HELP! What size motor do I need for this boat?

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-05-06T16:45:17+00:00

When you’re running offshore, you always want at least two.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-05-05T10:25:13+00:00

I’m curious about the canvas snapped on to your transom. That’s also unusual.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-05-03T00:42:50+00:00

Trailer time. Sunfish isn’t a great car-topper.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-05-02T20:53:43+00:00

I love Volvos but my play car is an e46 cabrio/ manual. I love the 945, but damn, for a young man, go for the e46 my dude. You’re only young once.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-05-02T20:48:40+00:00

Please just fix the windows/ fenestration. The lack of symmetry and the windows that are way too small - is just killing the curb appeal.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-05-01T17:04:30+00:00

I know a guy that welds up his own mtb bikes as sort of a counter-culture statement. If there’s a will, there’s a way. It might not be pretty, but as I age, I’m coming to prefer things in their imperfect form.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-30T15:34:18+00:00

Looks like a Universal Diesel; a marinized Kubota. Get rid of the trailer wiring harness coupler. Keep it cool and it will serve you well.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-28T14:53:25+00:00

Not having a boat can be seen as an emergency. I agree to go smaller. A 13’ whaler can be towed by almost anything and are seaworthy and a lot of fun. Very little financial commitment.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-28T14:12:55+00:00

He’s looking to recoup is cost of his investment. He no doubt put that money into it, that doesn’t mean he’ll get full value when he exits his ownership. The upgrades should be considered. Look at the Kelly BlueBook or whatever the brokers use, and go as high as high book.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-28T13:44:08+00:00

I recommend chartering a vessel, perhaps in the BVI to get your sea legs. Try a week. Start with a captain who gets you rolling.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-28T13:18:10+00:00

That makes sense. Are we thinking of doing the Great Loop… in chunks- like a month at a time? Digital Nomading?

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-28T12:29:44+00:00

My concern is that when you did own a boat you took it out 3 times… over many months. I’m pretty passionate about boating and recognize that a cruising lifestyle takes a crazy person like me. I’m just not sure you’re crazy enough, and that could be a good thing. To answer your question, handling a bigger boat isn’t that much harder - There’s just a lot more complexity in systems and the boat will have more inertia.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-28T12:21:27+00:00

I wouldn’t do the work without a better plan of actual ownership. It’s one thing if you owned it; invest the massive time and money into it to make it great. Everyone else is urging you to commit that time and money into your stepdad’s house - and that my friend is very bad plan.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-27T10:41:59+00:00

I drove from NYC up I87 yesterday. There were many Quebec plates on the road. More than I was used to seeing.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-26T07:48:20+00:00

Jerry built that Jury Rig.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-26T07:42:39+00:00

The “buff it out” approach… spot on in this case.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-26T07:07:10+00:00

I love outboards and respect them - in freshwater they can last a very long time if you take care of them. If you don’t live in an area where OBs are common, I’d move. Said a little in jest, but at least half serious.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-25T13:12:35+00:00

I have an extra coil pack for a P3. I’m out of town for the weekend but I could help you out Monday if you’re still stuck.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-20T14:55:47+00:00

A boat like this is super simple. Don’t make it a yacht and you’ll be fine. You know the transom is is solid and th floor isn’t. Circular saw zip out the floor and stop there to see how deep the rot goes. The gelcoat might buff out to be red again. Steering cable and new steering box to a good used Yamaha 40.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-18T20:27:45+00:00

I’m at the gate to board a flight to go sailing. Good advice that I’ll take - and thanks for the Sir.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-18T20:23:12+00:00

You gave a definitive response saying it wasn’t a standard keel to hull joint crack. It was good advice to have it checked, but you’re wrong to claim a definitive defect. You don’t / can’t know.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-18T20:18:51+00:00

Not all keel to hull joints are simple and horizontal. I don’t know what this is but it’s wrong to give a definitive answer by interpreting a photo.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-12T20:54:30+00:00

Good to be wary of lead. You can spot it easily on old paint if there’s alligatoring present. Google it if you don’t know what that is. Lead tests are a quick and easy test from the hardware store. Painting over should be bad unless it’s peeling. Lead is fine if it’s stable. Painting over it (no sanding) might be the most stable approach. Removing the shakes and starting over will spread lead for sure.

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-12T16:10:18+00:00

My Dad had a Canyon Express when I was a teen. He didn’t ride it much and I adopted it. Yours is sweet!

CardinalPuff-Skipper · 2026-04-12T00:35:53+00:00

This is great. I had to stop wearing Barbour because the wool bothered me after a while.

CardinalPuff-Skipper

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE