Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

[therealjt]

I just bought my first boat and planned it to be a fixer upper and I need some suggestions on where to start.

what i bought

17' 4" 1990 vision with the 2.3 omc cobra

The floor is rotting in spots and the side vinyl is ripped pretty bad, this doesn't bother me much right now but it bugs the wife. I told her the mechanics are first to get fixed.

First time I took it out by myself (this is my neighbors old boat) the throttle cable decided it wanted to sneak over to the exhaust and get melted. Well we were out at the lake 2 hours from home and we did some rigging to make it work. We took about a 6 inch piece out of my extra oar and drilled threw it and split it, we then put the open part of the cable in it and put some hose clamps around it. It did the trick for the weekend.

Second time out the spring in the safety on the throttle selector went out and had to break off the cover to it so i could manually pull the button to shift.

Third time out it ran great, just scooted right along

Forth time out, was running good but the motor started cutting out... would be running 5k rpms and the engine would slow then kick, dont know if it was becasue it was wavy or what.

Now for the problems
1. no blower- i am ordering one and putting it in
2. it doesn't like reverse
3. as of right now when you put it in gear it wants to putt putt at low rpm's and after a minute it kicks in full and goes
4. motor cutting out some
5. needs a new prop-- which one is a good one for just tooling around and maybe pulling a tube or skis or something


any ideas? i know the lower end was just rebuilt last summer and know it hasn't been put in the rocks since.

all help/suggestions are appreciated.

jason

 

[SS Flasher]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

You mentioned problems with the floor. I would check out how far that rot has gone by cutting out the soft spot and inspecting under the floor for possible soaked foam and the condition of stringers. I don?t know if your boat used wood but if you have wood stringers and transom I would fix them first. Sounds like a great boat to fix up. The upholstery is only cosmetic so tell your wife ?you make my boat beautiful when your in it? and she will only be looking at you for the rest of the trip.

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

there seems to be some soft spots around the storage compartment in the floor. Under the drivers seat the carpet is peeled back, i haven't dug into it yet but it looks to be very heavily compressed ply wood, almost looks like fiber glass? pretty sure its not though.

I am more concerned about getting it running really good first, want to fix the control cable so its not rigged any more and get it so that it goes into reverse well and quits the putt putt then go in drive.

question on re decking for when i do it. i have been told to use marine plywood that is like 80 dollars a sheet. what is wrong with just using treated plywood? would it technically be a problem? is the marine ply wood more rigid or something.

this is my first boat and first restore point. it floats and doesn't take on water, the motor runs good once it kicks out of putt putt mode except for the occasional cut out. i thought i got it resoanably cheap, the neighbor bought it for 1600 2 years ago and put another 800 into the lower end and some other odds and ends, i picked it up for 1200.

as of right now my parts list sits about 250ish so not too bad thus far.

jason

 

[lowkee]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

The upholstery is only cosmetic so tell your wife ?you make my boat beautiful when your in it? and she will only be looking at you for the rest of the trip.

Or use my patented means of wooing my wife when she saw the nasty torn upholstery.. "Honey, you're learning to sew"

Now for the problems
1. no blower- i am ordering one and putting it in
2. it doesn't like reverse
3. as of right now when you put it in gear it wants to putt putt at low rpm's and after a minute it kicks in full and goes
4. motor cutting out some
5. needs a new prop-- which one is a good one for just tooling around and maybe pulling a tube or skis or something

1: Never run an IO without a blower.. ever. Your boat can and will explode. Not kidding.
2-4: I don't know OMC engines, so I'll let someone more knowledgable answer
5: Props are pretty boat specific. Fidn the size/pitch of your current prop and replace with a cheap new one. If you find (after your boat runs well) it lacks get-up-and-go or top end, adjust accordingly. The prop forum is best for this.

As for the floor. SS flasher is right. You need to find out how bad the rot is. Do core samples by drilling into the transom and stringers (not through, just into). If the shavings are wet, they need replacing (or will very soon). Fill in the drilled holes using 3m 5200. Don't assume just because it feels solid or the glass looks nice it isn't rotted to goo, because the glass has little to do with the wood underneath.

... out at the lake 2 hours from home

I know you are excited to own a new boat and all, but if your boat is not running correctly, you shouldn't be more than 200 yards from home.

... is the marine ply wood more rigid or something.

Marine plywood is higher quality and has better moisture resistance. It is by no means a requirement. Some use outdoor ply, some (myself included) use regular plywood and just coat it with resin and glass.

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

i understand about the blower, it is actually the first thing i am putting in. We had just bought it and wanted to take it out. I dang near had the motor cover/dog house or whatever the technical term for it is pulled all the way off.
i am ordering this blower, has anyone dealt with this one? Is 1 enough or should i run 2?
http://www.marineengine.com/products/accessory.php?in=1141731

it was out maybe 20 minutes each time and the boat ramp was always in plain site.


i think i found the right prop
http://boatpropellers.iboats.com/OM.../6230/?**********=971954824&*******=207642012

now to figure out the reverse and putting problem and it should be good for tooling around the water a bit and then redoing the interior.

jason

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

also thanks for the replies guys.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Welcome to iboats...we want to see pictures of the boat It will help people answer your questions MUCH better and folks just like looking at pictures of boats too

Congrats on the purchase and I'd recommend asking around to see if you can test out different props before buying one that may not be optimum.

They may have different sizes and pitches used for testing May not happen but the way the economy is you'd be surprised what lengths people will go to if it means $$$ in their pocket when they get the sale. Try locally owned marinas/stores for best results and ask nicely.

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Welcome to iboats...we want to see pictures of the boat It will help people answer your questions MUCH better and folks just like looking at pictures of boats too

just have one i snapped with my phone when i got it home from the outside, i will get the camera out tomorrow for some other pictures.

jason

 

[MERIT6419]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

THATS A NICE LOOKING BOAT.
With that said these guys are great with advise now if it was me I would deal with the blower motor asap before I take it out again then onto the mechanical repairs if you have a place to work on it in the winter I would enjoy the rest of the season with it after safety issues are adressed blower motor and mechanical issues and plan out the interior from past boats that I have had I would say if you have more than one or two soft spot this winter would be a good time to replace the floor and interior. then go from there. hope that helps

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

more pictures

broken jump seat and some ripped vinyl

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper

Re: Bought a fixer upper

rotten floor?

motor

control cable rigging (temporary)

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

a video of it idleing then reverse then forward where it dies...

 

[lowkee]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

HAHAHA! With the sound of that engine, I expect to see bubbling concoctions and test tubes everywhere. Or maybe a flying car run on flubber.

Obviously no help in making it sound better, but I just had to share

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

Lowkee, play nice.

It does have some fun sounds- you're pretty daring to pull away from the shore with it. Feed her some new spark plugs, clean up all ignition parts (pull your distributor cap and clean all of the dirty metal parts- they should be shiny, but I'll bet they aren't right now!). I would imagine this would go quite a ways toward smoothing it out, but I'd bet the biggest cause is the fuel side- put a new fuel filter in there, throw some Sea Foam in your tank, and for the love of God, rebuild your carb- I'll bet there are dang near things growing in there. Basically, give her a comprehensive tune-up, and you'll be a happy camper. As for the squeak, that would drive me crazy... find it and kill it!!!

On another note- I think the hull is an attractive design. When you get it running right, hit that gel with a polisher, and it'll be like a whole different boat. As for the interior- well.... tons of "potential." You'll get it. Just strip it and create a solid base...... everything from there is cosmetic.

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

like i said it didn't go out far or for long, my parents had their boat near by too.

it didn't make the squeek in the water, just with the muff on.

after the kids get up from their nap its off to get plugs and some sea foam.
then its time to tear into the carb and cap/rotor.

i will get some stuff changed and try it again.

could the timing possibly be off?

jason

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

The kids' naptime is a wonderful thing. That's when I sneak out to the garage for a while!

Could the timing be off?..... certainly. Personally, I like to change the small parts that need to be replaced anyway, before messing with timing. That's just the order I think it should go.

How does it start? We've heard it idle.... does it start right up? Does it "diesel" or continue to chug after you've "shut it off"?

You do have the water muffs on for this work, right?

My most recent boat acquisition was not supposed to be a "project boat," but I've had the outdrive off for about a week doing various things in my spare time. Why can't ya just put gas in 'em and go?!?!

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

she starts right up... but has the low rpms

yes the muffs are on whenever this is started out of water.

i cant seem to find a carb rebuild kit, it is a holly carb on it and i cant fine a model number or anything on it.

also i plan on the smaller things first... plugs, clean rotor, seafoam, and carb rebuild. and see if that helps. timing was an after thought after i try these things.

jason

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

As a low-cost alternative to the carb kit- while you're looking for one, many times you can "get by" and just take it apart and blow out the jets etc. with cleaner, being REALLY careful not to destroy gaskets. This could help you in getting it to run better for test purposes.... just remember the risk of a fuel leak becomes more important in an enclosed area. I think you should still get a kit with new gaskets..... but in the meantime, a good cleaning should help straighten it out???? (with your doghouse removed). Please keep us posted.

 

[therealjt]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

should have some results (hopefully) tonight
the carb will be cleaned best i can
new plugs
cleaned rotor
seafoam in the gas

thanks for the help, hope i get somewhere with it... if not i will be asking more LOL

jason

 

[pinecrestwoods]

Re: Bought a fixer upper *pictures added*

Cool. Don't expect instant miracles from the sea foam, but I think it helps. You don't have to get it.... it's just one of the "tools" I use to complement a tune-up.