Alright boys, I was gonna try and make it through the summer before I started the rebuild but I think it's time to tear this thing apart. I ordered one of "The Snoots" from HTP after talking to Hallett Dave.



It came in today so I threw it on and ran down to the lake for a test.



Idled out to the buoy line and jumped on the gas. Everything felt good initially but it started sounding funny. I did a little out and back run and when I got back close to the ramp and let off the gas a bit, it just died. It didn't want to start back up right away and I was hearing what sounded like water draining down every time after cranking it over but I couldn't see a source, sounded like it was in the engine. Anyways, I got it started back up but it didn't want to idle and it sounded like crap. Put it back on the trailer and called it a day.

I should also say that it's been leaking oil like crazy! The motor was built in 2008 or 2009 and just sat (in a garage) out in the hot and dry Phoenix air till I bought it. It's hardly been run so I'm guessing all the gaskets got brittle? It's been getting worse and worse since I bought it.

So I've got big plans for it but I was waiting till after summer but since the motor isn't right anymore I think it's time to dig in.

I'd like to pick up an engine hoist and engine stand before this weekend so I can pull it out but I'm not sure if I should open things up. I'd prefer any real engine work to be done by GS Marine but I was considering opening it up to see if I could see anything obvious. I've already told Greg that I want him to put turbos back on this thing as I believe that's what it had originally.

By next spring I'd like to have the motor dialed in, interior and floors ripped out and install a new simple interior (2 buckets and a bench), rebuild repaint and rewire the trailer and I'd really like to get the gel coat redone (following the original paint scheme).

I'm pretty handy with anything wood or metal so I'll be tackling the interior and trailer but as for the motor and gel coat I plan to use GS Marine. I'd really appreciate any input you guys can give me particularly when it comes to the motor. Should I pull it and start opening things up on it?

How you doing boys! I though some of you might get a laugh outta this. I'll be in Big Bear for the 4th of July weekend staying in a badass cabin (rental) right on the lake with my whole immediate family and my sister's husbands immediate family. There will be somewhere around 18 of us. Well the only reason I want to have a float up there is for the firework show. I'll be doing little more than floating near the dock on an inner tube all weekend and I don't want have to stress about one of my jet boats getting filled with sand, scratched or sinking.

So I'm bringing this instead...

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It's a '66 whaler and it does 33 mph at sea level. It's my beater fishing boat that I don't have to worry about. The beauty of it is I don't care if it gets dirty or scratched and it can't sink (you've seen the commercials). The funny thing is with the exception of the hull it's a brand new boat. Brand new Evinrude with steering and controls. Brand new fish finder, VHF, trailer, dialed in 45 gallon live well.

The only thing it was missing was a stereo so I ordered a JBL Marine stereo, one of the round ones that takes up the place of a tach and two 6.5" JL Audio marine speakers. If anyone just wants a simple stereo that sounds fantastic and you don't want to worry about people turning it up to loud and blowing the speakers, then this fits the bill. With the stereo turned all the way up there is no distortion at all. I'm totally stoked on the speakers and head unit. It's no where near the loudest but it's super clear.

Anyways, happy 4th of July everybody. 'Merica!





Bonus Pic: now I've got some tunes when we're out doing this...

How you doing boys!

I've been around boats a while now but I have no experience with jets. I've had a couple of Master Crafts that I've gotten rid of and now I have an old Boston Whaler that I fish the coast in. I haven't been anywhere on the colorado river in at least 4 years and I'm jonesing bad. I don't have much interest in a ski boat again and I've always admired the flat bottom jets and v drives that would haul ass on the early morning and late afternoon glass.

I literally have no experience with a jet boat and unfortunately I've never even ridden in one. I've been reading through the archives trying to learn but I'm hoping you guys can give me a little direction on what I should be looking for as I begin my search for a boat.

Ideally, I'd like an open bow boat so I can bring a couple more people with me. I'd like something closer to the reliable side of the spectrum than the performance side until I get some experience. I'd also like to end up with a reputable hull even if I have to put some money into the gel coat and interior to get it looking good.

I've got a budget around 10 grand but there's so many option out there, I want to make an educated decision. I'm in Lake Elsinore so if there's any one around here that wants to hang out and talk boats I'll bring a 6 pack over. Hopefully I'll be back on the river this summer.

Thanks in advance for any help.