Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

This starts about 4 weeks ago. Checked out the pontoon to see what it needed for my family fishing vacation to Minnesota. Found an oil stain under the motor, looks like I need lower seals. Called the marina, they couldn't guarantee having it done in time. Okay, it can't be that hard.....

Watched a couple YouTube videos, ordered seals and I'm set. Started to tear it down and the first bolt I took out had corrosion on it, proving my suspicion that the "never been in saltwater " claim when I bought the motor was not true. Pulling the carrier out proved to be quite a challenge due to the salt, also. Then trying to pull the old seals, the aluminum casting breaks off, most of the break was old. I have a friend in MN that parts out old motors, and he was able to ship me one, new seals installed.

Part came, put everything back together, thought I was home free...... Fast forward to last Sunday. SIL came and we started the motor to make sure everything works. Started fine, but wouldn't shift. Tore it apart again, seeing the parts list looks like I lost the cam follower, slide and spring. 3 of us searched the 50 ft path I took from the motor to the vise, all inside the machine shed and only found the follower.

Went online and bought the other 2 parts, figuring they will arrive on time. One arrived Thursday, other one sat in Chicago for two days. Backup plan was to call my friend. He had the parts and set them outside his building for me to pick up when we got to our rental house. His shop is about 20 miles away.

We had an uneventful trip up yesterday and retrieved the part. Took the lower shaft out and tried to put the parts in. This is when I discovered that only one part was missing, the spring and slider were still inside the shaft!

Did get out and catch a few gills this afternoon, boat and motor work great! I'll keep you posted how my week progresses.

Billycrap2 Loc: Mason county,W(BY GOD) Virginia, 🇺🇸🦅

Sorry to hear that but glad you got it fix and catching fish hope you catch a boat load for your troubles
and enjoy your vacation 👍🏽👍🏽🎣🎣🎣🐟🐟🐠🐠🐋🐋🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Thanks, Billy!

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

That's great Iowa hope y'all have a great vacation 👍

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Hoping the rest of your vacation is less of a hassle!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Good morning, Myron. I certainly do hope you have better luck, but you caught fish, so, it wasn't all bad.
May I suggest two things? First, go fishing in the pontoon more so that you use it more and know its needs. Second, go on more vacations with the pontoon. Problem solved!.

Keep us posted with lots of pictures. I like your avatar. Good luck, and enjoy your family.

Have a good day.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

That's a rough start Farmer. Glad to see you out and fishing, and catching dinner. I think Leo is correct, you have to use that puppy more often. At least a few local trips before the big vacation trip. Hopefully the rest of your vacation will be fun and uneventful. Tight Lines buddy.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

You won out in the end. That's all that matters. Good luck fishing.

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

Glad you were able to repair the boat and get on the water. That’s a good looking bunch of bluegills

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Thanks all. So far this lake looks promising, we'll see how the week goes. 🤞

Bobfromfremont Loc: Fremont Ca

You might want to clean out the cooling system too. How don’t know, never worked on a boat before

MrJohn Loc: Roseville, MN

For a few minutes I thought the bad dominoes wouldn’t stop falling. Glad to see fish in the cooler!

Fishon1957 Loc: Menahga mn

Where in mn are you fishing

Iowa Farmer Loc: Iowa City Iowa

Lake Ada, North of Brainerd, Pine River address. Looks like about an hour east of you.