Little milestones

[whichwaysup]

Just a little musing, because it got slow at work today.   I called my mechanic today to check on the status of the boat.   As you may recall from earlier posts, the lower unit seals were leakier than swiss cheese, and the trim/tilt seals were only slightly better.   He's completely taken apart and replaced all seals in the lower unit, and told me he was attacking the tilt/trim seals today.

Then it occurred to me.  I've owned a lot of boats in my lifetime.   Being a man of modest means, they all have a few things in common:

- They are all older than dirt - the "newest" boat I ever owned was a 2001.   That was 15 years ago . . .

- They are all used

- They have all -every one of them - had leaky tilt trim issues that,  up to now, I've just sort of tolerated that awful screeching sound of air flowing through the hydraulics, constantly refilling the reservoir.

 

So, it occurred to me that I'm making progress.   Yeah, my current boat is still old - 20 years this year. . . It's well used, but is in a hell of a lot better shape than when I bought her, and darn close to better than new. . .  but for the first time, probably ever, I'll get to raise the engine and hear that smooth purr of full hydraulics.

I suppose that's the beauty of trying to support a family and a fishing habit.   You tend to appreciate each component of the boat, not just the overall package.    

 

Someday, when the kids are all off on their own, I win the lottery, and Maverick finally decides to start production of the MA again, I'll have a new boat.   I wonder if I'll appreciate it as much when I raise the engine?

 

[Sunstone]

All the boats I've had the trim tilt makes noise but no leaks ever.

[fishmanjj]

Is there a trim and tilt motor that doesn’t squeal ?  I only had one that leaked on a OX66 200 but it had 1300 hrs on it when we changed it out. Other than that...my Yamahas 90 hp, F150 hp, 200 hp and F250 have all squealed at some point of use. But no leaks other than one mentioned which was 7 years old then.

[SouthernWake]

The ultimate luxury.... fully working trailer lights.

[whichwaysup]

8 minutes ago, SouthernWake said:

The ultimate luxury.... fully working trailer lights.

Ha!!   So fricken true.  But mine are all working at the moment.   10 bucks says once my tilt/trim stops leaking, my trailer lights will start going out.   Or a light on the boat.  100% work now, but the universe must balance light and dark, and I must be screwing up the balance.     

[Shallowminded6]

Im pretty sure they are never supposed to all work at once. Unless there is a design flaw

[SouthernWake]

3 hours ago, whichwaysup said:

Ha!!   So fricken true.  But mine are all working at the moment.   10 bucks says once my tilt/trim stops leaking, my trailer lights will start going out.   Or a light on the boat.  100% work now, but the universe must balance light and dark, and I must be screwing up the balance.     

Savor it!

i bought a brand new trailer, have done full rewires with dedicated grounds etc and nothing seems to last.

[fishmanjj]

3 hours ago, SouthernWake said:

The ultimate luxury.... fully working trailer lights.

Wow....now that’s one thing that I do not have.....my trailer gets dunked once or twice a week and it seems as though it never has all the lights working at one time.... I’ve tried everything from a $19 to a $49 dollar each  waterproof lights LED and they work about three months...and yes, I thoroughly rinse with fresh water after every trip. It’s been rewired and grounds checked also. I’ll buy two new lights and be so proud....they will work fine for a while and then one day you hook up trailer and WHAM , one is not working...or either only half of the LED’s are lit up within the encased light fixture. However....if I have one working when I hook up before daylight...we are headed to the river. If none of them are working.....we are still headed to the river with a clip on red lens flashlight hanging on a fender. 👍🎣

[THE OUTLAW]

Trailer lights that work every time , all the time .

Get the post leds .

Get an extension cord .

Get rid of the side marker lights as they are the weak link .

Put some red and white marker tape on the sides .

Connect the lights , with the extension cord , all the way to the top of the post , out of the water .

Run extension cord up to the hitch and connect the plug .

Again out of the water .

Your lights will work every time , all the time .

At least 10 years on the same lights .

My $.02 !

🇺🇸🏴‍☠️

 

[brew1891]

The extension cord trick works. Even with lights down low (though higher is definitely better). The key is sealing like crazy and running grounds to the pigtail. Using the trailer as a ground is always a weak link.