Boating - June 2016 USA

The Boat Doctor

PHOTO: COURTESY OFFSHOREMARINEPARTS.COM

good, cost-effective component. Also,
when you look at some universal-joint
bellows, there wouldn’t be room in
there for a CV joint that would be
needed to handle the horsepower.

Backfire
[ Q ] I have a 2002 Chaparral 215ssi
with a MerCruiser 350 Mag that has
600 hours on it. Last summer, on two
separate trips on Lake Powell late in
the afternoon, the engine would not
start. After extensive cranking and
pumping the throttle, it finally turned
over, and once with a backfire. A
mechanic at the marina said the

culprit was the anti-siphon valve, so I

replaced it. As I get ready for the next

boating season, I wonder how accurate

and complete his diagnosis was and if

I should expect more issues. I usually

boat until dusk and don’t want to be

stranded down-lake at nightfall.

LENNY HERZOG

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

[ A ] A backfire indicates that the

engine is running lean. It could be

the anti-siphon valve, but given your

boat’s age, I’d be looking at replacing

the fuel lines with upgraded ones that

are compatible with today’s ethanol-

blended fuels. Also, go with hoses

that are^3 / 8 -inch (inside diameter) and

install them with as few bends in the

lines as possible.

Torch and Hammer?

[ Q ] I have a 1985 24-foot Columbia

Sea Skiff, and I need to change the

prop. I don’t think it’s ever been off. I

have removed the nuts, but after a few

whacks with a hammer, the prop is not

moving. I was told to heat the prop to

loosen the bronze. Would a prop puller

be more effective? What prop puller

would you recommend?

MATT HANCOCK

East Northport, New York

[ A ] A prop puller would be best, with

a torch being your last resort. There’s

one other trick I’ve seen technicians

use, and it works only if you can see the

propeller hub. If you can, drill out the

rubber; then it will loosen up the prop.

For a step-by-step approach to this

project, read Capt. Vincent Daniello’s

article at boatingmag.com/how-to-

change-inboard-prop. It was originally

published in the April 2015 issue, and

it has all the details you need to change

a prop.

ASK THE DOCTOR

Send questions with your name and address

to: [email protected] or The Boat

Doctor, Boating, 460 N. Orlando Ave., Suite

200, Winter Park, FL 32789.