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I had a birds nest in the boom when I bought my boat. I had to remove the casting from the end of the boom, hang the boom over the side, release the lazyjacks to rest the boom on the lifelines and spray a high pressure hose from the gooseneck. This blew the bird crap out the end. I also removed the ...

The "J" in the date code is October. So your boat is an 1982 model year molded in October 1981.

Many years ago, I formed stainless steel tubing into the required shape for a bow pulpit using a rented tubing bender. These tools are used by electricians to bend metal conduit. Be sure and cover the tool with a layer of tape to prevent scratching the tubing. After the bows are installed, use a str...

Ed When wrapping the Teflon tape, be sure to wrap in the same direction you tighten the fitting. This will prevent it bunching up. Check that you are getting fuel through the mechanical pump by cracking the fitting on the inlet to the metering pump. If you don't get fuel there, the problem is in the...

Be very careful applying pressure to the water inlet. It is possible to force water through the pump to fill up the muffler and the cylinders. When you turn the key to start, you get water hammer doing very bad things to the cylinder, pistons and the injectors. The safest way is to put the inlet hos...

Alex Try asking the yard if they will haul you at the end of the day and leave the boat in the slings overnight. Surveyors regularly do this to allow the boat to dry somewhat before taking moisture readings on the underbody before the yard gets started in the morning. If the yard can launch you firs...

Aluminum tanks were made by several other manufacturers including Florida Marine Tanks in Henderson, NC was one, Luther Welding in Bristol, RI are two I know well. Luther is a custom builder and made many one-off tanks and tanks for some of the low volume boats. FMT is a production builder and provi...

Before replacing injectors, you might want to consider having them serviced. Assuming there has been no physical damage to any of the components, most injectors can be disassembled, cleaned, reassembled and tested to meet manufacturer specifications for less than half the purchase price. A local die...

Unfortuantely I cannot remember the details, but as I recall the "deadlights" in both the F35 and F40/40 were laminated safety glass, the same as in US car windshields. The two panes of glass are cut to size and "tempered". This process requires heating the glass to a certain temperature and cooling...

I am a former TPI and Freedom Yachts engineer who is now an independent marine surveyor. I own Freedom 36 #71 based in Rhode Island. I am willing to travel, so please contact me directly to discuss your needs outside the New England area.

My website is at http://www.execmarine.com.