| Name: |
Samdog
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/26/2009 12:01:28 AM
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I have a 24' Riviera Cruiser that needs rebuild. The floor is good, the carpet OK but the seating is shot. I know it's easy to do with time and patience but what keeps me from beginning is the motor. It has Mariner 90 1988 model. It runs but needs help. I can always get it started but soon after leaving the dock at least one of the plugs will foul and I will be running on 2 or even 1 cylinder. I don't know whether to put money into the boat or even if the motor can be made to run well. A newer motor would be very expensive. Would I be better of buying a newer used pontoon in good running condition? I don't have lots to spend.
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| Name: |
bama dave
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/26/2009 11:16:51 AM
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This is what I'd do:
Perform compression check, if decent, each cylinder within 10 lbs. of each other, keep it and have the carbs rebuilt, could be a contributing factor in the plugs fouling. If compression is off, then I'd question putting a new power head on that old of engine. But if compression checks out ok:
You can have the whole topside of the pontoon done for around $3500. But if you are handy with tools and willing to do it yourself, you can save a bundle. Do a search on boatseats and you can buy all the seats for less than 2000.
I would not hesitate in restoring it myself, and have fun and the pride of the accomplishment. But If I were doing it, I'd go ahead and replace the decking and carpet to make it look brand new. It would be a shame to install new seats and still looking at old original carpet.
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| Name: |
Pontoonfisher
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/27/2009 11:37:38 AM
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If you have any do-it-yourself skills than it looks pretty cheap to do the whole job. $3500.00 to $4000.00 to redo the seats and carpet yourself. Check out the link as an example of seats and prices. You could always just get them recovered but the cost might be just as much as a whole ne seat.
URL: pontoon seats
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| Name: |
houseboat
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/27/2009 1:21:57 PM
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This may be a little out of the box but you could convert your pontoon boat into a small cabin cruiser (houseboat) by removing the rails and seats and building a cabin with windows and doors. Then the upholstery would all be inside out of the weather and would be less expensive. You could even install A/C and a generator on back. If you do it nice enough it might not look too "Redneckesh".
Have fun with it or bring it to me and I will build it for you.
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| Name: |
Psycho
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/27/2009 1:27:35 PM
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reason for plug fouling...to much oil in gas, carb feeding too much gas, air restriction( which results into too much gas)
Take the cover off the motor, check for air blockage( mud dauber nest,rat nest, lost bowling ball. lol Next make sure the choke is working freely. (Might be running on half choke) If all of that checks out, and your gas and oil is mixed to correct ratio, time to go into carbs...thats pretty simple, but if you have never be into
a carburetor before, you may want to have that done...or if you want to save money and can turn a wrench, boat carbs are as simple as they get.Just do a little research before you tear into them. I always tear carbs apart over a white towel.then when you drop a small part, you can actually find it.good luck!
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| Name: |
Graypa
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/27/2009 4:17:44 PM
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Listen to Bama Dave. Have the compression checked and if it is out of line junk it and go on line to find a good used motor. You can find them if you look and most have a warrenty of some sort. You will most likely spend less than a complete rebuild.
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| Name: |
GoneFishin
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| Subject: |
CALL CAT
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Date:
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5/27/2009 11:05:26 PM
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Call CAT and let him test the motor. He will give you and honest opinion. Can't ask for more than that.
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| Name: |
Summer Lover
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| Subject: |
CALL CAT
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Date:
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5/28/2009 11:06:33 AM
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I was thinking about rigging up a CATlight to project a CATcall on the clouds to request our favorite superhero. He (wearing a mask) and DeeDee (no mask), could Skate up, take care of all our boat's ills, help dispose of Miller Lite and dash off back to the CATcave (the hangout).
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| Name: |
CAT BOAT
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| Subject: |
CALL CAT
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Date:
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5/28/2009 12:17:49 PM
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Thats funny chit right there.... :) I know SamDog very well. He is friend of mine. Next time I'm up there I'll check it out for him. But I believe he is looking for ideas as such you all are providing. I kinda like the Houseboat idea myself. On another note, that motor is 21 years old!
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| Name: |
Samdog
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/28/2009 1:03:24 PM
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Thanks for all the good advice. I'm going to check the compression this weekend and I'll report back with the results. I'm pretty handy with tools but I have never rebuilt carbs before.
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| Name: |
Samdog
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| Subject: |
CALL CAT
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Date:
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5/28/2009 2:18:32 PM
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I wish I was 21 years old....again!
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| Name: |
Rooster
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| Subject: |
Rebuild pontoon worth it?
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Date:
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5/28/2009 2:52:04 PM
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If need some ideas - nwfloridaoutboard.com and smalloutboards.com
I have had correspondence with nwfo and seems like a nice bunch. Good luck.
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Weight prohibits this..
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Date:
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5/28/2009 4:08:58 PM
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You can only put so much weight and still be safe, not to mention legal.
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| Name: |
vandy
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| Subject: |
I DID-Rebuild pontoon worth it
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Date:
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5/28/2009 4:43:13 PM
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Actually still doing it. I'm making a photo album of it. Only orig. equipment of the 1988 I am using are the logs & braces, rails, motor (checked it out b/4 I did anything else), and wheel. Everything else is new. I used the coosa board so I have more than $3500 in mine but I'm not sure of the total. $1800 just in the coosa board. When I get done I'm going to total it up and see how much it cost but at least I'm not making a monthly payment!
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| Name: |
Samdog
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| Subject: |
I DID-Rebuild pontoon worth it
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Date:
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5/28/2009 10:50:13 PM
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I'd love to see the photos.
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| Name: |
Summer Lover
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| Subject: |
Weight prohibits this..
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Date:
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5/29/2009 12:11:17 AM
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You and your stinking badge....
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| Name: |
Swimmer27
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| Subject: |
Weight prohibits this..
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Date:
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5/29/2009 8:08:10 AM
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Just trying to prevent a tragedy....
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| Name: |
vandy
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| Subject: |
I DID-Rebuild pontoon worth it
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Date:
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5/29/2009 9:23:46 AM
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Working on that too- instead of doing an online album, I've just got a big email that I'll send to all my buds so I can brag!
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| Name: |
Kizma Anuice
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| Subject: |
I DID-Rebuild pontoon worth it
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Date:
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5/29/2009 9:56:43 AM
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could you email that to me also would really like to see it
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| Name: |
Summer Lover
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| Subject: |
Weight prohibits this..
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Date:
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5/29/2009 11:13:00 AM
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I understand - I had seen a pontoon boat at the rock two years ago that had about 4" of the logs above water due to overloading. I guess you learned not to put that many people on your boat after that. :-)
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| Name: |
vandy
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| Subject: |
I DID-Rebuild pontoon worth it
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Date:
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5/31/2009 11:29:28 AM
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I'll definitely do it!
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