I finally had to winterize the OptiMax until March. All was easy, put in a new upper water pump housing, the gaskets and impeller. Same as the old 87 lower unit. New lube in L/U. Put oil in cylinders and spun prop by hand in gear. I had run Stabil in the gas the last 2 times out along with the Quickleen so that is that for the fuel.
I made new spines for the tarp out of 1 1/2 inch Sch. 40 PVC and used a coupler to make the 13 ft for the front from the console to the bowrail and the 11 feet from console to the outboard.
I will be leaving all the inspection plates open this winter and evacuate the water in the bilge as best I can and as of right now the bilge is pretty dry.
I took the windshield off last night and wouldn't you know it, the last screw/nut is blocked by a piece of wood backing the console so I had to cut it off and figure out how to put the nut back on the screw next time on. I'll probably get a bushing to take up the space on the long screw/bolt.
I'm going to send my windshield in to UPD plastics as some of you had recommended on this site because I can't find the exact size from the stock list, my shield is off by fractions of inches and I need it to fit right, of course, so I'll have to send it in.
I'm in a quandry about installing a fishfinder/gps. I don't know if I want to install a transducer on the transom, but I think I'll end up doing it.
I also need to get the psuedo-leaning post/cooler seat back cushion redone sometime this winter, hopefully it won't cost too much but whatever it is I do need it done. I also lost the livewell cushion so I think I'll get a piece of foam or cardboard and mock up a template for a new one and have that made up as well.
I'm considering trying to get the bottom paint off with some chemical stuff but will probably just end up painting over the moonscape bottom that it is right now. I'll also have to marine-tex-up some of the minor bumps the boat took in the boulder fields that I fish in along with two other "soft-spots" in the hull that I noticed while inspecting the boat on the trailer this past fall.
Overall, all minor things but I do it all for love.
