Zapcat Service

[bobbyjoeufb]

Been meaning to get my Zapcat properly serviced since I bought it almost four years ago, but kept putting it off due to lack of time money and effort.

I have finally bothered this year started to get the boat ready for the hopefully better weather come spring and summer.

I was very surprised that the security bolt on the transom opened first time (last one ended up being grinded off!) So with the outboard engine removed and stowed in to the back of my car I dropped it off to my nearest dealer some 240 mile round trip. Will be serviced and tuned over the next couple of weeks so will have nice bill to look forward too and another 240 mile round trip to pick the engine up.

This afternoon flipped the Zapcat over and after checking for damage scrubbed the bottom of the boat with Rib Revive.

Have found a couple of paint marks and excess glue on the tubes looking for suggestions on how to remove them?

[Ribshop]

Knowing the paint that was used thinners or acetone won’t do it but if you go careful MEK will. It’s a slow job and messy so wear gloves! Also be careful not to spread the paint around because as it gets thinner it can stain the fabric.

http://www.rib-shop.com/product.asp?...hFor=&PT_ID=10

[bobbyjoeufb]

[QUOTE=Ribshop;338946] Knowing the paint that was used thinners or acetone won’t do it but if you go careful MEK will. It’s a slow job and messy so wear gloves! Also be careful not to spread the paint around because as it gets thinner it can stain the fabric.

Thanks managed to remove the paint using nail varnish remover, but wont shift the glue. Not able to find any MEK thinners up here so will order some in and try again.

[bobbyjoeufb]

MEK Thinners did a good job on removing the old glue. Left some clean spots on the tubes so hoping these will blend once he boat is washed and protector applied to the tubes.

Flipped the boat back over today and removed the bottom boards to clean underneath. Did not take long to do however what a job we had putting the bottom boards back in, took lots of brut force and a two pound hammer and block! Wont be removing them again in a hurry thats for sure!

Will scrub and polish up the tubes over the next couple of days. On the engine side of things I am waiting to hear from dealer to confirm the service has been carried out and if any replacement parts are required.

Cant wait to get it back in the water.

[bobbyjoeufb]

Well thats the tubes cleaned and polished up. Contacted Zapcat-Racing to get the correct stickers and stencils but they are out of stock so will have to wait.

Sorted out the flat jockey wheel and managed to unsieze the handle so the trailer can now be raised and lowered using the jockey wheel.

Tiny Tach Commerical Tachometer arrived yesterday looks the part, will fit it once I get my engine back, will chase up to find out if the engine is ready yet.

Planning to respray the transom as the paint is flaking off, would it be ok to rub down and respray or better to have the transom sandblasted first?

[bobbyjoeufb]

Had no joy with sandblasting the transom so used a belt sander to get the old paint off.

Applied first coat of Etch Primer took pretty well, will added another couple of coats before applying the top coat.

Still not heard about the engine will chase up this week. Hoping to pick it up this weekend.

[bobbyjoeufb]

2nd Coat of primer on, hoping to rub down and start on top coat tomorrow.

Got the engine back has been serviced and timing adjusted. Will be a while until I can test it as I have spotted that the rubber in the lower mount has started to split!

According to some other fourms if this goes whilst on the water you normally lose the engine overboard, so will order and install some replacements.

[bobbyjoeufb]

Got the new lower engine mounts through today. Took the cover off and undid the mounting bolt, but not enough give to get the bolt out.

The manual states that I have to remove the powerhead, top mounts and gearbox before I can remove the driveshaft housing and replace the lower mounts.

Does anyone know if there is an easier way to replace the lower mounts?

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by bobbyjoeufb

Got the new lower engine mounts through today. Took the cover off and undid the mounting bolt, but not enough give to get the bolt out.

The manual states that I have to remove the powerhead, top mounts and gearbox before I can remove the driveshaft housing and replace the lower mounts.

Does anyone know if there is an easier way to replace the lower mounts?

Sorry I know nothing about Zapcats but I was sure I have seen a specific forum or site for them.

[bobbyjoeufb]

Originally Posted by Sonar

Sorry I know nothing about Zapcats but I was sure I have seen a specific forum or site for them.

Thanks I have been advised to use a crowbar to part it enough to remove the bolt. Tried it and it almost worked but the pressure on the bolt jammed it.

So I will go down the route of removing the power head and top mounts, at least Ill get a chance to check and replace the top mounts at the same time.