N8 Froelich

At the end of the season I built a home made flush for our 11' Enzo. This was the first year for us owning this boat and my first year winterizing it. After calling around to get prices on the winterization services locally and weighing that with wanting to do it right and do it completely based on the list of recommendations in the service manual I decided to do it myself. We used to have an older I/O that after a decade of winterizing I could do it with my eyes closed but these boats are so much different. I decided to do the RV antifreeze method because I like the idea of avoiding corrosion and with the heater core I though it'd be easier. I didn't want to use the fake a lake to feed the antifreeze because I worried that unlike the garden hose there would not be enough suction to pull in the antifreeze or at least there was a high likelihood it would be sucking air with the antifreeze. Getting to the point after looking at a lot of fittings at the hardware store I settled on building a T out of PVC that would go inline on the seawater intake. Short story...it worked great for drawing in the RV antifreeze. Here's my question: - have you guys done this? - Do you see any problems this summer leaving this in place while we boat? I've obviously decided that I believe it will not cause a problem regarding restriction or leaks but maybe you've been here, done this, and I can avoid any unforeseen problems. I know PVC may seem cheap but I really couldn't find any brass that was the right size, the PVC as a fitting is pretty durable IMO. Here are some pics, one is after I got it installed, when the boat is in use the T will have a plug of course. One is a comparison of the 90° brass intake inside diameter vs. the PVC fitting. I actually took the picture because I couldn't really see the two side by side without snapping a photo. I did rough up the plastic with some course sandpaper and carve a groove in the outside of the area where the hose slid over the PVC to make sure the hose is very secure. I then shook it and pulled on it and...well this is sounding awkward, but it didn't fall off. If anyone else does this be sure to make sure the hose is very secure, this would be catastrophic if the hose falls off for obvious reasons. Talk about a fast leak into the bilge and you engine just overheated. Yay.

Cool guys, thanks for the feedback/suggestions. I'm going to assess my T in the spring, check the clamps and all that before we hit the water. I'm sure the answer to this is obvious and it clearly works or you guys wouldn't do it that way and I'm not sitting there looking at the boat...but if you put the flush in at the V-drive how does the impeller draw in the antifreeze? With an open loop system there is a beginning and an end ya know? Seems like it would make more sense to start up-stream from the impeller. Just pondering that while it snows in Colorado.

Wow, that's a lot of cheddar.

Thanks for the tips. That's a good call to just pop the hose off and hook up the flush. I did the same with a clear hose and a bucket. Just looked at the antifreeze that I bought and the first ingredient is alcohol then propylene glycol. I'll have to keep an eye on this next year.

These hinges, forgot to attach.

I like how the flange connects to the transom as opposed to a boot. Love our Enz but that is one a sick boat, although it would take two days to clean every little nook, cranny, and compartment. I like the hinges on the seats I've wondered if I could do that to our boat but couldn't picture how to set up the hinges.

Something like this? Just joking really, 7500 ft will change the power dramatically. I'd be concerned with the V-drive, although the new boats have the XS 550 HP, I'm sure you could find specs somewhere. You could run the biggest available pulley on the blower to tame it somewhat. Document that build for sure.

These are just ideas to consider. I used to be a Chevy Mechanic (not boats though), I'm guessing you have the 5.7 chevy? The timing cover, rear main crank seal, and oil pan are the most common leaks on the earlier small block chevy motors (non-LS). If you had a 2 quart oil leak I'm guessing it would look like the Valdez oil spill in your bilge. Some of the HO motors have forged pistons which have a little more blow by because the piston is actually looser in the cylinder until the motor warms up (forged pistons expand more). This blow by then gets sucked through the PCV valve and burned. So you may just be burning a little more oil depending on running conditions. I'd start by making sure your oil readings are accurate and monitor it. The only other out of the box idea would be an oil to seawater, oil cooler. If that had a leak the seawater would wash the oil off and discharge it slowly into the lake enough that you'd probably never notice anything. If water were to enter into the oil line--the opposite direction--it would probably evaporate as the engine go up to temp. Lot's of speculation there, if you have one of those you could pull the hose and see if it's oily. Just re-read your OP, when you say you "pulled it out" you mean changed the oil via vacuum or some other process? That's a tough way to know what your oil level is, as opposed to checking the dipstick. you could have been a quart low and there is still a quart in there. Just throwing out ideas.

I know on our 11' Enzo the gauge is all over the place, one thing I do (not sure if its possible on the FX) is pop open the seat over the V drive and visually look at the back of the tank, I can see the actual fuel level because the tank is opaque. You know when your rolling along and the gauge goes to zero then back up to 1/3 it's nice to have the peace of mind that it is actually 1/3 and not zero. This is helpful at the gas station too when I'm doubting whether or not it's full. We also fill up before every outing.

Wondering if other owners have experienced some pretty dark pinking on their swim pad area (storage locker covers) and if there are any tricks to avoid it. This is our first season (1st month really) owning this boat and the vinyl when we purchased it was nearly perfect. Noticed the other day when pulling back the cover the back of the boat had some pretty bad discoloration. I literally had a stomach ache. The pinking does dissipate over time when in the sun. Apparently the UV rays break down the discoloration. My concern is that it will eventually become more permanent. So I did some reading, there is a pretty thorough article about this issue here: http://marinefabricatormag.com/articles/0514_f2_vinyl_discoloration.html Sounds like it's directly related to high heat. Some people argued that the whole boat would turn color but IMO it's because the black cover is in direct contact with the vinyl, this is really the only location on the boat where the cover lays on the vinyl. So I've messed around try laying towels on the back then putting the cover on, then I tried a bed comforter thinking it would create a space of air to reduce the heat. Neither of those ideas work. Tenting the cover up in that area so that it clears the vinyl is pretty much impossible with the cover I have. A person would have to create a pretty elaborate system to do that. Obviously I'd like to store indoors but our garage is not nearly big enough. I'm going to store indoors for the winter but during the summer we park it at the house, throw the cover on and go out the next day or two. Have you guys experienced this? Found any solutions to this? Thanks, Here's a link to a picture: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vVl4-Lc-NykFvOv7TfgBZM3tALLoj3Nvw1mVUV0qy7cZjq2BNd-BPD4FmJN1McgDjydVJijsOzk=w1443-h659

Centurionsurfer...sounds like you have a lot of experience with this, thanks for the input. It will be interesting to see next year. We live in CO and the sun is intense, the outside temp would be 60 and when you pull back the black cover the vinyl would be scorching hot. I placed an old bike helmet under the cover on the swim pad to help tent it up and it changed the color from red to white from the heat. My hypothesis is that even with a lighter color the heat will still be very intense but I could be wrong. It is mainly the direct contact, the heat just builds and builds. Next season I'm going to make a big white canvas panel that I can cover the back third of the boat with to lay on top of the black cover as a reflective barrier. We'll see what happens, it will be like myth busters . Sadly the boat is stored for the next six months so this saga is, to be continued...

Quick question, when you guys mention replacing the skins, I assume you mean have it re-upholstered? Centurion doesn't sell replacement vinyl for specific make/model do they? I'm not to that point yet but just curious. It would be a very elaborate upholstery job to replicate the multiple layers and style that came from the factory. Thanks

That's cool. I need to find a good dealer to order stuff from. The local one here in Colorado is not really a full service dealer even though they sell Centurion.

I completely respect WakeDocs opinion. I have no allegiance to any of the flooring options. We still have carpet and until it's worn out that's prob what we'll stick with. In all fairness the swim platform does get the most abuse. The Seadek on our platform is holding up good for us. Nautique is putting SeaDek in the G series which is a Sick boat IMO (making that assumption bc they have the Nautique on the SeaDek website). I just like the idea of SeaDek not staining or holding water but it could be hard to clean without spraying it down.

We went out last Sunday, beautiful day here in Colorado, this lake normally has a couple hundred boats on it. Water was 63 degrees and it's falling like a rock with the nights getting down into the 40's. My 3 year old insisted on going even with the cold water. I look like a jerk wearing the wetsuit while my kid freezes! They're young a tough I guess.

I'm in no way steering you away from Decadence but you could also consider SeaDek, their service was pretty awesome when I called them about our Enzo. They sent me a PDF of the existing template that they had on file as well as a lot of other helpful info. They have "cockpit kits" and they may already have a template from a previous customer which, based on my experience they have no problem sharing with you. Good luck in your search.

Great video! Make me want to get in the truck and go to Powell NOW! Especially since it will probably be dry in 5 years Will the embed work? <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BopDHDQGud8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yeah poor form on my part, I'd just seen this news and mixed the two up in my head. I've been to Powell a half dozen times and "favorite place on earth" sums it up perfectly. http://www.nbcnews.com/watch/nightly-news/lake-mead-reaches-record-low-water-levels-amid-ongoing-drought-320641091566

Oops, sorry for the re-post. I'm in for CC at Powell. Just joined the Crew a few month ago and didn't know about TX until about a week before the event but I told my wife about it and were gonna try to make it work for next year. No, probably not in the next 5 years but it's at an all time record low. I worry about all the underwater hazards but maybe it's no more or less then if it was + or - 20, 40, 60, feet?

Oh yeah, and they're Rockin' a Centurion, that's cool too.

They had a brand new FS44 at the dealer today, I snapped this picture of the a-plate. Thought I'd share for reference. Seems like they moved it up a little as opposed to being on the same plane as the bottom of the hull, the way mine is. Anyone tried to order one of these from the parts department? probably way too much money for a bent piece of aluminum but it would be a quick alternative. I know on mine I'd have to fab the hinge some.

As a follow up, I tried using some vinegar/water (50/50 mix) on one half of the sun pad and there was no difference. The discoloration does fade, took a couple pictures. There is definitely a pink haze that doesn't seem to ever disappear. Photo attached (hopefully). We'll see what happens next summer, definitely going to need to figure something else out.

We've only had our boat a few weeks now and this has occurred maybe 5 times. When adjusting the volume or one time when going from pause to play with a CD the stereo goes to 100% volume and it sounds like its about to explode. It seems to happen when taking it off of mute or adjusting the volume possibly. Our boat is an 11' Enzo 240+ with kicker amps, MB Quart head unit and provision dash. I tried looking through the forum as I felt like I'd read something similar happening but couldn't find anything. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Man Duramat I'm glad your not my Oncologist, that's a bleak prognosis It is surprising that they can't have something a little more reliable and it sounds like your experience was really poor. That's a good way to loose a customer.

Yeah it's intense and super bummer. It will almost completely disappear if left in the sun for a while but I am really concerned that it's gonna end up being permanent.