Re: newbie questions. quick answers
Ok, I?ll tell you the process I?d take it through. Whether it be $500 or $5,000, all used boats should be checked for this stuff:
Trailer:
Check bearings for proper grease and maintenance repack or replace if needed
Check tires for cracks, wear, rot, flat spots, and replace if needed
Make sure all bolts are tight on trailer so nothing fails from being loose
Repair all electrical so that the lights work perfectly, you can get a new trailer wiring kit with lights and wiring for about $50
Boat:
Check for any leaks and fix immediately
Engine:
Check compression
Clean carb
Change plugs
Change lower gear oil
Use fresh gas
You could put a platform on the boat if your really want to. For a boat like that, I?d probably put my money elsewhere. If you do go the platform route, make sure the boat is stable. From the pics, it looks like it?s pretty long and narrow. I?d be concerned about raising the center of gravity.
What were you thinking for a platform? Did you want to mount a pedestal seat? Or would you make a deck the same height as the bench seats and put storage under it?
Another thing I noticed from those pics was the engine height. For best performance, that outboard would need to be raised about 5?. The cavitation plate should be about level with the bottom of the boat. It will still run fine but it?s just more engine in the water that creates more drag.
