borderline 350

Dear FishStalker, Have enjoyed all hull materials except concrete. My present boat is a West Coast Style 23 ft. aluminum center console boat built in Parry Sound, Ontario by Connors Industries (formerly Stanley Boat Works).Circa (1998) that is....1/4 inch thick bottom and sides aluminum plate. Maint. has been minimal and no signs of deterimental corrosion. Spent most of its bottom time on fresh water lakes and RIVERS. Have parked on beaches and The Lake Ontario shoreline with only minor abrasions. Never did that with my glass boats. Of course the Hamilton 213 jet drive is a distinct advantage for obtaining dockage anywhere in shallow water! And reverse operation is so much better then twin inboards. Just my two cents. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill (NW style boat with Heater also!)

Dear Fellow Fisher..people, I am the holder of a Lifetime Sportsman License. This $10.00 stamp is a NYS government rip-off. The sports...people of this state (and other states) pay their way in taxes on every item they use in pursuit of these interests. The money (tax dollars) is taken by the "State" and used for all the wrong reasons today. The recent destruction of the NYS pheasant farm by Gov. Patterson is only the tip of the iceberg! A recent closing of a 100 year old sports shooting club by the DEC because of lead shot falling into a wetlands area that the DEC recommended for "Beaver Development" in 1975 is another terrible example of the power of our government. Enough ranting, simple solution, DO NOT BUY A STAMP!" PLAY Catch & Release". Defy the DEC and tell them you are fishng for another species! Or only have one person on board with a stamp and the rest of you are fishing for perch! Their are ways to peacefully protest this taxation. Just be warned, that the DEC will give you a ticket even if they THINK you circum vented a regulation! UNHAPPY TAX PAYER IN NYS Jet Boat Bill

Dear SS, Docking with a Hamilton 213 split reverse bucket is easier then an I/O. I can turn around in the length of the boat (23') Steering response is instant @ any speed. In fact more speed gives better control. Until you have driven one, It is hard to believe how sensitive and precise control you have @ the dock. I have let several "propellor guys" drive my boat and dock it with 15 minutes of practice. One gentleman proceeded to Canada and ordered a Stanley/Connor 24 footer with a 6 cylinder 300 HP Yanmar diesel and Hamilton Jet. His boat is used in the rock/boulder water of Georgian Bay. ( short story...his insurance co. canceled him earlier when he lost two big Yamaha lower units.. to the rock gods!!) If you ever get to the NW US and take a ride on a NW style jet boat, do it. It will really open your eyes. Even the traditional NE lobster boats are converting to Hamilton Jets from traditional inboard/prop! These fisherman shift forward to reverse about 600 times a day! Try that with your I/O linkage and see how long it works! most commercial modern ships have changed to Hamilton Jets or Other commercial jet manuf. You won't see a change with fiberglass pleasure boats soon due to the design changes required in hulls. Of course the jet ski jet units are designed for low intial cost....Again the drive parts business is more profitable then the OEM business. Well planned by Merc/Bomb..(OMC) & Yami. Times are changing, but very slow in the present economy. Respectfully, Jet Boat Bill P.S. ( I don't need a dock, most of the time, I just pull up on the beach & back off....Just like those LST,s in WW2)

Dear DieselHP, Here is a biased comment from a former owner of many outdrives! Stay away from I/O's of any kind. "They are the most expensive way to propel your way thru the water!" The outdrives in the 1980's all had their $$$$ problems. NOW the offshore parts guys (Far East substandard parts) are making complete drives for most of the 1980's. Why do you think they are making these parts! Because of the volume of repairs to these $$$ part eating suckers! I used to keep a spare merc Alpha One drive...never needed it, but sold it several times, usually in July! The OMC 800 drives were especially notorious for upper case failures...internally! Long hours trolling adds up to many $$$ in repair/maint. costs. Unless you find some of the sunken logs in the spring! then it gets really EXPENSIVE quick! I know you will end up owning one, so buy the service manuals, study hard, and plan to do your own repairs & maint. If you choose not to get your knuckles busted, Plan on spending some of your hard earned money every year.....Merc Outdrive gear oil just hit $15.00 a quart!!! Owning a decent boat for the big pond fun is rapidly going out of the reach of the middle class. YES, I own a Hamilton HJ213 Jet drive. Total repair costs in 553 hours of operation. One gasket.....15.00.....Two tubes of #2 grease, and one set of zincs $60.00. And I can run full throttle thru a log jam with a smile! And troll the shoreline in the springtime w/o worrying about the obstacles! Thats all for now, Respectfully submitted....Jet Boat Bill

Dear Gambler, Did not know that Michigan went to three rods per person! Checked Michigan DNR site....3 rods only allowed in the pursuit of salmon in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron & Lake Superior waters of Michigan. It took the Ontarion MNR about ten years to change to 2 rods per person on Lake Ontario. ....I was told it's a matter of traditon in NYS. It might have a chance of passing here in NYS if you propose it as Michigan has done. Good Luck fighting tradition. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear Landshark, Did not know that the KW's would bother fishermen, but do know thru a friend of mine that fishes British Columbia, that the sea lions routinely take salmon off the end of your line. Common Occur!! AND YOU MAY NOT HARM THE SEA LION IN ANY WAY!! Thanks for the cool video!! Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear Ft, The radar puts out electro magnetic radiation which is very harmfull to living beings. Contact your radar mfg and he will show you the radar beam shape in vertical and what the safe zones have to be. You would not want to have anyone on the bridge during radar operation. I ran a 4 KW off a 27 Searay FBSF ('86 to "93)with a fold down arch mounted on side hand rails off the bridge. (took 20 minutes to set up) The rig was 13 ft 6 inchs tall when on the trailer.( FB steering wheel was high point!)Got to know every hwy. bridge on route 18 and on the Canadian side also! I think a short post off the front of your FB would be adequate, look good and don't operate the radar with anyone on the bridge. I would try to eliminate the folding setup. Too much time lost putting the arch up before launching. Wiring harness is substanial size also (about 1 1/4 inch diameter) The radar is the best safety tool on the boat. Picked up a 14' aluminum canoe off Toronto @ a half a mile one time on a very dark night! while running at cruise speed...classified. Will not pick up a wooden 14' boat that has a low profile. Will locate any fisherman in the radar range (16 miles) You can navigate carefully in near zero visibility with the unit on the 1/4 mile range also. Even rescued some lost Captains off Sandy Creek (THICK FOG) one day from 4 miles away....used the radar track mode and the VHF to direct them into the narrow entrance. Fishing was real slow that day anyways. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear FT, Many ?????? Are you going to trailer the boat? How many times have you used the flybridge this year? You will have a safety issue with anyone on the bridge during radar operation. I would choose a 4 KW fixed dome unit in color! ...16 mile range. This is the best unit for navigation in any weather conditions and is great for tracking bad thunderstorms. If you are going to trailer down the hwy. you will need a "QD" removable arch. A vertical mast mounted in the center floor of the F.B. is the lowest cost and easily removable for trailering. I have built both. A custom arch will cost as much as the radar. You can make a QD vertical post yourself. Let me know your decision as I have one floor mount base in excess at the moment. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear MM4000, Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I haven't seen this problem yet on boats that have been trailered. I would bet that you haven't started the boat every two weeks. Routine running will remove the "villagers" in the larvae stage (feel like 220 sandpaper). I saw a Mercruiser drive that sat in Shumways w/o moving/running for 5 months a while back. The drive was just a big lump of Zebra's!!! I saw a buoy that was in the water @ the Genny/Barge Canal Intersection....Buoy had to be removed & cleaned because it was sinking! These little guys only get to 1/2 inch in size, but can cause boat problems if equipment is left unused in the water! They prefer aluminum & metal first, Bottom paint does ruin their day! Be sure and remove the outdrive intake water strainer (on the lower unit) and remove any critters. Good time to pull the lower gear case and replace the water pump impeller. I would bet you are going to find them inside the vertical pick up pipe below the pump. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

For: Marine Fuel Tank (Long term storage) Due to the blended gasoline supplied in our area (Lake Shore Counties)...Keep the fuel level in your tank as close to empty as possible. Add gas stabilzer before putting the boat away. When Spring Start-up occurs, FIRST,add three quarts of isopropyl alcohol to the empty tank and then add 10 gallons of fresh fuel. The alcohol will pick up any water condensation in the tank and the fresh fuel will guarantee a quick start. Long term storage of the present gasoline formulations in non sealed tanks quickly loses its low boiling point additives and goes sour in about 30 days depending on ambient temperatures and location. (All boat tanks have vents!!) Your car does not....the computer opens the vent in your charcoal canister...each time you start the engine. I have done this for the last three years with a 65 gallon aluminum boat tank. Never have had any problems with "sour fuel." Just fired a 1985 Searay up that had sat for four years uncovered!! with no fuel in the tank. Alcohol then gasoline enabled a quick start-up. My friend on Long Island pumped out his 150 gallon tank (Wellcraft 10 years sitting!) and had trouble using up the old fuel! Had to mix it 50/50 with new fuel to keep his small lawn mower running. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear Anti-Fishing Friends, Your ilk has been around for quite a while, I saw some of the children's books published in the 1980's by these people. For some good reasons, they haven't increased in strength like "The Audubon Society". with their anti-hunting and anti-gun campaigns. (Aud. Annual budget for Anti-Hunting is approx. $90 million a year..from NRA Data) In protest, I am going out for some nice fishing on Lake Ontario @ Olcott tomorrow. (on a friends boat) WITH MANY HOOKS IN THE WATER!! The fish caught will quickly be dispatched, filleted and EATEN! I have a lifetime license, pay ridiculous high NYS taxes and will again go Bass fishing Monday and eat everything we catch and keep!! We are going to use live bait on Monday too!! Oh, double pain to the anti-fishing ilk.!! And I do sharpen my hooks before and after each use! I do own a Green style "Jet Boat" and I slow down for the Manatee's! (WHEN THE SIGNS ARE POSTED) Sincerely, ....sharpening hooks for tomorrow, Jet Boat Bill P.S. Ever notice all the organizations that are NON_PROFIT and do not pay their way in any community??

Dear FT, S.S. props are expensive, but out perform aluminum props in a relatively heavy twin engine IO boat (like yours).The lower pitch will lift the boat sooner and put less strain on those old style outdrives. (when coming up on plane) The blade area is different then your AL. props. And less flexure takes place during operation. I will guess that you may be slightly faster at cruise (1 to 2 mph). Any evaluations should be done with a GOOD GPS. in relatively calm conditions with at least 1/2 fuel load and all fishing gear aboard. You should be operating the trim tabs in the full down position, when attempting to achieve plane. Pull the tabs up as soon as the boat comes over the hump. You will use less fuel using this method. When at cruise, play with the tabs until you achieve max. speed on the GPS. Same with the drive trim at cruise..a couple of degrees (out) may improve your cruise speed & improve your fuel economy. As far as hitting anything with SS props, the drives will sustain damage internally. AL props will save some damage at low speeds, but what you hit and where it hits, still adds up to major repairs. The trash line in the spring coming out of major rivers on LO will eat any prop on any boat and the drives if so equipped. You must be very carefull!! SS props will cause corrosion (pitting around the lower gear case) You must replace your outdrive zincs often to keep this to a minimum. Warmer water will dramactically increase this pitting. In closing, as I have said in the past, The most expensive way to propel your boat is with outdrives! You don't see Mercury Marine in Financial problems!! The cost of repairing these drives keeps them eating steak! That,s why I went to a Hamilton Jet Drive. Total cost of maint. since 1999 has been one set of zincs ($50.00) Have hit sunken bridge pilings and run the shoreline...very close! Logs mean nothing as long as you don't hit them head on! Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill Monday 10:30 PM

Dear Ray K, Please accept my apologies for the comment on your BAC. It was only meant in jest! Respectfully submitted, Jet Boat Bill P.S. Did you have any success fishing?

Dear FM08, Cherokee's are great for drift fishing...drift parallel to the wind. Widely used for walleye fishing...i.e. charter boats. Not great for running head-on into 4 footers. Tiara, Searay & Penn Yann's are better hulls for the typical choppy Lake Ontario wave conditions. Be sure and water test whatever you buy, Your spending some serious money and fuel consumption should be on your mind. A 40 MPH 27 footer (9.5 or 10' beam) with five persons & salmon equipment will need a minimum of twin V-8's to maintain a cruise speed of 30 mph. in fresh water. You should look for one to two year old boats because of the tremendous depreciation on new boats. And don't forget the cost of an electronics package and misc.!! Remember that you can actually spend a lot of money to reach your goal. Good Luck finding your dream boat. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

83% score here, but rumor has it that Ray K. could flunk the .08 BAC test sometimes!....Jet Boat Bill

Thanks for the many calls! The cooler and large salmon net have a new home, (Sold)...The two electric riggers still need a good home!...thanks again to all.....Jet Boat Bill Monday 7:20 PM

Dear Mower, The check ball is located inside the aluminum colored male hose barb at the fuel tank. IT HAS A PURPOSE!! REQUIRED BY BIA and USCG standards!! It is a SAFETY device and prevents fuel from escaping when there is a down line leak! INSURANCE Adjustors will look for this stuff during a claim. So that's the DISCLAIMER!! Now, how to solve your problem. (You have found the problem!)...O/B fuel pump has insufficent vacuum to hold the ball open! You may change out this check ball and install a 1/4 turn small gate valve at the fuel tank connection & still meet BIA & USCG requirements. The boat mfg's chose a check valve instead of a shut off valve for ease of install and lower cost. O/B powered boats already have a lower tension spring in the check valve. BUT I have never seen these parts available in my supply chain! Be extremely carefull doing this work, spilled fuel in the bilge is extremely dangerous! Flash fires and explosions ruin your boat and your day! Jet Boat Bill

Dear Gambler, It's an Iglo not a Coleman 9my mistake) & pictures are not available. It has not been abused!.....Jet Boat Bill

105 Qt White Coleman Cooler $20.00 good condition, Long handle big Salmon Net 15.00. Two short arm electric Riveria downriggers with power cords & 10 lb. weights...one has down temp & works!....250.00 for the pair, buy everything & get a box full of NK Spoons! Cash only 265-3082.......Jet Boat Bill

Dear GB, Fluid level in the engine? outdrive? or hyd. trim pump? Makes a big difference!!! Please be more specific! Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear LandShark, A Mercruiser 488R is 198 HP 4 cylinder engine. This engine/drive is early 1980's. The engine is unique to Mercruiser. It's basically 1/2 a 460 Ford V8, with a 4 cylinder block (aluminum block produced by Mercury Marine, cast iron head by Ford) Not a power house but adequate up to a 20 ft boat. excellent on gas when in good tune, but in a 23 ft. boat....UNDERPOWERED! Typical of entry level boats sold in the early 80's for very little money. This engine had some head gasket problems that if let go will cause internal engine problems. This engine vintage/age and internal condition should be examined closely before venturing out on the big pond. Check the antifreeze level in the closed cooling system. If you are losing antifreeze slowly, you need to change the head gasket NOW! If the engine needs replacing, VERY EXPENSIVE deal because of the unique aluminum engine block and it's very high price! Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear DSCO, Now ID gets tough on your old drive. The top bearing cap may have been replaced during its life with a later replacement cap that did not have an eye. Look at the cavitation plate shape and compare it to the Alpha drive. The Mercruiser I drive has a rounded front plate and is smaller then the Alpha Drive. The Alpha drive also has a wider rear cav. plate (and has a squared off shape). The Alpha internally does not have a preload pin on the vertical drive shaft. The Mercruiser I drive has a spring loaded pin in the vertical drive shaft. (Can't see this unless you split the upper and lower gear housing.) hope this helps a little. Jet Boat Bill

Dear DSCO, Be sure and use all the components that go with the late "electronic distributor". There is a different internal resistance in the coil used with the electronic distributor. And you will need the ignition module that goes with the late electronic distributor (assuming this is a Thunderbolt IV system). If you are short some of the components, I do have the correct parts (far below MERCRUISER prices). The drive (if original) is known as a "Mercruiser I" drive. Do not confuse this with the later drives known as Alpha Ones. Your original drive has a lifting eye on the top housing cap. Unless "repairs have been performed" Enjoy your project...It will test your patience level! Respectfully submitted, Jet Boat Bill

Dear PY 88, Bow thrusters are normally installed on boats over 30' They can be installed on boats down to 26' but are expensive and require major hull alterations. These units are also very expensive$$$$(thousands!). Even the ones for a 26 footer. What kind/type of boat are you thinking of installing thrusters on? Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill

Dear FT, More then a teaspoon of water out of the lower drive hole is excessive water and is indication of an internal leak. You can make a pressure test connector out of a 3/8 NC stud (drilled thru the center) and several drain plug gaskets. Rig up a zero to 10 or 15 PSI gauge with a shutoff valve. Put in air until you reach 8 PSI and turn off the valve to the air supply. Should hold 8 PSI overnite. Be sure and ask your Outdrive repair shop if they pressure tested your drives after assembly. If they won't hold 8 PSI, they need new seals put in. It's also possible that you got into some fishline behind the prop hub. Easy to pull prop and examine closely. New style lower unit seal has a S.S. shield which reduces possible damage to the prop. shaft seal. But wire line can really cause damage even to these tough shields. Be sure your drain and fill plugs have good gaskets also! You may be lucky and caught this soon enough. Here's praying for you and both your drives. Sincerely, Jet Boat Bill (Hamilton Jet Drive eats small rocks, sea shells and seaweed w/o repairs!)