After 6 months of living in the water....

ric · **Posted:** Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:46 pm

gregs wrote:

You're making me tired just reading and lookin' at the pics. :!:

Good work!

Greg

Thanks

Owning a boat isn't easy. I can see why there's so many boats in disrepair, if you're not on it like white on rice they can fall part very quickly.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:05 pm

white gelcoat is REALLLY hard to polish!

ric · **Posted:** Sat Nov 26, 2011 2:14 pm

Just about done. Wow. Cleaning a clean boat freaking sucks, I can only imagine a dirty one.
Things I did:

[list=]Clean all scum off
MaryKate Gel'd
High speed buffed WHOLE boat
Sanded/repainted outdrive
Changed oil with new Mobil 1 syn gear oil
Cleaned fuel filters in pump/carb (will be adding water sep in when it comes in the mail)
New magnesium anodes
Replaced registration numbers
Removed all old looking random brand stickers from the windows
Cleaned bilge out by hand, cleaned bilge pump
Scrubbed down interior several times
Re-organised tool/repair kit
Installed Magma Grill rotating flush mount
Checked/tightened belts
Replace all incandescent bulbs with LED replacement bulbs (still in mail)
Seal up passenger cooler silicone, it leaked in boat and not always out the thru-hull
Washed and sent snap in canvas covers to have seams resewed by father's friend at marina with a sail sewing machine.

I'm going to be sad when I drop it back in the water today. I didn't even consider it work, it was peaceful and relaxing. I still need to get a mobile window tint person to swing by and do the windshield 20% black. I'm also on the fence about what to do for the future... boat lift or epoxy/bottom paint. I also want to see how much Four Winns will sell me the 2006 H180 sport graphics with the cool yellow accent.

Total cost? Under $300.

ric · **Posted:** Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:20 pm

Back in the water

ric · **Posted:** Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:36 pm

Scumbag boat. 20 minutes out on the lake, the power steering pump front seal lets loose, dumps fluid in my nice clean bilge, and nearly catches on fire on the ride home sounding like a raped cat (had to dump water on it to cool it down).

Picked up another one at the auto parts store for $50 (1994 Chevy Camaro 3.4 v6). Gotta love 24x7 auto parts stores but they don't have the PS pulley installer/remover tool to rent. Harbor Freight opens @ 9am, I'll be there! I just gotta swap pulleys, bolt this dog back on the boat and go! I am NOT missing out on a funday sunday when it's forecasted to be 81 degrees and I have a cute little 24yo with upgrades that wants to hang out!

St. Louis Dave · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2011 10:04 am

Looks like you were busy! Need pix. (you can choose what....) :wink:

ric · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2011 11:50 am

$60 new pump with 1 year warranty, swapped everything over to it (harbor freight puller/installer SUCKS but it worked after many bruises and cut fingers), and installed the Volvo Penta $10 power steering ram high pressure seal leak repair kit AKA no more power steering.

ric · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2011 12:57 pm

Checkmate. Boat runs perfect. Sure, the boat is a little harder to turn, but not as hard as spending $500 + a few hours of labor.

When it's not 80's out for a solid few weeks I'll eventually pull the ram off and see about having it fixed by a shop. Some of those good ole boys that work on construction equipment can fix/make any seal that's needed to get the job done.

ric · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:32 pm

Much better.... Low 80's air temp. 10mph wind.

SundayDinner · **Posted:** Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:46 pm

Nice work! Keeping these things in good working order, especially when they sit in salt water is no easy task. Nice pictures, although I think we were all looking for one of the 24 year old.... :mrgreen:

www.iFourWinns.com

After 6 months of living in the water....

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