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1

Main Message Board / Re: What's a healthy engine sound like?

« on: Yesterday at 06:32:34 PM »

pby : Sounds like a normal diesel to me!!  Is there any vibration?

and when was the last time you checked the valve clearance??

A few thoughts

Well there's what I'd say is normal vibration from a running engine. The engine moves a bit on the mounts, meaning it's not rock solid, it shimmy's at idle more than a car engine if that helps.

The only thing I would say is that when I shift into reverse to decelerate, after pausing in neutral, there's a shrudder and then it settles down. There is a variprop 3 blade on her, so I assumed the shrudder is normal as the blades move into reverse pitch, but....?

Also, you can see in the video with the transmission engaged that the stuffing box and shaft move ever so slightly.  Not a vibration, more a swaying motion.  No idea if that's an issue...

I also seem to find a couple of cups of antifreeze in the bilge, and the overflow bottle is empty in the spring after the winter.  Engine is full of coolant, and I just top it up and it doesn't happen during summer months.  Can't figure this one out.  I've tightened all the hose clamps I can see.

No I don't think the valves have ever been checked for clearance. I know I haven't done it in 3 years.

Sorry, there's a number of points here!

2

Main Message Board / Re: Cabin lights in forward cabin

« on: Yesterday at 02:24:52 PM »

Do you have voltage in the sockets?  If not maybe check the wiring from the breaker that runs forward.

Did it ever work?  Is there anything that changed between working and not working?

Unfortunately the schematic in the manual isn't specific about where it runs...

3

Main Message Board / What's a healthy engine sound like?

« on: Yesterday at 01:25:37 PM »

I've been reading with interest the thread on alternator belts and engine temp, and taking a look at my engine.  At 23 years old, but low hours (less than 900), it seems like it's in good shape, but I don't know what a diesel marine engine is supposed to sound like.  I have no reference, as compared to a car, which I know what is normal.

This may sound odd, but can I get some feedback on the way the engine 'sounds'?  There are 2 vids, one idiling and another with forward engaged at idle.  She's tied up at the dock still if that matters.

How does the old girl sound? Anything to look into?  Also, a couple of pics of the back of the engine, just in case!

Idle:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bQR5bexjS8Y

Idle Forward:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xhTce5ix298

4

Main Message Board / Re: Canada to the US in Great Lakes License or Registration needed?

« on: Yesterday at 12:14:22 PM »

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


If you leave Canadian waters you MUST register the vessel.  That's 2 departments...

That is simply NOT TRUE.

My boat is licensed in British Columbia and I visit the American San Juan islands with no problems.

A Canadian vessel needs to be either licensed (by a province) of registered (Federal) to operate in Canada.

Either a licensed or registered Canadian vessel can visit the US legally.

I believe you.  However, TC doesn't say that when you call them.  In fact the web site asks you if you're travelling outside of Canada, and points you to Registration.  No exceptions, and no information that it's not required for Can/USA.

See attached image. Now, if you didn't know what we know, you'd likely read 'To travel abroad and be recognized internationally as a registered vessel' and select 'yes'.   I was unsure based upon what I read elsewhere and called them.  I specifically asked them if it was required to register the vessel to visit the US from Canada, and told them I'm on Lake Ontario only, not going off shore, or anything where you'd enter international waters and enter the US.

They emphatically answered... register the vessel.

5

Main Message Board / Re: Equipment needed to tighten keel bolts

« on: Yesterday at 03:46:19 AM »

Congratulations. How far out of torque were they?

I didn't check specifically, but they all needed around a half turn, and the aft most probably 1 and a half.  The washer wasn't compressed.

6

Main Message Board / Re: Equipment needed to tighten keel bolts

« on: May 30, 2023, 09:06:01 PM »

Ok, job done.

Thank you to all here.  I couldn't have done it without your help.

In the end I used:
CT Torque Wrench with no pipe to extend.  It was close but I found a technique that made it doable.
20" extension.  This made it pretty easy to work with.
1/2" drive universal adapter
1-1/8" Sunex Deep Socket.  Absolutely critical.  Depth barely cleared the bolts.  Must have been a discount sale on keel bolts. Not sure why they are THAT long.
https://www.amazon.ca/Sunex-2-Inch-8-Inch-Impact-Socket/dp/B002YKK7X4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Sunex+236xd+1%2F2-Inch+Drive+1-1%2F8-Inch+Extra+Deep+Impact+Socket&qid=1682695866&sr=8-1

Basically, sit on the floor in a rowing position, put one hand on the wrench to extenstion 90 degree turn, other on the end of the wrench, and push and pull at the same time and row your way to 107lbs/ft.

The long extension makes this work.  A shorter one would have been brutal and likely would have needed something to extend the wrench.

7

Main Message Board / Re: Dinghy Warranty

« on: May 30, 2023, 08:55:52 PM »

Noah,

My original setup was a Cribe 10' RIB with a 15hp Merc 2-stroke which I used as a dive platform. This arrangement would transport two divers, two sets of dive gear and two extra tanks at around 17 to 18 knots which was great for getting quickly to and from distant dive spots.

The problem was while it also works great for to and from the dinghy dock and dinghy cruises the setup when not diving is a real mother, that Merc weighs 70lbs and it's big which also makes storage a challenge. So I did what you did I got a Honda 2.3hp 4-stoke. It's great, it's lightweight, stores easily in the port side cockpit locker, doesn't need pre-mix and easily gets us to the dock.

Yeah, the 6hp is plenty big enough to manhandle.  I can't imagine what a 15hp would feel like!  If electrice wasn't so mind boggling expensive I would have gone with that.

8

Main Message Board / Re: Canada to the US in Great Lakes License or Registration needed?

« on: May 30, 2023, 08:53:00 PM »

It is not a MUST, it is AN IF.

To travel abroad and [if you want her to] be recognized internationally as a registered vessel

The US does not require CDN pleasure vessels to be registered (we call it Documented.)

Yeah I get it.  For what it's worth, I called TC PCL and Registration, and the both said the same thing.  If you leave Canadian waters you MUST register the vessel.  That's 2 departments...

9

Main Message Board / Re: Dinghy Warranty

« on: May 18, 2023, 06:31:34 PM »

pby & Rob : My 3 hard points were easy to make - I took the inside nuts off the towing eye in the bow and replaced it with a SS eye-nut. Did the same on the transom of my RIB with 2 more eye-nuts..

Between myself and wife we total just under 300 lbs. and I have a 5 hp 2 cycle (Nisson) that easily gets up on plane!!  I assume that your 6hp (Mercury) is a 4 cycle??

A few thoughts

Ron, luckily I had welded tabs that I can use 3 inside, and 2 on the exterior of the transom up at the top.  Do you connect directly to the eyes or do you have some kind of bridle that connects to the davit lines?

All up I figure 330lbs for wife and I, and 134lbs for dinghy and engine for a total of 464lbs.  You'd think that would be okay, but...it feels like there's something is not quite right.  With 3 adults, up to 80% throttle the speed increases, and from there to 100% no change in RPM or speed.  Engine runs clean though, and starts on 1-2 pulls.  But that's what people were saying to change the prop pitch... maybe stock it's to market  top end for one person, and real world, you need a different pitch to let it rev out...

10

Main Message Board / Re: Dinghy Warranty

« on: May 18, 2023, 01:34:47 PM »

Rob, one more question.  Assuming you have davits, what's your setup for connecting the 3 hardpoints in the dinghy to the davits?

11

Main Message Board / Re: Dinghy Warranty

« on: May 18, 2023, 01:27:55 PM »

I have that same setup, the UL260 with the Mercury 6hp and yeah with just my wife and I it wants to plane but it just can't quite get there.  I bought the 6hp for the weight carrying it around, my prior setup had a 9.9hp 2 stroke and it was heavy. The 6hp was still a little awkward to get off the dingy in the water so I also added a lift, though I went with the forespar nova lift. It makes lifting the outboard so easy I now wish I had gone with the 9hp motor.  C'est la vie.

Rob

Yeah, I've read somethings about changing the prop to something with a different pitch (sorry I don't know what it is), and adding hydrofoils.  Not sure if you need both?  There's a few YT's on this topic, I just haven't investigated.

My problem is that I have some beefy davits already, and I'm scratching my head how to add an engine hoist, or maybe just use the davits somehow?  Do you have davits with the hoist?

12

Main Message Board / Re: Stainless Outfitters Handi-Lift Outboard Motor Lift

« on: May 18, 2023, 07:56:31 AM »

Ok, so looking at the photos of the install and my boat, I'm scratching my head.  I've got davits too, and it looks like they are going to be in the way.

Any suggestions?  There has to be a way...

There most likely is.  Now that you've seen the "parts" go and get a 1 1/2" inch piece of PVC tubing and bring it down to the boat and play around with it.  Good luck.

That's a good idea...can use it later to fend off boarders...

13

Main Message Board / Re: Canada to the US in Great Lakes License or Registration needed?

« on: May 18, 2023, 03:47:48 AM »

If you have NEXUS cards all you require is a US CBP decal. https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/main/home.htm#%20 . Many of the marinas on the Great Lakes have NEXUS kiosks where you swipe in and you're done.

So licensing is all that is required?  Odd that TC says you need to Register the vessel for international travel outside of Canada, which it definitely is.

Good to know about NEXUS, but I don't have it.

14

Main Message Board / Re: Stainless Outfitters Handi-Lift Outboard Motor Lift

« on: May 17, 2023, 09:23:51 PM »

Ok, so looking at the photos of the install and my boat, I'm scratching my head.  I've got davits too, and it looks like they are going to be in the way.

Any suggestions?  There has to be a way...

15

Main Message Board / Re: Dinghy Warranty

« on: May 17, 2023, 09:09:01 PM »

Ended up finding a Highfield 260UL with a mercury 6hp in very good condition in my backyard.  Gave it a spin, and well, with 3 adults, it's not the fastest thing in the world...