Saturday, March 28, 2009

Convert a canoe into a sailboat?

I want to convert my 20' canoe in to a sailboat.


HELPP!!
Convert a canoe into a sailboat?
Join the Yahoo Group, Sailing Canoes:


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sailing_ca...





Basically, you will need to add leeboards, a rudder and a sail. There are many ways to do this. See what others have done to get ideas and information on where to obtain parts and supplies.

How do you know what is a good name brand and type of boat to buy? I don

WHat is a good name brand of boat to buy. How is Sea Ray boats?
How do you know what is a good name brand and type of boat to buy? I don't want to buy a high maintance boat.
Sea Ray is a good boat, but depending on how much you plan on using it. It might prove to much to start. All, and I do mean All , boats cost money to maintain, just like a car. The more expensive boats and those less expensive tend to have the same engines and drives. It's the sub-systems that make the difference, like water systems or bulge pumps. better to pick something you like at the price you can afford.
How do you know what is a good name brand and type of boat to buy? I don't want to buy a high maintance boat.
Sea Ray is a great boat. But it may not meet your wants or needs, and they make many models from smaller runabouts to nice cruisers.





First decided what type of boat you want, not brand. Then study up on that type of boats by reading boat mags, local fishing / cruising publications and asking around at the local marinas, boat stores, and sport shops. Ask alot of questions, people like to talk about their boats. Then go shopping for what you want and what you will be happy with.





And if you are just starting out at boating, take a boating safety course.
Reply:There are some low-maintenance boats out there, but they have no engines and no electronics.
Reply:I would say buy a reputable boat that is manufactured in the country you live in.





Having purchased a US manufactured boat in the UK through the approved importer, all I can say is that it is a nightmare. Trying to get parts takes weeks, and after sales service is no where near as good as with native manufacturers.





If you're in the US, Sea Ray are good boats, with a quality finish. I would steer clear of Maxum and Bayliner.
Reply:Sea Ray is a good boat but on the high $$$ side. Chaparral has equal quality at a better price. You should update your question though and let us know what size boat you're thinking of buying or what you want to use it for since this can make a difference in the responses you get.





The key though is that every boat is going to have to be maintained and you have to expect to pay annually to keep from having to really pay down the road. Preventative maintenance is a necessary evil. You can save on some of the cost by doing some of the work yourself such as changing the oil (engines and generators), winterizing the water system if equipped, changing impellars, etc.





As an FYI I referenced Chaparral as we have owned two over the last 25 years. The first was an 89 2550SX w/ a 454 Merc that looked new when sold in 2005 and now are in an 04 330 Signature w/ twin Volvos and V-drives. The quality on these boats has been nothing but excellent and definitely carry a high recommendation from this boater.

How to make the wake bigger on my boat?

I have a four winns family boat with tower. It runs great but the wake just isn't big enough. I want something cheap that will make an effective difference in the size of the wake.
How to make the wake bigger on my boat?
speed fool
How to make the wake bigger on my boat?
Fill up some large containers with water and put them in the back.
Reply:Tilt the motor up to raise the bow. This will create a huge wake but you will have no speed.





http://msxml.excite.com/info.xcite/searc...
Reply:Beware of what you wish for! You are libel for any damage done by your wake. Oh! and the speed just before you go on plane produces the biggest wake, so less speed is better.
Reply:The bigger the wake is when a boat is running, the less efficiently it is performing- most people strive for a minimum wake behind their boat.
Reply:http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/...





overtons is very reputable.

Boat GPS

ok here we go! we have this huge boat in r yard and r planning to do alot of stuff to make it better! and this is where my question comes from! ok we had a gps on r boat along with a depth finder but the depth finder broke and so did the gps! i want a good gps that has a depth finder!! i sort of want a waterproof type of gps if possible because it is goin to be on a boat! i dont want nothing to fancy but i want some thing that i will be pretty happy with! we had a gps system that uu buy this card thing and then u plug it into your gps and away u go but i dont think they do that anymore because it is robably all wireless now! my main question is if u can get a good boat gps that is strong and will stand up to anything and hopefully i will be satisfied with it!
Boat GPS's?
I have a Garmin GPS in my car but for what you are looking for you should check Ebay
Boat GPS's?
Garmin has a wide selection of GPS units.


You can get them with just a chart plotter or also with a fish finder combo. Just installed a 545 it has the coast wise charts built in but you can add a chart card that gives you 3-D view, tides, and other features.





They are designed for marine use - and some claim to be water proof but they are still electronics.

Jumping out of gear?

Have a 67 evinrude 18 hp.. Had dog clutch and foward gear replaced last year because could not keep in gear.. This year staying in gear but banging like its trying to kick out..Heard of adjusting linkage.. Is this the shift rod or something else. Or can i adjust something else.
Jumping out of gear?
Normally it is just a linkage adjustment.
Jumping out of gear?
There is an adjustment on the shift linkage, but if the repairs were done correctly, I don't think the linkage would be the problem. I'd ask if the engine is running smooth, or could this be a hiccup in the power head. I've seen this a lot on old mag. ign systems. Might be bad points or other problems.
I need to install a new ignition switch, what wires go where on 5 terminal switch. orig switch has batt, A, S, M, M. new Switch has Batt, Sol, mag, acc, grd. Why 2 mags on orig, only 1 on new???
'69 johnson outboard model 40el 69r wiring diagram?
have a multimeter? find out if the the two M's on the old switch have the same relationship as M to GRD on the new one, with the key in "off", "on" and "start". I bet they do.





post-'73 (approx) johnnyrudes have two M terminals, one for the kill circuit and the other for a ground wire. Your old-school ignition works differently, so I don't know for sure.

I have no experience with oil rigs. What is the worst part of working on one?

I am ready to jump on a plane tommorow if I'm offered a position on a rig. However, there has to be a few unattractive reasons why there are so many rig positions available on the net at fantastic salary figurers. ???
I have no experience with oil rigs. What is the worst part of working on one?
You are away from home for quite a while sometimes!! You are surrounded by water, no land in sight. Dirty water to wash clothes, hair, body! (not always) You bunk with other people. Shared bathrooms! YUCK!!!@!!! What if you get a snoring, flatulent, nose picker, booger flinger as a roommate?!?!?!
I have no experience with oil rigs. What is the worst part of working on one?
It's a tough job. You will be away from home for months at a time. The work is rigorous and dangerous. The proper name for a platform worker is "roughneck". The work pays well but you have to weigh your personal needs against the paycheck. It is helpful if you have experience in welding, diving, plumbing, and mechanical work. Experience in hoist operation and rigging is a plus also. Not a job for the feint of heart or body. If you feel up to it, go for it.
Reply:There are well paying jobs in the oilfield but at entry level you will only be hired by recommendation of some one already there. The sites you speak of have no influence and just want your money to sign up.





Average wage is about $6,000 per month across all skill levels. Month on and Month off.





Not nearly as dangerous as it used to be. Today Safety is critical.
Reply:The web sites you refer to are probably profiting somehow from the people that use them to apply for the jobs- The normal way most people get hired on the rigs is by the recommendation of someone that works there already- there is no shortage of workers available for these positions. The pay is good, but it varies from 2 weeks on to 2 weeks off and 30 days on and 30 days off- The food is great on the rigs, but the work can be dangerous- the crews are usually helicoptered to the rigs and back off the rigs when their hitch is completed- on a side note, a neighbor was killed a couple of years ago . the helicopter had mechanical problems and went down into the ocean.. Good luck on getting on.

Fast beaping on mercury twin 200 hp offshore engines?

when i start my engines theres a fast beaping thats starts. i have twin mercury 200 offshore series.
Fast beaping on mercury twin 200 hp offshore engines?
Check all your gauges to make sure you have the proper oil pressure and such. Also check your drive lube monitor and make sure its at the right level. Does it do it with a certain engine or both?
Fast beaping on mercury twin 200 hp offshore engines?
This is like the red light on your dash board. It's trying to call your attention to something. Check your owners manual and it should point you in the right direction. For instance if your engine is overheating its a horn, beeping could be low level on the 2cycle oil .... but different year and models have different warnings.

Where can i find a cheap trolling motor?

i have a jon boat and i want to have a trolling motor. i need to kno where i can find 1 that is cheap yet efficent ,any website?
Where can i find a cheap trolling motor?
In this case I'd recommend you go to Wal-mart or a local retailer. They would have several different models with different features. Cost can run from the low hundreds to ...well you know. If you think about it, you wouldn't buy a car this way. You'd go to the dealers and look first, then you might try e-bay boat parts.
Where can i find a cheap trolling motor?
Like the previous poster said, you might want to check out Ebay...





If you can deal with auctions, you can get your parts at really cheap prices. Heck, depending on how cheap you want it, it can be really low! Currently I can find auctions that cost less than $100.


Here's a link to Ebay and trolling motors:


http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-...








A tip I can give you for ebay is to snipe bids. If you don't know what it means, it means to bid at the very last seconds of the auction (like maybe 6-9 seconds before it ends). If you bid normally, you may increase the price as people attempt to outbid you!





So go on and check it out! http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-...

How do you change an impeller in a Merc Cruiser 205 lower unit? Do you need to be a mechanic?

Propeller, Cotter Key, Castle Nut and Washer.
How do you change an impeller in a Merc Cruiser 205 lower unit? Do you need to be a mechanic?
Four steps: drop the lower unit, disassemble the water pump, reassemble with new kit, reattach. Seriously, it's not rocket science, but get yourself a good service manual -- too many details to remember and type out here.
How do you change an impeller in a Merc Cruiser 205 lower unit? Do you need to be a mechanic?
It's not that hard of a job, but if you've never done it before, it would pay to get a Service Manual and read the lower unit sections before you start. It would take ten pages for me to tell you all of the things to do, like put the drive in farward gear before you unbolt it. Down to "marking" the trim tab before removal so it can be re-installed in the correct angle, once done with the impeller job. This is a repair that I've tought in adult education classes, and everyone could do, but you need to get the manual. Little goofs can cause big problems, $$$$$
Reply:No, get yourself a shop manual and a buddy, maybe one with some experience.





No sweat, be on the water in the afternoon.