ROBERTH

Well, over the last couple of months, have been trying the Peel Away and pressure wash method. Overall, the hard bottom paint was too much for the stripper to work well. It does work, but need to leave on for many hours then remove the membrane paper and pressure off as much as possible. If used stripper again, it would continue to remove the paint, but way too slow and messy. Plus, to get underneath and try to pressure wash and get wet did not sound appealing to me. So, I ended up hitting the bottom with my air sander and 40 grit, then came back and did the 150 grit with Porter Cable electric and it is now sanded and looking good. Some spots are thin so will re-coat with gel coat this spring and be done with it. Sanding is a job for sure, full tyvek suit, mask, full face shield and just go to it. Over several weekends finally got it done. Whew!

Was down at the boat this weekend and got a couple more pics with the motor and transom views.

I have been using Startron for a couple of years in my 1986 OMC Seadrive that I mix the oil in fuel manually due to failed VRO back in the day. I can say this, when running 40-50 miles offshore, before I used Startron, I had to use all 5 of my 6 gallon cans to refuel to get back and the tank was near empty. After using Startron, I only had to use 3 of the cans to top her off and when I got back, only burned 1/2 tank! The motor idles better, plugs last longer and are cleaner as well as the pistons when looking in the hole. Have never had to remove any water from the fuel bowl. I am impressed and have even used in the cars on occasion. I swear at times, my mileage improves even in the cars. I think this is a super and real product as I have been burned by snake oils before, this ain't one of them! Now using in my new to me boat on the 2006 Yamaha HPDI's. Have only put about 20 hours on so far, but add it with the Yamaha Ring free, so at least I have peace of mind and am sure it is cleaning the system.

I am getting ready to use that "Peel Away" stripper soon. Check into it, but make sure it is the marine version for bottom paint. Others have used their product but not the correct one and had problems. I watched the video of the guy removing the bottom paint from a sailboat. Put the stuff on, put a pad over it to allow it to work for a couple of hours...no more, then remove the paper cover with a plastic scraper, then finish with a pressure washer, but not too close of course, just use common sense and it should work I was told. So, when I do this I will try and remember to let you know how it goes.

Adding Pics. Also she has a Minn Kota Trolling motor hardly used.

Time to sell my Renken! Will miss her greatly! Was time to move up. Original owner! She still shines and has been well taken care of. Restored stringers and floor in 2006 with Epoxy soaked kiln dried wood stringers. Beefed up hull bottom. Very solid boat and better than factory! Motor: OMC 1.6L Seadrive. New powerhead in 2006. New Imron paint in 2010. All new electronic parts on motor in 2010. She is turn key ready to take out and is a great handling boat even in the seas. Runs over 2-3 foot seas very well. Taken offshore many times and she raises a lot of fish over the years! Motor has always started and run perfectly. Will try to get some pics together for anyone interested. Currently located in Morehead City, NC. at Broker. It is also a great Lake boat and can be brought to Raleigh if anyone is near that area. Always been covered. EZ Loader Galvanized trailer in excellent condition. With full transom design, she has a lot of cockpit space! Serious inquires only please! Asking $4995. Make me an offer!

I went to Excides between my old Delco Voyagers due to the claimed longevity for trolling motors. However, for some reason, they did not last much over a year on 2 of them. They would not hold a charge and would always be down when I needed them. The service center took them the first time and put them on a charge and said they were ok. I said, gee, I have been doing the same thing and have great chargers, but they would not believe me. So, I took them back the very next day and said here, I want my money back since I have not touched them for use and they are already testing low voltage overnight. Something was real wrong. Maybe I had a bad set since I haven't heard anyone else really complain, but they gave me my money and went with the Delco's I mentioned in my earlier post and still going. Just checked their charge today since I am prepping the boat and they only took about 15 min. to top off, so they are ready to go!

I have been using the AC Delco Voyager Marine/RV All Purpose batteries for many many years. My first set of 3 lasted about 9 years! No lie. The one's that I have now are on their 8th year. All three I did the load test on and they passed with no signs of dying! I purchased these from K-Mart but they quit carrying them many years ago. Trying to find them now will be a challenge. I think that AC Delco distributors now are only via the GM dealerships or some special auto parts jobbers. When the time comes to replace them, I will pursue finding who carries them and go for them again. Hoping that the quality has not changed. I take regular care of these batteries making sure that they are charged at least once per month on average when not in season. They are maintenance free and all I have to do is keep them clean and charged. The green eye indicator always works as well telling me when to charge! Just in case anyone cares to give them a try, that is my testimonial and I just wish I could fit them in my truck and cars.