Latest launch in 6 years

skennelly

Was planning to splash Saturday but now they are calling for 3 to 5 foot waves.  Last week was 4 to 6 footers.  So frustrating.

trip_n

wheres the spirit mate

J3ff

3 to 5 foot waves? Get yer boat in the water.. that's a normal day in the keys!!

skennelly

Yeah not on Lake Michigan... different wave type.  Also have 3 year old and wife along with me.  By myself I would go no problem.

Willhound

Prudence and patience are a sign of maturity. Especially on the first shake down run of the year. Could be worse, marina's here aren't even open yet due to Covid, however most don't splash until May 1st anyway and depending on conditions, some of the bigger places don't guarantee all the boats in before 3d week of May.

Grahamu

I agree with @Willhound,  3 - 5 ft waves on Lake Simcoe are not the same as the ocean. They are much closer wave tops and less bouyance. I would stay put too.

skennelly

@Grahamu @Willhound Yes exactly.

Cableguy Greg

@skennelly get her in the water!! My wife and I will be in Chicago in two weeks. 

davidbrooks

I feel ya.  Mine is self induced though.  I am itching to get the dash back in and take advantage of some nice weather.  Today and tomorrow they are calling for 30mph winds though so no boat for me.

YYZRC

How’s the helm coming @davidbrooks ??

davidbrooks

@YYZRC slowly.  I am at the mercy of the guy doing the painting. I did a couple rounds of sanding and priming so now we are at the end.

reneechris14

stay on dry land for a couple more days.

skennelly

Sunday might give us a window.  @Cableguy Greg - Where are you going to be?

randy56

Not worth it to give you child and wife a bad day out. Stay on shore. Ya don't want a bad memory for them. Next time.

skennelly

@randy56 - my wife and I have been in some nasty water prior to having our daughter.  We have learned that it's just not worth it.  However the winds are looking promising for Sunday.

skennelly

Boat sank today.  4 people on board..they recovered 3...looking for tbe remaining person.  30mph winds waves were 4 to 7 footers.  Sad.

skennelly

16 foot boat!!!!  They did not find the 4th person

Cableguy Greg

skennelly said:

Sunday might give us a window.  @Cableguy Greg - Where are you going to be?

We are staying at the Renaissance Friday evening to Sunday. 

skennelly

Well...launched today.  Not good.  I've got some kind of vibration going on.  After pulling into our slip I lifted the hatch and my drive reservoir was nearly empty as well.  I topped it off and about an hour and a half later it was down again.  Topped it again and watching it.

I had the gimbal bearing done last summer so alignment has been done quite recently.

rasbury

Oh no! 6 years since you have been in the water or an I missing something?
Not a good start.. maybe it's just a plug that was not tight but we know when all the oil leaks out the water comes in..so hope you got it pulled...hope the rest of your season goes better.

aero3113

@skennelly , have you used the boat since the gimbal bearing was replaced? There’s a chance the broke the reservoir nipple on the outside of the transom assembly.

rasbury

That would be just the bearing, not the out drive right?

skennelly

To clarify..no this year is just the latest I've launched in 6 years.  Usually always launch by April 15th.

I had the gimbal bearing done around 4th of july last summer...used the boat all summer long and no issue

They also replaced the resovoir hose

RiverRat232

Haven't splashed yet this year either. Selling my motorhome and getting her in shape for the sale. Like boats, RVs are selling like hot cakes this year.

Dude_Himself

Ugh. Last year first launch was September. One trip, ordered parts, THEY JUST ARRIVED. Naturally the weather is calling for 30+ gusts for the next 10 days. 

J3ff

skennelly said:

Well...launched today.  Not good.  I've got some kind of vibration going on.  After pulling into our slip I lifted the hatch and my drive reservoir was nearly empty as well.  I topped it off and about an hour and a half later it was down again.  Topped it again and watching it.

I had the gimbal bearing done last summer so alignment has been done quite recently.

This sounds exactly like what happened to me... Oil in the water? Or oil in the engine bay?

If in the water it's probably that stupid 10 dollar part that mercury made plastic. I don't know what it's called but it supplies oil to the drive... get it out of the water asap.. 

skennelly

@J3ff - I didn't see any oil in the bilge or no sheen on the water.  I had the oil line replaced last summer when I had gimbal bearing and bellows replaced.  I'm praying that there was an air pocket or something.  I'll see when I get back this weekend.

rasbury

Would you see that much oil in that big ol bilge? Mine did do that to after a service and for sure something to keep an eye on- along with every other nook and cranny on the boat!

skennelly

I'm not sure @rasbury...I suppose not

skennelly

Question.  If it was a lube hose leak wouldn't it leak on the trailer?  The reservoir was full all winter and before I launched.  Idk I'm still counting on it being an air pocket

Liberty44140

In 5 seasons with twin B3 I never had more than an inch of burp in the reservoir. Even when they pulled the drive mid season and didn’t drain, just reconnected and topped off, I didn’t have enough burp to empty the tank. Hopefully it holds. At the very least I’d get a mechanic on board to listen/feel the noises and vibrations. Any chance the props didn’t get re tightened after the splines were greased?