Mercruiser 4.7L Engine Damage After Sandbar Impact: Troubleshooting & Potential Issues

QuestionWe hit a sandbar last night. Its a mercruiser 470 78 i/o. The outdrive hit the ground hard. The motor kept running until I was sure that is what ha

Repairing a Damaged Outboard Motor Trim System - Safety & Alternatives

QuestionI have an old Johnson 85hp motor in which the trim cylinders are shoot, I can not find replacements for them.  Can I still use the boat safely

Deep Cycle Battery Charging: Should You Fully Discharge?

Questionis it true that you have to totally discharge a dep cycle battery before recharging it AnswerHi Gary...Thank you for selecting the undersigned to

Painting a 1972 Starcraft Boat: Gelcoat Preparation & Best Practices

QuestionQUESTION: I own an 1972 Starcraft with gelcoat and want to paint the inside and outside. Before painting over the gelcoat on the inside, should I s

Obtaining a Tugboat License in Alabama: Requirements & Career Opportunities

QuestionMr. Blanchet, I have lived in Alabama on the Tennessee River all my life (54 yrs) and would like to know how I go about getting a license to operat

Yamaha 25 HP Outboard Won't Restart: Troubleshooting & Potential Causes

QuestionI have a 95 Yamaha 25 horse outboard that starts great but run it and shut it off it will not start . Pulled plug it has spark ??? AnswerHi Terry.

Mercruiser Engine Stalling at Low Speeds - Troubleshooting & Solutions

QuestionHello, I have a 23, with an i/o Mercruiser, which Ive had for about 1.5 seasons.  At low speeds (3 -6 mph), such as when Im attempting to mane

Troubleshooting 1998 Mercury 30 HP Outboard Electrical Issues

QuestionHi, I have a 1998 Mercury 30 hp, 2 stroke outboard motor on a Smokercraft boat.  The engine has electric start and power tilt with separate oi

Capacity Plate Requirements for Pontoon Boats: Canada & US

QuestionMr Blanchet; I purched a used 1994 Riviera Cruiser 20 ft. pontoon boat. It has no capacity plate anywhere. If the law requires one how can I get on

Troubleshooting Slow Plane Speed on 2007 Azure Deck Boat

QuestionI have a 2007 Azure I/O Sport Deck boat with Merc 5.0 Aplha 3? 26hp and am having trouble getting it to plane out quick enough with just myself in

Bilge Pump Location & Operation on a Boat - Thundercraft 19ft

QuestionI have a 1985 19ft Thundercraft Boat, and I wonder if you could tell me where to find the Bilge Pump, and if the Bilge Pump shoud be on all the tim

Searsay Engine RPM Discrepancy: Is It a Concern?

QuestionI have a 2005 searay Purchased and accepted delivery last year. This will be my first full time boating year.  I just noticed  last week

Buying a Used Boat: Inspection Checklist & Questions

QuestionI am currently thinking of purchasing a 1970 Corson boat with a 1989 200HP engine.  I have never purchased a boat before, What should I be loo

Yamaha 115 Saltwater Outboard Engine Stalling Issues - Troubleshooting & Solutions

QuestionThe engines starts every time the first I hit the key! It revs up in neutral no problem. It runs great 98% of the time. BUT every once in a while i

2000 Striper Boat Listens to Port: Troubleshooting Lean Issue

Questioni have a 23 ft striper. i did not have it surveyed. the boat is a 2000 and was rough. I fixed it up and it is all i want as  mom and daughter

Mercury Black Max 150 Throttle Issues - Troubleshooting & Repair

QuestionWell, Im still having major throttle problems on my Whaler Revenge 20 1987, with a merc black max 150, and quicksilver binnacle mount control box

Water Shut-Off Valve Location on Wellcraft Martinique 2400

QuestionCan you please tell me where the main switch is for controlling water off/on (faucet, sink, toilet)? Thanks Willy AnswerHi William...Thank you fo

Steering Fluid Leak Troubleshooting & Connector Replacement

QuestionDear Sir, i have fluid leaking near the connection to th motor, i thought maybe there was a tiny hole or split, but, i  removed the connector

Mercury 2.5L 150HP Outboard: Unusual Tell Tale Behavior - Is It Normal?

Questionthe tell tale doesnt pee when first started and run at idle.  it will pee when run at higher rpms and then if run for 10 minutes or so at lowe

Troubleshooting Yamaha YHANNMA115 Gear Problems - Common Causes & Solutions

Questionhi ron i have a yhannma115 and it wont go in to ford or reves but u can hear a click when i put it gear but then it juts reves AnswerHi Padraic...