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by jhnmdahl
Thu May 09, 2024 10:18 am
Forum: Electronics
Topic: Starting Stereo/Electronics Upgrade Project
Replies: 30
Views: 1520

Re: Starting Stereo/Electronics Upgrade Project

NautiWeasel wrote: Thu May 09, 2024 9:15 am Nice, so what's this going to allow you to do? Monitor any engine parameters live?
Yep, here's the page that shows what it can monitor and send: https://fox-marine.com/index.php?route= ... duct_id=68
by jhnmdahl
Wed May 08, 2024 7:11 pm
Forum: The Marina
Topic: Boats in driveways
Replies: 2
Views: 128

Boats in driveways

The story posted with the photo is that the homeowner was told he couldn’t keep his boat in the front driveway because it was an eyesore. So…
IMG_6279.jpeg
by jhnmdahl
Wed May 08, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: General Boating
Topic: Marine versus Teak Oil
Replies: 4
Views: 134

Re: Marine versus Teak Oil

My guess is that it's spots that still have more residual teak oil in them and absorb at a different rate. Sikkens products are usually top shelf, and I'm glad it's working out in the end.
by jhnmdahl
Mon May 06, 2024 2:50 pm
Forum: A Series
Topic: 2010 A-Series Gauge Driver Faults
Replies: 2
Views: 90

Re: 2010 A-Series Gauge Driver Faults

All these errors are on the dash gauges? I'd start there if the engine runs ok, making sure everything's plugged in securely and isn't corroded (i.e., unplug and re-plug the cables and connectors). You can also take a look for anything that may be shorting while you're behind the dash. From there, I...
by jhnmdahl
Mon May 06, 2024 10:10 am
Forum: R Series
Topic: Towing an R5 Arch Down
Replies: 7
Views: 244

Re: Towing an R5 Arch Down

What do the aerodynamics look like locked down, and is the locking mechanism secure? I would think it would be no worse than locked in the up position, and likely even better if the locking mechanism is secure. And if wind tends to force the arch downward or neutral instead of up, I would think you'...
by jhnmdahl
Mon May 06, 2024 9:32 am
Forum: 10, CS Series
Topic: Trim Tabs
Replies: 8
Views: 386

Re: Trim Tabs

Keep in mind that Nauticus tabs won't correct a tilt to one side, won't put the nose down to take on waves at low speed, and generally give you no control over what's deployed when. I'd call Bennett, who makes both self-leveling tabs and relatively easy kits for their opinion on the difference betwe...
by jhnmdahl
Sat May 04, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Volvo Penta
Topic: Volvo Penta 8.1 GX-i Oil Volume?
Replies: 2
Views: 267

Re: Volvo Penta 8.1 GX-i Oil Volume?

This was sort of a known issue for a while - the official service documents from Volvo said 8.5 or 9 quarts, but the engine only took 6.5. You're right and the "official" answer is wrong.
by jhnmdahl
Fri May 03, 2024 10:08 am
Forum: Cobalt Boats General
Topic: R5 swim platform repair
Replies: 11
Views: 737

Re: R5 swim platform repair

Marine-Tex and Devcon are similar products, both made by https://itwperformancepolymers.com/

I've never used Marine-Tex, but have heard it's similar to Devcon and has very good dimensional stability over time. A great solution to your problem - thanks for reporting back!
by jhnmdahl
Thu May 02, 2024 4:35 pm
Forum: Volvo Penta
Topic: Oil Analysis
Replies: 9
Views: 989

Re: Oil Analysis

10W-40 is kind of a weird viscosity. You can find it in the high mileage oils bit not in regular synthetic. I would just use the Volvo at $43/gallon. Rumor is that Volvo Penta's 10W-40 is relabeled Amsoil, which has quite a good reputation. This was apparently an actual Volvo product photo from sev...
by jhnmdahl
Thu May 02, 2024 9:44 am
Forum: Volvo Penta
Topic: Oil Analysis
Replies: 9
Views: 989

Re: Oil Analysis

What viscosity oil does the manual suggest using? I would be surprised if it was 10W30 but I don't know what Volvo recommends these days. It's their own 10W-40 synthetic. Recommendation if that's not available is to use that or higher (i.e., no 5W-40, 10W-30, etc.), but also specifying that it be N...
by jhnmdahl
Wed May 01, 2024 8:08 am
Forum: 10, CS Series
Topic: Trim Tabs
Replies: 8
Views: 386

Re: Trim Tabs

I'm not sure that the Nauticus tabs, which seem to "retract" on their own once moving, will work as well as adjustable trim tabs when underway in choppy water. The whole "shock absorber" concept seems interesting though, and I've heard they can be significant step up over no trim...
by jhnmdahl
Tue Apr 30, 2024 1:29 pm
Forum: Cobalt Boats General
Topic: Dealer Problems
Replies: 6
Views: 410

Re: Dealer Problems

Parks were not my favorite when I was looking - little wiggle room on price, and this general sense that I was lucky they let me in the showroom. I also visited Nisswa and Erickson Marine, and Erickson ended up being my clear favorite (and where I bought my boat).
by jhnmdahl
Mon Apr 29, 2024 9:46 pm
Forum: Cobalt Boats General
Topic: Dealer Problems
Replies: 6
Views: 410

Re: Dealer Problems

Boat, RV, and other such dealers have had it easy since Covid - they could sell more inventory than they can get, and prices and profit margins just keep going up. It will be interesting to see how various dealers fare in the next economic down cycle - people tend to remember experiences like yours.
by jhnmdahl
Mon Apr 29, 2024 3:37 pm
Forum: R Series
Topic: Stainless steel cleaning
Replies: 4
Views: 254

Re: Stainless steel cleaning

If it's really in need of some work, consider using a rotary buffing tool to make it easier on you and on the polish. I've used a full-size 6" one I have for my car and boat, but I've seen people use smaller ones (like 3") that are more maneuverable around stainless hardware with good succ...
by jhnmdahl
Fri Apr 26, 2024 1:02 pm
Forum: Safety
Topic: Red Flags
Replies: 16
Views: 1707

Re: Red Flags

A dive flag typically indicates a diver may be in the water, but is really for the safety of the diver when at the surface. It's commonly used for snorkeling, spearfishing, etc. too, so may be a reasonable option for swimming off the boat if they don't like a solid flag?