Paid a mid winter visit to the boat, first time since I put it away in November. Replaced the damp rid containers - too cold to get into any spring waxing yet. Six more weeks or so - we usually get started in March.
Overall just a depressing scene.
So I decided since this boat is new to me, I would send an oil sample off to Blackstone. Here is what they came back with.
Engine: 2014 VP 300 (5.7, raw water cooled) 287hrs.
Oil: Volvo Penta 10w30 mineral oil, 60hrs
Their comments:
"The mechanical parts didn't put much metal in to the oil—the...
Recently replaced my wife's 17yr old Lexus RX with a 2021 Volvo XC60.
Being pre-owned, the car was not perfect (close but it is a used car) and the one thing on it was a pretty good size ding on the passenger side. Dealer took the dent out fine (pretty big about the size of a quarter,) but...
I don't get it, how in the world do you show up for a day on the water mad? If this is not your happy place, then your just an un-happy person. Case in point, two situations I found myself in over the last month -- now keep in mind, I spend at least one day a week out on the water and rarely...
I no longer have a use for this as I am in a dry storage building with no access to power - plus freezing is not an issue inside. I used this on my 290DA and later on the 185 when it was at our dock on a lift. 750w.
$100 + shipping
My Cobalt has a Volvo Penta V8-300 (GM 5.7), it's a 2014 and has catalytic converters in the risers. I have also gone by the old school thought that risers temp should be 110-120deg and you can generally lay your hand on them - my old Mercruiser they were down right cool sometimes, but those...
So a bit of a boneheaded move, or at least my mistake. Had been having issues with the trim since I bought the boat last year (Cobalt R5 - VolvoPenta DPS Drive), all it ended being on the trim was it needed to be blead, I did that this spring and it has been fine. Except -- when I blead the trim...
So before I start this one let me say I feel I am a pretty generous tipper. Always tip well in restaurants and even the takeout meals - we tend to frequent the same places, know the wait staff, so we tip them well. When it comes to the marina, I take care of the dock hands, fuel, pumpout and...
Jarret Bay makes boats that I can only dream about, I've seen a few, but never even been on one. I like watching these videos, the "Jarret Bay Insider", just incredible what goes into building one of these. Even if a sportfisher style boat is not your thing, it's hard not to appreciate what...
Took my boat out for the first time this year on Saturday -- enjoying a unseasonably warm March day. Apparently so was this guy -- it's fairly common to see float plans on LKN, but not usually this close. I don't know what type of plane this is, but appears pretty old -- love the sound of...
Make: SeaRay
Model: 185 Bowrider
Year: 1999
Engine: Mercruiser 4.3 / Alpha I Gen II
Hours: 800
Shorelander galvonized trailer
Boat is in excellent condition.
I purchased it in 2006 from the original owner, it was built in the Vonore, TN plant and delivered to Hall Marine, Lake Wylie SC.
It has...
So after 3 years of looking for the right new boat for me, the day finally came yesterday. Now granted I was not hot the trail, just patiently waiting for the right one. It's a 2014 Cobalt R5 that I bought from an older fellow I had gotten to know - the boat sits across from mine in the dry...
So wife has a 2006 Lexus RX 330. It's her second RX, both white, she isn't into cars at all, typical Lexus, 150k miles and virtually no problems. I always thought we would keep buying Lexus's, we have had several, I currently have a 2004 LS430. All of our Lexus's have been pretty much trouble...
Starting to look for a new (er) boat. Cobalt 242 and 240 Sundeck from the 2007-2009 era are on the list. Main thing is a larger bowrider / dayboat, but must have a usable head - wife's one requirement. The Cobalt head is big, you step down into it and I can stand up (5'10). Anyone with a...
The last two weekends here in NC have just been great - clear blue skies, warm but not oppressively humid and all the wake boats full of kids are gone! Sometimes it is so quiet out on the lake it sounds "loud" if you know what I mean. I have seen Osprey diving for fish, seaplanes land and I...
I'm sure a lot of you car guy's are familiar with the trend of "sealed" transmissions that never need a fluid change. I am not a big fan of this and even on our Lexus and Volvo's that claim a lifetime fluid, I still have changed the fluid - usually around 60k miles - just a drain and fill...
We all know that the last year has brought a big demand in recreational vehicles - boats, campers, etc. Anything that get's people outside. As a result, prices for these things have skyrocketed. Like everything the market the market is up and down - and at some point a lot of "new" boaters...
Probably my favorite time of year for boating is the fall - here in North Carolina, the crowds on Lake Norman dwindle and the weather cools just below the scorching August heat. Nothing more fun that buzzing around a dead calm lake and anchoring out in the warm sun without sweating listening to...
Noticed my gear lube is getting water in it, drained some gear lube out of the bottom plug and it is definitely milky. Plan to pull the drive and pressure test to figure out what is leaking - I suspect it is the oil seal carrier (the cone thing under the water pump). When I replaced it 3yrs...