posted 07-22-2003 12:06 PM ET (US)        

Stern cleats...the boat appears to only have the one 8 inch bow cleat. Other than the two ski eyes on the transom, is there any other place to tie a line for docking?

How much storage is there in the console? Enough for seven life jackets, tools, etc...?

My dealer says the 90HP 4stroke come with a aluminum prop, was this a change from 2002 when stainless was standard for the 4stroke?

I'm sure the dealer will go over this, but how long is the break in period with the 4stroke and what do you have to do?

Has anyone done a true GPS fuel economy study...my old Johnson 90 2stroke got about 3.5 mph. I expect much more from the 4stroke

VHF radio installation...I like how Tabasco mounted his radio, about knee high, but I did not see how he mounted the antenna. I was planning on coming out the starboard side of the console with a nylon 90° surface mount bracket with a 3 foot 5241R Shakespere antenna. Is it possible to split the antenna line for dual use AMFM/VHF?

AM/FM radio installation...Tabasco has his mounted just above the cup holders, the dealer tells me the wiring harness is directly behind this area and painfull to move.

Gas Tanks...Nauset Marine wants $595 for a 24 gallon Pate tank, Russo's doesn't even offer it. I was considering using two 13 gallon Tempo tanks. If I use the twin 13's, can I use the existing tie-down hardware and do i have to move the the mounting locations of the tie down hardware? If you do have to move it, what do you fill the old holes with?

Does Pate have a website?

Does the hull come from the factory waxed? Do I need to wax the hull, what do I use?

The boat will be used in salt water (Nantucket Sound) and be stored in indoor rack storage. I do not plan on painting the hull.

posted 07-22-2003 01:42 PM ET (US)            

Barney,

posted 07-23-2003 12:20 AM ET (US)         

You can mount cleats on the rear gunnels; there is wood there. A copy of the wood in your boat will come with it. Evidently the 2004s come with the cleats. Check and see where they are mounted.

"....How much storage is there in the console? Enough for seven life jackets, tools, ...."

posted 07-23-2003 10:12 PM ET (US)            

Can you email me pictures of your 13 Gallon external fuel tank install?

It's the Tempo 14.5x20x14 13 gallone tank, correct? Tempo makes two 13 gallon styles.

West Marine will supposedly pricematch Bass Pro, so I will be picking them up tommorrow.

thanks,

posted 07-24-2003 08:09 PM ET (US)            

I did have an issue, though. The motor seemed to clunk a little too much in and out of gear. The dealer assured me that this was normal and even started another 4stroke to show me. The mechanic did adjust the shift linkage and it seemed to make the clunk less noticable. Has anyone else seen this with the Mercury 90HP 4strokes?

posted 07-25-2003 12:07 AM ET (US)            

I mounted a stainless ratchting antenna mount just above the floor on the side of the console and just ahead of the fire ex. pocket. I have an 8 foot whip on it and it folds down onto the bow cushion for towing.

THIS IS A PERFECT LOCATION GUYS!!

NO it does not get in the way of the console cover when it is collapsed down.

posted 07-25-2003 08:47 AM ET (US)            

Good luck with the new rig.

posted 07-25-2003 11:58 AM ET (US)            

the SS prop weighs more.

posted 07-26-2003 09:20 PM ET (US)            

Two issues came up. My volt gauge has some condensation in it and the throttle friction needs to be adjusted. The throttle would back off slowly if left alone.

posted 07-27-2003 07:05 PM ET (US)            

First hour: no more than 3500 RPM, vary throttle
Second hour: no more than 4500 RPM, vary throttle
Next 10 hours: Vary throttle otherwise no restrictions

I had put about four hours on the motor prior to WOT.

Fuel consumption is great. I may have burn ~3-4 gallons so far.

Anyway, boat goes back to the dealer this week for the sun top installation. I will also have them change out the voltage gauge (condensation) and see what they can do about the throttle slippage. The owner's manual showed a friction adjustment for the control.

This week should be fun. I will be installing the VHF, antenna, hour meter, and the two 13 gallon Tempo tanks.

I bought the Standard Horizon Eclipse+ with a 3 foot shakespere whip. I plan on using a SS railing clamp to mount the antenna with a SS gromet for the cable. I am going to flush mount the radio below the control. I read the earlier postings about cutting through the console, plan on using my dremel tool.

I plan on mounting a TeleflexMorse hour meter somewhere tucked under the console. I studied the wiring diagrams provided but did not see a dedicated line off the switch. I think I read that the purple wire off the ignition switch is the one to use. Can anyone confirm this?

This boat really trailers nice and recovery is very easy.

posted 08-03-2003 01:26 PM ET (US)            

An individual dealer may have a relationship with Wm. J. Mills & Co. to sell their canvas.

Generally you can easily identify the Mills product by the sewn in silk label, which has about the same (excellent) longevity as the sunbrella fabric they use.

There was some recent discussion of this topic contained in the thread below to which I provide a clickable hyperlink:

posted 08-03-2003 04:11 PM ET (US)            

Russo's was unable to get a canvas from Mills. Yes, the deal directly with Mills. I was promised that the top would be in on Tuesday, reassured again that the Thursday, and finally told on Friday morning that they didn't have the top and could not promise me a date. All the while they held my boat. As a matter of closing the boat deal, they told me the top would be one week later than the boat pick up date.

This experience with Russo's left a bad taste in my mouth. They should have told me originally that they didn't have the top yet. Anyways, I have the boat back, but without a top. Let this be a caveat for those looking to purchase from Russo's Marine.

I plan on ordering directly from Mills and will probably get the dodger as well. I will do the install myself.

Russo's also gave me a hard time about the fogged gauges. They claimed that this was 'normal'. Finally, after a confrontation, they swapped the fogged voltage gauge with a good one from the show Montauk.

posted 08-03-2003 08:58 PM ET (US)            

I used 8 inch 'yacht' cleats available at West Marine (~$18 each) with #12 x 1 1/4 SS Oval head screws. After some experimenting, a 7/32 drill is the right size...maybe a bit tight, though. You may have to a bit of reaming with the drill after the hole is complete.

These cleats are identical style to the bow cleat except for the gauge. They are slightly thinner.

I still can't believe this boat came without these standard.

A comment and question for the crew...

On a 2.5 hour cruise of Boston Harbor I burned 5.8 gallons...4.25 MPH from 4stroke.

posted 08-11-2003 10:26 PM ET (US)            

I've recently purchased a 2003 Montuak with the 4 stroke. I want to do the rear cleats too and I ordered two from my BW dealer today, $21 each and they are identical to the front one. I actually emailed Boston Whaler directly and asked them what to do about the cleat issue. They told me to order two cleats, part number 1027010 from the local whaler dealer and I also ordered the screws. The screws are machine screws and Whaler told me to drill and tap the phenolic blocks just behind the railing as you did. I may look into the tanks too, that looks like a mod that's easy to do without changing much. I love my Montauk... If you don't mind me asking, how much did the vhf radio set you back? This has been a very informative thread and I found it by doing a search, thanks.

Later,

posted 08-12-2003 09:56 AM ET (US)            

Radio was ~$150
Antenna was ~$50
SS Antennae mount ~$30
SS grommet ~$3
Bus Bar ~$10
Tinned Marine Wire (I had this left over)
Various marine crimp ends...spades, ringlets (I also had these)

So far I have had no problems. I really like having had wired it through the ACC switch, no bending over to turn on the radio...

Basically, I just energized a bus bar with the ACC switch so future upgrades will be controlled the same way.