The Boat Doctor
The Boat Doctorrope clear of the wake and prop wash- Pull tubes, wakeboarders,
waterskiers— virtually all water toys - Universal motor bracket installation—
fi ts virtually any brand of outboard
motor, single or twins - Improves vessel stability, fuel economy
and towing power - Tow bar can be quickly removed
PHOTO: COURTESY RATCHET JACKETluck. What do you suggest?
JOHN DERRY
Via email
[ A ] Backfiring through the exhaust
usually indicates one of two problems:
The timing needs to be adjusted or the
engine is not getting enough fuel.
Make sure the timing is set correctly
and that your engine’s fuel pump is
operating properly to keep up with the
fuel demand.Wanderlust
[ Q ] I own a 2001 Glastron SX195
with a 305 cid Volvo Penta sterndrive.
At real low speed or idle, the boat
fishtails and is hard to keep runningstraight. The boat is in excellent
condition, and I always store it indoors
or on a lift during the summer. How
can I fix this?
ROD HORKY
Long Beach, California[ A ] I get what you’re saying, but a
boat can’t fishtail because it steers
from the rear. Your boat is bow
steering because you’re using too
much negative trim that is forcing
down the bow. Try trimming up the
drive to about a quarter on the gauge
when running at no-wake speeds. If
this solves the problem, you can get
limiters that bolt onto the trim rams
to keep the drive from tucking under
so far.One or All?
[ Q ] I have a 2014 Bryant Calandra
with a 300 hp Volvo Penta engine
and dual batteries with a selector
switch. What is the proper way to use
multiple batteries? My buddy says to
run one battery at a time, but when it’sRatchet Jacket
As a replacement for the
greasy, wadded-up rag you
use to check engine oil,
Ratchet Jacket is an admi-
rable replacement — not for
checking oil, but to protect
your boat against chafe
when using trailer tie-downs.
I slid a pair of bright red
Ratchet Jackets over the
tie-downs securing my boat
to its trailer. It stayed in
place and did not impedeoperation of the ratchet lever
at all. Subsequently, I slipped
a second Ratchet Jacket on,
positioning it where the web
strap crosses the gunwale,
and that worked too. A
flexible foam tube, Ratchet
Jacket can’t blow off on
the road.
Ratchet Jackets are sold
in sets of three, six, nine or 12.
Prices start at $15; visit
ratchetjacket.com. — K.F.(WE TEST STUFF)