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.