97 26X for $3000 - To good to pass up???

[Russ]

In all fairness here, check pricing among the USCGAUX, local Power Squadrons, and local law enforcement who offer these classes. For example, as an Auxiliarist, when I teach the ABS course, my flotilla charges upwards of $35 pp, I’ve seen the Auxiliary charge as high as $50.

I agree with you Ed. I'm a strong advocate for boating education.
A bargain for what you get. What other course can you take for that small amount?

I used to teach the Power Squadron courses when I lived in NJ. I still belong to the squadron and help maintain their web site. From the web page.

The United States Power Squadrons Boating Safety course exceeds the requirements of all states

Raritan Bay Power Squadron offers four National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and New Jersey approved courses each year to the general public. They run one night per week (two hours) for 7 weeks, and a night for the final exam and awarding of course certificates. These courses, upon successful completion, meet New Jersey State certification requirements for boats and (PWC) personal watercraft operation, and also meets the requirements of all other states. Upon successful completion of the course, the course instructor will secure New Jersey certificates for graduates. The law requires a minimum of 8 hours of classroom study and a proctored exam.

Our member instructors are all unpaid volunteers, thus, there is no cost for the instruction, but course material: color textbook & navigation tools - course plotter, dividers and course and Maptech chartplotter CD are included at a cost of $55. If other persons living in the same household enroll and can share the navigation tools, the text book cost for each additional person is $40. The navigation tools will be used for navigation on your boat, thus, are not only for the course. All material is available on the first night of the course.

--Russ

[Free2sail]

Hi All,

Well I finally got the boat home last night, . It was exciting to back her into the spot where she will sit, and I will be able to work on her. She feels like she is mine now. I was worried that someone would pinch me and when I got back to the marina, it would all have been a dream, lol.

We were able to get the engine running at the marina (1997 Tohatsu 50D), as I had left the battery charging from a previous trip. Yeah! It only ran for a couple of minutes off and on , but when it did run it was very smooth and quiet . I had a mechanic that took a quick look at it, and he suggested that the carbs were gummy from sitting for so long (about 8 months), and would need a clean and rebuild. He also suggested a water pump kit with impeller. Gear oil and spark plugs. The local dealer, wanted $575 to $700 for that bit of work (parts are roughly $200), so I have decided, with input from some of you, to tackle the task myself. It will help me understand how to handle a possible future situation that goes wrong on the water.

Wondering about a service manual. Which would you suggest?

1) Internetoutboards - OEM Factory Service Manual, 2-STK, Covers all 3 & 4 Cylinder Models, FREE SHIPPING - 2SERVMAN2S3CYL4CYL = $60
2) Clymer - Tohatsu Outboard Repair Manual 2.5-140 HP Two-Stroke 1992-2000 = $27
3) Internetoutboards says the best manual is the Factory Specific Service Manual for the 50D, but they don't sell it anymore, opting for the multi model book (Option #1 above), does anyone on this board have one of these old manuals that I could buy?

Thanks!

[restless]

I've got the nissan ns50d, 96, which by all accounts is the same lump.
Go for it.
Here's a link to a workshop manual that someone on this site shared with me.
http://www.ironengineer.com/mac/home/index.htm

A problem with these can be the fuel pump. It is only just up for the job, so any tiny leak can cause fuel starvation at full bore (at best) or the need to re-prime and restart frequently. Well worth doing while you've got your tools out.

Here's the thread I started on this topic http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =8&t=15330

sounds like you're onto a winner!

[restless]

Regarding learning...
If you're near some marinas, why not put yourself up for crew for race events. Skippers often find it can be hard to take their boats out, at least that's how it works here. That way you'll get hours of sea time and the experience of pushing things to the limit.. and it's great fun!

[Free2sail]

Restless,

Thanks for the link. I love the peach posterior, um...I mean interior. I will know that I have arrived at sailing nirvana, when I descend into my boat and find a "lovely apparition" such as that resting peacefully, beautifully.

I will also do the fuel pump, sounds like a good idea.

I have had some racing experience. The most fun was aboard an F27, shooting back and forth across the San Francisco Bay, and I do mean shooting. The skipper and I were very inexperienced and so came in last both times we raced, but man was it fun shooting along at 16 to 18 knots by sail.

Love your pics "Cracking along at 8+ kts "

Cheers!