Good News Bad News

[Harmsway]

The good news is that this morning (8/1/10) started off great with a keeper trout on the 1st cast. Another on the 2nd cast. Wow, and we were not even at 'the spot' yet. The idea was to stop short and arm all the rigs so that we would be ready to pounce when we got there. Everything pointed to a stellar fishing day, so we left fish to find fish (son Brett hates that ). But that's not the bad news.

The bad news is that the motor suddenly started acting up (so we came back to the hill for safety's sake). Crazy thing would run good for about 15 seconds and then start to cut out and bog down. Idled fine, but it would never maintain RPMs for very long after getting on plane. I hope its something simple like full water filter, or stuck vent check valve. I think I will take it to Parkway Marine for a diagnosis.

But I would be grateful for any suggestions from any of you shadetree mechanics out there.

[fishinfool]

Check your spark plugs and fuel filters. Sounds like a fuel problem to me, (not getting enough to run WOT), and it never hurts to check the spark plugs.
FF

[Jumptrout51]

You're screwed.
BreakOutAnotherThousand.

[Ron Wilson]

Doggone. Hate to hear about the motor.

[Harmsway]

You're screwed.
BreakOutAnotherThousand.

The two most happiest days of my life . . .

[Ron Wilson]

[onefishtwofish]

Sounds exactly like what my boat did. Fuel issue. Good luck, hope it is a simple and cheap fix.

[cleanlivin]

Mine did same thing and the mechanic said ETHANOL was the problem

[wevans]

Water is what it sounds like to me "had it happen several times with my old boat, and it was water every time"

[Harmsway]

You're screwed.
BreakOutAnotherThousand.

You were right (as usual), JT. The current diagnosis is a corroding aluminum gas tank, and the corrosion bits are fouling the fuel filter. The current recommendation is to cut out the fiberglass floor, replace the tank, and glass the floor back in. Ouch!

I wonder who does good and cheap fiberglass boat repair work around here?

Heck, I'm really wondering who does good and cheap gas tank repair?

[Jumptrout51]

Hang a 6 gallon tank on the back and go fish.

[SHOWBOAT]

You're screwed.
BreakOutAnotherThousand.

You were right (as usual), JT. The current diagnosis is a corroding aluminum gas tank, and the corrosion bits are fouling the fuel filter. The current recommendation is to cut out the fiberglass floor, replace the tank, and glass the floor back in. Ouch!

I wonder who does good and cheap fiberglass boat repair work around here?

Heck, I'm really wondering who does good and cheap gas tank repair?

I believe that is the same procedure that was required to fix Keyser's BC. He was happy with the work that I think he had done at Mike's. It won't be cheap though. I just had to replace the plastic tank in my Xpress, no cutting required but the CC did have to be removed; $700 was the price and that won't touch yours Will, sorry.

[Harmsway]

Thanks for the feedback, Brian (I think).

[cmccord]

Mike's Marine Ways
56 Industrial Ct
Crawfordville, FL 32327
(850) 925-5685

He did my brother's Boston Whaler 17' Outrage a couple of years back and did a fine job. Don't remember the actual bill but it wasn't "cheap" by any means. However, I'd rather have it done right and rest comfortably knowing that.

[Harmsway]

Thanks for the testimonial, cmcord. I spent today getting opinions and quotes . I decided to leave my girl with Mike. It hurts, but I got the warmest fuzziest feeling there than anywhere else. It feels funny (not ha-ha funny) being boatless.