- Joined
- Oct 1, 2011
- Messages
- 520
- Reaction score
- 309
- LOCATION
- SoCal
Your surroundings look amazing! That is as a chill as it gets! No wonder you purchased a 'toon!
TinBoats.net
The original aluminum boat site!
My 2022 SunTracker 22DLX Thread
- Thread starter FuzzyGrub
- Start date
Help Support TinBoats.net:
I did my first yearly maintence and winter storage for the Merc 150. No big surprises.
I like the oil drain feature and oil catch around the oil filter. It made it allot more pleasant/less messy. This is my 1st motor that has the gearcase drain behind the prop. I didn't think I'd like it, but prop shaft needs to be greased anyway, and it is more a bolt than the typical short drain/vent screws. It was a very slow drain with outside temps in the mid-forties. The drain screw hole was straight, vs angled down, so easier to get the pump threaded on.
Both the maintenance and storage call for removing the plugs. ie you fog by spraying into the spark plug holes. I assume this is because the air inlet is up under the flywheel cover. The bottom plug was a little harder to access but not cusingly hard. Had to make a long extension for the fogging oil.
The yearly maintenance also calls out an inspect and test of thermostat. The OP manual says see dealer.
My serice manual hasn't arrived, so that will wait until spring.
I like the oil drain feature and oil catch around the oil filter. It made it allot more pleasant/less messy. This is my 1st motor that has the gearcase drain behind the prop. I didn't think I'd like it, but prop shaft needs to be greased anyway, and it is more a bolt than the typical short drain/vent screws. It was a very slow drain with outside temps in the mid-forties. The drain screw hole was straight, vs angled down, so easier to get the pump threaded on.
Both the maintenance and storage call for removing the plugs. ie you fog by spraying into the spark plug holes. I assume this is because the air inlet is up under the flywheel cover. The bottom plug was a little harder to access but not cusingly hard. Had to make a long extension for the fogging oil.
The yearly maintenance also calls out an inspect and test of thermostat. The OP manual says see dealer.
My serice manual hasn't arrived, so that will wait until spring.Attachments
I think you might want to drop a prop size, with a heavy load you'll be putting lots of load on that engine.
On another topic, you might want to look into this if your water is rough or you just want smooth and speed plus better MPG.
I did my first yearly maintence and winter storage for the Merc 150. No big surprises.
I like the oil drain feature and oil catch around the oil filter. It made it allot more pleasant/less messy. This is my 1st motor that has the gearcase drain behind the prop. I didn't think I'd like it, but prop shaft needs to be greased anyway, and it is more a bolt than the typical short drain/vent screws. It was a very slow drain with outside temps in the mid-forties. The drain screw hole was straight, vs angled down, so easier to get the pump threaded on.
Both the maintenance and storage call for removing the plugs. ie you fog by spraying into the spark plug holes. I assume this is because the air inlet is up under the flywheel cover. The bottom plug was a little harder to access but not cusingly hard. Had to make a long extension for the fogging oil.
The yearly maintenance also calls out an inspect and test of thermostat. The OP manual says see dealer.
I forgot to say, when I went to turn the motor over to distribute the fogging oil, it would only turn about 1/8 to 1/4 of a revolution and stop. I had pulled the safety pull stop to prevent spark. Apparently, the computer sees that and stops it from turning over. It took a bit to get a few full revolutions. When I get the service manual I’ll be interested in how to do a compression test.
I hadn't seen that one, but did see the Hydrofin, which is similar but also has a smaller set of fins toward the back of the pontoons. For me, it looks to be too much adjusting to changes in cog, trailer mods, and don't like it hanging below the bottom of the toons..
Out a few years, I might consider having strakes added and possibly a 3/4 center toon.
Near term, I might be putting under-skin on it. I have access to the sheets of aluminum along with cutting and bending. That is suppose to make the ride a little smoother. It also will protect the plywood underside without causing rot issues.
I actually like it for it's adjustability. Might take a few tries to dial it in, but once it's set it should be set. The other set up does seem more polished but I'm not sure if you get the same benefit from them (economy wise). Either way you wind up going, just enjoy the boat.
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2016
- Messages
- 6,746
- Reaction score
- 3,609
- Location
- Northern California
- LOCATION
- Northern California
I've been wondering when your pontoon would come out of hibernation.
This is actually normal to launch just before Memorial Day weekend. This is a “short” season year. On leap years, they lower the water a month early, to allow for dock and embankment repair. Instead of mid-November, mid-October.
Added support arms for Lippert power Bimini. You can buy 36” or 32” “sport arm” kits from Lippert. At $265, rather pricy. I have a port side door right in the way so needed something much longer.
I already had the H brackets and storage clips. The Lippert 6’ Bimini extension came with an extra set of quick releases, used for rear mounting. So the only purchase items was the aluminum square tube, pair of end eyelets, and some hardware.
I could not find any reasonably priced 1 1/4” square tubing in 1/16” thick. Ended up getting 1/8” thick which meant grinding the SS eyelets to make them fit. I cut the 48” tube down to 45”, to fit the main Bimini arm in the stowed position. It could have been 1-2” longer.
Next up is to install the Lippert 6’ extension, which stores in the front of the Bimini.
I already had the H brackets and storage clips. The Lippert 6’ Bimini extension came with an extra set of quick releases, used for rear mounting. So the only purchase items was the aluminum square tube, pair of end eyelets, and some hardware.
I could not find any reasonably priced 1 1/4” square tubing in 1/16” thick. Ended up getting 1/8” thick which meant grinding the SS eyelets to make them fit. I cut the 48” tube down to 45”, to fit the main Bimini arm in the stowed position. It could have been 1-2” longer.
Next up is to install the Lippert 6’ extension, which stores in the front of the Bimini.
Attachments
Let's see. 4th of July. Pontoon boats all rigged out. One can fish from it. Favorite beverage in hand. Tunes are playing. Chugging down the river or in the lake.And here it is with the 6’ Bimini extension installed. I used the left over straps for the front frame holders. Just in time for Forth of July weekend.
Could life get any better than that? I'm glad you own one of those pontoons.
Have a great independence day, all my American Tinbaots.net friends.
thill
Well-known member
That looks awesome! I might need to do that!And here it is with the 6’ Bimini extension installed. I used the left over straps for the front frame holders. Just in time for Forth of July weekend.
I was hoping to find a manual Bimini that would match the space and height, but then realized I would need a new, custom mooring cover. The nice thing with the extension is it folds and wraps up and stores in the front edge of the Bimini.
Our small lake puts on a modest fireworks show. This was the pontoons first show. Always a great time. Just some careful navigating getting back thru the channel to camp. Sorry, the longer/better shots were to large to upload.
End of our second season. Only 70 hours on the clock, so far. On leap years, they do an early drawdown. Mid-October vs Mid-November. Yearly maintenance and storage prep complete on the Merc. 2nd year on the PVC frame and tarp storage. I did lower the peak 4" though.
For next spring, looking to go to hydraulic steering, add underskinning, and raise motor up one hole.
Only 70 hours on the clock, so far. On leap years, they do an early drawdown. Mid-October vs Mid-November. Yearly maintenance and storage prep complete on the Merc. 2nd year on the PVC frame and tarp storage. I did lower the peak 4" though.For next spring, looking to go to hydraulic steering, add underskinning, and raise motor up one hole.
