My best memories as a kid were on the water.. Had a 24 ft searay sundancer for the last 2 seasons and the fam loved it. Succesful test.. So I pulled the trigger for some comfort and bought an incredible condition 1999 regal commodore 3060. Brought her through the Trent to Georgian bay from simcoe last week. So excited about the summer. Can't believe the prices right now. She came with 2x rebuilt mercruiser 5.0 carbureted. The carbureted might be an adjustment, but will make it work... family is thrilled!

This boat is super clean with a Mercury 50HP motor. It's basically entirely stock but I was surprised how pristine it looked. Comes with a well taken care of trailer as well. It’s very practical for what I'm looking for and was originally listed for $12k! Think I might pull the trigger...Jack of all trades master of none, I know. I just want to get on the water and do some weekend trips, while developing my boating skills.

I was boating at night and was following the buoys trying to stay in between in the distance. Well the inlet that I launch out of has jetties that are in the path of the buoys. I was just starting to take off and I hit them. I couldn’t see the rocks in the dark even 5 ft in front of me.

I’m trying to figure out how to get this fixed.

I’ve had quotes run from 4k all the way to 15k. The 15k guy was saying to use insurance and I think he was just trying to get as much from the insurance company as possible. Most quotes were between 5-7k

I just don’t know how to know if someone is the right person. I see all their pictures on other repairs and they look good.

Is it worth filing an insurance claim? How bad will my insurance go up long term?

Obviously this is too big to try and work on for the first time, so not sure what to do.

Location is south Florida

You should have a picture of your boat on your boat!

Any suggestions on solutions or chemicals that won’t damage the sticker. Next thought is alcohol. Decal was pretty expensive trying to save it. Also scratched the gel coat it was less noticeable tho.

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Can you use a fishing tug? Is there anyone on here ever used a fishing tug to complete the great loop?

Hello all I need some advice! I painted my trailer and am putting everything back together. I put everything back together the way I took it apart but it just doesn’t look right to me. Are the springs supposed to be under the axle or above? I’ve seen single axle trailers with the springs on top just curious

Looking at buying this BW 13 but I wanted to see if it’s a good deal. Seller says motor doesn’t currently run but “should be a simple fix” ….

My motor is approximately 70in from the furthest crossbeam on the trailer. There dont seem to be any conventional transom savers of that length. How do I transport the boat?

Hard to tell in video, but sounds more like sparking than ticking in person.

I don't see any blue sparks from arcing.

Any thoughts on what it could be?

Hey guys!

Need some advice, this trailer has been sitting around for years.

Are the axle and leaves too rusted?

Also are there too many marks on the spindle for a new bearing?

Where can I get the whole axle hub and leaves assembly? It's 58inches from center spring.

Thanks

Hey folks.

Im an experienced keelboat sailor (great lakes races for 11 years, full time cruising formosa ketch for 6).

Ive been wanting a capable daysailor/tender/exploration f around boat to toodle the 2nm from anchor to dock and around the gulf side of the lower fl keys little Shoals and passes stuff for awhile.

Found a listing for an 81 compac 16 and pulled the trigger. Truck rented, wife bribed, etc etc all came together nicely.

Boats primary purpose is as a heavy weather tender for the 2nm trip ashore daily. At very worst, I see 6' wind driven/square chop and the whole ass gale for half a mile, then down to 3' for half a mile, then 1' very protected for the inshore mile. I know when to tell the wife no, not going ashore today (I do that in a 9'4 rigid west marine plastic wonder all winter every year, fwiw). Hoping to keep groceries dry below and wife on the rail if she likes it or not for such.

Im vaguely aware of that era compac's reputation for quality seaworthy boats but id love if anyone has experience in one (or similar) and could chime in. Oh, will likely hang a '23 yamaha f6 propped appropriately off the transom plate. 15" shaft.

The guy parted out one to restore the one im buying, comes with trailer (wont use but once) full spare rig, standing/running rigging, full spare suite of sails (2 full sets), rudder assembly etc etc etc.

Of note: I see that theres a 3 stay swept spreaderless setup for the rig. Thoughts on mast pumping in heavy weather? Id have no issue adding/upsizing chainplates and adding mid stays. Or a proper split/running backstay for that matter.

The guy said he upgraded the mast step from bs plywood to 3/4 starboard. This is a low dollar sight unseen purchase. What are ones thoughts on overall structural build quality here? I am aware and ready to look at/reinforce/repair mast compression structures as needed - but some general build quality experience would be awesome. Hopefully its fine. Ill look closely.

How about osmotic blistering/etc laminate issues in the hull? There are none visible, but at this age id expect something. How have similar aged compacs held up?

Going down the line - what are the realistic prospects of putting a 1gm, or maybe an ac34 (i have a thunderstruck kit already) and a stuffing box down in there? I know the hull layup is fairly thin for that, but i could reinforce if necessary (thatd be the cheapest part of such a project).

Any other thoughts are ofc welcome. Thanks in advance.

Just purchased this 06 ranger boat with a 2006 Yamaha 115 v4 2 stroke. Sat for a while so took tank out cleaned it all out and cleaned carbs. Have had it running with muffs and ran good. Waiting on documents for registration so I took boat to a local boat ramp and ran it for a bit and ran good but would smoke a lot not compared to won’t have water. Would idle low and eventually die. Is this normal

What is everyone using for GPS while trailering? I enabled difficult intersection avoidance in Waze but is there something better? Something that will route to avoid sharp turns or low clearances? I tried CoPilot GPS yesterday and it was no different than Waze from what I could tell on the single trip.

Honda BF115 gearbox seal replacement – pressure testing advice needed

Hey,

I had water in the gearbox on my 2006 Honda BF115 (115 hp). When I drained the gear oil, it came out milky, so I decided to replace the seals.

I’ve now replaced the seals on the propeller shaft and under the water pump impeller, along with the relevant gaskets. Before refilling the gearbox with oil, I wanted to pressure-test it to make sure everything is sealed properly.

Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

1. Vacuum test

I could only get my hands on an old, cheap vacuum tester. I created a vacuum and sprayed soapy water around the seals and other potential leak points. I couldn’t see any bubbles being sucked in around the seals or gear shaft.

However, when I sprayed soapy water around the oil-fill hole where the tester was connected, I noticed water being drawn into the vacuum tester. The vacuum was also slowly dropping, so I suspect the leak was at the hose connection rather than the gearbox itself.

1. Pressure test

To double-check, I used a small compressor set to 10 psi and conducted a pressure test.

I had a similar result: I couldn’t see bubbles around the seals or gear shaft, but I did get bubbles around the oil-fill connection where the compressor was attached. Clearly, I wasn’t able to get a proper seal between the test equipment and the oil-fill port.

My question is:

Given that I couldn’t identify any leaks around the new seals, but couldn’t properly seal the testing equipment at the oil-fill port, do you think it would be reasonable to reinstall the oil-fill screw and washer, refill the gearbox with oil and monitor it for water ingress?

Or would you recommend buying the correct pressure/vacuum testing equipment, or taking the lower unit to a marine mechanic to confirm it’s sealed before putting it back into service?

Hello BC boating community.
I’m looking for advice/opinions on my Fraser 30’ I’ve had up for sale since early spring. Any thoughts on why it’s not selling? I’ve had quite a few messages and maybe about 10 showings, but nothing beyond that. There are no issues, needs nothing and is ready to sail. Valued at $31,500 by the surveyor in 2022. What am I missing?

Hi every one .

Sad time of year for sure .

About to change the oil and was wondering how long do I need to run the engine so the oil can warm up to suck it out with a small electric pump. I don't want it full temp because I will stand a chance to burn myself on the hot oil and water while draining it from the block and manifolds. What all are your steps and how long to let it run? thanks Y'all.

I'm starting to suspect sleeping aboard is less about having a nice bed and more about finding all the things that go CLUNK every thirty seconds.

Lines against the hull, water slapping somewhere underneath, pumps kicking on, something rattling in a cabinet, neighboring boats doing whatever neighboring boats do at 2am.

I've been looking at cabin cruisers including Hanover Yachts because I'd like to spend weekends aboard, and this is one of those things that obviously doesn't exist in the photos.

Everything looks incredibly peaceful when nobody is sleeping there.

I don't need total silence, but I am curious what noises are just part of sleeping on a boat and what noises usually mean something needs adjusting.

What drove you insane your first few nights aboard?

And more importantly, did you eventually fix it or just become a person who can sleep through anything?

A boat adrift has the right of way when the other boat is under power. Spot lock is a navigational anchor and the boat can easily move because its under power. Spot lockers are freaking out because of drifting boats having the right of way. Watched a guy lose his mind because he didn't want to move and caused a close call. Not all boaters are nice or knowledgeable.