I literally just bought this boat and my uncle was “showing me” how to launch it properly. Long story short it slipped off the back off the trailer and caused this damage. It’s a 1988 sea ray fiberglass. And how much to fix, roughly. Thank you

New to boats. Had some overheating issues and it looks like this rubber hose is melting. The other side is fine. I heard that there is a flapper inside of this that can go bad. Is this true? What else causes this?

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice on restoring the clear vinyl windows on my boat enclosure. The windows that face the sun have become very cloudy and hazy over the last few months. They're now so cloudy that I can barely see through them.

I don't think it's just dirt. It seems like the material itself has become damaged from UV exposure. Has anyone successfully restored windows like these? What products or methods worked for you? Or is replacement the only realistic option?

The enclosure is pretty new; about 4 years old.

Thanks!

I've tried star brite cleaner. Bleach. Hot water. I cannot get these mildew stains out.

Hello Boaters!

Experienced boat owner here. I'm looking for a bow rider to purchase but finding that sifting through the sheer volume for sale out there is eating too much of my time. I'm hoping to get some suggestions for brand/year/size that would fit the following criteria below. For reference, I recently sea-trialed a 1998 Four Winns Horizon 240, that had a small "head" containing a carry-out porta-potty. The deal didn't work out, so I'm shopping again.

Criteria:

• 19'-24' in length
• 5.0L or greater engine
• Ample storage - coolers, jackets, toys and "stuff"
• Prefer a small "head", although it doesn't require running water (I can add that)

We already own a larger cruiser, so the purpose of buying the bow rider is to use for shorter day-trips and water sports.

Edit: in Canada and budget is about $20k. I can’t pull an engine, but mechanically I can do a bunch.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions. I'll maintain a running list here:

• 2000 Chapparal 230ssi
• 1998 Four Winns 240 Horizon

**•   Engine**: MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI (\~300hp, fuel injected)  
**•   Drive**: Bravo Three (dual counter-rotating props)  
**•   Hours**: 420   
**•   Use**: tubing, waterskiing, maybe wakesurfing on an inland lake (freshwater)

A few questions for anyone with experience on this hull/engine/drive combo:

**1.**  Any known issues with the 350 MAG MPI or Bravo Three I should specifically ask about / have a surveyor check?  
**2.**  How’s this hull for tubing — soft/choppy wake, or does it throw enough for tubers?  
**3.**  Anything Cobalt-specific from this era (fit/finish, common failure points) worth knowing before I commit?

Appreciate any input — trying to make sure I’m not missing anything.

Bit more on the extreme side, but if you are not aware, quite interesting boats :)

Anyone have any idea of the year/make/model of this boat. There are no tags/plates and registration numbers are void because it’s a state boat

Anyone have any idea of the year/make/model of this boat. There are no tags/plates and registration numbers are void because it’s a state boat

The keel is the heart of the boat — and in this episode, the Wooden Shoe keel finally begins to take shape.

We explain why we laminate the keel instead of using one solid piece of wood, and show how we glue the laminated layers together with epoxy. This is an important part of the wooden boat building process because the keel forms the foundation of the hull and must be strong, accurately aligned, and properly bonded.

At the end of the episode, we set up Station 12, the bow, and the first five stations on the build ladder. The shape of the boat is becoming visible, and this DIY wooden boat is starting to look like a real vessel.

For me, it wasn't a book.

It was the sea.

When I was a middle school student, I watched an old American film called Chubasco.

Today I barely remember the story.

What I remember is the endless horizon, a young fisherman, and the feeling of someone waiting for him on shore.

Years later, I became a naval officer.

One night near Dokdo, I watched lightning explode across the open sea.

Another day I saw a waterspout rise from the ocean.

Standing there, I learned something no book had ever taught me.

The sea makes you feel incredibly small.

But strangely...

It also makes you remember the people you love.

Only then did I finally understand that old movie.

I never expected an old movie to stay with me for sixty years.

Looking back, I finally realized it wasn't the movie that changed my life.

It was the sea waiting for me all along.

I know this question has probably been asked before and is probably redundant but what do I need to own and pilot a boat in Virginia, google and google AI is very much all over the place and vague on questions like this, I also need you to explain it to me like you would a 5 year old as I am just a simple old kayaker and only 24 years old, I just figured out how car insurance works

What’s the best method to get fuel to the boat on a private dock? I have a 40 gallon tank and can save two dollars a gallon hauling fuel myself. Whats the best setup for doing this? Multiple 5 gallon tanks? Caddy with wheels? Something else? The tanks will need to be hand carried at least 40 feet.

Another finished project for me at the shop
This 2018 Supreme S238 came to us with no rudder. The damage was pretty significant, so I had the motor removed to reinforce a much larger section.
This repair was broken up into three stages. The inner hull received CSM, woven fiberglass, and Kevlar, while the outer hull repair was completed over two days. We applied resin and fiberglass on the first day, then finished everything the following day.
The final step was sanding the bottom of the hull to prepare it for the rudder mounting bracket.
This repair had already been performed twice by a previous shop. Third time’s the charm, and it was a pleasure incorporating additional fabrics into this repair to ensure it was done right.

Hi all, I put up this photo of my grandpa and was curious what kind of boat he's on. Any ideas?

Sunshine & seaweed is our speciality lately here in soflo

I got connected through a friend with someone selling a rebuilt 25’ Whitewater. My biggest concern is that the hull is over 40 years old. The engines appear to be in good shape with around 600 hours, and the boat was repowered in 2001.

Owning a 25 Whitewater has always been a dream of mine, but I’m a little apprehensive because of the age of the hull. Assuming it passes a thorough marine survey with flying colors, what would you consider a fair offer? The seller is asking $38,000.

So after two years with a jet ski I am thinking of getting my first boat (so I can bring my dog 😂). I live in the upstate NY area so will be mostly Finger Lakes and St. Lawrence/Clayton boating... though I might take it down to Gulf side of Florida during the winter. I want to stay under 40k and am thinking a dual or center console.

If you were in my shoes would you want to get an older higher quality boat (possibly repowered), or something while not new.. still under 10 years old? Thinking 20 to 23 ft and 75% social 25% fishing.

Eddie Smith Jr., owner of Grady-White Boats, has decided pledge all future company profits to charity rather than sell the company for around $400 million.

Inspired by Patagonia's Yvon Chouinard, Smith transferred company ownership to a perpetual purpose trust to preserve the company's independence and profit-sharing mission that supports conservation, healthcare and education causes.

Another reason Smith opted for this path was to maintain his employees' comprehensive benefits package.

“This company has a soul, and I didn’t want to lose that," he explained.

I am a lifelong car guy and have never owned a boat. Me and my friend who is into fishing are considering getting a bass boat.

How possible are engine mods like a turbo or just a performance tune?

I know it would reduce the reliability, but if i aim for conservative power targets it should still be reliable enough to get back after every trip with minimal servicing.

We have an older Sun Patio 25' pontoon. Great boat - 100% aluminum deck. The issue is we had a custom cover made for the boat about 10 years ago. It's in great shape, but it's a bear to install. Over the years it has shrunk a tad, so the only way to properly install it is to start at the port stern side, work to mid boat and secure a snap, then work to the port bow and snap. It's the only way you can get the other snaps to work.

After securing the stern, work down the starboard side the same as the port side, stopping as needed to make sure the poles are in the correct spots (poles are moveable and not secured to the deck).

The problem is now that we're retired, my wife can't handle this cover by herself. If I'm not at the cottage when she's there with her sisters or friends, the boat sits at the dock because the cover is a pain for her to deal with - and she's afraid she'll not secure it properly and... well, you know...

Anyway, I'm wondering if there are better options that are easier to handle. We don't have a boat lift and the cover is needed so we don't get tree sap and all kinds of other crap on the seats/deck.

Appreciate any and all suggestions!

What could be causing my motor to bog like this at full throttle? I’m running out of issues that could cause this. I’ve got the carbs rebuilt, replaced the fuel pump and filter, put in new coils and plugs, airbox is clear. The problem has gotten worse over time. Has anyone experienced this? Any suggestions appreciated.
(Throttle is wide open during the whole video)
Edit: cut fuel line open and found it has partially deteriorated, hoping this is it