[WetWilly]

Well I finally finished with the lower Bravo III housing...

Some of you may remember a picture I posted after getting the skeg repaired... if not , here's some refreshers.

This is the lower drive when we bought her, we were told that only a little bit of the skeg was missing:




Here's the amount that was need to complete the skeg, just a little bit, huh?? Oh and we had the props redone too..."





Well after some sanding and a little Bondo (yes, I said Bondo) to fill in the little imperfections around the wields, some more sanding, a good coat of Zinc Chromate Primer and then Mercruiser Phantom Black...well here’s how it came out:




It's not perfect but I'm happy with it and I think you'll agree, it looks a hell of a lot better than it did...

Guess what... it held up to two outings this week, the first outing was just a test to see if she would run and to check out all the systems... she did but sputtered at low rpm and died at idle several times and to make matters worse, we had to stay below 26mph (small reservoir for drinking and fishing) .

Next came a full speed run at real lake to really see what this Talari could do! Now we all know the speedo isn't accurate but it still felt good to see it top 62mph flat out at 4700rpm so I think she's propped just about right. After running around for about 1/3 of a tank, she purrs like a kitten at idle and no more take off burps (stumbles)! Two other things to work on, first, the steering wheel is a little off so I will need to readjust that and secondly, the trim tab wiring is backwards, so got to flip some connections around.

All that's left to do is install the new stereo, fix the streched out netting on the seat backs (I'll document this one because I know a lot of you have the same issue), replace the rubrails and insert and finish some gelcoat repairs. Over all, I very ecstatic with our Mariah!

Now next week it's our last trip for spring skiing (the cold kind) and then plans for weekends on the water! Already ordered a couple of new towables from eBay!

Now before anyone asks, no I did not get any pictures while running around because I didn't have anyone to do the photography from the shore... next time, I promise!

One very happy "WetWilly"



P.S. Ok, here is one picture just to prove to everyone that we really do own a Mariah and she does float...

The Captain and first mate aboard...

[ShabahZ250]

Looks Great!! Keep us all updated on how the progress goes.

[mikeyt]

That repair looks excellent compared to the before picture. I've got a small chunk out of my skeg also although not as bad as yours was. I'm thinking that maybe i will have a look at repairing & repainting mine now....

[indykoch]

Your boat looks incredible! I like it!! Nice repair job too! 62 MPH is great!

I guess our super moderator does in fact own a Mariah!!! Good thing you posted the picture... I think Mikeyt was beginning to think this was some sort of conspirancy pitted by Bayliner owners!

[mikeyt]

Nah.....that much damage to a Bayliner and they may as well have written the boat off.

[180diablo]

Originally Posted by WetWilly

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="2"] After running around for about 1/3 of a tank, she purrs like a kitten at idle and no more take off burps (stumbles)!

I must say, excellent work on that skeg repair!

I noticed you mentioned about " take off burps". That is one issue I have been having with my boat, but only when coming off a cold start and I accelerate the first time out. After that it is fine.

Did you do anything to correct the burping? I know I will be getting my mechanic to take a look at it come summer.

[mikeyt]

"Beano" works wonders....

[Z 202]

Repair looks great. Somehting I might be looking into soon as well. I have a chunk missing out of the leading edge on my skeg.

Good to see the pic in the water too. I'd love to have a current picture of mine like that. Unfortunately my slip is still full of ice...

[180diablo]

Originally Posted by mikeyt

"Beano" works wonders....

I was going to type in .. " wtf is beano?? ".... then I googled it and laughed.

Beano is a natural enzyme supplement that can help you prevent gas, bloating, and other digestive problems after eating certain foods, including vegetables..,





bugger

[WetWilly]

Originally Posted by 180diablo

I must say, excellent work on that skeg repair!

I noticed you mentioned about " take off burps". That is one issue I have been having with my boat, but only when coming off a cold start and I accelerate the first time out. After that it is fine.

Did you do anything to correct the burping? I know I will be getting my mechanic to take a look at it come summer.

Hi 180diablo,

Just so you know, Beano only works on the crew and only sometimes and how come you know about Beano Mikey, or do we really want to know??

Our Talari's "burp" was caused by some old gas in the tank and carb as well as some residual water and gunk in the lines, we tried to pump it all out but there is always a little at the bottom... and I don't believe this Talari has been run in water in over a year or two... We did run the engine on the trailer but it isn't the same as in the water with a load on the motor.

Anyway, a half tank of premium, bottle of "Heet" water remover, bottle of carb cleaner and a big lake seems to have cured it! The engine seems to be running a little rich at the moment, but I suspect that will correct its self are we run it more, if not, next job will be to rejet the carb!

As for your "burp", it sounds like the cold start circuit or choke assembly may need adjusting depending on whether you have a carb or injection since it clears up after the engine is up to temperature.

Good luck and let me know that the fix for your "burp" was,
WetWilly