AAaarrgghh! New user needs help . . .

[34_South]

. . . with the voices in my head that convinced me to go buy a boat . . .

New member to the forum, having just bought a 1995 Seaswirl 201 Cuddy, with OMC Stern drive (Ford 302/SX)

So, I have lots of questions, but hopefully I will find the answers through Search or the Service Manual I bought on Ebay.

Having said that, my first activities as a new owner do not involve boating - no, they involve repair. Now I am sure this does not come as a surprise to any boater out there. . . .

1. Small crack in exhaust manifold - will be replacing both manifolds/risers with GLM kit.
2. Threw an alternator belt - so might as well replace all 3 belts and adjust - for alternator, water pumps, and power steering.
3. Replace spark plugs and fuel filter.
4. Clean carb screen/filter.
5. Replace thermostat, for good measure while I have all the belts off.
6. Sand down any rust, and paint with Rustoleum High Heat.

Ah yes, over and above "normal" stuff such as oil change, etc.

Any advice y'all can offer to help keep the voices down, or any comments to the above "shopping list" would be appreciated.

Regards,

 

[boatguya1]

Re: AAaarrgghh! New user needs help . . .

7. R&R water pump impeller

James

 

[34_South]

Re: AAaarrgghh! New user needs help . . .

Thanks James - since I have not found any reference to an impeller in the Engine Circulating Pump, I assume that you are referring to the Raw Water Pump impeller?

34_S

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: AAaarrgghh! New user needs help . . .

Speaking for James... yes.

Welcome to boating. Its kind of like buying a fine British sports car. The enjoyment of owning the car includes maintaining the car. It our case, the boat.

Gear oil for the drive unit,
Check all lights, horn and electrical items,
Get all required safety equipment and pfd's...
Check bilge blower and pump for proper operation.

 

[34_South]

Re: AAaarrgghh! New user needs help . . .

Speaking for James... yes.

Welcome to boating. Its kind of like buying a fine British sports car. The enjoyment of owning the car includes maintaining the car. It our case, the boat.

Gear oil for the drive unit,
Check all lights, horn and electrical items,
Get all required safety equipment and pfd's...
Check bilge blower and pump for proper operation.

Yeah I am with you. I am not new to boating, only new to ownership - having seen the cost/dedication it takes to maintain.

Having said that - I love it. At one time I worked as a dive-charter boat captain taking divers out to the reefs in Zululand, South Africa - from a beach launch through the surf! After that I sailed across the Atlantic twice. All of the above on a company/other individual's boat.

Now my turn to pay up the $$ . .

 

[flargin]

Re: AAaarrgghh! New user needs help . . .

Good call on the new exhaust manifolds, and raw water pump re-build.

Might want to check post the raw water pump for bits and pieces of old raw water pump pieces. follow the "out hose" when it connects to anything, pull that apart and take a look into the "anything" and see if there is rubber jammed in there.

Outdrive oil replacement. Trim oil (use ATF). General Tune up (points/cap/rotor)


And no, the voices stay there, but the great news, if you keep feeding it a constant stream of water under the boat, barley pops, and a few evenings tinkering with the boat, they become your good friend, which is really good since you will loose your wife, but you will find new friends

Welcome to the boating world!!!!

 

[180shabah]

Re: AAaarrgghh! New user needs help . . .

Cobra = Shift cable adjustment.

It must be dead accurate, or they chew up gears.