Looking to re wire my 16 foot bass boat. What gauge/type of wire should I use for accessory appliances? Can I use regular vehicle cable or is there marine specific cable I need?

Hello, I have a 1969 Merc 650 4cyl that is on a StarCraft super sport we inherited. It has sat since '94. We got it running and it fired right up but I'm having 2 issues.

1. It's pouring gas out of the lower carb and I'm having a hell of a time getting them out. Is there a trick too getting the carbs out? I have the cowl braces off, but it looks like the starter needs to come off, but that means the coil has to come off and it seems very tight. And I'm trying to disturb as little as possible with how brittle everything is, I already have a handful of wires I have to fix.

2. I had the water muffs on the motor when we fired it, but I did not get any water out of the tell-tale at the top on the starboard side. I pulled the lower unit off and pulled to water pump cover. Seem like maybe some of the vanes are mushed over more than others maybe making a bad seal. Is it pretty common to need to water pump replacement? Worth it to get the whole kit or just the impeller and gasket?

Brand new to boating and outboards. So any information is appreciated.

Took on my first boat restoration project (stratos 284 150hp fast strike) and need help identifying what hoses go to what pumps.

I know #2 is the switch that automatically controls the bilge

Pretty sure #4 & #5 are for the live wells.

No idea what #3 is lol

Would the black knob above #2 be the seacock that controls water to the live wells?

And lastly im pretty sure #1 & #6 are the same with #6 just missing parts, but what would it be or control?

As stated I have a 1978 Johnson Evinrude 140 HP 2-stroke outboard motor. I had the engine installed in my boat in a trade but did not have the wires installed and routed due to financial constraints. The first photo is the connector from the engine. The 2nd phot connects to the first and I have no idea where it goes or attaches to. The third is a similar wire I found on eBay for a better view of the whole cable/wire assembly.

https://preview.redd.it/lh8jptaxu1xc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=454c760711191fd1eb8ee87d6a93cc5b50727659

https://preview.redd.it/5wuczzfyu1xc1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5b1dc6f3fb6d8b0f777378c0bea3a156727d8568

https://preview.redd.it/d5b73lhzu1xc1.jpg?width=1600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0803f92af987df225b9e14f41052dba94405780e

Will washing it now, remove PVA for additional fiberglass layers that I need to add? I'm wondering how much of a problem I might have with PVA possibly interfering with bonding. Maybe the PVA gets ingrained into the part, from sanding it before washing it off? What should I do? see my comments to u/littlebit191, below for more details

We are stitch and taping a 21 ft plywood boat together that will be working on our fish farm. It will work in tame seas but with heavier loads and often be bumping into things!.

I'm looking for suggestions on how we should finish it, my hope is to have a glassy finish if possible, but mainly to prepare her for her work. I also have no issues on the amount of labour required to finish her.

Also should I coat the inside with something?

Cheers

As the title says I've been looking at different people's builds of the Spira Carolina Dory and it would be perfect for the area I boat in and for the space I have to build in.

Since the plans are no longer available is there an alternative set of plans by another company / person that are comparable in size and construction method?

Hello everyone. I highlighted the switches and radio cover I want to update with new ones. How do I order new ones that I can install on my boat? I called the manufacturer, but they don't have any information about the boat because it's an older model.

I'm not an electrician or do this as a hobby in any way I just am trying to get my boat up n running and am sort of confused on the diagram to my switch panel I got the red coming from the pos. Terminal of the battery and I figure the black on top goes to the negative terminal do I tie in the lower light pos/negative with those?

Just had this idea. Kansas sailing options are limited and drought makes it so alge or water levels make lakes mostly useless (you can walk across many lakes). Had list though just now. If the hulls shape had edges/lips on the sides could that work in place of a dagger board?

like written above. After sanding down to a fine grit is there some sort of sealant or anything else to do? If so what products should I use. Also being that this area will not be seen by anyone I don't care if it's glossy or blended just want it structural and functional.

I wonder if this kind of hull has a name or if it's even been tried in any meaningful numbers before, but has someone ever tried building a boat whose hull is steel up to the waterline, but above the waterline of wooden construction?

I went and checked out a boat this evening, and I noticed the floor was squishy alongside the swing keel. Water came out of the rusty looking spots when I stepped near the keel.

I really liked the boat otherwise, but there was also a soft spot on the floor of the cockpit.

It's been sitting on land for a while.

Hey guys, I am trying to find a solution for replacing a centerboard in my Lido 14, and I have access to a CNC machine. Anyone have experience with cutting out core material any laying it up in fiberglass? And anyone have experience getting ahold of or perhaps paying someone to make files to upload to the machine that would replicate a Lido 14 centerboard? The only company that makes centerboards for the Lido is asking nearly 2k for one.

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Thanks in advance!

Upgrading my single outdated bilge pump to two newer pumps.

Wondering if there is a preferred setup. One set for auto/manual and the second to manual only?

Suggestions and comments please.

1977 21' Slickcraft

I'm making some lids, hatches and seat holders for my old fiberglass boat, and i have a bunch of epoxy and a bunch of Chopped strand matting laying around.

The CSM (from Europe) is without the powder thing, so it works with the epoxy without any problems.

My question is, however, if it will be bad in terms of strength?

There aren't any safety risks involved, and everything is above the waterline, but i hear a lot of people say that CSM is basically useless for anything other than cosmetics, and that cloth should be used for everything else.

I've seen people building remarkable wooden boats in their backyards. What about steel?

There is one eccentric individual known as Bremt Swain who frequented boat building forums...