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    Trailer Recommendations for Freedom 285

    Does it have brakes on all axles? That's important. FYI, at that weight, getting/adding EOH brakes should be something to consider. Is your tow vehicle up to the task, including the hitch?
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    Tricycle of choice?

    Suggestion? Since she's got the idea of balancing, go right to a bike with training wheels since she likely won't be on the tricycle for very long. It sounds like you may already have a bike? It's been a while, but if I remember correctly, you can get a set of training wheels that will bolt...
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    Trailer Recommendations for Freedom 285

    I think you are thinking that you need the trailer to be as wide as your boat? That is not true. An 8-1/2' wide trailer is the norm and all you need. The boat will be wider than the trailer, but that's normal she you're trailering an override boat. You'll be totally totally fine. Measure...
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    Flush mount rod holders on bow for shade poles?

    I think that's your best plan at this point - wait till you can get hands/eyes on it - things will make a lot more sense once you do that.... and also save the possibilty of lots of grammatical errors back and forth here :) :)
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    Flush mount rod holders on bow for shade poles?

    They won't be glued in. Can you reach them from the anchor locker and push up? Do things up there just drain right into the anchor locker? Can you not reach through the anchor locker for the backer plates?
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    Flush mount rod holders on bow for shade poles?

    You'll be fine. While I haven't installed holders in YOUR boat, I've installed them dozens and dozens of times over the years... and drilled into boats in all sorts of spots even more times. This isn't to toot my own horn but just to relay that whether someone has done it on a particular model...
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    Flush mount rod holders on bow for shade poles?

    They're very straight forward to install. Drill hole, drill pilot holes for screws, chamfer pilot holes, install. Was there something specific you were wondering about?
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    Bilge ?

    Best way to ensure you find it - especially since the boat is so old there's a chance it may have been changed/altered - simply have someone hold teh float switch on and go the thru-hulls on the side of the boat. You'll be able to hear the pump through the thru-hull.
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    No vhf reception or transmission

    Forgot to add this (in addition to the above) for diagnosis - do others get NOAA without the antenna plugged in?
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    No vhf reception or transmission

    As mentioned above, NOAA is pretty easy to get just about anywhere. I get it easily in Allentown, PA without an antenna. But you can use your body as make-shift antenna to get better reception - just put your finger squarely on the receiver's antenna jack.
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    Fixing Water Damaged Panels.

    Good idea, Sean. If Grady would have done that to begin with (or installed them slightly higher off the floor to begin with), you would have never had to make this post
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    228 rear bilge pump location

    Oh my! Usually those outlet are up pretty high - you must have really been being tossed around! While it may not help in all conditions - when you get a chance, check the hose on the backside/inside of the thru-hull fitting. There should be an upward loop there to help prevent what you had...
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    228 rear bilge pump location

    I don't know your model very well, Lucky, but... Shouldn't the water entering the cockpit via the scuppers go right back out without making it's way to the bilge? I mean, that's sort of the idea behind a self-bailing cockpit, right?
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    228 rear bilge pump location

    No doubt. Pretty common problem to be aware of regardless of the boat/bilge setup. Carry bungs/Nerf ball/wax toilet bowl ring. Those things can be stuffed into a hole to lessen water intake. Consider adding a high water e-pump with higher capacity than stock, if needed. For anyone with a...
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    Bought the 258, which engines for upgrade?

    Or.... If you're beefing up the transom, keep going and then plop the 600HP V12 dual prop OB from Merc on there. I "think" you'd have enough power then? :p :p
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    Bought the 258, which engines for upgrade?

    Merc's are solid - whatever electrical issues you're finding on the net are likely old/outdated and... keep in mind that because Merc sells a crapload of these that skews online reviews. People don't generally write good reviews - they typically only complain. If every manufacturer has, say...
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    Bought the 258, which engines for upgrade?

    I would definitely take a look at Merc - they've been doing some really nice things. And the dealer network and parts availability is way above Honda. Don't focus on displacement only - that old adage of "there's no replacement for displacement" doesn't hold up as well as it used to. It was...
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    228 rear bilge pump location

    I like that story and can appreciate the self deprecating humor! I'm going to stick with Lucky One more thing... often, an e-pump won't have a switch - only a float valve. But, they would also each have their own exit holes in the side of the boat, too. It's definitely strange (wrong) if...
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    228 rear bilge pump location

    Lucky, are you sure you don't have two bilge pumps? One normal one and then another higher mounted pump used as an "emergency" or "high water level" pump?