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Looking for recommended lube for linkages

knuckle47

knuckle47

Advanced Contributor
I was going thru the box of tattered and torn paperwork I had gotten with the boat years ago and found the Crusader Operation and Maintenance Manual.

After lightly reading thru it ( about 1/2 the thickness of a typical monthly magazine ) there are some simple things in maintenance I have been overlooking...small silly stuff but still good practices. Thought I might pass a few along as I frequently read advice here that uses the same recommendations....possibly these are not widely known or forgotten?

They suggest using engine oil to lube the cables to the carbs and trans, Lubriplate white grease for the ball detent on the shifters. Don't rev the engines past 1500 rpm until they reach operating temp, don't shift gears past 1000 rpm, 1/2 pint of gas equals 15 sticks of dynamite, use visual inspections of hard to view areas like motor mounts to ward off potential costly problems, carry a manual bilge pump, spray the block down after use with wd-40 or other corrosion protectants.

Despite other serious wrenching we may do here, the little things do add up too. OK, I'm done!
 
hey good find, always nice to have the 'basics' said out loud, as I know I can overlook the simple and head right for the complex...

on another note, new props should be getting here this week, and the engines should be fired up in 2 weeks! FINALLY
 
the other little tidbit is "unbolting the prop shaft flange" for storage. I don't know if anyone does that but it is recommended by Crusader.
 
Unbolting the coupler during haulout is a standard practice recommendation from most marinizers. The idea is to prevent any undesired forces from being applied to the gear and strut when the hull flexes when in the slings.
 
Mark, I read that too in my manual. I read it two years after two marinas had done sling lifts. They never did that. That's why I don't like letting marinas handle my rig. Now I do as much and control as much as I can.
 
Of the hundreds of boats I have looked at in marinas and in storage...I have never known any to disconnect the coupling. Makes sense however. On my boat, its been 30 years and nothin' screwed up yet.
 
I used to do it and then forgot one year. Worried about it the whole week. When she was refloated, she motored to the slip just fine. checked the alignment afterwards and figured as long as she was handled kindly in the slings, she wouldn't be effected.

Hoist operator (retired USCG SAR spe******t) told me most fiberglass hulls are stiff enough to not have to worry about it. He was worrried about the newer "lightweight" ones.
 
He should be! They aren't "lighter" for nothing.

Jeff (icebreaker aluminum hull owner and dammed happy about it)
 
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