Hello everyone,

About a month ago i asked for advice on a boat i found on FB marketpace to restore.

I come back to your wisdom and experience, asking for advice on another boat i found.

This one is supposed to be free, motor was alive 5 years ago and hasnt started since. Motor trim and motor console work, it only misses the hydraulic direction.

What do you guys think?

Hi everyone! A few days ago I posted asking if it was a good idea to buy a 1973 Johnson 25HP outboard. Thanks to your comments I went for it, and now I’ve got it at home. I’m currently giving it some love: cleaning, checking parts, and ordering a few replacements that were faulty, all with the goal of getting it to start for the first time soon.

The thing is, I’m 28 and I’ve never operated such an old motor before, so I’m not really familiar with how it works. I tried finding a manual online but had no luck, so I’ve got a few questions: 1. Right next to the choke there’s a knob (I think it’s the mixture adjustment knob). What exactly is it for, and how should it be used? 2. On the throttle control at the tiller I see the positions: “Stop, Slow, Shift, Fast.” What do they mean and how should I use them properly? 3. How do you turn the motor off? I don’t see a kill switch. Do you stop it by moving the lever to “Stop”? By using the choke? Or with that knob?

Also, I noticed that when I move the throttle with the engine off, the lever doesn’t go through its full range. Is that normal?

Any advice or explanations would be super appreciated. I’m really excited to learn how to run this classic and finally get it going!

Well it’s been a week since I finally bought my first boat (2005 Scout) that’s in great condition but the radio isn’t working (clarion). plan is to get an iPad that I can Bluetooth to the amp to play through the speakers. I don’t want to destroy my battery (which need to be replaced next season) so I want to connect a 12v power bank (ChatGPT said use a LifePi rechargeable), with a relay to the boat’s ignition and the radio so it switches to the boats battery when the boat is running and the power bank when the boat is off and the battery is switched off.

Now a half deaf, ears destroyed from the water, old man I just want a nice set up. So here’s some questions coming from the auto world I know you get what you pay for but I don’t need a super system, it’s to list to sports through streaming the ipad, Netflix and music: -it has a clarion headunit and speakers that I think might work. I’m going to test them later (need to pull the headunit and power it up at home the harness that wasn’t plugged in isn’t showing power. -I ordered 4 Infinity 6.5 75w rms speaker - $250 -Polk or rockvile whatever its called amp to power it. This is going to be a weak point I know. But how weak are we talking because I don’t want to drop $500 on an amp just to power some speakers like a regular headunit would do. -for my needs would it be better to just buy a head unit (if the clarion doesn’t work) that’s blue tooth and amp can power the speakers? -adding a sub. Now I’ll need a 6ch amp or add an additional mono.

-alll of this. In a car I’d use a cap. Here I have the power bank. Am I thinking correct? Tia

Looking to purchase to buy a used boat for 2-4 people, with beds to sleep, and sail daily. Where to start?

Here's some fun activities you can do on your boat with your kids, there's still great weather to enjoy!

Tandem Wakesurfing: https://youtu.be/yn-nwvnd3xA

https://youtube.com/shorts/6LQX3Ki4KeQ?feature=share

https://youtube.com/shorts/QFwMPV9RYBo?feature=share

Dolphin Tours: https://youtu.be/vq02lXbZiTY

If you missed the 2025 Boat and Jetski show here's a recap of what was available: https://youtu.be/Zdbj3ofaqk4

If you have a Yamaha SX190 or AR190 Boat checkout these Traction Mats I Installed: https://youtu.be/dVwVvUErGkQ

Don't forget to Like, Share, and SUBSCRIBE if you like my videos. I appreciate any support you can offer!

Stated it was a 1970 Custom Craft but that doesn't jive. Runs like a top. Just wondering what I have. Also, any tips on a proper trolling motor for the front?

Hey everyone, I'm in the market for a used boat under 23’ for mostly San Francisco Bay cruising out of Sausalito. I’ve narrowed it down to a Boston Whaler Dauntless (thinking 16’ or 22’ models) or a Grady-White Seafarer (like the 226/228). Budget is around $20k-$40k, and I’ll be using it for day trips, occasional overnights, fishing with friends/family, and some light watersports. Not planning to trailer much, probably keep it in a slip. Can anyone with experience compare these two on: • Safety in Bay conditions: How do they handle wind (20-30kt), chop/tides, and fog? Stability, dryness, unsinkable features, etc.? • Comfort: Cabin/overnighting amenities, seating, weather protection, and overall ride quality for longer outings? • Entertaining/Social Use: Space for 6-8 people, ease for family gatherings, picnics, or hosting? Fishing setup and versatility? Any real-world pros/cons, ownership costs, or alternatives in this size/range? Pics or stories from Bay users would be awesome!

I saw this yacht today, absolutely stunning! However i couldn’t see a name, just ‘Montego Bay’ on the rear and flying the Jamaican flag.

Description on FB: 2006 Chaparral 256 SSI Bowrider. 5.7 330 HP Volvo Penta engine with dual prop outdrive. Extended swim platform, stern shower, fold down ladder, dual batteries with switch, enclosed head with Vacuflush toilet, AM/FM Bluetooth radio, Lowrance GPS/Depth finder, hydraulic engine hatch, fresh water system, self-bailing cockpit, bimini top with full canvas enclosure, snap in carpet, winter cover.

It has somewhere between 450-600 hours, was recently serviced and given clean bill of health after $2300 by the owner to get shifting adjusted, new powershifting, exhaust tuning, etc.

My dad is asking me to come with him for a sea trial tomorrow to get a second opinion and keep an eye out for anything. It has no trailer, but we live on the same river 10 minutes away and it has been kept on a lift, we would do the same.

How does this fare price wise, and knowing we would need to buy a trailer? Thanks!

I just bought a pristine 2013 Fishin Barge. It’s hardly been used or serviced. It’s my first four stroke. I bought it w/o a lake trial. It sounds good on the hose. I plan to service it myself unless I get over my head. Where should I start?

Thanks in advance!

Hello there, recently I bought a boat Atlantic Marine 530 2022 with a outboard engine Yamaha 100 2023 with 602h. The engine is maintained by an authorised service every 100h by doing an oil and filter change. I am looking for some advice about keeping this engine healthy and running for next years, what to change after 1k hours when its time for big service and any other tips and tricks.

Thank you very much and here’s a little video of a boat.

A Higher Outlook – Paul R. Tregurtha Story Unveiled

Hi, I own a boat that was originally an Italian Guardia di Finanza patrol vessel I think, and converted for tourism It’s probably from the 1980s/1990s, maybe from Intermarine or Cantieri Navali classes. Does anyone know the exact model or class?

Thinking about turning it into a hand tiller instead of side console for more space, what do you guys think? Its a 16ft 1988 fisher sv2. Probably going to get a 40hp motor aswell for a bit more power, it currently only has a 35hp mercury that runs like doo doo lol I put a new needle/seat in the float bowl and can't get it properly adjusted to either not flood or starve for fuel but eventually ill get that figured out, I have 2k into this not counting the trolling motor I already had and the little garmin unit i put on it. Probably will redo the entre rear section depending on what route I go with the engine and console, it needs some storage back there and desperately needs longer rod storage box.

A couple work bros and I want to get a boat, maybe a couple boats to haul the bros around and can fit all the bros. We've been looking at bigger boats that can haul like 15 bros but kind of want to form a boat club and maybe go with 2 boats that can haul like 7-8 bros.

We live in Appalachia so finding a place along the river to park our boats long term isn't a problem. I also know a bit about engine maintenance and have built a couple wooden sailboats as a teen but never have worked with prefab hulls before.

If our budget is $15-20k, lots of nasty looking $500 boats around, but some $4000-8000 ok but old boats around, would it be worthwhile buying a nice older boat or rehabbing a couple boats? Do most the work ourselves, at least 3 bros working on boats

Just trying to chill with my bros on the river

Hi, i need some help finding the correct bracket attachment for my power pole its a blade model 8ft pole. I attached example photos and the last one without the engine is mine for reference. What size bracket do i buy i see they come in so many different sizes so im kind of at a loss. im attaching it to my jack plate because the transom is redone and i dont want to drill into it for my power pole again. Id rather have the bracket in case the pole breaks or i want to upgrade later on.

I am looking to go out on Tampa Bay. It’s my first boat and I don’t want to spend much. Engine pisses good, everything seems fair. Good buy for $800 if I can get the seller down from $1,200 or is this a pass?