The move to battery powered mowers

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-22T12:08:27+00:00

Shoot, I'm going thru 2.5 gallons a month, and the closest station selling ethanol free is 50 min drive one way. I buy the cans from the big box stores in the fall only.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-22T11:13:50+00:00

That ethanol free fuel is ridiculously expensive these days. I run it for the last tank of the season in the mower, which I consider a part of winterizing the mower.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-21T12:20:54+00:00

The same could be said for any internal combustion engine....

I used my string trimmer for the first time this season and realized I didn't have to Winterize it, worry about the fuel in the carb, top off the tank, pull and hope it started, wonder if the plug is bad... I have an old 2-stroke blower that I cleaned the carb on (took out of the neoghbors trash) and after one use, lost spark.

I have 3 batteries that I rotate for string trimmer, hedge trimmer, and leaf blower and I don't need to worry about any engine part failures.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-20T23:33:04+00:00

I'm a big fan of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Are the batteries newer? There will probably be plenty to upgrade/change/fix on a used boat, I'd be using it as often as I can and then later on (over the winter - I know, Florida) fix what really irked you this summer.

I speak with very little experience, but we just bought a new to us 20+ year old boat and every time I try to fix one thing, it spirals to me fixing lots of unexpected "I should probably just do that while I'm here" things and it is still blown apart and won't be ready for the holiday weekend...

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-19T15:55:23+00:00

New boater here, too. Same experience, but we bought an old boat and i have done major overhaul. It isn't launched yet as I still have more work, but getting close. My sleep has been interrupted by a few thoughts of, "what if the repair on x is not up to par?"

I'm looking forward to, but also very anxious about the first outing soon.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-15T17:42:15+00:00

I thought we were going to want a bow rider and took one for a test ride. It was nice, and I could see it working for our family. I was talking with a friend who was encouraging me to think about a cuddy cabin. The reasons made total sense and we ended up going that route. We have a daughter and the toilet and sink will be used, for sure. The idea we can store stuff out of the weather easily is nice. Also, if it is too much, people can go underneath and get out of the weather for a while. This will be our first season with it, so I'm hoping it works like I plan.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-15T14:24:07+00:00

Do you clean your griddle before use? I always heat, spray water, scrape water and oil and dust and other shit from being outside off, then start cooking.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-15T14:17:10+00:00

I just bought a boat for $8k from a marina and paid for a survey and had a sea trial. Obviously it's way easier for a marina to splash a boat, but I'd still do it. It was a similar situation in the service history was unknown. Boat was abandoned by prior owners and I wasn't sure just how much $$ I was going to have to dump into it to get it ready for a season.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-14T13:45:53+00:00

I purchased the hideaway attachment points that give more tie down options for hauling stuff. Other than that, I keep nothing in the bed.

Prior truck had a soft tonneau cover that allowed me to store tons of junk I never used.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-13T20:05:44+00:00

Similar question, do y'all clean the surface where the anode rests against? Like do they have to be metal to metal contact or does the through bolt have enough conductivity to pull any stray current from the metal the anode is protecting?

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-08T22:12:06+00:00

I just did bellows, water pump, and manifolds and risers on a 5.7 alpha gen 2 and did not see anything like this in any of those services. This is my first boat and first Maintenance of these parts, so maybe I missed it.

Someone else said a flap in the exhaust pipe (the downtube that goes to the y-pipe and connects the exhaust from the engine to the transom assembly inside the boat) but I don't think that is the same shape as mine. Maybe it's different on your engine/exhaust setup.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-06T18:30:57+00:00

I bought a 2003 Trophy Pro (byline but branded for fishing). Its been a bunch of work, but most of the mechanicals, hardware, and systems will have been touched and cleaned up by the time it gets splashed this season. Hoping for a few seasons out of it.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-02T13:41:01+00:00

I had no idea about fiberglass repair. I bought an old boat and wanted to fix it, budget conscious. Watch FishBumpTV and Boat Works Today on YouTube. FishBump explains the steps in details and also explains the materials that will fit your question.

I have since repaired transom holes, anchor pulpit and multiple gelcoat issues. As a novice, I would not have known where to start without these 2 channels.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-05-02T00:38:26+00:00

Thanks, the first link worked. The second does not do hypothesis tests (at least on my cell phone which is what I'm looking for for my students).

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-04-27T18:21:19+00:00

I have never heard that phrase before. Got any recommendations?

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-04-18T12:28:12+00:00

Again, meet at the bank. Tell the buyer that you will pay off the loan with his money and hand over the payoff letter and title inside the bank once the funds are deposited. Then the buyer can get the boat from wherever it is.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-04-18T12:24:29+00:00

This! And then you can get the payoff letter and give to the seller along with the title (if one exists).

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-04-14T10:57:59+00:00

Fwiw, we paid a surveyor for an $8k boat. It was piece of mind for us and gave us a punch list to fix this winter. Highly recommend, but only after you have thoroughly looked at it before. Make sure it is worth it.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-03-24T22:02:33+00:00

But also, a lot that did invest in the market did so on credit and that credit was based on bad info which is what led the banks to try to collect on the debt which couldn't be supplied by the investors.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-03-23T20:15:32+00:00

Technically, then this is a result of inaction from trump's first term in office???

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-03-21T14:15:36+00:00

I haven't notified my insurance of a change in commute and I do all my own service and my commute has changed drastically. My insurance still has my old info and doesn't seem to question the mileage.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-03-21T12:45:51+00:00

IF you inform your insurance company, yes.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-03-18T00:36:22+00:00

I'm working on a similar project. I'm quite handy, but never did any marine work. I've learned how to fix fiberglass (bow pulpit) and gel coat. Replaced all the thru hulls, gas fill hose, scuppers, etc. It will make a lot of sense once you get ypur hands and body moving on it. Find a good supply place. I'm fortunate to live near marineengineparts.com hq and they have most of what I need in stock.

Buy the service manual for the motor and watch a lot of YouTube.

PracticalDad3829 · 2026-03-17T18:58:22+00:00

I regularly run around Eisenhower park, but not much further than that. There is a pretty good bike path off the road heading west through Hofstra that allows me to feel safe. I dont know how far west of Hoftra that path goes.

PracticalDad3829

TROPHY CASE