Rust never sleeps

Pilar · 03-14-2006, 06:27 AM

Hey all you procrastinators. If you're going fishing in May, it's timeto drag the hole in the water out from under the tree and get it going again.

As mentioned in the sea trials thread we need a thread to sing the blues about getting the old boat going again.

So here it is.

As I mentioned in the sea trials thread my deal is a repower and refit of the venerable 'Kismet'. She lived the life of Reilly for the first 24 years or so. But as my buddy 'Puffin' says

"Retirement? Ha!, you just got out of boot camp and now they are going to shoot at you with real bullets"

This was said to a parts reel that came UPS from Ebay. It looked good enough to fish.

So 'Kismet' got more hard use in the last year than in the last 24 years. As a result the motor finally went away. I decided to deal with some other hard issues too and it turned into a full blown overhaul. Refinish wood, replace broken trim, pull out the fuel tank and get at the stuff behind there, re-do the deck drains in the cockpit, reroute control cables and wiring for the second motor. And I've been at it for 3 months or more.

So you guys that parked a boat last fall that was running don't have as much to do but you are running out of time.

Rust never sleeps.

Bait O' Eggs · 03-14-2006, 06:59 AM

I started about a month ago. I changed the oil in the big outboard. After carefully draining the oil into a bucket, I spilled the bucket in the driveway when I was picking it up

I changed out the fuel filter, I have the racor with the see thru bottom. I always look in the glass portion for water and never see any

Its a new boat and fuel tank why should I see water was always my thought.

I dropped off the glass bottom and saw about 1/16th inch of "gunk" which I didnt see thru the side for some reason. There was not a lot of water but enough to give me concern, at least 2 or 3 tablespoons, maybe I should drain a little out the pitcock once in a while to purge the water

Cleaned the glass bottom and installed a new filter/water seperator. Replaced the spare filter in the glovebox I used.

Found a couple small fuel filters on the motor, thinking maybe I should change them also

Installed radar on the boat in the last week, and it seems fully functional

Getting it out of the driveway and on the water will be helpful to fully evaluate the radar, though the neighbors car appears to show up in his driveway

As I mentioned in the other thread, I smoked my keyswitch with a short circuit hooking up a second fuse block for the radar.

Will order a new keyswitch today. :tongue:

Still have to get the GPS receiver up about 20 inches to clear from the radar hazard window. I need to get a folding bracket and an extension to raise the receiver to accomplish the goal.

I want to tear each of the 4 wheel bearings out yet and inspect them. Get a couple spare wheel bearings for the glovebox and vac pac them to keep the salt air off them. Not sure how my surge disc brakes held up last year, I will look those over when I do the bearings. Hopefully the pads wont need replaced.

A couple boat bucks in upgrades and repairs and I should be ready to kill a halibut I dont even care to eat.

Flush Release · 03-14-2006, 07:06 AM

Like 30 years of neglected and haywire electic an mechanical practices on my Tolly that I will be addressing forever to correct.

New proper size shaft struts/bearings going in as soon as I make them along with the "other" stuff

Nice thing is you know what you have when finished if there is such a word

Getting close to the time of "need to start working on it again!"

Spoiled Daddy · 03-14-2006, 07:08 AM

Because of the much smaller size of my boat, I probably have less to worry about. In the last week of inspections, I have found a few problems. #1 is an apparent ground problem to both my FF and my VHF radio. It's time to get under the dash and start poking around to find and correct the problem. Hopefully it is just corrosion. I also need to change the oil in both motors and include the lower units. And the water seperator filter is due for its annual change.

Just little things that keep me busy in the shop. Now if the ocean would settle down enough to get out and chase a ling or two...

the Spoiled Daddy

skein · 03-14-2006, 07:36 AM

My batteries are now 3+ years old, so I think two new ones will keep me happy. One of the old ones can become my spare (since the old spare went in the horse trailer :tongue: )

Change oil and filter, lower-unit lube, water separator, and in-line fuel filters.

Check air in trailer tires, and make sure the lug nuts can be loosened if need be. Check disc brakes. Check trailer wiring.

I add a can of Heet everytime I fuel up, and that helps a bunch with condensation. I will throw out the old gas in the spare tank I carry. (maybe give it to the riding lawnmower)

Then out to the lake for a cruise.

Skein

bajadan2000 · 03-14-2006, 07:38 AM

Buffed the rust off of the rudder tiller arm and painted it last weekend.

Another small project I am in the middle of, replacing manifolds and risers. Then tune up the engine.

Crustycritter · 03-14-2006, 07:41 AM

I went over and started the engines a couple of weeks ago and they started and purred like new :grin:, but then upon further inspection inoticed a trickle of water under the engine dripping into the bilge :shocked:. Tracked it down and found that one of the intake hoses had a leak at the seal before the impeller.

Now you know what this means;

1. Pulling and replacing old hoses on both engines.
2. Changing out the impellars on both engines.
3. replacing the belts on both engines.

Just another weekend of boat ownership.

Flush Release · 03-14-2006, 08:28 AM

I missed one exhaust elbow fitting drain during the freeze and cracked one of my new elbows

Need to troubleshoot my twinscan and find out why it won't reset.
Got a little fluxuation in one of my digital tachs.
And a list of things to do that I don't even want to think about right now

May do the first of the spring running sometime next week to see how things faired over the winter.

At least I don't have to drive to the coast when I need to fix things

Something Good · 03-14-2006, 09:14 AM

You guys have a lot of energy. My old boat ran out of warranty so I sold it and ordered a new one. Easiest way to work the bugs out of the old boat.

tomictime · 03-14-2006, 09:55 AM

Das Boot: replace 1 batt in far corner that I can not see water level on (#$#@!!!!), cleanup TR-1 gut-job, replace Racors for main and kicker (YEP! one for the kicker), replace all internal to cowl Yami filters, change oil in MO's, lower units and remove props, greese splines (OMC triple Grd!), new SS pins, old ones go into tool tote as spare x spares..no wonder I need a F-250 to plane??? Drain Wallas tank, refill with freshy freshy, light stove and let her run for hour. Pull bat switches, hose down backside with corossion block, ditto for all Downrigger sockets, shrimp hauler any electrical connections at remote station. Run garden hose to bilge to check B pump operation and verify the float switches work. Purge the RV antifreeze out of the water tanks.
Trailer: all 4 wheels get new races, bearings, seals. This year is spindle re-sleeve time and the brake lines have lost the battle to logging road rocks, will go with hose I think this time. A roller or two need be replaced. Also check that bunk fasterners are way below surface level - ouch on hull if not. Lube city for winch.
Upgrades: install DSC radio in front :smile:
all in all fun, but it aint fishing...YET

Pilar · 03-14-2006, 10:16 AM

Yeah, baby.

I knew I was not the only one. Buying a new boat is good for about a year ... but the payments last much longer than that.

You can tell it's spring time when you go to the trailer supply place or the boat parts supplier ... and there are empty, dust free spots on the shelves ... where the stuff you needed to buy used to be.

So a list...

Check seawater circ systems, inboard belt driven and outdrive or outboard.

Check out trailer bearings, brakes and lights/wiring.

Check out electrical on boats .. batteries, ground side of all circuits and all cables. Clean as necessary and treat with liquid vinyl, cosmoline or battery terminal coating.

Test all electronics on the boat.

Clean up fuel system and replace filters and water separator elements.

Many other things to check. Like I always say

Fix it in your driveway, not at the boatramp.

Happy spring.

SeaJayOR · 03-14-2006, 11:18 AM

"Fix it in your driveway, not at the boatramp."

Or on the water.....

CJ

Tacklebuster · 03-14-2006, 11:30 AM

My boat sat most of the winter, a first for me

Oil in my big motor was changed along with filter, fuel filters, and water seperater before storage (Oct). Lower unit oil was also changed. Fuel cell was topped off and a double dose of Stabil added to the tank.

When I pulled her out a few weeks ago, I changed the oil in my T8 and swapped out the lower unit lube. Spark plugs were changed in both motors, electronics, wires, connectors, and seat bases were treated with Corrosion Block. I also pulled the cowling off both Yammies and sprayed the blocks and wires with Corrosion Block as well.

Pulled the tires and treated my brakes and drums with Corrosion Block and scrubbed a bit of rust off. Looked at my oil bath hubs and all "seemed" fine. Pulled the boat on a 120 mile trip to test her out both on and off the water and all was well. No hot wheels, everything worked.

The only thing that bugs me is a battery issue. My batt 1 seems to not be holding a good charge. It started last summer and sometimes when I fire the motor when my sonar/gps is on, my sonar/gps unit dies. The motor also turns over slower than when it's on batt 2. The weird thing is both batts are about the same on my voltage meter when I'm running them

Got her scrubbed down, water and road tested, and my mouth is starting to foam. Come on ocean... Lay Down

CATCH AND EAT · 03-14-2006, 12:03 PM

Cindy Lou went through an extensive maintaince program back at the first of December. Pulled the motor and outdrive, New gimbal, impeller, clean up some rust on the PS pulley, clean up some suspect wiring, get the original livewell (10gallon) working, install new 30 gallon livewell with continuous use pump, detail boat inside and out, paint some rusty motor brackets just because, new motor mounts, clean zincs, new wheel bearings and last but not least she will be heading to Rodgers to have a new GPS fishfinder installed. Cha- ching, cha ching, cha ching $$$$.$$

Flush Release · 03-14-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

You guys have a lot of energy. My old boat ran out of warranty so I sold it and ordered a new one. Easiest way to work the bugs out of the old boat.

Wish it could be that ea$y. To replace this thing I got with a new one of comparability would cost around 300K

Besides it keeps me busy on my off time

D-tangle · 03-14-2006, 03:11 PM

Pilar,
Right on the money. Do it now. I untarped my boat, double-checked all connections, filled-up with new gas, drained old gas out of the line to prime the new-stuff to the carbs, and fired it up with the old plugs in it. Ran great (150 OB Merc). Changed plugs anyway --(they do get old and misfire occasionally). Trolling motor needed a bit of TLC, but it finally fired. New plugs for it also.

Last year, got under the dash and cleaned all connections and zip-lined them all neatly in place so they don't dangle all over. Pain in the neck under there.
Found a problem with the steering cable: rusted inside near the motor, making it hard to turn. Tomorrow, I will remove the rod and ream-out the tube to clear the rust. Re-grease and the salmon are almost on the Barbie. Ooo la la. Great Expectations, but we live for such things.

Reel Creel · 03-14-2006, 05:03 PM

Tune it up, change all the oils and filters ( kicker too ) Greese the wheels ajust the breaks. make sure that all the lights work. Give the thing what ever it needs to stay in good operating condition. I try to use the thing all year.

Woody · 03-14-2006, 05:16 PM

I just spent $400 for 6 gallons of epoxy and some misc supplies at Tap Plastics. Later this week, I'm taking advantage of my employers contractors discount and buy 6 sheets of 3/4" marine plywood.

One step closer

Just A Little Chrome · 03-14-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

You guys have a lot of energy. My old boat ran out of warranty so I sold it and ordered a new one. Easiest way to work the bugs out of the old boat.

Hey that sounds like my new boat

Out of warranty? I hope that means except for one year on motors and 10 years on the hull?

Hooked on Fish · 03-14-2006, 07:07 PM

Painted anchor and chain - installed new rope - replaced windshield broken while hitting dog on rough water last year - installed radar, depth sounder, gps, radar post - extended anchor light - new heavier gauge ignition wire - installed new marine stereo cd - new upgraded radio - repaired wiring for alarm, work lights, cigarette lighter, and horn, - installed mag/eze anchor release - installed 3rd battery for extra electronics - installed new heavy duty alternator - installed 2nd fuse box - installed new switch panel at fish deck for work light and rear mag/eze release - changed oil and went to mobile one synthetic - water seperator filter - oil filter - service kicker - changed antifreeze - replaced alternator belt - acid washed hull - chrome polished hull (Pain in the ???) greased bearing on trailer - dropped bucket on jet, measured clearance of impeller - cleaned bilge - installed new flow jet washdown pump and plumbed hose through heat exchanger -

Will be finishing polishing and waxing this weekend.
Can we go fishing now?

hrspowr · 03-14-2006, 07:15 PM

Spent the last few months re-wiring, new gauges, teak refinishing, installing engine monitoring and alarms, tune up and water pumps for both main and kicker. Removecd, cleaned and powder coated the exhaust manifolds, replaced all hoses and clamps....(for reference, you should NOT use automotive clamps in a boat! Ask me for proof!).

Sunday dragged it to the lake that is convienently 2 minutes from the house. Fired and ran like a champ.

This should get me through this year while I gather parts to ditch the OMC outdrive and install new motor and drive next winter!
Found the typical issues though! Water temp gauge non-functional, new depthfinder not working, trailer has issues etc.

Best thing is, the combined total of all $$ spent over the last several months work out to less then 2 payments on a new hole in the ocean!

skybuster · 03-14-2006, 07:53 PM

Here is a quick fix to a problem that I have had a couple times with my 9.9 merc kicker.

On about 3 occasions now I have had a problem with a sticky float in the carb. The problem was noticeable when I started the engine after it sat a while. The engine ran fine, but soon a large sheen of gas was visible on the water. The first time it happened I thought I had a hole in the fuel line so I replaced it, but it still leaked. I talked to a guide friend and he had the same problem with his, so he said bring it over. He took the carb apart, blew into it, reassembled it, and it was fixed.

Well about a year later I was preparing to leave the dock and was warming up the engine when I noticed the sheen. I told my friends we were probably done for that afternoon as I would have to put the boat on the trailer because I didn't feel comfortable taking the carb apart on the water. I knew I would drop valuable parts into the drink.

My friend really wanted to fish so he started tinkering. He ended up using a piece of tubing for building spinners and inserting it into the air intake of the carb. He sealed the thing as best he could and blew as hard as he could into the tube as I revved the engine. To my amazement this solved the problem.

It happened one other time and the tube worked again.

South Paw · 03-14-2006, 09:33 PM

Did I say grease your axle bearings? O #@%* I forgot. Well I wanted to spend my davit and wash down pump money on a new axle anyway. Bet I won't forget to do that again. Thanks Reel Creel and Puffin for the help.

Taylor's viewpoint · 03-14-2006, 10:10 PM

I didn't want to do all of the above stuff so I bought a new boat. I hope I don't have to do very much until next year. I am running sea trials to get to know the boat and how she operates.
TV

Ramstrong · 03-15-2006, 04:07 AM

Hey Roy, If you don't care to eat that Halibut, I'll send you some vac bags and pay for overnight shipping

I've resorted to (shudder) eating Trader Joe's Salmon and Cod for my fish. I won't touch a thing that comes out of these waters and my salmon from last fall ran out months ago.

It's threads like this that make me glad I'm a boat ho. At least for now.

San Anita · 03-15-2006, 05:22 AM

:grin: Ive been spending most evenings sitting in my new ride in the driveway trying to leard how to operate everything. So Far so good. I just learned Ive got a tilt stearing wheel. Im sure Ill have a few surprises in the opener. Hopefully nothing to interfer with the fishing.
Bill

id. painter · 03-15-2006, 06:39 AM

Last trip in my boat was tuna at 50 miles out . Two days in a row.
Parked teh boat in teh garage and there it sat .
I started the process about two weeks ago .
Both Batteries were dead ,,

( Shrot some where.)
Then after two new batteries ,one of teh down riggers would only get a weak current .
I ended up tearing the rear eletrical apart several times trying to fing the broken cable that was repaired and disguised by the boat tec. about 4 years ago .

.
But I fired her up yesterday and it worked.
So I think we are ready ....Fingers crossed.
Rust never sleeps.
id. p.

CATCH AND EAT · 03-15-2006, 07:17 AM

Quote:

:grin: Ive been spending most evenings sitting in my new ride in the driveway trying to leard how to operate everything. Bill

Bill, do you sit there and make those "varroooom....varroooomm" noises while turning the wheel back and forth too? :grin:

bellinghamangler · 03-15-2006, 08:02 AM

I love boat maintenance! In the last 2 months I've added a TR1, changed both motor's lower unit oils and plugs, raised the main up one bolt hole (added 200 rpm and 2 mph to the top end), greased all fittings, installed a new BlueSea bus pannel for the forward electronics, added a hydrofoil (much less porpoising) and scrubbed the whole thing from stem to stern with Joy. I took it out on the Columbia yesterday for a good long shakedown and everything went very well. The F/V Greased Pig is ready for a trip to Vancouver Island in 2 weeks!!

fishindude · 03-15-2006, 11:15 AM

B-O-A-T

Bust Out Another Thousand $$$

id. painter · 03-15-2006, 11:28 AM

Bring on another tuna. Thats really what BOAT stands for .
Ignore the expense or youll give it up. Hiho.
id. p.

San Anita · 03-15-2006, 12:52 PM

No, the varoom sound doesnt fit, its a diesel so I rattle a can of marbles slow and fast to make the go fast effect.

And B-O-A-T is Break Out Another TEN thousand.

Flush Release · 03-15-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

B-O-A-T

Bust Out Another Thousand $$$

Yup or 10 just in case

Metal Manipulator · 03-15-2006, 05:04 PM

Run your kicker out of gas and you will avoid this problem. What is happening is the gas is turning to laquer and plugging up your jets. I also helps to keep water out of the carb if you do this.

Metal Manipulator · 03-15-2006, 05:08 PM

Put one of those small bettery maintainers on if you let your boat set for over one week and your batteries will thank you for it. Mine is the size of a wall wort and also has a de-sulfiting mode to keep your battery at its maximum performsnce.

Chrome Bumper · 03-16-2006, 03:39 PM

Lets see for springers, change the oil in the honda engine and lower unit. Gas up (3 gallons). Check the safety gear, throw in the plug, bait and beverages. Hmm $20 bucks total, gotta like little boats.

San Anita · 03-17-2006, 05:19 AM

HMM. Ready for the Halibut opener or chase Tuna in July, check 3 batteries and replace if any doubt, change oil in kicker and diesel, fill tank with fuel, 134 gallons at $2.79 per, if lucky :shocked:
check electronics, check backup electronics, check VHF,check backup VHF,make sure have lots of extra batteries,check life jackets,load up 8 to 10 very expensive rods and reels, check flares, check wheel bearings on trailer for a 2 to 3 hour tow etc,etc,etc..........
2 hours out to sea, slam lots of great eating fish, usually one to two hundred pounds, and see have a fantasic adventure. :grin: Bill

CATCH AND EAT · 03-17-2006, 09:19 AM

We did a little river shakedown yesterday on Cindy Lou. Ran great until she really warmed up. Left the dock at the glisan ramp and started to run down river. 3800 rpm and she started cutting out. Suspect a plug, wire, cap, rotor....

Oh well, it was good to get out.

While we were out there we decided to run the kicker for a little while too so we did some trolling for springers. Pop's had the lucky hand yesterday and landed this nice 18.6lb table fair. Picture looks a little dark because it was later in the PM when we took it. Great to be back out again. Just wishing it was in the salt.

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1ofthesedays · 03-18-2006, 06:38 PM

I do know this has probably been said, I have not seen it. Seems that we are getting ready to rock and roll. The trailer. Check the wheel bearings. Simple, tow and touch the hubs with fingers, slightly warm O,K,. Hot there is an issue. Many miles on my rig and still going strong. Thanks, Ron