Your best ever DIY maintenance idea

[North Baltic sea]

Hi,


Boat polisher Rupes bigfoot 21 mark2 machine It is definitely easiest to do a flawless surface to poilsh the boat.!

https://www.autogeek.net/rupes-bigfoot-lhr21-markii.html

+

Flexipads short cuting woll pads

+

+One step compouds

+ Finish Kare Hi-Temp Paste Wax "syntetic seelant" best "wax"


= 6 months go and only washing, my NT surface polishes like miror.

NBs

 

[aboatman]

I think the best I've come up with is to use a piston ring compressor to squish large impellers and make it easy to install them. ................

I use a nylon wire tie.

My "hint" is something I had to do this week: You will eventually find yourself trying to start nuts (machine nuts) in places that are very difficult to reach. Some times you can wrap masking tape with the sticky side out around a stick and hold them in place while you turn the bolt. If you can't even see where they go, you might have to put the tape on your finger and start the nut that way.

 

[boathealer]

I use a nylon wire tie.

My "hint" is something I had to do this week: You will eventually find yourself trying to start nuts (machine nuts) in places that are very difficult to reach. Some times you can wrap masking tape with the sticky side out around a stick and hold them in place while you turn the bolt. If you can't even see where they go, you might have to put the tape on your finger and start the nut that way.

I came across these at my local big box store sometime ago. Bought like 10 of them. Very useful.

Finger Wrench - Lee Valley Tools

 

[aboatman]

I think I remember seeing something like that sometime in the past. That might have been a bit easier for me the other day. These nuts were so well hidden I had to use a mirror to get a wrench on them after I got them started with my fingers.

The worst part is, I was installing an AIS antenna and I could have picked a better place (or at least an easier place).

 

[Trawler Sandpiper]

Spill proof method to change lube oil in Lehman injector pump by attaching to suction side of an oil change system to injector pump drain port.

 

[Xsbank]

Bus bars! Every time i wire in something new, bus bars. Eliminates those "previous owner" wire octopuses and makes it much easier for trouble-shooting. Always buy a bigger one than you think you'll need (more terminals) as other wires mysteriously migrate there too. You actually save money on crimps and crap that you will cut out again cause you got it wrong, plus you can trash that roll of electrical tape.

 

[bayview]

Those allthread long connector nuts work well to remove stuck zincs

 

[bayview]

Calibrate your fuel gauges as you fill the tanks. Then you will know how much fuel you use and can calculate your actual use at various speeds.
My gauges are 1/4 tank level increments. With a little practice I can eyeball 1/16th increments.

 

[bayview]

easy way to clean AC water lines is to put a garden hose up against the outlet and back flush the lines. leave the pump on then you can quickly see if it worked.

 

[bayview]

Small pool or toilet chlorine tablets, occasionally, in the raw water strainer will help keep the AC lines flowing.

 

[dhays]

Bus bars! Every time i wire in something new, bus bars. Eliminates those "previous owner" wire octopuses and makes it much easier for trouble-shooting. Always buy a bigger one than you think you'll need (more terminals) as other wires mysteriously migrate there too. You actually save money on crimps and crap that you will cut out again cause you got it wrong, plus you can trash that roll of electrical tape.

Excellent suggestion.

 

[Mrwesson]

Gorilla glue can be used as a temp fix to rotted decks. Cures very hard and water actually helps it expand. Simply drill a few holes, inject, plug holes as they fill and watch the water get displaced(one of mine actually squirted a few feet).

Tile clad 2 part epoxy paint makes a great bilge/indoor paint and an awesome outdoor primer(not UV stable, painted decks last about 4 years though). 2 gallons for $100 and dries hard as nails(slippery as hell on decks must use "grit")

learn to solder. It's crazy easy and allows you to cut/fix those cables with 9 small wires inside. I've even repaired an autopilot computer. Solder and heatshrink will always outlast a connector in saltwater.

Barkeepers friend is an awesome cleaner(comes like comet) that will remove rust stains and bleach teak.

Learn to sew/buy a sewing machine. I can't count how many times I've needed one from a bimini top repair to odd sized window treatments.

Dry erase board on board . For those of use with ADD it really helps keep track of maintenance needed, shopping, etc. Seems obvious but took me awhile to get one.


Its almost always cheaper to try to fix something, fail in the middle of it and call in a pro than to just call in the pro. Plus you'll rarely get stumped. "Its just nuts and bolts!"

 

[MurrayM]

Buy the owner and service/maintenance manuals for your engine.

 

[seabum]

Many of us have faced the dreaded delaminated teak veneer problem and here is a hint that has served me well on several occasions. The technique I have successfully used to force glue back into the deepest part of the separation is by use of a plastic straw. First, I place a small wedge in the separation to open up the delaminated area as much as I can without doing further damage (a screwdriver works well here). Next I use a plastic straw, and just as if I were sucking up a milkshake I vacuum up exterior grade wood glue into the straw with my mouth. I then fold over the straw and with my fingers tightly hold the end which had not been dipped into the glue and this allows me to capture and contain the glue as I insert the straw into the lamented wood opening.
Being thin and flexible plastic the straw will flatten out and allow you to shove it all the way into the deepest recesses of the delaminated section. I drive the glue out of the straw by securely holding the crimped end against the surface of the wood and I then run a thumb or other squeegee tool along the straw’s length starting at the crimped end, thus forcing the glue out of the straw and into the wedged opening.
I sometimes repeat this process several times in order to load the area with glue, and once the glue is in place I gently thump the top surface of the delaminated veneer with a small mallet to spread the glue around. Finally, I clamp the area either with some weights or other pressure devices, or maybe drive in some very small finish brads which can later be nailset and wax penned over to cover the nail hole.

 

[GoneFarrell]

Seabum, great tip, thanks! And costs less than those plastic syringes I use for repair. I can save those for other fixit situations.

 

[pcutrer]

It would fun and educational to compile a list of everyones best ideas for making boat maintenance easier for the do it yourself folks (other than pulling out the checkbook and paying someone else to do it).



I'll start it off with installing a 12 volt oil change pump connected directly to the pan. No more pumping it out through the dipstick pipe.

Excellent start sir

 

[D.Duck44]

You probably all know this one but I will mention it just the same.
If you need to undo anything tubular like an oil filter, just get a length of cord or light rope. Put a loop in one end. Wrap the cord around the object a few times and put the end of the screwdriver through the loop to act as a lever.
As you lever with the screwdriver, put some tension on the tail of the cord.
Quite versatile, even undid a hex pipe fitting the other day when caught without the multis.

 

[BruceK]

If you need to undo anything tubular like an oil filter, just get a length of cord or light rope. Put a loop in one end. Wrap the cord around the object a few times and put the end of the screwdriver through the loop to act as a lever.
As you lever with the screwdriver, put some tension on the tail of the cord.

The crude version dispenses with the cord, just drive the screwdriver through the filter and turn the filter. (Note: method cannot be used to fit and tighten fresh filter.)

 

[Spottsville]

Ok, remember "Wax On Wax Off" well with a big boat that means Lots and Lots of work, or money for someone to do the work.... Well the solution we like is PERMANON.

Follow the directions (once your boat has a shiny surface, buff of oxidation) and Permanon will preserve and protect the shine and dirt and water will be deflected like Rainx on glass. And best of all you should spray it on all surfaces (fiberglass, glass, plastic, canvas, vinyl,etc.) It works great on nonskid too, and your boat will stay much cleaner and will clean-up with a strong stream of water! Just mist it on with a one liter pump-up sprayer (follow label directions) no buffing. Available on Amazon.

http://www.permanonfinishes.com/boat-yacht.htm

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Re: Post # 107. Sort of a poor man's strap wrench.

https://www.acklandsgrainger.com/en/product/WRENCH-STRAP-%232-1-1-8INX17IN/p/RDG31340

 

[BruceK]

Ok, remember "Wax On Wax Off" well with a big boat that means Lots and Lots of work, or money for someone to do the work.... Well the solution we like is PERMANON.

Follow the directions (once your boat has a shiny surface, buff of oxidation) and Permanon will preserve and protect the shine and dirt and water will be deflected like Rainx on glass. And best of all you should spray it on all surfaces (fiberglass, glass, plastic, canvas, vinyl,etc.) It works great on nonskid too, and your boat will stay much cleaner and will clean-up with a strong stream of water! Just mist it on with a one liter pump-up sprayer (follow label directions) no buffing. Available on Amazon.

Permanon Yacht Supershine Boat Paint or Gelcoat Finish Protection Boats, Yachts, Ships, Sailboats, Power Boats, Speed Boats, Surf Boards, Kayaks, Jet Ski, Personal Watercraft, Gel Coat

I seem to remember TomB had real problems with a paint treatment applied to a boat he bought. This may well be entirely different, perhaps he will contribute.

 

[FF]

"Bus bars! Every time i wire in something new, bus bars."

Even better is a fuse bank to handle extra wiring.

With easy to see blown fuses , trouble shooting is no trouble at all.