Thanks guys! I'll drive by or call them in the next few days. Very timely as these famous last words by me over a week ago continue to jinx me: "After all sorts of delays, I am almost ready to splash and put her on the lift". She is still in the driveway on my now 2nd extension by the Cape's Code Compliance peeps. Gotta splash by Monday.

Yesterday went to start her after fluids change and; nothing. Ignition dead. Checked everything I could think of with no luck. This morning I bought the 90 amp fusible contraption that goes on the starter solenoid as I was told could be the likely culprit. My last try before I am completely stumped. And the damn thing does not look easy to get to... Rain has really been delaying everything. If she fires up, then I should be home-free to splash Sunday or Monday. All I have left is cleaning, to then install new drive shower and exhaust flappers.

So far: removed silent choice and replaced all hardware with 5200, fixed swim ladder hinges and reinstalled/sealed with 5200, sunpad re-stitched (ready to go back on), changed outdrive fluid, changed engine oil/filter, replaced fuel filter/sep, replaced old messed-up VHF antenna with a 4' version, fixed depth sounder, fixed strbrd cockpit radio speaker, replaced battery selector switch, and a few other misc. Sounds like a lot but can't tell by looking at her and judging by over a month here!

I am quickly learning everything takes 4 times longer than planned, and more $ than, well... any reasonable estimate...

Been there...boat sat in driveway on Perdido Key for weeks while waiting on lift/boathouse issues...and $ (and time) x 3 or 4 seems about right! :-)

The 4 times longer and costlier than planned is all too true. The 90 amp fuse will kill the power to everything. Don’t forget neutral safety. Verify cannon plug tight. Check 50 amp breaker. Lanyard maybe?

Thanks guyz, and Happy Father's Day to all that are. Replaced the 90A fuse anyway even though it tested fine. Had the black round rubbery part on the back all melted. 50A breaker tested fine. I have 12V everywhere around the engine, battery switch, breakers, etc. Also have 12V at the ignition push-button breaker at the breaker panel under the dash at the helm. But I am getting like 8V at the ignition switch when in off position. When turned to "on", I lose the voltage and get nothing, which makes no sense to me (I'll re-test today). Safety lanyard is in there and I have wiggled it a hundred times. Moved around gear shifter as well.

My best guess is that when I ran the VHF antenna cable through that area, reaching from the access sliding door behind the drivers seat, I may have dislodged or moves something that may be causing the voltage drop. Problem is I cannot remove the cover plate where the throttle assembly and safety lanyard switch are because the lower left bolt's nut on the inside is rotating with the bolt when I try to unscrew. Normally these nuts are fixed as one cannot reach them easily. Today I am going to remove the radio speaker, VHF external remote speaker, and the VHF to get some access and stick my hands in there as a last resort. If I cannot fix it with this last effort, I'll step aside and pull a "here, you do it $$$". I have a neighbor a few streets down that is a Mercury mechanic in Ft. Myers that is coming over Tuesday late afternoon. If he cannot ID the issue, then I'll take her somewhere. Very frustrating.

I am using the droid phone app Marine Ways and hot spotting/blue toothing it to an I-pad (for the larger display size). We are not really going out in the Gulf of Mexico very far so this seems like a decent way to navigate the Intracoastal and barrier islands/keys.
The boat also has a Lowrange 4 Elite (depth downscan, chart, sonar).
Am I missing something?

that setup may work. I run a standard plotter. Much easier to see and use. I have a simrad go7. Fits nicely and does the job.

I’ll be back after July 1st. If you somehow haven’t figured it out by then. I’ll definitely come help ya. Check your keyswitch too. They do go bad.

Thank you Mike, much appreciated. You mentioned a cannon plug. I had to google that! Is there one in particular I need to be looking for? I think the key switch is ok. I jumped the cables into it as a test, and still nothing....

The cannon plug is the big plug on the back of the engine. Just wiggle and make sure all tight. Maybe pull and look for corrosion. It could cause a voltage drop.

This may help

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/...y/31910/2336/4

DONE! I could go a dissertation explaining all I did Friday-Tuesday troubleshooting non-stop, but I'll save the rant for a story-telling session when we meet one of these days. Turns out it was an ultra-hidden connection under the dash. Everything happens for a reason, and at least I now know where almost every darn ground and connection is between the helm and the prop. With almost all of them now cleaned and tightened, I'll be more relaxed on the water. I am also now sporting a new ignition key switch (broke the original plastic one while tightening to reinstall), new 90A fuse, new horn setup (goodbye horn relay), and a few other miscellaneous items. Cannon plug turned into a can-of-worms project of its own. But glad it is back-in somewhat reconditioned.

StarBrite Hull Cleaned the aft bottom and transom areas, installed the rubber flapper contraptions, installed the drive shower, and will put the hatch back on this afternoon with the help of an acquaintance. Quantessa will then be technically ready for the water! I feel like I need to throw a party for this! The City of Cape Coral code enforcement peeps must be getting their arrest warrant ready....

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0014d1268e.png
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b37c589e35.jpg

BTW, Any recommendations on a good "reasonably priced" boat detailer in the region? Looking for a comprehensive acid wash, polish, and wax...

Glad you got it. For detailing call Bill buchanan with Nauti concepts. 239-222-5321. He does concierge and detailing services in the area.

Thanks as always Mike. Will reach out to Bill.

I’ll be back in town this week. Thinking of running to sanibel Saturday to put it on the hook and get in the water. Since several here are new. If anyone is interested. Let me know. 850-238-5655. Mike.

We may not be around by the time you get back. All you'll find is a giant lava blob.

I may be in on the offer. I'll confirm later in the week. I have a tentative commitment to be in Daytona to support a team running the ChampCar 14-hr enduro but I may pull out as I just read they are opening the event to a few thousand spectators throughout the IMSA event on Sat, and to ChampCar Non-Crew on Sunday. The C19 risk/reward may not be there for me now...

I am dropping off the 271 for polish/wax this afternoon (NextLevel Detailing in FM. Bill's folks could not take me until the 8th). Will likely get it back Wednesday or Thursday and may try to splash it before the weekend so I don't find my rookie-self in the middle of the madness. If I don't launch by Thursday, I'll wait for the following week Tuesday or Wednesday (7th/8th).

If you need a hand launching let me know. Use rosen park. Best ramp in the cape.

Where is Rosen park? I’ve been using rum runners for pull out when I gotta get her on trailer

It is just south of Paradise Marina. SE 15th Street level. about a mile north of Veterans Pkwy/Midpoint Bridge. This is actually my "local ramp" as it is the shortest path to the river. I would go by it leaving from the house in SE 16th St.


I drove around Saturday afternoon to visit the trailer storage place Mike and you recommended as well as the different ramp facilities. I agree Rosen seems to be the best in the general vicinity. Two ramps (4 lanes) that look in very decent shape. Parking seems a bit limited, no floating docks, and no pilings on either side of the ramps so fender placement may be somewhat more important. But overall seemed like a good spot. Yesterday I decided to spend an hour there as well refreshing my memory on what not to do. I trust I will not be as bad as some I saw...!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e15b03feec.jpg

Rosen is easy. You live close to me as I pass it going out also. Plenty of parking for most days. During the “lockdown” parking was short but other than that it’s rarely ever half full. I don’t use it on the weekend unless necessary. Being lift kept helps that.

You guyz sure are QUIET:-// Maybe we should start an "All Things Boating Ft. Myers / Cape Coral" forum thread and not just "New to Cape Coral" thread. Boring update to slowly wake-up everyone:

Splashed at Rosen July 3rd without incidents (yeah baby). That ramp/facility is really good even though I wish it had better "bump" protection on the ramp sides since they sit really low and there are no pilings. Resisted the itch to take her out to the river for a quick WOT test, and stuck to the plan of slow-crusing back to the lift during high tide to ensure she fit right on the newly positioned bunks with the self-built hull step additions. The decision proved prophetic. Turned her around in my narrow channel and floated into the lift like a BOSS (beginners luck). Lifted her and she was sitting perfectly on the bunks. The thousand measurements and angle calcs to clear the beams under the low-height bunks were worth it. Not to mention, the always-on-the-prawl canal gods claimed a digital level (recovered but obviously fried) and a Craftsman extension+adapter+deep socket assembly that is yet to be recovered :-//.

Boat ran great but started running a bit on the hotter side (170F) late in the cruise. Then, when I pulled the drain plugs, a few gallons of water came out. Ugh! Long story short: 1) 95% of the old raw water impeller pieces were found, and a new impeller is now installed, 2) the stupid Mercury racing Bravo 1 nose cone flushing contraption simply does not work well (at all) on the boat/drive (even with new impeller), and 3) turns out one of the bellows was leaking with drive up. Sooooo, after over a month of Quantessa sitting peacefully on the lift, I finally found a quality, reputable, and reasonably-priced I/O shop that was not 2-months backlogged. Last Friday, I cruised back to Rosen, put her on the trailer, and pulled her east just past Alve where she is getting new bellows, bearing, shift cable, etc. Once back, I'll keep her in my driveway for a few days and install the Hardin Marine Fresh Water Flush Kit along with a few other upgrades.

3 1/2 months. Its been nice cruising back and forth from Rosen Park! But I am grateful to now be an absolute boating expert (eyeroll) by having splashed at ramp, rotated 180 degree in canal, loaded at lift, unloaded at lift, and loaded on trailer; once, each, without hitting a single thing (while I knock on wood)! Should get her back next week ready to make it beyond Rosen Park. There is not that much stuff beyand that anyway, right? (eyeroll again)...

Huge THANK YOU to Mike (@CrudeIntentions) as he has helped me tremendously over the past few months. I even managed to con a beer from him! And also Marine Trading Post folks for being just simply awesome, always, and referring me to Chuck and John who are getting Quantessa's bellows fixed right.

A few pics (last one is my neighbor at the helm on the way back to Rosen:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2ef81b9f42.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9d5c158e26.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...baaa9839df.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d90509e26d.jpg

Lift Bunks with the step:

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8787d70ca0.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c0e177da87.jpg

Those lift bunk with steps are amazing. I read your stick to the conservative plan for first boat outing and did the same thing in my new to me local area (Perdido Key). Sure enough a exhaust manifold water line popped off and it would have been catastrophic or at least significantly worse if I was not literally in my own backyard. Voting is just like Aviation it's best to execute a very conservative plan and have two to three back ups.

Hey are u around this weekend?? I’d like to try putting my 292 on your lift to see if it work. If so maybe I could get your dimensions for my lift. If so we can go for a ride in my boat over and I show u around the tricky spots.

Thanks F14A, the bunks where a bit of effort but well worth it. Indeed on sticking to conservative plans in these situations. I don't always do it, but as I have learned to recognize and follow my instincts.

Absolutely Formula 292. I'll be around all day tomorrow. My friend from PA is visiting again and will arrive Sat night, so as Crude Intentios once put it, I'll be "working on my ride" while the boat gets fixed LOL.... Other than that I am totally free without any fixed plans. A few thoughts:

• Is your boat on the lift now? You may want to consider coming over and looking at it to take some dimensions and ensure your extra two feet will fit in my deck's cutout. I believe it will as I have about that much room left at the bow on mine if I sit her with the hull step right against the bunks step.
• The other critical thing is measuring the width of the aft and mid-hull "inside chines" (not sure what they are called). In my 271, I had to make the bunk aft spacing wider by 1", and the front narrower by 1", so that I could clear the aft "inside chines" to fit inside the bunks, while the mid-hull ones to remain outside the bunks' edges. Hard to explain but had to do it so the hull rests flat on the bunks without catching on any edges or corners.

In any case, yes, visit in advance if you'd like and/or lets coordinate to try your 292 on it. If you want, I am also more than happy to look at your boat's hull while on your lift and give you my thoughts. They should be very close though. Call or text: 646.645.4851 anytime.

I am around today as well so feel free to come over. Well... anyone else also welcomed for that matter. There are a bunch of Coronas in the fridge wasting away....

I did get the boat out last weekend. Saturday at sanibel and Monday just river cruising and lunch. Hope you get your back soon!

Awesome! Great to have you back. I should have called you Monday to possibly connect on the water. Formula292dsb took me (and my visiting lady friend) out on Monday for a grand tour. Cape Harbour, Cayo Costa, FM lunch. Superb day across all fronts.

Picked up Quantessa on Friday. Bellows, bearing, alignment, etc all done. Safety lanyard and trim switch also fixed/replaced. Fresh water flush kit now installed as well. Chuck and John and Chuck's Marine did excellent work. Over and beyond across many fronts while they had the boat there. Unbeatable price icing on the cake.

I am keeping her in the driveway for a few days to fix the automatic bilge pump float switch(es) that seem(s) to not be working. May also replace the VHF with a GPS unit while it is out in front. Plan is to splash this weekend and finally run her past Rosen!

Awesome man. I was back. Not anymore. Lol. Maybe next week. Depends on work. I’ll text ya when I do get back again.

also thanks for the shoutout and as you know anytime you need help, let me know.

this is from sanibel


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...dced0068d.jpeg

She's a beauty. Looks fast even while floating still... Really like the clean all-white setup with race fairing in the Fountains.

Safe travels captain!

Thanks bud

New To Cape Coral too! Looking for Race Quality Outboard rigger
 

New To Cape Coral too! Looking for Race Quality Outboard rigger. I have a older Pursuit 2100CC in very clean condition with a newer Yamaha Z200 outboard. The rigging is a little sloppy and showing it' age. I want to find a tech who can update and make it neat like a new boat rigging. Anybody to recommend?

We're Heading down rough winter & times boat looking good so far see all of you guys & gals soon!
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I have a job opportunity to move to FL (was thinking Cape Coral, the company is actually in Melbourne but can work from anywhere) so have been looking at boat storage options.
Safe Harbor marina has dry stack up to 32' & Everest marina up to 34'. Are there other options that can do 35+ or is personal dock lift the only option?

Ft Meyers has new high dry not sure on prices but heard very nice place

Awesome. Hopefully we get to welcome you soon into the Cape. Depending on how much distance you consider reasonable, and where you want to be from a boating port perspective, also consider Safe Harbour Pineland in Pine Island. As NP353 mentioned, Fort Myers has several very large facilities including Moss Marina and Gulf Star Marina. Snook Bright Marina down in Estero Island seems to also be a nice spot.

Any recommendations to source wood Trailer Vertical Bunks in SW Florida? Well, I'll go anywhere in FL if it makes economic sense. Need two 3" thick x 10' long. 10"-12" tall range would work. Seems big box retail do not carry them and looking online put me at Menard's Mid-Atlantic. Will not have the trailer for long so it does not have to be the "ultimate' quality.

Wazz-up Guyz... I bought a Carver "Performance Poly-Guard" cover for my Formula 271 FASTech last year in June. After a little over a year of use, it seems to have lost most of its impermeability. I processed a replacement through Carver.

I am told one can spray it with some stuff and recondition it but I am not going to mess with it. So if you need a cover and want to pick this up, let me know and we'll work out a local deal. No visible wear, tears or rips. It is still nice and white on the outside but it does have some yellowing and "stain" lines on the underside. six four six six four five four eight five one.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ae33fcf753.jpg
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