CONTINUOUSWAVE

dtmackey

Q1: Do you have to lower the engine in turns? In wide sweeping turns it should be fine, but in tighter turns you would drop the motor a little bit. Q2: Have you done any modifications to the hull to make it more stable? My boat is currently stable and ran 42.5mph with the Yamaha 2 stroke 70. Based ...

dtmackey

As of 11 Jan 2021, the local dealer here still has six E-TEC engines available. Not much moving in the winter months around here.

one 200-HP E-TEC G2
two 150-HP E-TEC G2
one115-HP E-TEC G2
two 30-HP legacy E-TEC

dtmackey

Hmm, might be more to it than than i thought. I have some leftover west system 105/205 epoxy and I've typically used Epifanes clear varnish. West makes a special hardner for clear coating that has UV protection and also is more "bubble free" because if has better flow properties to thin o...

dtmackey

"epoxy" and "varnish" leave a lot open to chance. Specificially what brand and type of each are you considering? Some epoxies are not intended for clearcoating wood and won't stand up as well, others have special hardners designed for clear coating. I've been down this road befor...

dtmackey

The original spark plugs were OEM Champion RA8HC with a 1.00 mm gap, and they were worn looking and rusty at the bases. I could not get the Champion plugs, and I put in NGK DCPR7E. That Champion plug is available at any automotive store - visit Autozone, NAPA or Advanced Auto parts and they run $2....

dtmackey

Thanks for the responses. Has anyone used the Petit EZ-Poxy Performance Enhancer 3021 in their varnish process? Claims of the varnish being harder and glossier intrigue me. The name is deceiving with EZ-Poxy, it sounded like it was more inteneded for epoxy based paints. It's sounds like a standard ...

dtmackey

"Best varnish" is a subjective question. Over the past 40 years I've tried many and formulations have also changed in the time as well. I am currently a big fan of Epifanes clear that has a high level of UV inhibitors. The trick with any varnish is many layer and once you are in the seven-...

dtmackey

I'm assuming you primed with an epoxy primer as they are usually the best for building a great base that adheres to your topcoat. On my projects, I sand the primer with anywhere from 180 grit to 320 grit depending on how the surface looks and the level of finish I'm looking for. There are many facto...

dtmackey

When you have a chance can you explain the selection of the jackplate. Why add one? Pros, cons? Which models did you investigate? Why this brand/model? What will you do to offset the added stern weight? Thanks Dave. Hi Phil, Great questions and I thought about this quite a bit before buying a jack ...

dtmackey

After a crazy year from health reasons and Covid restictions, Santa showed up a little early with a new repower gift for the Whaler, Brand new Yamaha F70. https://i.imgur.com/AhazqF5m.jpg Hydraulic jackplate, TH Marine Microjacker. https://i.imgur.com/UjfoEnlm.jpg I'll install sometime in April/May ...

dtmackey

Motor is SOLD.

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dtmackey

I've accepted a deposit on the motor so the status is now PENDING until the buyer picks up. This may take a week or two since he's out of state and we are working out the pickup details.

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dtmackey

An update. Wrapped up my last chemo infusion this morning and I’m now home. Feels good to be at the end of this journey that began back on May 5th. I will have outpatient visits for blood and platelets over the next 4 weeks since my immune system and bone marrow are recovering and unable to provide ...

dtmackey

Thank you for filling in the missing year Phil.

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dtmackey

For-sale: my 70hp two stroke from my Whaler and ordering a new F70. Thought I'd try something different. This motor has been a solid performer with no problems. I purchased it from a gentleman that had his boat originally on a NH lake and this boat is used sparingly. My Whaler has been much of the s...

dtmackey

Back in 2003 when I replaced my 1990 Johnson 225 with a 2003 Mercury Optimax 225 I asked the dealer about the color of decals on the 225s. He said the blue decals were for salt water and had more stainless steel in them, but seems after 17 years I forget where the extra stainless was located. I for...

dtmackey

Diagnosis by internet is amusing. Being there to hear, see and feel makes a big difference in narrowing it down quickly.

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dtmackey

In haphazardly read the thread and didn't see where there were any tests done on the gauge or sending units to verify they are registering correctly before throwing parts at the motors. Since the senders and guages are not calibrated, I've see difference in temps on motors. When ever I have a temp q...

dtmackey

I love the way many people think running an outboard in saltwater is like running it in acid. Back before flushing ports the engine got flushed when it was pulled for the season. We never had any corrosion problems. And when I pass through the harbor, I still see 1980's and older engines still in u...

dtmackey

You must have the "small block" 2.6L E-TEC which has a filter. It is important to note the the arrow on the filter is installed AGAINST the flow of oil otherwise it will develop vaccum bubbles and throw an alarm. This seems counterintuitive, but the Evrinde manual and service bullietins st...

dtmackey

I've found that I need to remove the bilge cover to access my plug, so I used a scotch plastic (Velcro like) material that uses little balls and sockets to secure it and it's still easy to remove. https://www.scotchbrand.com/3M/en_CA/scotch-brand-ca/all-products/products/~/Scotch-Extreme-Fasteners-R...

dtmackey

My [15-foot] Boston Whaler boat came from New Hampshire, which is also a non-title state. I had no problem registering in Massachusetts two years ago. I was able to pay the sale tax on-line. I visited the office in Boston to register with the required information—less title—and the process was painl...

dtmackey

Getting the hull weight down to only 167-lbs from the initial waterlogged weight of 484-lbs only took 18-years. The total weight loss was thus 317-lbs, for an average of about 18-lbs-per-year, but in truth, more weight loss per year in the first ten years. 18 years and still more to go. What I find...

dtmackey

No surprise with the move to brand Evinrude XD oils under the XPS line and use packaging that's already in use and in far greater demand than the previous Envinrude version. The streamline approach will save BRP money and should have been done years ago. XPS oil for SkiDoo is very different than for...

dtmackey

Arrived Mass General Boston May 5th and started the chemo regime the following Monday. The chemo wasn't that bad as each day it was building in my system. Yes, it did some funky things, but when I was taken off chemo, that's when it really took it's toll with all the unpleasent things. That lasted a...

dtmackey

As the happy owner of a 2006 Etec 250 that has been a rock solid performer, the decsion for Evinrude to stop production does not come as a surprise at all. The stigma of a "2 stroke" has been around since the late 90s and early 2000's where Merc, Yamaha and OMC pumped out countless direct ...

dtmackey

Over the past 2 months my energy/motivation level has been decreasing, but slow enough so I was able to make excuses and blame it on being shut in due to Covid-19. Well by Monday it was so low I knew I couldn't make anymore excused and visited the doctor. A quick chest X-ray showed a dark area, so t...

dtmackey

The bow area is slick when wet... I concur with your observations and think this was a big safety hazard failing in the 15-foot model. I found that front area to be like a big ice skating area when wet, no matter what boat shoe was worn and thought this back in the 1980's and also today. When I did...

dtmackey

Are you...countersinking the pan head screws? Pan head screws do not get countersunk. I've always found plenty of room between the black insert and the rail to run the wiring for the bow light. Inserting the black piece is muich easier when warm and best in direct sunlight. A rubber mallet makes qu...

dtmackey

If you go with the original style rub rail it loves to stay in the nice tight small coil and will fight you all the way. One way to make it easier and condition the rub rail is to grab two 2x4x12 at your local lumber yard and roll the rigid portion of the rub rail against that and clamp with hand ac...

dtmackey

What size and length screws do you use to install a new three-piece rubrail on a classic 13? The rub rail only comes in one size and fits 13 to 17' hulls. Plan for screws every 3 to 4-inches, and maybe a bit closer in the bow radius. If memory serves be correctly, I used stainless sheet metal, Phil...

dtmackey

Actually, the flag disposal at Fire Depts is already widespread, maybe not in your local region, but I've looked at hundreds of designs and think I'm going to come up with my own. https://i.imgur.com/sRcCTbyl.jpg Speaking more of flags and opening up on a little history, here's a few pics from when ...

dtmackey

ASIDE on heated garage: our house used to have a heated garage, although the garage was not really insulated at all. The heating cost was excessive, but in a Michigan winter, the heated garage was also a problem for older car engines, say c.1970. If you started the car on a cold winter morning in t...

dtmackey

L78steve wrote:Thank you for the advise. I have been waiting several days between coats due to slow drying and not being able to sand while sticky.

Sorry Steve, I omitted one small factor that affects my dry time. My garage is heated and I keep it at 75 degrees which gives me a 24 hour re-coat time window.

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dtmackey

If you go with the original style rub rail it loves to stay in the nice tight small coil and will fight you all the way. One way to make it easier and condition the rub rail is to grab two 2x4x12 at your local lumber yard and roll the rigid portion of the rub rail against that and clamp with hand ac...

dtmackey

I'm currently restoring my wood parts. How much dry time are you allowing for the Epifanes before you sand? And how much are you thinning the Epifanes for the foam brush app? first coat was thinned about 30% and I don't use the same thinner they recommend, instead I use an reducer from automotive p...

dtmackey

Out of the two ways to create non-skid that were presented, I prefer the sand, but with Awlgrip instead of gelcoat since it provides more options if customizing. You can add a flattening agent in the topcoats over the griptex sand mixture to "mute" the non-skid shine as done in these pics....

dtmackey

Phil T wrote:Between you and Bob,

He's buying paint this week. I may drive up there and shoot the primer for him and then he will roll and tip the topcoat.

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dtmackey

Taking advantage of the Corona virus lockdown and getting the varnishing done. 2 more coats of foam brush applied Epifanes (sanded 320 between coats) followed by 2 coats of sprayed urethane clear with a 10 min flash dry between coats. Clear is about 1 mil per coat and really brings out the gloss and...

dtmackey

No flange or insert, just the normin pin that screws together and makes contact with the gelcoat. Looks like someone made a modification in that pic.

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dtmackey

Whaler used Philippine Mahogany that was lighter in color (less red), but this species of wood is difficult to find due to all the regulation of deforestation and some debate if it's actually a true mahogany (see provided link below). Whaler did not apply any stain and it was varnish only. The more ...

dtmackey

Sounds about right Jim, I still have a 1990's vintage Tohatsu 5hp, purchased new and now sitting on an engine stand in the basement and it's a clone to the Merc 5hp 2 stroke and also built at the plant in Japan. The relationship you mention, I do not believe has a connection to the Merc plant in Chi...

dtmackey

Most of Mercury's smaller engines are made by Tohatsu. Yamaha used to make them up until early 90's. Clarification: Mercury outboard engines under 30-HP do share a relationship with Tohatsu. Mercury outboard 40, 50 and 60-HP are built in China at the Mercury manufacturing facility in Suzhou China w...

dtmackey

Mercury has been building outboards for years in China in the 60hp and below power ratings.

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dtmackey

[Strongly endorsed] Phil's advice: You need to weigh the hull before you do anything. The hull may have minimal water or be very staturated. By weighing it, you will get a better idea [of the weight gain that may be due to water ingress into the hull]. My guess: the brass drain tubes failed and wate...

dtmackey

Usually soft spots are on the deck. They are usually where the wood underneath was compromised and is soft from rot. Voids usually occur on the sides or bottom and are usually due to the foam shrinking and making a void between the outer hull and foam. I'm sure waterlogged foam does not hold up wel...

dtmackey

Ideally [an outboard engine] should be in the third hole for the most efficient mounting location. There is less gear case in the water , and that allows for better efficiency. [This mounting height] also prevents the bolts from being buried in the bottom of the motor well.[I believe here the intent...

dtmackey

All ramps in Gloucester MA have been closed to all non-emergency boating activities. The concern is surrounding cities and towns would follow suit in that decision process. Since most ramps have no gates, if they do close, I may be pulling a 2AM launching to get my center console on its seasonal moo...

dtmackey

biggiefl wrote:I did a 40, 70 and 115hp.

I've done plenty over the years and have local dealers that would probably sell me a crate motor to me without question if I went back to have them look at the install and activate the warranty, but that's not he norm, rather the exception.

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dtmackey

In the past, I've used the downloadable templates at the Teleflex website. That'd be a great place to look. Google also will return a number of templates as well.

http://www.seastarsolutions.com

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