1983 Vking rebuild

**LakeFever** · 07-19-2022, 10:51 AM

Great to hear! What prop you running again?

**VkingMike** · 07-19-2022, 11:14 AM

28P big ear

**tnelsmn** · 07-19-2022, 03:10 PM

Good to hear! Thats a great starting point!

**VkingMike** · 07-25-2022, 07:33 AM

Took the boat out this weekend for some top end numbers and was able to get 84mph. RPM's are really getting up there with the 28p big ear. I saw 7,000 then backed off a bit (tach only goes to 7k) I was very please, until I got back to the ramp and got the boat out of the water. I can only assume I hit a turtle, as I'm not sure what else would have caused this damage. I felt nothing the entire day, so I was a bit shocked and honestly quite mad at the damage, since I've had this about 2 weeks. Its worht noting, no other damage is present, prop is fine.

So next comes the question.... What do I do? Order the epoxy, sand and scuff to repair and repaint?

Click image for larger version.

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**rjdubiel** · 07-25-2022, 08:05 AM

your pm box is full!

Bobs cone and they installed? Unfortunately this has been happening more and more I hear from Bobs. Quick question, are you leaving the boat in the water at all overnight or over the weekends at all? If not here is my advice and you can get it done yourself in the garage. Get some AdTech P-17 which is a filler, like a bondo. Or even Evercoat body filler works just fine as well. Sand down all the Bobs body filler as it does not look like you hit anything, it just started coming off is what I see. Once your down to good dry filler, apply new filler and form with some sandpaper. Ratttle can that bitch primer, then color. We have been doing it for years and I have not had any chunks come off at all. Hell, the torque tab is filler on my lowers! This way when you do hit something you can fix it really easy also. Cheap and dirty and works.

**VkingMike** · 07-25-2022, 08:11 AM

Boat is stored inside a metal building out of water.

This is aggravating to say the least with how much it costs to have the job done by the people that claim to be the best in the business. Looks like I'll be ordering some filler today.

**rjdubiel** · 07-25-2022, 08:25 AM

On all my mercs the only lowers I have ran were done this way and all the way from hitting bottom of the river to 100+ mph they are fine. If they get some chips or whatever, a quick sand, fill, and primer/paint and back on the water! But honestly it looks like they didnt mix the filler and it did not dry. I would be asking for some money back!

**VkingMike** · 07-25-2022, 08:38 AM

I appreciate your input on this. I have already reached out to them this morning with my concerns and photos. It's unfortunate and the amount of anger I currently feel after spending good money to send this to "the professionals" and waiting almost a month? Deep breaths.... lol

I am already expecting them to blame it on the user, but all I can do is wait to hear back.

**rjdubiel** · 07-25-2022, 10:32 AM

Sucks to say the least! I have seen lots of paint off bobs lowers lately and only a few that were as bad as yours. IF they say you hit something I would call BS. I have hit stuff and it doesn't come flying off like that. A big divot in the filler, but not like that with hitting something. My opinion. Or one bad ass turtle.

**VkingMike** · 07-25-2022, 10:45 AM

I do have an unrelated question for anyone that want s chime in.

The motor is a 1993 Mariner 150 Mag III. I'm seeing 7,000 rpm is that pushing it too hard on a fishing motor? I mix 40:1, should I or just do 50:1 even at higher rpm?

**rjdubiel** · 07-25-2022, 12:17 PM

Metal cadge bearings in there? should be fine if they are. Turn it till the rpm doesn't go any higher! 32:1 is what I run. Do you have 40 amp electric? That would be my concern is that heavy 40 amp flywheel turning that hard

**OnPad** · 07-25-2022, 05:59 PM

Bum deal!! 84mph is awesome with a 150! Hard to see stuff coming at that speed!
I hate to say it, but it looks like you hit something. Just fill it, you'll be back in buisness in a few days. I used PC-7 epoxy on my nosecone and no body filler. I've had no problems.

I say stay at 40:1 or more oil, at that rpm.
Alloy caged bearings and lightweight flywheel would be nice at those engine speeds.
A four blade prop will decrease rpm, also.

**LakeFever** · 07-25-2022, 06:59 PM

Thats a bummer for sure. Hard to tell what happened by the pic alone but if the filler was not catalyzed properly there would be some spongy/slimy/soft spots in there you could probe around and see if that’s the case. Id guess you still hit a little something that set it off. Might have started as a small nick and once the water started getting into it blowing off the rest as you ran the rest of the day.

im not a hundred percent on what works and doesnt work yet as i have not coned one myself but i know the pre mix kitty hair fiberglass putty is the strongest bondo type stuff available. You can find it with vinylester resin too. If it were mine i wouldnt want warranty if fix it myself and try to eliminate this from happening again. Id strip it all off and fare with the fiberglass then finish with the adtech mention above for final smoothing. By my eye, that looks like what was done at Bobs