an hour.

Thanks. It will be just the standard radio operating 4 speakers. I'm sure it will be loud when pulling wakeboarders, but quiet if were sitting still.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Thanks. It will be just the standard radio operating 4 speakers. I'm sure it will be loud when pulling wakeboarders, but quiet if were sitting still.

Unless you're rowing really fast, when you're pulling wakeboarders, the engine is running, recharging the battery.

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

As far as your engine/drive questions go, you should really post them in the Mercruiser forum, or the Non repair IO forum depending on what you are asking.
CLICK HERE to download an owners manual for a 2000 engine and drive. The maintenance information and what to use and schedules are basically the same. It will at least get you started in the right direction.

Thanks I have fixed the thread and will move engine questions to mercury portion. Can you retitle this thread need help with bimini, steering wheel?

 

[RSVRMAN]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Unless you're rowing really fast, when you're pulling wakeboarders, the engine is running, recharging the battery.

Yup good point. Little do my friends know I've removed the engine and replaced it with a fixed bicycle sprocket. They will have to work for that wake!

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

Re: Spring prep final inspections and questions. Part identification, Lubricants, Bim

i've removed the engine and replaced it with a fixed bicycle sprocket. They will have to work for that wake!

brilliant!!!