Duffy Electric boats....?

Taking a pause in the project, 2 old Trojans waiting to be lifted up and 2 new ones in the boat but not installed..

Aye Belle, don't give the Old Man Carte Blanche to carry females over 75 lbs: There is some cute 90 lbs Filipino
babes out there that would love to be carried here and there.

Make sure the batteries are not 4 years old, otherwise you could be walking...

Aye, same brand name belt, Goodyear or something. Holding up good and the old one as spare.
Of course it could be counterfeit, but a $9 item may not be worth the effort?
Not a Louis Vuitton bag or a Rolex but good point.

Roger on the cheap knock-offs on Amazon Mr. NY.
Again, I doubt it is the case with my drive belt but who knows?

Aye Mr. Capt J, yes the AGMs are also Lead Acid and they should be about the same as far as charging. My problem was different though and self-induced.
Stay tuned for the rest of the story...

Now on break again, can only work 10 mins in the sun with no shade, then a 10 minute cold-beer-break.
Now got 4 batteries in place and 4 to go.
Need a hand and my wife should be home shortly, she does not know what is in store for her..

Where is all the friendly and helpful folks on YachtForums when you really need them?

I know, Belize or New York, but this gig could have save ya'll a trip to the gym and no charge.

Port bank, brand new...

Rest of the story:
So I continued up the River and into my canal, going really slow now and Voltage really low.
Barely go the dock and looked at the batteries.
A terminal was melted and the post disintegrated to the point I could rip it off the battery.
No idea what went wrong. Did I hook up the new battery backwards??
Found the problem next day, when installing the cable terminal I started the nut with a couple of turns, then
I was going to come back and tighten it after everything was in place. And forgot..
Used the boat for almost 2 hours while the bad connection heated up to the melting point:


Problem entirely self-induced....

Aye Capt. J; You are confused.
Perhaps too many beers before dinner.?

The damage to the battery and terminal was not after I installed the 8 new batteries yesterday, and uh, sampled 8 beers during and after, but rather a few days before when I replaced the 1 bad battery and I did not clamp down the connector properly. My bad indeed, but I was as close to sober as a true Norwegian can get late morning or early afternoon.


Today's test ride with the new bank went flawless, the boat had plenty of power, spunk and endurance, much like the owner/operator.

Went Duffy riding yesterday and hit a rock, lifted the boat out of the water and bent the rudder shaft.
Bummer.
Took me 3 hours to drop the rudder, of which 2 was spent removing a cotter pin out of sight: Had to work in the blind, tried mirrors, cameras, and magic. Only a wise grip, brute strength and patience worked.
The rudder shaft is aluminum with a foam/plastic sleeve.
Considered fixing it myself, but Duffy were pretty reasonable today (I was expecting a sticker shock and a cattle probe up my tail-pipe, but a new rudder with shaft and the sleeve was $229, 3 day shipping $37, not bad)
Should have it Thursday and back in the drink Friday.
Heads up to other Duffy Dudes: The skeg/prop protector won't protect yer spade rudder, be gentle if you are going to ride up on hidden rocks..

(Tried to rotate the pic 90 degrees, but beyond my modest abilities, Carl...?)

Uh, Roger that Mr. Fishtigua.

Taking a close look at the prop yesterday, which had traces of blue bottom paint at the tip of the blades, I can only conclude I hit a submerged wreck laying upside down.
Oh well, now I know

Yes, I work on my own Duffy.
(did you read this thread?)
What is your question about the forward bearing?