Recent content by SmokyMtnGrady

Mustang, You're right in so many ways. The 228 is a great platform and because it is so great is why I keep her up in great shape. I am having new upholstery made this season. I had a 192. it is a great 19 footer ,but it's not a 228. I want to go and see. A bigger boat gets me to the Bahamas...

Yah, I an double nickles. I almost bought a bigger boat 2 years ago. I sold some real estate and that money was liquid . In the end I rolled it back Into real estate near UCF where my son Cole goes. I would rather pay on a mortgage than pay ridiculous amount of student apartments. I am...

Greetings, It's winter and I have been day dreaming on Boat Trader . I have owned my 228 now since 2009. She has taken me everywhere from the mountain lakes to the Dry Tortugas and Bahamas. It truly is a great little boat. I have long wanted a 28 to 33. In so many ways its not practical. I...

My tow vehicle is not necessarily a factor. I live in the smoky mountains and if I go big the boat woukd be kept in Florida ,likely aty brothers house in Titusville. My 2015 Tundra is rated at 11,000 pounds. The only way I tow something like an Islander is to beef up the rear end with better...

On boat windshield glass? I have used vinegar before. Anyone else have a special product or recipe ?

Buy a new boat your same size or trade up ? I have a 228 ..I actually enjoy her and have had the boat new since 2009. I keep wanting a Sailfish,Marlin or Express 305 /330 . That new Adventure 218 is really nice especially with the 8.5 foot beam . it's just a few inches shorter when you look...

Glacier. I do have your copy. Where do I need to send it?

I want to say it's the Sure Flo by Pentaire. They had the exact one at West Marine. To be fair to the live well pump people, the boat dies sit outside under cover in the winter in the Smokies . I do drain all the pumps and open the sea cocks to to get water out in the fall. You get a lot...

HI y'all: I am in the Florida Keys visiting friends and staying at their canal front home . Yesterday we were preparing to go offshore when I noticed a lot of water coming from my forward bilge pump. I have never seen water come out of my forward bilge . So, I inspect the bilge and find it...

Ok, I get that it's great for doing what it does on a cruise ship and I can see it as a good back up to the chart plotter. The real beauty would for it to be able to be shared to others where they can track you where you are on the sea . Can it do that? I would think the capability would...

To add to your comment dissolved hose materials eventually end up at the motor and the filters . Some may get through . You don't want more particulates in your fuel system to boot.

I swapped my fuel fill hose a couple years ago. It was deteriorating badly with holes near the fitting at the gunwale . It leaked every time I went to fill it up. While I was at it I changed the vent hose too. I had it done in an afternoon or so. I removed the tank lid to do it so I could...

I would add caution to the Rain X application. the hydrophobic nature of it causes water to bead a lot as you know. Navigating at night with the windshield beaded up especially in harbors and at low speeds and such refracts the light and makes night vision difficult especially if you don't...

Argo is the CIA mission to get Americans out of Iran where Ben Affleck goes over and pretends he is a Canadian and wants to do a Hollywood sci Fi film called Argo and it was to be filmed on location in Iran. Turns out the idea worked and American embassy workers were brought home...thanks to...

Hey Y'all, I have not posted in a while . It's been busy in my life but I wanted to share a story and it's somewhat embarrassing. This fall I was taking my boat out of Fontana for the winter. Halfway back to the ramp the boat just died. Now those unfamiliar with Fontana Lake in the NC Smoky...