Boat Repair Issues

[Ketchup]

9 minutes ago, bobby b. said:

Thanks for all the feedback - sounds like I may have had a bit more issues than most - a friend that has had several bass boats tells me it is all good now that I have all the bugs worked out, maybe??

Still wondering about the warm wheel bearing hubs - I googled this and got mixed answers, one indicating 90 - 95 degrees - that can't be right - it would not feel hot at all.  Another said 160 degrees would be the top end.  Plan on getting a infrared thermometer to check this - I think the parking brake is part of the issue here in that the pads may be dragging a bit.

Bill, how do you do that?  squirt it all over and use a scrub brush, let it dry and vac just like regular carpet cleaner?

I’ve used a wheel on a drill. 

[Quillback]

21 minutes ago, bobby b. said:

Thanks for all the feedback - sounds like I may have had a bit more issues than most - a friend that has had several bass boats tells me it is all good now that I have all the bugs worked out, maybe??

Still wondering about the warm wheel bearing hubs - I googled this and got mixed answers, one indicating 90 - 95 degrees - that can't be right - it would not feel hot at all.  Another said 160 degrees would be the top end.  Plan on getting a infrared thermometer to check this - I think the parking brake is part of the issue here in that the pads may be dragging a bit.

Bill, how do you do that?  squirt it all over and use a scrub brush, let it dry and vac just like regular carpet cleaner?

If you're in Branson West, you're not too far from JWM trailer in Reeds Spring.  Drop in and talk to Bill, that guy knows boat trailers like no one else.  He is a busy guy, but he'll talk to you.

[Bill Babler]

No you can google it. Probably 2 dozen vids. 
I use a wet carpet cleaner, a Bissell.
 My boat size takes 6 cans of shave cream for the job.   I wet 1/2 the deck with the sprayer and spray on the cream. Work it in with a soft bristle brush in a circular motion I then just work my way back working it in on a damp carpet.

Let it set for an hour and then wet it heavily with the spray on your carpet cleaner, fully soak.

Then, take the vac on the cleaner or a shop vac and vacuum out as much water dirt and cleaner as you can. 

Let it dry and then vacuum again and brush against the grain. It’s comes out absolutely beautiful. 

You simply won’t believe the dirt and crud that comes out in the vacuumed water. 

Good Luck


 

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, bobby b. said:

Wrench,

Thanks for the reply - so more or less this is bass boat ownership?

Also regarding the trailer hub, the issue there was the parking brake was always sticking.  I have learned to unscrew the adjustment completely after releasing the level.  I see that Ranger has gone to hydraulic parking brakes now.

Question - After trailering for say one hour at the current outdoor temperature, how hot to the touch should the hub shaft be? - all I have to compare to is my bearing buddy setup on my duck boat trailer.

Thanks

Bobby

A dragging brake creates friction and will heat up the hub.....which in turn causes wheel bearing seals to fail, and lug nuts to either loosen or seize. 

Your trailer wheels & hubs should always be noticably cooler than the wheels on your tow vehicle.   If they aren't then something ain't right.  

[dtrs5kprs]

2 hours ago, Bill Babler said:

According to my taxes I’ve towed my 2017 Phoenix close to 120,000 miles. 3rd. set of tires. 3rd. set of brake pads and have not touched the vault bearings. 

Replaced the 4 bank charger, then got a deal on a power pole charge so took the new replacement off, if anyone needs a new 4 bank. 

Put Lithium batteries in just to do it. 
Replaced the original Minn Kota Ultrex with a Garmin as the Ultrex liked to be a fountain water spewed out the head beautifully. 

Got a new one as a replacement and sold it to put the entire Garmin Panoptic Live Scope system in. 

Mercury had a sticky trim switch, replaced under warranty. 

Pretty much it.  OH, just added a Sea Clear harnesses cable system to the Garmin’s. 

Platinum Warranty till June of 2025, so cross my fingers, really nothing but maintenance and stuff I don’t need that I have spent time or money on. 





 

Gosh, I remember seeing that boat when it was brand new- when you had it up at Beck's place.

Time flies.

[Bill Babler]

This is the longest I’ve ever kept a boat. Usually 1 year at times as much as 2. 

Really should get a new one but the way this one is set with all the electronics and dialed in like it is with only 220 hours on the 4 stroke I hate to see her go. 

I did price a new one same equipment and it was hovering in the $90,000.00 range. 

Yikesssss. 


 

[Macsimus]

I've kept a spreadsheet of expenses other than gas and oil since I bought my boat. It's a 2013 BassCat Cougar with a 250 Poptimax. The engine has been serviced religiously and yet I have still had a failed oil pump, cracked head, leaking lower crankshaft seal, multiple coil failures (I finally replaced the last 3), upper motor mounts that failed because apparently I was "going a little too boldly" in some big waves, and the final insult, a compressor that spewed its guts into my fuel intake system taking out the air injectors which are a cool $600+ each. I opted for a reman powerhead. I put approx 100 hours a year on my motor so it's not a garage queen. I've had exasperating problems with the torsion axles and their misalignment eating trailer tires until I finally found a shop that would put it on a rack and align the axles despite being told by numerous credible sources that it couldn't be done. The amount of repair money I've sunk into that rig to keep it on the water over the last 10 years is ridiculous. If I didn't love the lakes of MN (and Table Rock) so much, I'd have taken up stream fishing long ago. It takes me to the places I love to go so I put up with it. Sorry for the rant, lol.

[Bill Babler]

Not at all, and since you bought it up, without a doubt the weakest link in the entire operation is most usually the trailer. 

Alignment seems to always be the culprit. They just do not have the ability to track properly. 

Don’t know where BC. Gets their trailers, but I know of at least 3 others that have had the same or similar problems.  Just eats the tires, I mean 5 to 10 thousand miles. 

One of the past guides on TR trailered from Spfg. And his new kitty trailer lasted under 1000 before he blew out a tire. After much and many threats to sue they gave him a new one. It’s been fine. 

Prior to the vault system, Ranger trail was famous for worn out tires. Don’t know what happened but they seem fine since Vault. 

Good buddies new Phoenix trail last year sluffed all the gator hide.  He took a picture and they sent him a new one. 

My Champion trailer used to throw the lug nuts, matter how we tired them. About every 2 weeks they were loose. I hate trailers





 

[bobby b.]

15 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

I hate trailers

Bill, surely you are not talking me into putting my boat back on the lift in the slip in the lower end and park the trailer after convincing me that the best fishing is up the White (or the James) which I now totally agree on.  

I did forget one item on my list of repairs and that was trailer tires - my tires quickly started to wear on the outside edge - the service guys told be to keep a minimum of 60 psi in the tires.

I've learned allot from this thread.  Thanks again for all the responses.

Bobby

[Bill Babler]

No Bobby, keep exploding, it’s fun. 
I also forgot an item. I put new bunks on my trailer last Fall.  

This is starting to add up. Never thought about that stuff when I was guiding as it could be written off.