Ex-Aquasport/Wellcraft employee (Bob C)...

[seabob4]

Hey Seabob,

Today i changed my lower unit oil.  The oil did come out slightly grey which means water in the oil.  When taking off the 2 screws to change the oil, I noticed that the top screw had 2 teflon washers on it while the bottom screw did not have any.  Is this normal?  I would think that it isn't.  Then, when i went to install the screw from the oil pump into the bottom opening, it would not fit, like it was too small and loose.  I tried to install it into the upper opening and it fit fine.  I then tried both screws in each opening and they worked fine in both.  That was weird that i couldn't get the fitting to screw into the bottom opening.  So I filled it from the top and slowly opened it to bleed out the air while I was filling it.  Would you know why it did not fit into the bottom, strange.  I will watch the oil and check it after a few times to see if the oil is changing color again, hopefully it was the missing washer that caused the water to get in.

Not to ask again, but when you can, could you tell me where I could get that replacement cover hatch for my cabin entrance.  Steve
What kind of gas (size) lever should I use for the cover.

Thanks Seabob

Steve,
I believe your companionway door pieces were made from smoked plexiglass.  The outfit that made them was bought by a company called SparTech, which, unfortunately, went out of business last year.  We at Pro-Line will have to scramble when we need new parts that they used to make for us.

You might want to try Teak Isle or Paragon Plastics.  Here are links:
http://www.teakisle.com/
http://www.paragonplastics.net/

Hope this helps...

Bob

[stringali]

Thanks Bob.  I have already been in contact with Teak Isle and will send them pics to see what they can do.  I did find a local company that can make me a new hatck using mine as the template.  I enjoy following your posts, I am learning a lot.

Question, the bilge pump that is under the transom (sorry if using bad teminology) does this run automatically when it senses water or does a switch have to be turned on for it to run?  I dont hear it turning on with the aft bilge switch.  I can hear the forward bilge go on when I turn the switch on.

Thanks.  Steve

[Capt. Bob]

What kind of gas (size) lever should I use for the cover.

Steve,
The photo below was supplied by our Mod RickK.


It is a photo of the current model gas spring (one on each side) he is using on his 92 WAC cabin hatch.

It an Attwood model (duh) SL33-20-1
If I remember correctly, it is 9.5" closed x 15" opened though I don't think the hatch opens quite that far. It appears to be the same one used on my 91 WAC.
This is the painted model and they (Attwood) also make a stainless version.
SeaBob mentioned Ameritool as the current supplier for the Proline boats he works on and I ordered two from them with the same specs. These are stainless and cost a little less than the Attwood stainless.

Link to Attwood in stainless

http://www.backtoboating.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=48

link for Ameritool spring

 http://www.ameritoolmfg.com/store.asp?pid=16986

I purchased the 625-6-30. This increased the lifting/closing force by 10lbs and should support the hatch.

You can browse both sites. The Attwood non stainless is very affordable and the Ameritool is about $16 cheaper IIRC than the Att. Stainless.
SeaBob should chime in with his thoughts on which is the best for the buck.

A tip-o-the-hat to both Rick and SeaBob on the springs

Good Luck

[seabob4]

We use Ameritool at Pro-Line.  One thing we like (aside from the cheaper price!) is that the force ratings are etched into the strut housing, not stenciled or a little sticker.  Over time, the stencil wears off or the sticker falls off, and you have no idea how many pounds your strut is...JMHO.

Bob

[RickK]

Hopefully the Attwoods I put in will outlast me.

[Glock Diver]

This reminds me to look for my gas struts that prop up my front console seat... Will have to check out that Surplus Marine. Darnit I promised myself I'd be done with boat projects for the winter!  ;)

[seabob4]

Mike,
Nope.  You have more.  And get over to Surplus.  As Rick knows, I'm not to thrilled with their prices as I know what they bought stuff from Wellcraft cost them.  Hell, they even come up to Homosassa and buy our old stuff!  

[stringali]

Again I have to say, you guys are awesome!  Thanks for the pic and the links.  I just had a rep from attwood send me a new gas vent, mine somehow popped off.  The guys info is as follows:   Steven Hovinga
Customer Technical Support
Attwood Corporation
616-897-2421
  This guy was unbelievable.  I was asking him about getting a new vent cap since mine popped off.  He actually sent me two different vents at no charge.....unbelievable.  One was what I was looking for vent valve 23-16073 in white.  I was able to remove the deckplate to access the vent valve (thanks guys for your pics of the inner hull, they inspired me to go for it and do this) and put the new vent pice in.  It came out great!!

[stringali]

Hey Bob, I saw you give out links to the specs on different boats.  Do you have one for my boat.  98 225 Explorer.  Thanks Steve

[Capt. Bob]

I don't have a 98 catalog.
This is from the 97 book. I don't know how much the model years changed. SeaBob might have that answer.



Well it knitted fairly well but you can't read the specs.
Try this link. You should be able to zoom the page and read them.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff108/r-berlin/97Catalog010-1.jpg

[fabuck71]

Hey Bob

I started a post if you could please advise that would be great. 98 Ospey 245. Thank you

[Capt. Bob]

Hey Bob

I started a post if you could please advise that would be great. 98 Ospey 245. Thank you

Check your other thread.

[stringali]

Thanks for the picture.  When I went to the photobucket link, only half the page showed.  Thanks again.  Steve

[Capt. Bob]

Thanks for the picture.  When I went to the photobucket link, only half the page showed.  Thanks again.  Steve

My pleasure.
The bucket link was the page with the "specs". I thought that would be of most interest. The other half is ad fluff.
Again, those are 1997 specs but they're probably fairly close.

[stringali]

Hey Bob, I noticed that the spec mention a water tight tackle locker.  Is that the small area in the upper box to left of the washdown area or is it the lower opening to bilge?  

Also,  in the spring I want to do some replacement of the rub rail.  Can you tell me what size and shape rubrail I need to match what is on the boat now and any recommendations of where to get it?  Also should I replace the entire set (not sure of terminology, rigid base and flex insert) or just the damaged areas?  I have about 3 or 4 areas of damage not near each other.  What is the type and size needed?

Thanks again for your help.

Steve