I think I figured out my problem...

[juju151]

Last week I posted a thread about my 5.7TBI missing slightly at low speeds...well, I pulled the boat out of the water this weekend to clean and inspect everything. It looks like 2 of my spark plug wire ends that attach to the distributor cap has some rust and corrosion in them. All the rest look brand new. Not sure why this would happen, unless those 2 got some moisture in them and rusted a bit. I scraped and cleaned the rust and corrosion out of the plug wire caps and put them back on.

I was wondering if I should spray a little WD-40 in them to keep them from rusting in the future?

I just hate to buy a whole new set of wires since all the other look brand new, but that may have been my problem.

AND!!!! Come on guys and gals...you can say it, because I've got it coming...the "I told you so's"...

I've learned my lesson about leaving the boat in the water...it's only been in the water for about a month and a half or so, and the water/scum stain on the bottom of the boat will NOT come off. I've scrubbed my arm off and it will not even start to take it off...even tried an SOS pad on a small area, which did take the stain mostly off, but I know that's not a good idea. So I'm going to try some of the NuHull stuff and see if that will work.

I think I also have "gelcoat blisters" on a very small area under the boat. A patch about 4 inches long by about 2 inches wide that has very, very small bumps. You can't even see them unless you are looking in the correct direction with the light reflecting on the hull??? Is this what everyone was talking about?

Oh well, maybe this will justify a lift purchase a little earlier than planned with my "Boss"...She didn't like helping me scrub the bottom of the boat, and I told her if we had a lift we wouldn't have to do this!

[Andyg]

I would not use WD40. WD40 is a corrosive substance and also does not play well with plastic and rubber. It will dry plastic and rubber out making it brittle. If you don't want to replace the plug wires go to your local hardware store and buy a can of LPS. It is a lubricant that will prevent rusting and does not harm plastic and rubber.

Good luck on the boat lift. My "boss" is still making me launch the boat every time I use it instead of letting me buy a boat lift.

[John B]

StarBrite hull cleaner will get the scum right off. :D

[Granite_33]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate having a lift.

I can get under the boat to inspect / clean as needed, and it makes it easy to get to so I can wipe it down daily. The bottom of the boat still looks showroom clean.

The canopy does a decent job keeping crap out of the boat, however, it is there more for the sun protection. In a bad rain storm, its not terribly effective.

[AirJunky]

Quit scrubbin & get some Starbrite. That scum will hose off!! Just be sure to where rubber gloves when messing with that stuff. It's nasty & stings like he11!
After years of using WD40 in my VW baja ignitions to repel water, I would think it would be fine in this application also. I've never had a problem with rust after using it...... even years later.

[André]

Ditto on the boat lift.Just yesterday i was watching the neighbor's hull why on plane,the scum was so brownish that you would have think it a 2 colors hull.
Nice canopy Granite,that's what i'm missing...

[Granite_33]

Ditto on the boat lift.Just yesterday i was watching the neighbor's hull why on plane,the scum was so brownish that you would have think it a 2 colors hull.
Nice canopy Granite,that's what i'm missing...

Thanks Andre,

It worked better on the old boat without the tower, I would crank it right up underneath the canopy. The worst storms would only force a few drops of water in at the most. With this boat, if I see black clouds rolling in, I put the cover on it, as the canopy will only protect against a vertical rain.......any wind, and the boat gets drenched.

On sunny days, though, its nice to get into a boat that is nice and cool to the touch. :D

I'm thinking about some 4-5' side curtains to help keep the weather out......but thats next years project.

I just replaced the cable on the lift yesterday.....5/16 Stainless.....it took about an hour removing the old, replacing with the new. The boat was anchored for an hour and that hour was the longest that the boat has been in water while not in use. :banana:

Long live the boat lift. :)

[BrianM]

AND!!!! Come on guys and gals...you can say it, because I've got it coming...the "I told you so's"...

I've learned my lesson about leaving the boat in the water...it's only been in the water for about a month and a half or so, and the water/scum stain on the bottom of the boat will NOT come off. I've scrubbed my arm off and it will not even start to take it off...even tried an SOS pad on a small area, which did take the stain mostly off, but I know that's not a good idea. So I'm going to try some of the NuHull stuff and see if that will work.



This stuff works wonders on scum lines and stains. http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/10001/-1/10001/72464/10001/34/11201/4 The water I run in leaves terrible brown stains that do not like to come off. You rub this on and let it sit for a minute then rub gently and all the funk comes off. Safe for the gel just make sure you follow up with a good coat of wax.

[juju151]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone...

Granite...what kind of lift is that? I was reading a thread about lifts and someone said that they paid about $3200 for thier lift...was that you?

[LakePirate]

JuJu there are a couple of companies that install lifts just across the stateline in Alabama. They are over in Wedowee. The installed our and it works like a champ.

Here is the link to the one we have.


http://www.shoremaster.com/lifts/floating/smfloatinglift.htm

Why I believe I have seen that pickle fork nose before.

[MYMC]

Use dielectric grease to seal the boots to the cap this will keep the moisture out.

[Granite_33]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone...

Granite...what kind of lift is that? I was reading a thread about lifts and someone said that they paid about $3200 for thier lift...was that you?


Juju,
We did not buy the lift, it was already used for the in-laws viking deck boat, before we bought our first MC. They sold the deck boat to make way. We added the bunks and canopy.
The lift is a Hewitt Cantilever.

We have had years of trouble free operation with it. We replace the bushings every 3-4 years to keep the pulleys fresh.. The cable did finally give out last year.......interesting to see a boat drop so quickly into the water :eek3: from the full upright position. No injuries or damage.....

$3200 seems low for a new one.

[Jerseydave]

Hull stains.....last summer my 30' Formula was docked for one week on the Elk river in MD. Stains were real bad. The owner of the marina sold me something called "SLIMEY GRIMEY" and it worked great!
I've also used MARYKATE EASY ON/OFF and it works good too.
Just be sure to wear rubber gloves and watch breathing the fumes.
Very strong. Didn't hurt my gelcoat at all.

I second the idea of die-electric grease on any elec. contacts.
I also spray a coating of WD40 all over the engine when I winterize.
NO RUST!