http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com Supporting owners and enthusiasts with issues related to operating Classic and Older Boats Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:06:49 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Last year I wrote an article titled “Dealing with E-10 Ethanol Gasoline in a Marine Environment with StarTron” on This Old Boat Blog. For those who have followed my advice, the chances of those being hit with Ethanol Phase Separation have been greatly minimized. To simply recap, most ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2009/09/24/by-using-startron-fuel-additive-you-can-keep-ethanol-phase-separation-at-bay-so-your-boat-can-leave-the-harbor/ Recently I had an issue with one of my Crusader 454s on my Bertram 30, Scuba-Do. The engine was running fine, but then shortly after bring the throttle down to idle, the port ending stalled at idle. After repeated tries, the engine refused to idle without stalling. The ignition system ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2009/08/04/sandpaper-and-screwdriver-helps-stop-a-crusader-454-from-stalling-at-idlesay-what/ The Environmental Protection Agency is accepting comments on a proposal to increase the allowable ethanol content of gasoline to 15 percent, a move opposed by many in the marine industry. In March, Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers submitted a petition for a waiver to allow ethanol blends of 15 percent, ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2009/04/22/the-epa-seeks-comments-on-the-proposed-ethanol-increace-to-e15-just-say-no/ For the past few years E-10 Gasoline (10% of Ethanol) has been introduce in the Northeast. While the idea of Corn based fuel is exciting to the “Green” community, for many in the marine community E-10 fuel is a nightmare. StarTron is the only Product that I know of that ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2008/10/01/dealing-with-e-10-ethanol-gasoline-in-a-marine-environment-with-startron/ Since 1985 I have owned a 1983 Formula One that is approximately 17 feet powered by a 170 Horsepower Mercruiser 470. While “This Old Boat” has given many years of hard core waterskiing in waters of Long Island Sound, she does have some short coming. In my research for ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2008/09/26/used-boat-review-%e2%80%93-the-correct-craft-air-nautique-sv-211-crossover-water-ski-and-wakeboard-boat/ While owning "This Old Boat" has many rewards, at times I often research potential replacement for my 1985 Bertram 30. Over the years, I have always admired the designs and styling from Riviera Yachts. I surfed the net, I came across this New Boat Review of a future "this Old ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2008/09/15/new-boat-review-the-riviera-41-flybridge/ The Mercruiser 470 is an all Mercury designed engine and as a result there are some funky designs which results in expensive repairs for rare parts. One of the funky design issues with the Mercruiser 470 is the Voltage Regulator. Rather than incorporating an Alternator with a built-in voltage regulator, ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2008/09/09/when-the-mercruiser-470-voltage-regulator-fails/ Recently, I was running my 1983 17 foot Formula One off of Playland Amusement Park in Rye, New York for an early morning water ski session. In Long Island Sound, finding flat water can be a challenge at times. This particular morning the condition were ideal , but ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2008/08/25/old-spark-plug-wires-the-cause-of-a-470-mercruiser-engine-to-lose-rpms/ After a long winter layup for my 1983 17 foot Formula One with a Mercruiser 470 I/O, the engine would not turn over on the first start of the season. The engine was winterized properly and was running well at the time of winterization. An engine that is turning ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2008/07/29/troubleshooting-why-a-mercruiser-470-inboardoutboard-does-not-start/ A Chris Craft 25 Woody from the 1950s era, similar to the photo to the left, that was severely damaged in Hurricane Katrina almost met it's end, chopped up in a dumpster. Fortunately for this Chris Craft, a home designer looking for something unique to add to a Lake Tahoe vacation ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2007/10/06/a-chris-craft-25-woody-damaged-in-hurricane-katrina-resurrected-as-a-bar/ While scouring the in internet, I came across an article posted back in August 16, 2007 by Cape Code Today. Apparently the operator of the Bertram 31, The Raven, on the evening of August 15, 2007 was leaving the Bass River going into Nantucket Sound when the Bertram 31, ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2007/10/01/a-classic-bertram-31-sinks-in-nantucket-sound-after-hitting-rocks-off-of-west-dennis/ "This Old Boat" is a Weblog that will support the issues that are related to the ownership and maintenance of an older boat, hence “This Old Boat”. While it is wonderful to be able to buy a new quality boat, like a Bertram, Tiara, Hatteras, Egg Harbor, Black Fin, or ... http://thisoldboat.fantasyhrderby.com/2007/09/26/this-old-boat/