What Did You Do To Your Boat This Week?

Started my annual / pre-winterization process over the weekend. I usually defer until after the boating season, but invariably I wait too long and end up doing it when its 5C and raining sometime in mid/late November. This time, I thought lets spread it out over a few weekends. Its a G1 Etec so there isn't exactly much winterizing - more annual maintenance.

First up was the water pump. Not a terrible job, but I hadn't done it before on this motor. The engine is a 2019 and was purchased with 145hrs and now it has 200hrs. Previous owner had the water pump done at 3 years, I'm doing the same - so done on age not hours. Anyway, the shop that did it last time torqued everything up totally dry - no grease on any of the bolts - so wire brushed off a bit of oxidization from the bolts and applied a thin coat of triple guard grease. Previous owner stored it in salt water, so I'm glad I got into it now while everything came apart ok. Also, the previous shop didn't align the lower unit perfectly and squished one of the mounting bolt guide sleeves so I had to chisel that out (will have to install a new one next time). For some reason the impeller wouldn't release off the shaft key, so needed a bit of work with two pry bars and eventually let go with a pop.

It was one of those things that took longer than it should, next time could probably do the whole thing in an hour. Although the old impeller looked basically perfect, the stream from the telltale was much stronger - so a somewhat satisfying job.

Next up is the lower unit gear oil, VST filter and spark plugs.
 
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Replaced the front carrier bunks this week and hauled the boat home last night.

As usual, I was in a rush and left my keys on the bumper. They rode safely to the ferry terminal and over to Gabriola. I finally shook them off once I got off the ferry. Only few people drove over them before someone finally turned them into the post office, where a friend picked them up today. Not my finest hour…
 
Cleaned her up real nice, carpet shampooed all the cuddy/cushions, and tucked her away in the shop for a little while. Freezer is full and bank account is low lol.
I usually take a 1-month break in October and April. It’s good for the marriage…
 

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Wind is back. Time to start fitting the pieces together.
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Got around to mounting the newish 5 pound fire extinguisher, had to order the bracket from Kidde as it just comes with a wall hook style. However, it still moved a little bit, so I bought an orange Velcro strap kit, and McGyver’d it as another contact point to help keep it still. It worked out pretty slick. High enough that I can get the deck brush under it and it’s tucked out of the way behind the navigation light and the grab handle.

The old 2.5 pound extinguisher blew up under the console and destroyed one package of gummy bears and a half eaten bag of Hawkins Cheezies. That was upsetting.

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One note on fire extinguishers. The dry chemicals in the fire extinguisher settle to the bottom, and I've heard that due to vibration on boats these particles are more susceptible to clumping in the bottom than usual. A few times a year its a good idea to take the extinguisher out, turn it upside down and give it a shake. Its a good idea to do this for any fire extinguisher - but boats extinguishers in particular.

Also, if you have an old/expired extinguisher I highly recommend firing it off with your kids/spouse to show them how to use it.
 
Max123 said:
One note on fire extinguishers. The dry chemicals in the fire extinguisher settle to the bottom, and I've heard that due to vibration on boats these particles are more susceptible to clumping in the bottom than usual. A few times a year its a good idea to take the extinguisher out, turn it upside down and give it a shake. Its a good idea to do this for any fire extinguisher - but boats extinguishers in particular.

Also, if you have an old/expired extinguisher I highly recommend firing it off with your kids/spouse to show them how to use it.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I do know that the wave action at the console is much less than more forward in the boat, however your vibration point seems valid..
 
Max123 said:
One note on fire extinguishers. The dry chemicals in the fire extinguisher settle to the bottom, and I've heard that due to vibration on boats these particles are more susceptible to clumping in the bottom than usual. A few times a year its a good idea to take the extinguisher out, turn it upside down and give it a shake. Its a good idea to do this for any fire extinguisher - but boats extinguishers in particular.

Also, if you have an old/expired extinguisher I highly recommend firing it off with your kids/spouse to show them how to use it.
Click to expand...
I was looking at those E50 fire extinguisher sticks at Harbour Chandler a few years back and was thinking they would be a perfect no/low maintenance replacement for the bigger chemical ones. I don't know much about them and I am not sure if they are a certified replacement for the dry chemical ones in a marine environment though.
 
Took it in for its end-of-season service then took it home and tarped it up for the winter. 🥲
Both kicker and main were due for their big 300 hr service, control cables for the kicker had to be replaced (second time) and a few other niggling things added up to a big bill. Filling the gas tank to put it away just added to the pain. 😣

I’ll just have to look at the bright side when I uncover it next year and take it straight to the boat ramp, fueled up and ready to go.
 
Squire said:
Took it in for its end-of-season service then took it home and tarped it up for the winter. 🥲
Both kicker and main were due for their big 300 hr service, control cables for the kicker had to be replaced (second time) and a few other niggling things added up to a big bill. Filling the gas tank to put it away just added to the pain. 😣

I’ll just have to look at the bright side when I uncover it next year and take it straight to the boat ramp, fueled up and ready to go.
Click to expand...
What’s the issue with the kicker cables?
 
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