1976 Renker open bow ski boat

[renken runner]

I just bought my first boat, so please, all you experts out there go easy on me. As you can see from the title I now own a 1976 Renker open bow boat with a Ford (or I assume since its the same company) a Mercury 302 engine. Does anyobe out there own one of these also? If you do, what can you tell me about yours? Like it? Hated it and sold it? What can you tell me? I've got a lot of questions but first I'd like to know more about the boat I just bought. I do know that the company, at least under the Renker name, is no longer making boats. I also heard that they were well-built when they made them under that name. Hopefully somebody out in cyber boating land can help me. Thanks.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1976 Renker open bow ski boat

I used to own a Renken 17 ft with an outboard.
It was a great boat. Are you sure the engine and drive are not a Mercruiser? That could be a GM or Ford engine.

Welcome to Iboats!

 

[renken runner]

Re: 1976 Renker open bow ski boat

You are correct. On the part of the motor sticking out the back there are the words "Mercruiser". The guy I bought it from said it had a Ford 302 engine though.
I'm more familiar with cars than I am boats, so I know that Mercury is a division of Ford and I thought the "Merc" part was short for Mercury. Guess I was wrong. Told you I was new to all this.
The owner said the carburetor needs to be rebuilt. I've rebuilt automobile carbs before. Are they much different on marine engines?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1976 Renker open bow ski boat

The carb rebuild should be fairly easy if you can rebuild an auto carb.The best bet is to get the Mercruiser service manual for that engine and drive.
If you can find the serial numbers on the drive and engine the guys here can tell you what manual to get.Some are online manuals you can get free..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1976 Renker open bow ski boat

Welcome to iboats. you are correct in the fact that the engine is a Ford built marine engine, there are some suttle differences, mostly in the electrics, anti spark, to prevent gas fumes from igniting, and blowing you up. the part sticking out the back is call the outdrive, built my mercury marine, a division of Brunswick Corp. no collection to Ford motors. your questions on the engine and outdrive should be posted in the following forum, to get the best response. http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

also one of the most important maitainance items is between the transom (back) and the outdrive are rubber boots, that cover the connection of the outdrive to the transon & engine. these have to be inspected for cracks, holes, drying out. they are what keeps this boat a float. other wise there is a big hole back there, for water to come in very quickly.

 

[renken runner]

Re: 1976 Renker open bow ski boat

Thanks, your message was very helpful and you brought up a point that I was wondering about when I was looking at the boat the first time. There has been some caulking, the clear silicone type, around the outdrive on the transom. I take it from your message that there's supposed to be rubber boots there instead of caulking and my guess someone took a short cut and didn't pu them back. If that would be your guess how much trouble is it to replace them? By the way, the walk thru window is missing. Got any ideas on a good place to find one?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1976 Renker open bow ski boat

The caulking around the transom plate is totally different from the bellows.My guess is the boat takes on a little water and that was an attempt to stop it. The bellows are black rubber hoses that bend when you lift and lower the drive.One of them has the u-joints in it,one is for exhaust to exit to the lower drive,the other has the shift cable inside.
Tilt your drive up and look up from underneath in the center of the transom plate.
Hopefully the caulking around there is not a sign the transom is wet inside and rotting.There is a gasket behind that plate and no sealer should be around the outside.
Take some pics and post them so we can see what you have.

About the windsheild you may look on Ebay or measure and give these guys a call..http://www.salvagemarine.com/

 

[renken runner]

Re: 1976 Renker open bow ski boat

Thanks, you have been very helpful. I will try to get some pics on the forum.