Search results

After a 20 minute trip, with the engine running great, and then slow trolling around my destination for a couple of minutes my engine suddenly died. Upon restart it made a horrible fast clanking/banging noise and I shut it down immediately. Got towed back to home slip. Upon inspection, # 5...

The single lever shift on my Bravo II has always been a little difficult to shift. It's especially annoying when maneuvering in tight spaces because it tends to over shift and apply too much throttle, often requiring a quick reverse shift which also tends to overshoot the throttle. I have done...

After re-mounting my Bravo 2 outdrive a few days later gear oil is leaking out the seam where the outdrive meets the bell housing. It seems the gear lube O ring is not sealing. It's a new O ring and it looks identical to the the old one that never leaked as far as I know. I cleaned the mating...

I bought a brand new Mercury gimbal bearing but it doesn't have a grease hole. Is this normal? The Bravo manual has instructions on positioning the GB grease hole to align with the grease fitting channel so I'm assuming that a grease hole is needed. The GB came in the bellows replacement kit...

I'm replacing my bellows and want to paint many parts of the outdrive that are normally inaccessible. What kind of paint should I use? Many of these inaccessible areas still have contact with salt water but are not normally accessible for annual anti-fouling paint. I recognize that...

My outdrive seems to have excessive steering play side-to-side. It looks like the Gimbal Ring U-bolt is not tight enough. I plan to re-torque it, but I suspect the U-bolt is stretched and may break. My question is can the U-bolt be replaced without significant disassembly? I will be changing...

Merc has a cheaper E-coated manifold, riser, etc that is price competitive with aftermarket equipment. I think these are relatively new. I've googled around and can't find much information. One post said they are the same as Merc's standard ceramic manifolds except for the coating. Also the...

I decided to pull my exhaust elbow and risers for inspection. It looks like an easy job, but I am perplexed on how to get the exhaust riser off. I removed the four exhaust riser nuts and the four hose clamps holding the rubber boot. I also managed to loosen that rubber boot by prying under...

My 1995 Sea Ray has some pretty grungy looking hydraulic braided trim hoses. Nothing leaking that I can see and trim works good. Should I change the hoses for preventive maintenance purposes or do they generally "last forever". I'll be doing it myself and new hoses cost maybe $150. Be happy...

I know hurricane Earl may not be a direct hit on Long Island, but I'm wondering if anyone is pulling their boat. If Earl's track changes to directly hit L.I. would you pull your boat? And lastly, I know this is impossible for anyone to answer, but should I pull my boat? I'm in a Marina...

I am looking for a new depth finder but the units I see have a minimum depth reading of 2.5 feet. Since the transducer will be mounted in my keel which has a draft of about 2.5 feet. That means the minimum actual water depth I can read will be about 5 feet. Given that the water in my area is...

I may buy another boat and I am concerned that there may be liens against it. How can I discover any liens? I spoke to NY State MV and they will not give me any lien information unless I own the boat. Is there any such thing as title insurance like there is when you buy a home? Thanks.

Where should the shrink wrap zipper door be installed? Last year the shrink wrap guy said it was best to put it on the starboard side about 2-3 feet from the transom. This worked but you had to climb to the top step of a 6' ladder and straddle the gunwale to use the door. Very awkward...

Is it necessary to remove my Bravo II outdrive for winter storage? Most of the marinas seem to recommend removal and some even store the outdrive indoors. Others remove and immediately reinstall the outdrive leaving them outdoors for the winter. Looking at the Sea Ray maintenance manuals I...

My boat is at home on blocks with about 6 points of contact with the bottom. Obviously, I cannot put bottom paint where the boat is supported. The existing paint is in good condition and I am not that concerned as the boat was only in the water 1/2 of last season. However, it would be nice to...

Starting my engine on rabbit ears after winter storage I noticed that no sea water was flowing. After poking around a little I pulled the outlet hose off the sea water pump and I saw no water flow out of the pump. I then pulled the input hose off of the pump and also saw no water flow into the...

There is a warning of tides 2-4 feet below normal tonight and tomorrow in the Long Island, NY area. Apparently gale force winds are possible which may drive the water out to sea causing this unusal low tide. Given that at low tide my slip only has maybe 4 feet of water and my boat's draft is...

A couple of questions: 1) My transporter can use a nearby ramp for free or I can pay the marina to lift the boat for about $250 which includes power washing the bottom. If I power wash the bottom myself at home will it make a mess or smell badly? 2) Should I shrink wrap the boat or just...

I want to have a transporter bring my boat home for the winter and put the boat in my side yard, but I am concerned because they will have to drive over my front lawn and I assume that will damage it. I spoke to one transporter and he said that if I bought 3/4" plywood he would work with me...

Anybody have any good suggestions for replacing my original Sea Ray Lowrance thru hull depthfinder (2 1/4" round gauge)? I'm wondering if a fish finder is a better alternative than a simple depth finder. I did notice that some FF's don't have a decimal place which is a disadvantage in very low...