Aftermarket Alpha Outdrives (part two)
 

Well my new project boat was launched, so it seems like a good time for a
brief update on that SEI aftermarket alpha drive.

Friday, I finished painting the bottom and filled the new outdrive with
Mercruisewr HP gear lube (per manufacturer's specs). No leaks, always a
good sign.

Saturday, before launching, I dipped he outdrive assembly in a large vat
of water and started the engine. After then engine warmed up to normal
operating temperature (I wanted to change the oil), I proceeded to shift
the outdive. The drive went in and out of forward without a hitch, but
stalled when shifting into reverse. The mechanic who installed the shift
cable, said: "don't worry, that adjustment is my job".

We launched the boat later that afternoon and the mechanic had some
difficulty (a whopping 15 minutes) getting the shift throw adjusted, but
managed to get the drive to consistiently shift betwween forward and
reverse without stalling. Because this adjustment seemed more "finicky"
than he was accustomed to, I asked if would cause a problem down the road
after the shift cable broke in. He replied that this adjustment is a "set
it and forget it" task.

Early Sunday evening we pulled out of Huron Lagoons Marina motoring up the
river at various RPMs according to the manufacturers break in
specifications. We throttled up at the channel marker 1/4 mile off shore
from the light and proceeded our westerly run to our homeport, Sandusky,
varing the engine RPMs and trim (both outdrive and tabs).

I still consider this somewhat of a project boat, so my guess is I will
probably put far less than fifty hours on the outdrive before I pull out
for the season; however I will keeep this group informed of any problems
as well as how the oil looks when I go to change it. Until that time, so
far so good.

Bob Dimond

Aftermarket Alpha Outdrives (part two)
 

It was certainly nice meeting you and your wife. Thanks for showing me
your boat, she's a beauty!

Be sure to look for us at PIB or kellys!

Bob

In article , To wrote:



I'm glad to hear the launch went well. It was nice talking to you at
the marina and I hope to see you around the lake.

Aftermarket Alpha Outdrives (part two)
 

Hey Bob!!
We are at PIB and Kelly's a LOT....at PIB it's hard to say where we might
dock, at Kelly's it's normally the Casino....
Look us up sometime and I'll buy ya a beer....



"Bob D." wrote in message
...
It was certainly nice meeting you and your wife. Thanks for showing me
your boat, she's a beauty!

Be sure to look for us at PIB or kellys!

Bob

In article , To wrote:



I'm glad to hear the launch went well. It was nice talking to you at
the marina and I hope to see you around the lake.

Aftermarket Alpha Outdrives (part two)
 

Bob D.,
" she's a beauty!" I hope that applies to his wife as
well. :-)
Paul

"Bob D." wrote in message
...
It was certainly nice meeting you and your wife. Thanks for showing me
your boat, she's a beauty!

Be sure to look for us at PIB or kellys!

Bob

In article , To wrote:



I'm glad to hear the launch went well. It was nice talking to you at
the marina and I hope to see you around the lake.

Aftermarket Alpha Outdrives (part two)
 

For wally's wife mere "beauty" is an understatement ;^)


In article , "Paul Schilter"
paulschilter@comcast,dot,net wrote:

Bob D.,
" she's a beauty!" I hope that applies to his wife as
well. :-)
Paul

"Bob D." wrote in message
...
It was certainly nice meeting you and your wife. Thanks for showing me
your boat, she's a beauty!

Be sure to look for us at PIB or kellys!

Bob

In article , To wrote:



I'm glad to hear the launch went well. It was nice talking to you at
the marina and I hope to see you around the lake.

Aftermarket Alpha Outdrives (part two)
 

In article , To wrote:



We went out on Sunday and headed over to the Cedar Point area, but the
lake was pretty crappy and just cruised around for a bit and went back.

Well, at least the wind was blowing the right way for a change for easy
docking.

The family next to me just bought a new 288 FourWinns Fiesta (9ft
beam).
It's their first boat and they had four adults and 6 children (3-7) and
one three month old baby.

They headed towards Kelley's and turned around about halfway there,
cruising at 9 mph.

Results :

One barfing child, one scared child, one sick adult, one broken stern
seat. The main thing was they made it back safely and learned something
in less than 5 footers.



Since everyone made it back okay, I'll say too funny. We got back from a
weekend at PIB around 1:30pm. We didn't encounter much weather. Did
have problems shifting though and with the wind almost ended up on the
rocks and/or taking out another boat.

New boat
+ Less than perfect docking abilities
+ Increasing winds
+ Outdrive that won't go in or out of gear consisiently
----------------------
Total: Humiliation

Bob Dimond

Aftermarket Alpha Outdrives (part two)
 

In article , "bomar"
wrote:

Hey Bob!!
We are at PIB and Kelly's a LOT....at PIB it's hard to say where we might
dock, at Kelly's it's normally the Casino....
Look us up sometime and I'll buy ya a beer....

I was at PIB this weekend. Strolled into town with the dog and hung out
at the patio watching the tail (no pun) end of West Side Steve's act, then
ran into a friend who was with her bachelorette party and we sat on the
patio until 10:30pm. Dropped off the dog and went to see Pat D at the
Beer Barrel, went to Skyway (why do I do this) another female party at the
Island Club, and safely back on the boat by 6:30am!

Did you say FREE BEER what person or boat do I look for to collect this
wonderful prize?

I'm usually at the PIBYC or Millers next store. The new boat is abtly
named "Risky Business". At Kellys we try for Portside or Seaway if we're
overnighting, with West End for day tripping.