Thread: 2 Questions...

1) Where do you guys with outboards take them to get stuff done like changing the impeller/thermostat (are those the same thing?) and changing lower unit oil?

2) Was thinking about this today...are we supposed to have flares on jonboats that only have a trolling motor on them?

Originally Posted by ekim22

1) Where do you guys with outboards take them to get stuff done like changing the impeller/thermostat (are those the same thing?) and changing lower unit oil?

2) Was thinking about this today...are we supposed to have flares on jonboats that only have a trolling motor on them?

Mike,

1) I use Allen's Marine in South Hill. Ph #434-689-2510. No, the impeller is in lower unit, a rubber wheel in a housing which forces water up to the power head. The thermostat is in the power head.

2) From the Game Dept Web Site:
"All recreational boats 16 feet or greater in length shall be equipped with visual distress signaling devices at all times when operating on coastal waters.

Boats less than 16 feet, manually propelled boats (rowboats, canoes, kayaks, etc.), and open sailboats under 26 feet with no motor, are required to carry only night visual distress signals when operated on coastal waters at night.

Note: It is illegal to display a visual distress signal unless immediate assistance is needed.

This regulation applies to all coastal water and those rivers 2 miles or more wide at the mouth and up to the first point the river narrows to less than 2 miles."

Hope this helps.

So basically if I keep her on the lakes, no?

Originally Posted by ekim22

So basically if I keep her on the lakes, no?

That is my interpretation.

Is that flare requirement something new?

What kind of motor you have Ekim? I do the impeller and lower unit fliud on mine myself. It is very easy. Haven't had to change the thermostat yet. I have been lucky with this mercury. Have not had it in the repair shop in ten years since I bought it. I have the repair manual for most pre 1999 models of mercury engines. I can post some pages from it if anyone needs.

I do all of my own work and a lot of others. Impellers are pretty easy to change as fishman78 said. I replace the impeller at least every other year along with the thermostat. I look at it as cheap insurance.

Originally Posted by fishman78

Is that flare requirement something new?

I don’t believe so. I had my first boat over 16’ some 25 years ago and I had to have flares back then. Also, flares have an expiration date, make sure you keep track of that. I got a lecture from the man one time for stale flares. I fish the rather secluded Eastern Shore and have picked up a couple of very expensive super-duper military flares. These things have a million candle power, go up a thousand + ft., and has a parachute for a long hang time. If I’m going down, and think I might die, I want the Coast Guard station as far away as Elizabeth City N.C. to see my signal.

Originally Posted by fishman78

Is that flare requirement something new?

What kind of motor you have Ekim? I do the impeller and lower unit fliud on mine myself..

150 HP Johnson Fast Strike.

My dad picked up a manual on it, I might take a gander and see what's involved.