WTF??
I got the bill for "repairs", a bit over $1,200. After looking it over, I realized that I am being WAAAAAAAY overcharged. And yesterday I tried to start the engine, with no results. The new starter cranks the engine just fine, but nothing else happens.
I got a call from the shop owner on Monday, the 20th, telling me it was "fixed"...after replacing the starter, he said the boat would not start. So, he replaced the ignition coil, the distributor cap, the rotor and the electronic module beneath the rotor. Basically half a tune-up, minus spark plugs and wires. So, how much would a reasonable person pay for a tune-up?
How about $716???? How about three hours of labor charge? Really? my seven-year old daughter could change out the coil, distributor cap, rotor and ignition module in under an hour, maybe 90 minutes. Never mind all this was done without my consent; I was told about this after the work was done.
So far, I got a crappy carb rebuild (took 3 tries) and half a tune-up for a bill of $1216. Completely unsatisfactory, except for one little detail...
It still does not run!!!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Salvaging this season
Well, the barge is STILL out of commision with a frozen starter,and work has yet to begin...it's only been two weeks since we got on the calendar for the repairs, but the shop is so busy they have not started the work yet.
I hope we can still salvage some of this season, as we normally run the boat until late October or early November. Even so, I can't believe we have lost all of spring and summer waiting for a few simple repairs to be completed (correctly).
I am capable of doing nearly all maintenance on the boat with the exception of the engine, and that is where we have had problems. I chose our marina because it has a service shop on site, but it seems that one must schedule their breakdowns a few months in advance in order to get fixed in time to use one's boat.
Paience is indeed a virtue, and greed and sloth (shortcuts) are still sins. Still, I am without use of my boat. still paying for the slip it sits in, insurance, registration, etc.
I hope we can still salvage some of this season, as we normally run the boat until late October or early November. Even so, I can't believe we have lost all of spring and summer waiting for a few simple repairs to be completed (correctly).
I am capable of doing nearly all maintenance on the boat with the exception of the engine, and that is where we have had problems. I chose our marina because it has a service shop on site, but it seems that one must schedule their breakdowns a few months in advance in order to get fixed in time to use one's boat.
Paience is indeed a virtue, and greed and sloth (shortcuts) are still sins. Still, I am without use of my boat. still paying for the slip it sits in, insurance, registration, etc.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Why do you head for the water?
Even though the barge is out of commission for now, we are hoping to make the best of the time available this season. Instead of getting underway, the family and I will be hanging out at the marina pool and kicking back with our slip neighbors this weekend.
We head for the water looking for an adventure. Folks take to the water for many reasons; some look to relax and unwind. One of my acquaintances tells me he uses his cruiser to watch NASCAR races over satellite TV! Others buy or build a fast craft and live for the rush of a rough ride at high speed. Of course, a large number of boaters use their craft to pursue fish in salt water or lakes and rivers.
As before, we use our boat for adventures, but nothing dangerous or risky. Simply going to the same cove to party every time would be fun once or twice, and boring after that. Same with fishing or other activities – we need a change of scenery! Sometimes we anchor offshore and swim, sometimes the fishing is a bit more serious. Still, changing locations is a big part of our boat use. After all, some places have bald eagles, some don’t…another place we visit has great fishing on an incoming tide, but after it begins to turn, forget it!
So, what about you and your crew? Why do you take to the water? Do you and the others you go with have the same ideas about what is fun on a boat? Feel free to share in the comments!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Stranded yet again!
After a long time and a few false starts, the carburetor rebuild is complete and the engine allegedly runs fine. Saturday last I went to the boat in the slip and she fired right up, idled normally and sounded and looked good. I gave it a good cleaning and applied protectant to the vinyl seats. I finished about 30 minutes before the skies opened and a thunderstorms passed through quickly.
I decided to wait out the storm in the marina store, talking with the dock master. "So, did you find out why your boat was sinking?" they asked. What? My boat was sinking? When was this?
Apparently the week prior, during rainstorms on back to back days, the engine compartment filled about halfway and the repair techs pumped it out the day after. The boat was never in any danger of sinking, since the engine compartment is separate from the pontoons, which are foam-filled and have their own auto bilge pumps. So, why didn't the pump in the engine compartment do the job? And why didn't anyone tell me?
Most pontoon boats use outboard engines for power like the one pictured above, but mine has an inboard/outdrive, or I/O powerplant. Here is the engine compartment after the old engine was removed during the repower three years ago...
A quick call to the service folks revealed that answer..."somehow" during the testing of the carb repairs, the battery was cranked until it died. That left the battery with no juice to run the bilge pump. I put the battery on a charger, but it was too far gone. I replaced the dead battery with a new marine cranking battery; the boat started right up and ran great at the slip, so I gave my beautiful wife the go ahead to go for a ride after church.
We loaded our gear and bait, and the boat started up after a short squeak when I first hit the switch. We headed down river, the engine running fine except for not reaching max RPM, about 800 short. The boat hit 3600 RPM at a little more than 3/4 throttle, but advancing the lever produced no increase in power. That could wait until we got back, as it was likely just an adjustment and we seldom use that much power and gas.
Anchoring was uneventful as the boat idled beautifully. We swam and fished for about three hours and decided to call it a day as the skies darkened with approaching storm clouds. I aired out the bilges, turned the key and...SKREEEEECH and nothing. The battery was fine, but the starter was locked up.
After a try with a booster pack, the starter was declared dead, and a slow tow home had us back in the slip before the storms arrived.
More on this later as we investigate the flooding and what killed the starter.
I decided to wait out the storm in the marina store, talking with the dock master. "So, did you find out why your boat was sinking?" they asked. What? My boat was sinking? When was this?
Apparently the week prior, during rainstorms on back to back days, the engine compartment filled about halfway and the repair techs pumped it out the day after. The boat was never in any danger of sinking, since the engine compartment is separate from the pontoons, which are foam-filled and have their own auto bilge pumps. So, why didn't the pump in the engine compartment do the job? And why didn't anyone tell me?
Most pontoon boats use outboard engines for power like the one pictured above, but mine has an inboard/outdrive, or I/O powerplant. Here is the engine compartment after the old engine was removed during the repower three years ago...
A quick call to the service folks revealed that answer..."somehow" during the testing of the carb repairs, the battery was cranked until it died. That left the battery with no juice to run the bilge pump. I put the battery on a charger, but it was too far gone. I replaced the dead battery with a new marine cranking battery; the boat started right up and ran great at the slip, so I gave my beautiful wife the go ahead to go for a ride after church.
We loaded our gear and bait, and the boat started up after a short squeak when I first hit the switch. We headed down river, the engine running fine except for not reaching max RPM, about 800 short. The boat hit 3600 RPM at a little more than 3/4 throttle, but advancing the lever produced no increase in power. That could wait until we got back, as it was likely just an adjustment and we seldom use that much power and gas.
Anchoring was uneventful as the boat idled beautifully. We swam and fished for about three hours and decided to call it a day as the skies darkened with approaching storm clouds. I aired out the bilges, turned the key and...SKREEEEECH and nothing. The battery was fine, but the starter was locked up.
After a try with a booster pack, the starter was declared dead, and a slow tow home had us back in the slip before the storms arrived.
More on this later as we investigate the flooding and what killed the starter.
Friday, July 13, 2012
At last, it's fixed...we hope!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Seaworthiness; what does it mean?
Since my toon remains out of commission with a half-rebuild carburetor, I will take a look at a frequent topic among boaters - is a given boat seaworthy?
Seaworthiness is defined as a vessel's ability and suitability to operate in a given body of water in specific weather conditions. Sounds like a lot, but there is a reason for such a complicateed definition. First thing, we are not considering the crew's skills in the equation. Next we have to consider that waterways come in many different types, such as small lakes and rivers, large lakes and rivers, salt water bays, coastal and offshore waters. All of these have different typical conditions as well as differeing types and liklihood of severe weather. For example, most boaters would not expect to find the same weather conditions in a medium size inland lake as they might encounter in coastal Alaska. Given all that, let's narrow our seaworthiness down to three attributes for each boat; suitability, condition and equipment.
Suitability means is the vessel's design suitable for the area or activity the boat will be used in? We could easily spend a few posts just on this topic; for now, let's keep it simple. Some boats are lightly constructed, open to air and water and do not have space for more than basic equipment, such as life jackets/PFDs, a radio or cell phone and other survival gear. Boats like this are suited for areas where conditions are usually nice and, if anything should happen, rescue/assistance is nearby.
Condition refers to how good a shape the particular boat is in. Does it have leaks or other issues with keeping water out? Is the engine reliable? Does it hold enough fuel for the trip, with a little extra just in case? A boat designed to operate offshore in heavy seas loses a lot of its design capability if it is allowed to deteriorate without adequate maintenance - in fact, any boat can lose its seaworthiness without proper upkeep!
Equipment affects seaworthiness a great deal. Like we stated earlier, a boat running around a mid-sized lake on a sunny weekend does not need more than the basic equipment. Venture out into more open waters with bigger waves and fewer sources for help, and you need more and better equipment to keep the water out and your crew's heads above water. Visual distress signals, a VHF radio if within sight of land, a single-sideband (SSB) radio of real offshore work, and Type I PFDs are all upgrades that a lake boater need not bother with.
Keep in mind that if you rely a lot on a piece of equipment, you had better have more than one! Spare radio, backup bilge pumps and additional batteries to power them are just a few examples.
Good stuff... we will discuss this more another time.
Seaworthiness is defined as a vessel's ability and suitability to operate in a given body of water in specific weather conditions. Sounds like a lot, but there is a reason for such a complicateed definition. First thing, we are not considering the crew's skills in the equation. Next we have to consider that waterways come in many different types, such as small lakes and rivers, large lakes and rivers, salt water bays, coastal and offshore waters. All of these have different typical conditions as well as differeing types and liklihood of severe weather. For example, most boaters would not expect to find the same weather conditions in a medium size inland lake as they might encounter in coastal Alaska. Given all that, let's narrow our seaworthiness down to three attributes for each boat; suitability, condition and equipment.
Suitability means is the vessel's design suitable for the area or activity the boat will be used in? We could easily spend a few posts just on this topic; for now, let's keep it simple. Some boats are lightly constructed, open to air and water and do not have space for more than basic equipment, such as life jackets/PFDs, a radio or cell phone and other survival gear. Boats like this are suited for areas where conditions are usually nice and, if anything should happen, rescue/assistance is nearby.
Condition refers to how good a shape the particular boat is in. Does it have leaks or other issues with keeping water out? Is the engine reliable? Does it hold enough fuel for the trip, with a little extra just in case? A boat designed to operate offshore in heavy seas loses a lot of its design capability if it is allowed to deteriorate without adequate maintenance - in fact, any boat can lose its seaworthiness without proper upkeep!
Equipment affects seaworthiness a great deal. Like we stated earlier, a boat running around a mid-sized lake on a sunny weekend does not need more than the basic equipment. Venture out into more open waters with bigger waves and fewer sources for help, and you need more and better equipment to keep the water out and your crew's heads above water. Visual distress signals, a VHF radio if within sight of land, a single-sideband (SSB) radio of real offshore work, and Type I PFDs are all upgrades that a lake boater need not bother with.
Keep in mind that if you rely a lot on a piece of equipment, you had better have more than one! Spare radio, backup bilge pumps and additional batteries to power them are just a few examples.
Good stuff... we will discuss this more another time.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Ready for battle?
Finally the barge is fixed - at least that is what the mechanic tells us. After a new ignition coil, a carburetor rebuild and new fuel filters, I hope the engine is again reliable. The carb and coil should correct the idle issues caused by the carb flooding and weak spark. A new battery will complete the fix, but we have one strong battery and one that can power bilge pumps and radio, but that's all. Replacing that one and adding a solar charger/maintainer and power will be a non-issue!
Sea trials tomorrow or Thursday! Boat US towing service is on standby, just in case!
Sea trials tomorrow or Thursday! Boat US towing service is on standby, just in case!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
On the wrong end of a tow line!
Well, the barge let us down once again, this time on Memorial Day weekend. The engine has not wanted to idle properly since we launched this spring. It seemed that the choke was sticking and flooding the engine at idle. A quick cleaning of the carb and the contacts on the electric choke module on Friday night, and she ran just fine. Saturday I put the boat thru its paces, so to speak. The engine started fine, warmed up and then idles for 15 minutes without problems. I checked the fuel water separator and found only gas. Looks like Sunday's outing is "all systems GO"!
Sunday after church, we headed to the boat. The engine started easily and idled while we got a few snacks at the marina store. Backing out of the slip was trouble-free and we were on our way! We cruised over to our usual spot to hang out...but as I eased the throttle back, the engine cut off. Not good. We dropped the anchor which held in the strong current. Since we were safely out of the channel, we decided to go swimming and try to catch a fish or two.
A few hours later, we decided to head back. The engine would crank, but not start After a few tries, the battery was giving out. We let it recover, and tried again...no luck.
I made "the call of shame" to the good folks at BoatUS to arrange for a tow. Captain Durward Baggett called my cell a few minutes later saying he would be on his way. Once he arrived, we tried a jump start, to no avail. We rigged a bridle up forward between the two pontoons and hooked to the towline.
About an hour later, the barge and its crew were all safely back in their slip, thanks to Towboat US. We made it back home around 11pm. Monday morning I was on the boat first thing to try to find the cause of our distress. I aired the bilges, turned the key and...it started right up! WTF????? Why won't it start when its away from the slip? Why does it run so well now, but not a few hours ago?
Sunday after church, we headed to the boat. The engine started easily and idled while we got a few snacks at the marina store. Backing out of the slip was trouble-free and we were on our way! We cruised over to our usual spot to hang out...but as I eased the throttle back, the engine cut off. Not good. We dropped the anchor which held in the strong current. Since we were safely out of the channel, we decided to go swimming and try to catch a fish or two.
A few hours later, we decided to head back. The engine would crank, but not start After a few tries, the battery was giving out. We let it recover, and tried again...no luck.
I made "the call of shame" to the good folks at BoatUS to arrange for a tow. Captain Durward Baggett called my cell a few minutes later saying he would be on his way. Once he arrived, we tried a jump start, to no avail. We rigged a bridle up forward between the two pontoons and hooked to the towline.
About an hour later, the barge and its crew were all safely back in their slip, thanks to Towboat US. We made it back home around 11pm. Monday morning I was on the boat first thing to try to find the cause of our distress. I aired the bilges, turned the key and...it started right up! WTF????? Why won't it start when its away from the slip? Why does it run so well now, but not a few hours ago?
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Frustration, thy name is boating!!
After successfully launching the barge and returning to her slip, we eagerly anticipated some fishing action last weekend. Saturday was warm and a bit cloudy, but that should improve the fishing. Off we went downstream to one of our usual spots. Fishing there is usually productive for 5-10 pound blue catfish, but not so much for giants.
Surprisingly, I caught the first fish, while my wife caught the next; hers was marginally longer than mine, but I am certain that my fish was heavier. We headed back to the slip a short time later. The boat was running fine at its usual cruising speed. After slowing down to approach the slip, the engine began running rough, as if it was running out of gas. I bumped the throttle ahead a couple times to keep it running without adding too much speed. As we neared the slip, heading into the wind, I slowed to idle and...nothing. The engine died. I was able to guide the coasting barge to the finger pier just close enough to jump to the pier and haul the barge in her slip.
Sunday we tried again in the afternoon. The boat started right up and idled fine as we left the marina. Maybe yesterday's stalling was caused by the fogging oil or old gas...I have never believed in coincidence, and I should have trusted my instincts that the engine was unreliable.
The fishing was lousy, having arrived at slack water between the tides. We decided to move to another spot just a few hundred yards away. But, the boat had other plans. She stubbornly refused to start. Not a cough or sputter. After checking the obvious, we had no alternative but to call the fine folks at Boat US for a tow.
The ride back was slow, but safe and the captain was skilled and professional. Two big thumbs up to TowBoat US!
A call to my mechanic confirmed what I thought, starved for gas, likely from a full/clogged fuel filter. That likely happened after running the boat on nearly empty tanks from the launch ramp to the slip. Hopefully a filter change will have her running great soon!
Surprisingly, I caught the first fish, while my wife caught the next; hers was marginally longer than mine, but I am certain that my fish was heavier. We headed back to the slip a short time later. The boat was running fine at its usual cruising speed. After slowing down to approach the slip, the engine began running rough, as if it was running out of gas. I bumped the throttle ahead a couple times to keep it running without adding too much speed. As we neared the slip, heading into the wind, I slowed to idle and...nothing. The engine died. I was able to guide the coasting barge to the finger pier just close enough to jump to the pier and haul the barge in her slip.
Sunday we tried again in the afternoon. The boat started right up and idled fine as we left the marina. Maybe yesterday's stalling was caused by the fogging oil or old gas...I have never believed in coincidence, and I should have trusted my instincts that the engine was unreliable.
The fishing was lousy, having arrived at slack water between the tides. We decided to move to another spot just a few hundred yards away. But, the boat had other plans. She stubbornly refused to start. Not a cough or sputter. After checking the obvious, we had no alternative but to call the fine folks at Boat US for a tow.
The ride back was slow, but safe and the captain was skilled and professional. Two big thumbs up to TowBoat US!
A call to my mechanic confirmed what I thought, starved for gas, likely from a full/clogged fuel filter. That likely happened after running the boat on nearly empty tanks from the launch ramp to the slip. Hopefully a filter change will have her running great soon!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Finally going fishing!
I can't believe its this late in the year for our first trip! We started our maintenance work early, but my son's swim meets and unexpected failure of the power trim pump set us back a month. We re-carpeted the upper sundeck this year which was a decent-sized project. the carpeting and its adhesive provides the weather protection for the plywood decking; that made it a must-do project!
We went with a light grey carpet with a ribbed profile to reduce the heat buildup and provide better footing for folks topside. We store our kayak up there as well, so secure footing is vital!
Next time we will have some fishing news and a few pix of the barge in action! Happy Mother's Day - don't forget to check out and subscribe to my page at Examiner!
Monday, May 7, 2012
Splash!!
Finally got the barge back into the water. Its always a bit stressful for me, more so this time since the power trim is not working due to an elusive electrical issue. Still, I could raise and lower the outdrive using jumper wires directly to the battery. With help from my son-in-law,we hitched the truck to the trailer and pulled the trailer out of the hole it sat in. As we did, it was obvious one of the trailer tires had come off the rim! Since the boat only needed to move across the parking lot and still had 5 good tires under it, I decided to keep going. I started the engine with cooling water supplied from a hose to make sure it would start on the ramp. So far, so good.
I backed the trailer onto the ramp; the water was unusually high, which was good for us. The engine fired right up, but the idle was rough, on the verge of stalling. I lowered the outdrive using the jumper wires, released the tie downs, and backed off the trailer. As I shifted into ahead gear, the engine stumbled and only opening the throttle kept it running. We approached our slip a bit faster than usual since i knew once I went to idle speed, the engine would likely die. Sure enough, it coughed and quit as soon as I shifted to neutral gear...we coasted rapidly into the slip with no way to slacken our speed. Suddenly we thudded to a stop as the bows found the rub rail at the end of the slip. Close examination showed no damage at all.
I promise to have pictures for next time...going fishing for Mothers Day!!
Check out my latest article, and older stuff too, at my Examiner page!
I backed the trailer onto the ramp; the water was unusually high, which was good for us. The engine fired right up, but the idle was rough, on the verge of stalling. I lowered the outdrive using the jumper wires, released the tie downs, and backed off the trailer. As I shifted into ahead gear, the engine stumbled and only opening the throttle kept it running. We approached our slip a bit faster than usual since i knew once I went to idle speed, the engine would likely die. Sure enough, it coughed and quit as soon as I shifted to neutral gear...we coasted rapidly into the slip with no way to slacken our speed. Suddenly we thudded to a stop as the bows found the rub rail at the end of the slip. Close examination showed no damage at all.
I promise to have pictures for next time...going fishing for Mothers Day!!
Check out my latest article, and older stuff too, at my Examiner page!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Getting closer to splashdown
Got the pump installed and tried it...nothing but a click from a solenoid in the dash and one in the pump. Damn. I ran a jumper wire from the battery to the pump and the the outdrive began to rise - while spewing hydraulic fluid all over the engine compartment!!! One hour later, I had most of the mess wiped up and removed the leaking fitting. It looked fine, no sign of cross-threading. I put it back on, this time tightening the fitting until it stopped leaking. I was afraid to overtighten last time, but I guess it was not tight enough.
I raised the outdrive again using the jumpers and she looks ready to travel. I spent the next hour tracing wiring all over but have not found the issue yet. It would help if I knew something about electricity, at least 12 volt DC systems. Still, it looks like she gets wet this weekend!
I raised the outdrive again using the jumpers and she looks ready to travel. I spent the next hour tracing wiring all over but have not found the issue yet. It would help if I knew something about electricity, at least 12 volt DC systems. Still, it looks like she gets wet this weekend!
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Joy of Aftermarket parts
The installation of the new power trim and tilt pump hit a snag last night when the mounting screws did not fit teh holes in the new pump. The holes are very tight and not deep enough for the machine screws mounting the old pump. Its bad enough they are metric, but making the holes a half-inch too shallow leaves the pump flopping around on the bracket. Boats vibrate from machinery and wave action, so a snug attachment is a must.
I found some stainless steel washers to do the trick. Hopefully I will get it installed tonight.
The previous pump failed when a replacement electric motor (whose mounting screws did not align perfectly with the pump body) failed and sheared off one of the mounting screws in the soft cast pump body. To avoid a similar failure, I decided to replace the entire pump as a unit. I just hope the replacement pump holds up and has no more glitches other that non-standard mounting holes!.
I found some stainless steel washers to do the trick. Hopefully I will get it installed tonight.
The previous pump failed when a replacement electric motor (whose mounting screws did not align perfectly with the pump body) failed and sheared off one of the mounting screws in the soft cast pump body. To avoid a similar failure, I decided to replace the entire pump as a unit. I just hope the replacement pump holds up and has no more glitches other that non-standard mounting holes!.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Parts is parts...until you try to return it
Still, the trim pump motor failed and took the pump itself with it. After spending a few hours looking online, I found a replacement. There are two varieties, one connects to the hoses using a flared fitting, while the other seals with O-rings. They are not interchangeable, unless you replace the hoses at $250 each. So, I pulled the pump out after unplugging the electical wiring. The whole thing is mounted on a metal bracket, so removing the bracket was easy, but about 97 wires were attached to two relays on the bracket. Of course, the wires all plugged in from underneath, so unplugging them and getting them right again was impossible for me. So, I unbolted the relays, wires and all, from the bracket as well. When I removed the hoses, I found...flared end fittings! That meant the unit was pre-1999, likely original equipment. I found several replacements online, all of which were NOT returnable. Great; if it does not fit, I am stuck with $400 worth of useless(to me) metal and I still need another pump! But, I am quite sure the one I located will fit, so I spent the money and should have it in hand on Thursday!! Hopefully, it's back afloat this weekend!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
BOAT=Break Out Another Thousand $
After returning from a long weekend in New Orleans, We got right to work prepping the barge for the season. We keep her in a slip, so once she goes in, that pretty much ends any large projects. We cleaned all the vinyl seats and applied a protectant, installed the new handrail I fabricated from aluminum angle stock and added a bit of fresh gas to get the boat to the slip.
The trailer is a POS, and is used only for storage. I was about to hook up my truck to the trailer when I decided to raise the outdrive just a bit, since I had left it down. Hit the switch...nothing but a click from the solenoid. I ran a wire direct from the battery to the motor, still nothing either way. Looking over the trim motor and pump, I noticed one of the 2 bolts holding the motor to the pump spun around and could not be pulled out. It seems the bolt stripped out its hole and locked up the motor, destroying the pump as well.
So it seems we will not be boating this weekend...
I will order a replacement pump tonight or tomorrow to the tune of $400. Hopefully my limited mechanical abilities will be enough for the job. I plan to take pictures to provide a few laughs for you folks that actually know what you are doing.
Please visit my page on examiner.com for more boat stuff! Comments are cool, too.
The trailer is a POS, and is used only for storage. I was about to hook up my truck to the trailer when I decided to raise the outdrive just a bit, since I had left it down. Hit the switch...nothing but a click from the solenoid. I ran a wire direct from the battery to the motor, still nothing either way. Looking over the trim motor and pump, I noticed one of the 2 bolts holding the motor to the pump spun around and could not be pulled out. It seems the bolt stripped out its hole and locked up the motor, destroying the pump as well.
So it seems we will not be boating this weekend...
I will order a replacement pump tonight or tomorrow to the tune of $400. Hopefully my limited mechanical abilities will be enough for the job. I plan to take pictures to provide a few laughs for you folks that actually know what you are doing.
Please visit my page on examiner.com for more boat stuff! Comments are cool, too.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Murphy's Law doesn't take weekends off
Even after working so hard to get to the weekend, things went wrong. I had planned to complete my list of final preps before our spring launch, but it stormed all morning Saturday. While cleaning my bathroom, I slipped and fell, breaking a toe on my left foot. After all my overseas deployments and patrols in the Bering Sea, followed by nearly 7 years as a deputy sheriff, I never received more than scratches or small bruises. But cleaning my bathroom nearly put me in the hospital...I guess I should leave that chore to professionals!
Sunday was dry, but cooler, so my younger son and I worked on the barge into the evening. We remounted the twin spotlights for now, since I plan to replace them this season. We remounted the GPS remote antenna and the antenna for the VHF radio. I replaced the dead bilge pump with a Rule 800 gph with internal float switch. The engine compartment on my toon is too small to sink the boat on its own, so I do not use the "auto" feature on the pump. Still, the boat was wired for an auto pump already, so it seemed easier to replace it with another.
So, the make ready list is down to:
Sunday was dry, but cooler, so my younger son and I worked on the barge into the evening. We remounted the twin spotlights for now, since I plan to replace them this season. We remounted the GPS remote antenna and the antenna for the VHF radio. I replaced the dead bilge pump with a Rule 800 gph with internal float switch. The engine compartment on my toon is too small to sink the boat on its own, so I do not use the "auto" feature on the pump. Still, the boat was wired for an auto pump already, so it seemed easier to replace it with another.
So, the make ready list is down to:
- Charge up the batteries
- Finish and mount the new handrail for the swim platform
- Air up the trailer tires
- Put some gas in the tank to get to the fuel dock
- Call marina 48 hours prior so they can clear out my slip
Friday, March 30, 2012
Is your boat ready for spring yet? Are you sure?
A quick glance at the calendar tells us we need to start planning for that spring splash now so we don’t run into snags at the last minute.
Have you checked on the boat lately? Is it full of water and leaves, maybe ice – or did you cover her up? This is a good time to check that no leaves or other stuff made it under the cover and left a mess. Make sure any storage compartments are clean and mold-free. If not, sunlight kills the stuff in just a couple hours, then clean up and leave it dry, dry, dry. Cover it back up, leaving a way for air to circulate to avoid any mold or mildew buildup.
Hopefully you winterized the boat engine(s) and systems. It’s still possible to get a hard freeze in the Richmond region until late March or early April. For now, let’s make sure we have everything we need to test run the engine and flush out the systems once the danger of a hard freeze is past. To avoid problems on the launch ramp or lift, it’s best to test run the engine before we get on the ramp. You need to make sure that you have plenty of cooling water going into that engine before you try to run it! Check those flush muffs for cracks or other problems – that is, if you can find them! Same goes for the hose and fittings. Find them, and test run that engine BEFORE you become that guy on the launch ramp for an hour trying to get his boat started, and LOTS of folks in line!
Remember all that gear you took off last winter? Now is the time to find it all and check its condition. Pay special attention to the PFDs – are they in good condition? Straps and buckles all working? Give them a pull test, just like your friendly game warden, deputy sheriff or Coast Guardsman is likely to. Tug hard on those straps to make sure they are not weakened by rot or too much sunlight. Often the straps will hold but the fabric and/or stitching will give way. Test them and see before you get an expensive ticket! Those fancy inflatables are great, but make sure they are serviced according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some require annual servicing, so check yours and make sure. If the device needs service, then it fails an inspection during a boarding.
If you carry distress signals such as flares, check their condition, too. They should be dry and not swollen. Look at those expiration dates, too. Best to replace any that would expire during your boating season so you won’t have to worry about them. What to do with the old ones? Don’t just throw them in the trash! Check with the city or county as those old flares are hazardous waste. Check with your local Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron flotilla unit; they may be able to use them during a training exercise.
Depending on your boat, there may be more to your list than just this…the point is to think about that now, before that springtime rush to the mechanic and the launch ramp begins, so you will have a smooth, trouble-free launch in just a few weeks.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Welcome to pontoon boat adventures! This is a place to discuss boating in general and, more specifically, pontoon boats. I will be sharing my thoughts and experiences on all kinds of boats and just about any activity enjoyed on the water. So, let's start with a little about me...
I spent most of my life messing about in boats. I started helping my father with his 21 foot Grady White, eventually I did the driving while he tended to the spread of trolling rigs in search of Chesapeake Bay's bluefish and striped bass (locally known as rockfish). I learned to sail at age 12, eventually singlehanding a 15 foot Snipe class sloop since I seldom had a crew to help.
A four year hitch in the Coast Guard quickly became 22 years, more than half at sea. I qualified as a Senior Marine Inspector after a three-year apprenticeship, inspecting everything that floated (and a few things that didn't).
Now I sit behind a desk for a living, spending the majority of my free time and money on my "mistress" - a 31 foot Playcraft pontoon boat built in 1993. I also write for Examiner.com, covering boating around central Virginia.
The barge always looks bigger on her trailer, but she carries my family and I everywhere we like to go.
Feel free to leave comments, including questions or suggestions for new subjects!
I spent most of my life messing about in boats. I started helping my father with his 21 foot Grady White, eventually I did the driving while he tended to the spread of trolling rigs in search of Chesapeake Bay's bluefish and striped bass (locally known as rockfish). I learned to sail at age 12, eventually singlehanding a 15 foot Snipe class sloop since I seldom had a crew to help.
A four year hitch in the Coast Guard quickly became 22 years, more than half at sea. I qualified as a Senior Marine Inspector after a three-year apprenticeship, inspecting everything that floated (and a few things that didn't).
Now I sit behind a desk for a living, spending the majority of my free time and money on my "mistress" - a 31 foot Playcraft pontoon boat built in 1993. I also write for Examiner.com, covering boating around central Virginia.
Feel free to leave comments, including questions or suggestions for new subjects!
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