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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Maintenance Shortcuts Others May Not Advise !

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/24/2009 : 14:47:23

Okay - Now is your chance to list those maintenance/sailing things that you are pretty sure others would not advise...but have worked for you. One rule - You can't criticize what others list below unless you can share at least one thing of your own that we can pick on as well !!

I changed the lower end gear oil while the outboard was on the bracket and the boat was in the finger slip !

I also have done the oil filter, fuel filter and spark plugs while the outboard was on the bracket and boat in the water. For these, I tape plastic bag material to catch any potential drips and it has worked out fine. In regards to the lower end gear oil, if I pivot my outboard up, the prop will clear the finger slip. So, I readjust the lines and move the outboard lower end in position over the finger slip/main dock to work the lower end. The screws are sometimes extremely tight and and so I have used an impact wrench with success and taken the screws out. I bought an extra screw & o-ring in case I drop one in the drink but that has not happened. I then remove the lower screw after placing a small plastic tray underneath it. then remove the upper screw. I can get most of the oil out this way even though the outboard is not in the vertical. I then pump into the bottom screw hole the new gear oil using a Honda screw adapter plug making this a drip free effort. When the oil comes out of the top screw hole, then I install the top screw and then the lower screw. I then re-adjust my boat lines, lower the outboard into the vertical and re-adjust the lines so the outboard is against the main dock. I then lean over the main dock edge and take out the upper screw and see if oil is just barely going to come out of it indicating the oil is at the proper level. It turns out that oil is just barely coming out and oil level is fine. I then re-install the screw. Job is done !

In measuring about how much oil I am replacing and filling doing it this way, I am replacing approximately 8oz of the 10oz capacity. Not perfect but pretty close. I sail all year-round and my Honda outboard is now almost 4 yrs old and has not missed a beat performing maintenance this way.

Obviously, it woud be best to remove the outboard, bring it home and when in the vertical, do all maintenance under controlled and perfect conditions. But I have no need to bring it home, use it year-round and it is such a pain getting those wires out of the small hole in the transom that is also stuffed with my solar panel wires. this way is so much easier and I can go sailing the same day if I so choose.

Now the day will come when I will decide to replace the water pump impeller. i think that job I won't be doing dockside !

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 10/24/2009 14:54:29

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2009 : 11:28:09

I change my lower unit oil the same way Larry - on the dock! (Remote control O/B's are such a pain to take away from the boat).
I've also changed the impeller at the same time.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 10/25/2009 : 16:25:55

You changed the impeller that way as well !! I am impressed ! When it comes time to change the impeller...not sure when I will get the bug to do that since water is passing fine but I probably will wimp out and bring it in for the marina to do the work.

The reason for the thread is not necessarily to encourage people to do maintenance other than by the book but I suspect that even though we have many experts here and I am sure they ONLY do things by the book....wanted to give all a chance to fess up. Then if someone wants to weigh the pro/con with working outside the box, well at least it gives you some thoughts as to the possibilities.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 10/26/2009 : 17:49:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Derek Crawford
 I change my lower unit oil the same way Larry - on the dock! (Remote control O/B's are such a pain to take away from the boat).
I've also changed the impeller at the same time.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Derek,

Have you ever changed the gear oil while the boats on the Hydro Hoist?

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 10/27/2009 : 09:30:53

No GaryB, it can't be done as the bottom of the O/B is too close to the water (in fact the prop and cav plate are in the water).

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.