I wonder just how long ........................

[Miles Offshore]

If you want it done right,.......Went down and checked on my motor this evening to see how she looked. The oil leak turned out being not my oil pan -front or rear oil seals, but the damn starboard rear valve cover. Thats not what burns my ass though. The problem is how the valve cover got damaged. Seems the "mobile boat service guy" that I hiered out last year to change out my exhaust manifolfs bent the sucker when he installed them. Perfect little bent up "lip" out of site and out of mind. In addition he apparently did'nt torque the risers very well and it looks like a leak on the saltwater side has corroded the hell out of one side. Just pisses me off- that its really tough to try and get something done without knowing the person very well, and thinking they will do the job right. The broken motor mount really surprised me though- sheared the top 2 bolts right off the top. Did find one more problem that some might want to take note of. The Velvet drive tranny had a slight leak coming down from between the rear spline and the nut that holds the coupling on. I've seen and replaced rear seals on gears before but havnt seen this. Coupling might have a little play and just need some locktight and some tighening- hope so. I guess Im getting ready to break into the admeral and my "Jamaica Fund" savings,lol. Think she will get pissed?????? check back later and thanx for the kudo's Marty- peace

[Miles Offshore]

Hey Deep, you posted up pretty much the same time- you are right, every hose, clamp , belt etc.etc.etc will be replaced while it is out of the boat. I did rewire the whole boat two years ago so I do feel real good about that. I dont think the crew normally worries to much about what might break like the skipper does. My boat is a small center console but with the inboard I can at least work on it enough so that if something breaks I do keep a lot of "essential" type spare parts that hopefully will spare me the embarressment of having to call sea-tow.(sea-tow is the best thing since sliced bread) Not overkill mind you but one of each type of normal culprits such as water pumps (2 types), of course ignition stuff, coil,cap and rotor- even a spare electronic ignition "mother" board. Belts, and fluids and a couple of hoses. About all I have room for- you would also be surprised at how innovative you can be when you need to. That Coke can flattened out with a couple of hose clamps can make a tempoary patch on an exhaust fitting/pipe hose in a pinch enough to get you home. Duck Tape, stay/zip ties, and rtv/silicone sealant can all be used to fix stuff offshore or anywhere "when stuff breaks". One other thing that has come in very handy on occasion is extra wire and connectors- it doesnt take much to burn/melt a few wires together when something goes wrong. When Lights, electronics, etc go down due to a short you will be glad you have them aboard. Im done jacking my jaws tonight- y'all catch em up this weekend. peace