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Hi all, I have a Prairie 36 with Hynautic steering and have been experiencing a problem. The boat always wants to drift to port and constant adjustments have to be made to continue straight. Maybe one every few seconds depending on wave and wind conditions. I have not found an external leak and...

Welcome to the Prairie family! Kevin

Great looking boat! Kevin

Hello all, I have a Prarie 36 Coastal Cruiser. We have enjoyed this boat quite a bit the last few years as we have been fixing it up to do the great Loop. However, I have noticed a bit of slipping in the port side transmission. It got bad enough that I pulled the trans and brought it to a local...

I actually have 4 on the boat. 2 on the flybridge and one at the inside helm. The inside one is really old but works well. I guess it's because it's well protected. All 3 came with the boat when I got it I also have a handheld that I use quite often and take it with me on dingy expeditions...

I have a 40 something Danforth. I'm on Galveston Bay most of the time. That sucker is tough to break out of the mud we have around here. I too have seen many Danforths with bent shanks. So far i have never had this one break out but did have a smaller one break out on my sailboat. it wouldn't...

36' That's all I'll admit to. Kevin

Well, I'm pulling the trigger on replacing my starboard fuel tank. I'll be giving RDS a call this week. my tank is 6' long by 22" wide at the top and 9 inches at the bottom. 23" tall. I pulled my engines and tank out and found some major holes that were apparently being plugged by a layer of...

I owned a 1964 27' ChrisCraft Constellation. It was carvel planked mahogany and I still love the looks and and great utility of those boats. I found it was imperative to keep it well maintained as to keeping rain water out of the boat. Rain/fresh water getting in all the little cracks/crevices...

I vote for Isla Mujeres too. The holding in the anchorage is not great but is doable in decent weather. The marinas are not fancy (at least the ones I've seen) but they are safe and convenient. You may or may not find a slip with 50 amps but there is good protection back in the lagoon area. Have...

I use Superbrite and replaced all my bayonet bulbs and the 12v screw in base bulbs in the engine room explosion proof fixtures. One of those burned out within .5 years so I'll try again and see how long it lasts. I also replaced my 12v florescent bulbs with LED strips including a red strip in my...

I have the 7.5 KW version of the MDJE and it works well after replacing the coolant circulating pump and the leaking heat exchanger. Mine has no sound insulation and vibrates like a paint mixer like everyone has described but it's a reliable lump. I concur with the others that say take the...

I'm with you Eric. Unless you plan on getting on plane alot why not go smaller. If I were to replace my Perkins 4-236s I would look at something smaller as I don't need two 85hp engines to go hull speed in most any conditions. The smaller engines MIGHT get better fuel economy and MIGHT be less...

OK, I have to pull my engines (Perkins 4-236s) so I can pull fuel tanks and re -seal engines, paint engine room etc. I may use your method. Thanks for sharing. Kevin

I just picture having to pick up all that portable riggamarole up along with the anchor and rode and then getting back on the wheel and throttles to get outta the anchorage. Not much of a problem if you have crew but single handing could be a fun time. Kevin

I have a 4hp Johnson of that vintage. Great outboards. If you need parts, Stone & Sons Marine in Houston carry lotsa parts for those engines. Kevin QUOTE=toocoys;697612]I think I've secured a 1984 Johnson 9.9 for about $450 including shipping to me. The fun part is that the 9.9 is the exact...

My Danforth works very well here in the mud of Galveston/Trinity bay and all along the Gulf coast but I know there are some others that when slightly oversized will be more versatile when I begin cruising outside my current area. I'll most likely get a Mantus before I leave on the Great Loop but...

I have an oldy radar too and haven't tried to fire it up yet. I've had the boat almost 3 years now but I plan to try it out this winter. Thanks Boomerang and others for the info! Kevin

This is my thinking. I think I would rather my start bank be charged first. Right now I have my starb 45 amp alt. charging my start battery and my port 65 amp alt charging my house bank which includes my windlass. I can combine with switches but this is how I run for now. My generator has it's...

Beauty! Kevin

I have Perkins 4-236s and the rear mains drip a pretty good bit. I may be pulling engines to redo my engine space and pull a leaking fuel tank early next year so I'll replace them then. Kevin

If you want to run the generator down in the bilge/lazaret, you'll need a marinized gasoline generator so it can draw off your main fuel tanks. Marinized are better spark protected and have the water pump you'need for cooling. You'll most likely need a waterlift muffler to go along with it that...

Welcome aboard John! Yes, it's hot here in Texas! Kevin

A friend with a similar boat a couple of slips up from me had this problem. They began leaking and he replaced with smaller poly tanks. He did the work himself and rationalized that he was not doing any very long distance cruising where there were no fuel docks within several hundred miles...

Get with the TMCA folks. (Texas Mariner Cruising Association) as they have recently cruised as a group to Cuba. I'm sure they can help you get all your ducks in a row. It's not as tough as it may seem. Kevin Texas Mariners Cruising - Home