Boating season is finally here!!

[zeek]

Thank God!!! 82 degrees today and a beautiful top down day... After cruising the beach in the Vette, I decided it's time to take the party barge out of hibernation... Uncovered and cleaned the crap outta it and she looks good! Best part is, after sitting up all winter, I turned the battery switch on and she fired up first shot! Taking the doggies out for a ride to deer island tomorrow....Gonna be a good day tater....

[Vette40th]

One day I may be able to afford a yacht like this..
Maybe lease one.. Or just get a john boat.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by Vette40th

One day I may be able to afford a yacht like this..
Maybe lease one.. Or just get a john boat.

Hmmmm....

[Vette40th]

Originally Posted by zeek

Hmmmm....

Serious sarcasm. I havent researched boats, but most I have looked at are out of my price point..

[simpleman68]

I was just looking at pics of our last boat yesterday.
I still wish I'd have kept it, I just didn't think we could use it much for our FL trips with the kids going into school.

Then we homeschooled a year later
Scott

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Vette40th

Serious sarcasm. I havent researched boats, but most I have looked at are out of my price point..

Be smart and find a friend who owns a boat. Less headache. Trust me. I know.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Bed smart and find a friend who owns a boat. Less headache. Trust me. I know.

Yeah...not true...you just got way in over your head....I mean...look at that fuking monster....

One engine, wide open, easy to clean and maintain....that's what my boat is...you buy an old used up go fast boat and youre just looking for trouble...

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by zeek

Yeah...not true...you just got way in over your head....I mean...look at that fuking monster....

One engine, wide open, easy to clean and maintain....that's what my boat is...you buy an old used up go fast boat and youre just looking for trouble...

Even with the single engines (inboard or outboard) they are still a lot of maintenance and $$$$.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Even with the single engines (inboard or outboard) they are still a lot of maintenance and $$$$.

If you cant do the work yourself...for sure.... My boat had been in airconditioned and heated storage all its life. Only had 176 hours on it when I bought it and had not been used in at least 5 years. All I had to do was replace the high pressure fuel pump and the water pump at a cost of less than 200 bucks. I never ever in my life worked on an outboard. You tube is your friend. A properly maintained boat will give you years of enjoyment without any major expenses.

EDIT: Oh yeah...I also had to drain the fuel tank...

[BRUIZER]

We are mostly all lightweight (welded aluminum) and jet drive around here.
Salmon and steelhead smolt season runs through end of May.

[zeek]

Originally Posted by BRUIZER

We are mostly all lightweight (welded aluminum) and jet drive around here.
Salmon and steelhead smolt season runs through end of May.

Attachment 76753

That's called off roading, not boating....

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Be smart and find a friend who owns a boat. Less headache. Trust me. I know.

That boat got less ***** than Don Lemon. The dollar to ***** ratio must have been outrageous

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Vette40th

Serious sarcasm. I havent researched boats, but most I have looked at are out of my price point..

They experienced same as autos over the past couple years, and now are actually turning a bit. I would have a center console in a NY minute if I lived in FL.

[higgyburners]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Be smart and find a friend who owns a boat. Less headache. Trust me. I know.

That thing is Huge...you could hide 300 mesicans and a 1000 pounds of fentanyl in there..... I see trafficking in your future

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by zeek

If you cant do the work yourself...for sure.... My boat had been in airconditioned and heated storage all its life. Only had 176 hours on it when I bought it and had not been used in at least 5 years. All I had to do was replace the high pressure fuel pump and the water pump at a cost of less than 200 bucks. I never ever in my life worked on an outboard. You tube is your friend. A properly maintained boat will give you years of enjoyment without any major expenses.

EDIT: Oh yeah...I also had to drain the fuel tank...

I have rebuilt every part of mine. It has, for now, the crappy MErc MEFI-II FI system on both engines. Guess what's coming off and getting replaced with a lighter intake, carb, less electrical nightmares, and a fuel pressure regulator in a couple of weeks. All the parts including dizzy are here, just waiting for some porting and polishing to get finished up on the intakes manifolds.

[Frankie the Fink]

Good idea to use Marine Sta-Bil in the tank for long term storage - my boat season never ends, had some boathouse shades installed so I don't even cover the boat - just roll up the rear and side shades lower my Godfrey pontoon boat and slide out onto the lake. No more fighting wasps or flying rats (pigeons) or other critters and great UV protection for the upholstery. One of those "should have done it years ago" things. The little Suzuki 60 hp outboard is bullet-proof with a 6 year warranty.

Also a nice, screened in sitting area for a quiet beer and some recluse from the much-beloved, but overly-talkative long time domestic partner.

[LATB]

30 years in Destin along with owing 10 boats...

I'm done.

[Norm]

Last boat I had the guvment paid for fuel and maintenance..........

[6spdC6]

Up here boating season is a little ways off. Considering we have over a foot of ice and the ice fishing shanties are on the lake do not hold your breath!-

Other than very dedicated fisherman the boating season for normal people starts about the beginning of May, with most getting their boats wet for Memorial weekend!

PS most places that store boats and RVs have a rule that you must start getting them out at April 15. Last in first out is the common rule at those places. As for me I have the room at my place to keep my boat on my property!

[Frankie the Fink]

A small pontoon boat is actually negligible maintenance, other than the outboard scheduled regular items, basically you hose down the boat and wipe the seats with some vinyl treatment and that's it, no bilge, no bilge fans, no outdrive, no engine bellows, etc..