Boat Builder Central

Just another longevity testimonial. My OD18 is 5 years old and going strong. We also have two S&G kayaks launched in 1997 that are still going strong with just the basics of care and upkeep. While I wish I had a better engine (1985 merc 35hp) for the OD18, launch day was one of the best days of ...

hello all, I just spent $200 getting my fuel system fixed and now the water pump does not work. (whine whine) I have a new kit but am having problems getting the lower unit off. The manual says, "Remove the shift lever coupler located in the bottom cowling behind the carburator." What are ...

This is a very important topic. I am looking for a way to seal my tubes also. I like the expanding foam idea with maybe an epoxy coating on top to seal the foam. I was sure my tubes were leak free under the sole of my od18. They were until a very heavy rain went through the cover, the drain hole fro...

Thanks, I did replace the fuel filter and the plugs but did not do a compression test. Good idea, I will do that.

Hello all, I have a 1985 merc 35 that used to run well. It topped out at 22 mph (gps) For a while the top speed was getting slower and slower, down to 15 mph. Now it runs well at very slow speeds ( 5 mph) and very choppy at anything higher. With no load the engine revs up nicely and goes to full pow...

Happy Birthday Ken!! I learned a lot from you as I built my OD18. As to the working with concrete issue, ouch! I do some concrete but only when I have to. I like wood or steel building better. We always say, "I would never be able to do this crap all the time." Thank God for tylenol. Again...

Hey Frazzoo,
What lake is that? I'm on the other side of the bay. We don't have hills like that on Virginia's Beautiful Eastern Shore. I miss them.

Thanks, those are all good ideas. I want to keep the prettiness of the wood but that is lost when it is all chopped up anyway.

I used cedar for my OD18, It glued up fine , looks great. The problem is the RUB part in rub-rail. I am thinking of what to cover them with when I am near a dock, which is often. Pilings and deck boards beat up the cedar badly. I tried some pipe insulation which worked as a temp. bumper but did not ...

Thanks all, That is encouraging. I was so happy this year when it started up on the FIRST turn of the key! Then depression set in. Now I'm happier again. I expected to find a shear pin. Thanks for the info on how the rubber bushing works. Boomer, are there better manuals around. The only one I could...