I read your article in Power Boating Canada regarding the KMV question about the capacity plate.  I have been boating for many years and I recently purchased a 1996 Invader bowrider model Mirage 170 - with 115hp Johnson.  I believe the boat is Canadian made, but it does not have a capacity plate (I have looked everywhere and no it has not been removed).
I went to the site you suggested for the Office of Boating Safety, but could not find anything.
I am wondering if boat could handle more power.

                                                            G. Gratton
                                                            e-mail

This is a tough question to answer as far as the capacity plate is concerned.  In the past, if the plate was not available from the manufacturer, you could apply to the Office of Boating Safety for a plate using measurements on a form for a homemade boat.  They issued a capacity plate based on mathematical model from the measurements (not very accurate).

You may be able to go to a Mercury Outboard dealer and research their archive of “Boat House Bulletins” to see if your make and model was tested with any larger engines than what you have.  Otherwise, trial and error is the only “old school” method I am aware of.

Ask your local engine dealer’s opinion and then ask if you can trade back down if a larger engine is not satisfactory.  One engine size larger does not usually present a difficult problem in most family type runabouts, especially if speeds stay below the 50 mph mark.  Above 50 mph, safety and handling become a major concern.

I am looking to buy my first motor boat for a newly acquired country home on Lac Magog, Eastern Townships, Quebec.

My position on the lakefront has only 3 feet of water depth.  It was suggested that I look for a boat with an inboard-outboard motor and a minimum 19 foot length hull.  A local dealer suggested a fuel injection model is the way to go instead of a carburetor.  He sells the Stingray line and wants me to buy a 4.3 litre injected, 225hp, 2008 model for about $24,000 plus taxes.

Can you guide me if I am on the right track or point me in the right direction? Since I have almost no experience in this matter your expertise would be of great value to me and my family (we are four: me, wife and two teens).

                                                                        M. Nadler
                                                                        e-mail

I think the size and type of boat you are looking at seems like it would be just about perfect for you and your family, however with the depth of the water at your dock being so low, I have a suggestion.  If three feet is the minimum depth you will be fine with the I/O, but if the water gets shallower than this, I would recommend a similar boat with a 4 cycle outboard engine.

Although you can tilt the stern drive up when in shallow water, leaving it up for an extended period of time can be problematic with a stern drive.  Muskrats have been known to chew through the rubber bellows of a stern drive causing the boat to sink when unattended.

Fuel injection is definitely the way to go in either case.

I recently purchased a 1999 356 Carver and under the suntan pads the fibreglass has yellowed.  What can I use to clean this textured area.  I have tried Simple Green, acetone and All-in-One, and am having no luck.  Any suggestions?

                                                                        D. Wolframe
                                                                        e-mail

I like Comet cleanser with a little water and a stiff bristled scrub brush to clean these textured, non-skid surfaces on fibreglass decks.  If this does not work, the stain has gone into the gel coat and no cleaner will likely remove it.  Epoxy paint may be the only answer in this case.  If however, the cleaner method does work and you don’t have to repaint, I’d strongly recommend a few coats of wzx to protect the newly cleaned fibreglass surface.

I was wondering if you have or know where I could get information on Chrysler Stacker racing outboards that were made in the late 60’s and early 70’s.  I would appreciate any help or information you could find.

                                                                        B. Stephens
                                                                        e-mail

I have no information on these wild hi-performance engines in my data base, though I do remember seeing them at the boat shows of that era.  They were built to compete against the Mercury Twister racing engines and the Johnson Wankel racing engines. 

Perhaps some of our readers may be able to check their archives and forward information to me and I will pass it along to you.  I think it would make for a good article in a future issue.

GOT A QUESTION, A PROBLEM OR DO YOU NEED SOME SERVICE INFO ON SOME MARINE ENGINE OR EQUIPMENT?  SEND ME AN E-MAIL AT  stephen.horsfall@sympatico.ca OR FAX ME AT 1-613-236-0700.