Well... still saving up for all the repairs we need and trying to get that whole process in motion. I think I have someone lined up for the hull but he didn't sound too enthused and hasn't gotten back to me in the time frame he said he would originally. Hopefully it pans out since he said I could help him through the process which would be great since I love to learn and it could save me some money as well. Throw in my engine issue and I'm not so sure if I will make the deadline. I think I have a plan for the engine(s?) set up and depending on how much the hull work is going to cost will dictate whether or not I can do some minor mods and freshen both of them or just overhaul the disassembled one and cross my fingers on the other. How about you how are things?

Hope you get everything fixed up soon, it's only money right! Things are going good over here. Just sold the old boat today, sort of. Sent contract to the guy, he's coming from Missouri and I'm in NY. Should have contract signed and deposit in hand this week. A friend of mine has a worn gimbal as well and we are going to tackle both boats as soon as the weather breaks here. While the gimbals are sent out for repair I need to install a set of dry to the tip tails I picked up this winter as well as a new set of used controls I polished up to replace my old worn ones that got stuck at 70+ last year and scared the hell out of me! After everything is back together I'll be prop testing, and I'm pretty excited about that! Hopefully everything works out for you guys sooner than later, maybe you should start playing the lottery, ALOT!! What's your plan for the motors?

Sounds like you are on top of things! Wish I could say the same! I had a huge setback at work so I think my hopes and dreams of freshening/ upgrading the motors this season went down in flames... All I can hope for at this point is to just get the hull done, slap my dead engine back together and have everyone say a prayer every time I hit the key lol!

Dave, my 32 fountain had a rotted transom from the factory exhaust tips. Factory tips only have sealant and a plastic ring to hide the sealant, nothing really holds the exhaust tip but the hose from the exhaust manifold. I replace tips with a exhaust tip with a flange on it and fasten that to the hull with three screws that came with tips. Also used 5200 sealant.

Yes one of the things I did (pics on page 7) was pull mine and inspect them. I have heard of others with this issue as well. :(

Yea mine had that and with CMI's and silent choice the alignment wasn't even close.

Dave, I have a 1997 35 that did the same thing. Sick over it. Mine sets in the barn covered . Two years now.

Do yours have the same issue as mine?

Boy I sure get mad when I hear about someone else with an issue like this. Something that should just never happen to a OE rigged hull in my opinion. The more reading I do I find 90% or more have learned a hard lesson in boating one way or another it seems. I thought I was going to be one of the lucky ones... Don't let it get you down though just remember how much fun this sport is and don't give up! I have spent many nights laying in bed awake beating myself up about how I have let my wife and kids down with this whole mess. I'm not giving up because as everyone here says once fixed it will be better than it was and I wont have to worry about it ever again.

Edit: in boating never say ever lol.

Dave,dont let this get you down,
this is just a small (very small) bump on the road of life,you will fix it and move on,,been there done that.

Dave, if you were close by I would gladly come help you rip yours apart and get it fixed. Keep your head up buddy!