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Geoff

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Posts posted by Geoff

  1. From time to time members ask the question regarding fuel age & is it still safe to use.
    According to the fuel companies , fuel stored in a fully sealed container can still be OK for 9 months or more , conversely in a an open container may only last a few days.
    For boats , there are many variables in between , mainly depending on the type & size or the fuel tank breather.
    To answer the octane question I thought somewhere in the world there would be an inexpensive tester , ie on with a probe & digital read out , similar to those one can purchase from garden centers to test the amount of moisture in soil.
    Searching the web I was unable to find such a device.
    Other than expensive Auto Analysers , has any member seen or know of an inexpensive octane tester??
    The other thought I had was a valve device inserted into the breather line that opened when the motor was running but closed when the motor was off.
    This would prevent or at least reduce evaporation occurring therefore extending the life of the fuel.
    This could be as simple as a neoprene rubber flap or a rubber disc mounted on a light spring holding it against a seat.
    However , there may be an issue with the fuel expanding on a hot day & the fumes not being able to vent off
    Would be interested in members thoughts , perhaps a project that "hiles" may like to look at.
    Geoff
  2. There is normally several good displays of this gear at the Sydney boat show.

    Perhaps worth a visit to check out & dicuss the the pro's & cons of both systems & have a play with the demo,s on display

    Geoff

  3. One thing I forgot to mention . There should be a least one , if not two fuel filters , one between the tank & the motor , the other , just prior the the fuel pump. ( Huey may confirm)

    If there is one prior to the fuel pump , these are normally servicable by removing & cleaning the filter.

    The one between the tank & motor should be replaced.

    In rereading your post , I suspect the primer bulb has been pumped until hard thereby pressuring the system.

    Once the motor has started the pressure drops & a blockage somewhere in the fuel prevents sufficent fuel reaching the cylinders.

    As mentioned previously , pumping the bulb when the engine begins to fade will confirm this one way or the other.

    The other aspect to check is the fuel lines connections & clamps to ensure the system is not sucking air.

    Geoff

  4. Taking it to a mechinic & saying we have a problem , please identify & fix if possible can cost a lot of $$$$ whilst he goes through the basic checks to isolate the problem. A number of these checks are not difficult & can be done at home

    If the motor has been standing for a long period , runs for a short period then stops I suspect it is fuel.

    Start with a compression test , the difference between cylinders should not be more than 10 psi. Even if it is , it's unlikely this will be cause of the problem. The test is mainly to check the general condition of the motor

    On the basis it actually fires up & runs for a short period then the spark & plugs could , at this point be considered OK. However , depending on how long the motor ran , a component may be breaking down when becoming hot

    If the fuel is more than 4 - 6 months old replace with new fuel. Do not use E10

    Drain the carby bowls checking for water & flush through with the fresh fuel. Try to start the motor, if the problem remains then the problem could be in the jets. They need to be removed & cleaned.

    However , before doing so , when the motor starts to fade pump the primer bulb forcing fuel through the system . If the motor picks up then it's a fuel problem either in the pump or carby's

    If servicing the carby's is not something you wish to tackle then have a chat to the local mechinics , there are several if I recall correctly in the Nowra area , & obtain a price to service the carby's / fuel system.

    Geoff

  5. Paikea Huey raises an inportant point,

    The drain hole you have added closer to the keel will be into a different area under the floor and water from there would come from the centre cavity of the hull. Either side of this are sealed (or at least should be sealed) cavities that do not want water in them

    If the water entered via the screw holes & those holes have a stinger between the holes & the new

    drain plug then the water is retained in the "screw hole" section & not migrate to the drain plug.

    In respect to your question ,

    I wondered whether the water may have got in through the screw holes but if it did why did it not drain out during storage?

    My boat is a twin hull with the sponsons fully sealed (air tight) . Each has a bung & regardless of sealing washers or the use of plumbers tape around the thread , a small amount of water is sucked in due to the temp variations, ie on a hot day with the boat on the trailer the hull is hotter than the water. Launch the boat into cold water & the contraction of the air inside the sponson sucks water in via the bungs.

    When back on the trailer the temp change is insufficent to force the water back through the bung holes.

    I'm not suggesting your boat has a similar situation (air tight) but when in the water , the pressure is sufficent for water to migrate via the screw holes but insufficent to drain out when on the trailer.

    Geoff

  6. I.m not familiar with this type of boat but a few comments that may be of assistance.

    Did you taste the water , fresh or salt?? I suspect from the colour it is fresh which means the water entered during the previous ownership.

    There appears to be no sealant around the tranducer bracket holes. Is it possible the water seaped over a period of time when the boat was just sitting in the water.

    I assume all the water has now drained out . Perhaps take it for a run , say for half an hour or so on the plane .

    Some times cracks not visable when on the trailer will open up when under pressure on the water.

    Trailer the boat & check for water. If nothing then the hull is OK.

    Relaunch & let the boat sit near the ramp for a period then retrailer & check for water. If there is water then it's entering around the transom. The question is then where.

    Geoff

  7. Should the primer bulb be before or after the water seperator filter? Does it matter? Should the bulb remain hard once primed with the engine off?

    I don't think the position makes a lot of difference but normally the bulb is after the filter.

    As the name suggest it's there to prime or fill the fuel system manually. Once filled & the motor is running the pressure is released & the bulb becomes softer.

    On a days outing , once the motor has been running then stopped for a short period , it should not be necessary to prime the system again.

    If this is not the case , then one of the connections is "loose" & allowing air to be sucked into the system.

    Geoff

  8. Last cast has covered the two most common options , using a noodle for heavy rigs & plastic bags for lighter rigs.

    A few additional comments , for heavy rigs or ones with luers tackle shops sell plastic rings like the yellow ones in this photo.

    post-731-0-17489400-1373667875_thumb.jpg

    As I mainly fish light , the majority of my rigs are in plastic bags then in a container. This one can store up to 20 packets , easy to identify , access & take up a minium of space.

    post-731-0-66608200-1373667764_thumb.jpg

    Geoff

  9. ALI-G In addition to MV Sunray's comment to install a in line flow control tap which you will need , ensure the pump bracket is installed as per this photo with the pick up pipe just below the bottom of the boat .

    This will avoid damage to the pipe / bracket should the transom hit bottom at any time.

    post-731-0-80991100-1372890991_thumb.jpg

    Unless your planning to empty the tank water into the bottom of the boat at days end then drain through the bung holes , the tank drain & outlet pipe can be combined there by avoiding drilling two holes in the transom

    post-731-0-75964900-1372891037_thumb.jpg

    post-731-0-41290200-1372891067_thumb.jpg

    The orange pipe is a piece of electrical condute , tapered at the end to provide a press fit into the skin fitting.

    Geoff

  10. Hi Geoff, I am Sydney based in the Eastern Subs.

    I was looking more at a flush mounting my tank into the transom on the right hand side. Above where your batteries are.

    Unfortunately not enough room for the set up you have!

    The tank you have is not designed or intended to be installed in the rear deck. If that is your preffered location then the tank needs to be one with a lip & fitted as shown in MV Sunray photo.

    Installing it over the batteries is OK provided there is sufficent space under the tank , after the bottom drain is installed , to access the batteries.

    The other consideration is weight , batteries plus a tank full of water may cause the boat to lean to one side which can be rather annoying.

    How was the pump size determined ? Unless you have a huge outlet pipe 800gph will cause overflow into the boat. An inline control flow tap will most likely be required or exchange for a 500gph pump.

    Geoff

  11. Another question, when draining the live well, we drain it into our boat?

    Depending on how you set up the tank , the floor layout etc , when back at the ramp , it would be OK to drain onto the floor then out the bung hole.

    The other option is to have the drain plug in the bottom of the tank with a hose feeding out through the lower part of the transom.

    These photo's may be of interest however they do not actually show the drain.

    post-731-0-17937700-1369433139_thumb.jpg

    post-731-0-41621400-1369433207_thumb.jpg

    The other option is to combine the drain with the outlet

    post-731-0-54378300-1369433362_thumb.jpg

    The orange pipe simply pulls out to allow the water to drain.

    The advantage of this system is , only one hole is required in the transom

    Geoff

  12. Question: can you have that tube pointing up and then down into the water?

    No.

    The outlet is gravity feed , not pressure. As Boattart indicated , the hose must be lower than the outlet point in the tank.

    Geoff

  13. A further thought , if concerned about leakes , fit a float switch to the bilge pump so if a leak does occur the pump will start up allerting you to a problem prior to the water comming up over the floor boards.

    Geoff

  14. If I understand the situation correctly , the pump is relying on water being around the transom to work effectivly & once you start moving the water reduces from around the pick up.

    I suspect the noise you are hearing is the pump running dry which is not good.

    Fitting a scoop will fix the water flow issue provided it is installed correctly to avoid any leaks into the bilge.

    Geoff

  15. Perhaps start with a good set of mud flaps.

    I assume you would prefer something that can be folded up when not in use , call a few marine trimmers they may have a suitable material.

    Another option , try caravan accessories stores , they should have something for vans which you may be

    adaptable to a boat.

    Geoff

  16. Kel A lot of boats , especially in this size are sold as package deals & to make them attractive , price wise , dealers fit the least expensive motor which , in this case , is a 40hp 2S

    I agree with Quintrex101 when he says ,

    40 would be too small mate. I'd want at least at 50-60hp. A 40 would push it fine with 1 person in it, throw say, a small family, fishing gear or 2 other keen anglers a bait tank etc and you'll find you'll have problems, it'll struggle to push the boat through the water (also using more fuel).

    Stay away from the 40hp , a 50hp would be OK & a 60hp would be great but suspect finding a 60hp would be rather rare.

    No one has ever complained about having too much power

    As for the boat , most well known brands of the same vintage would be similar , focus on the motor then on the boat not the other way around

    Geoff

  17. I'm not familiar with the quality of Mariners / Merc's produced during the 90's so unable to assist.

    Suggest you speak with Huey however , before doing so try & find the actual year as I suspect a 1991motor will be a lot different to a 1999 motor .

    As to the HP , it will mainly depend on the condition , especially the compression.

    Geoff

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