Good Day all. New to the forum and have already answered lots of questions. But I've still got a few more.
Recently bought a 1983 Doral bought from a couple from the nearest town. This is our first 'real' boat, and we wanted something we could use and run right away with only a little work. We found this one for just under 3K. It appeared to be well maintained, the owner's father-in law was a mechanic and always replaced something before it needed replacing, oil, cables, whatever. Seemed like honest nice people. Hull was in good shape, not hardly a scratch, no nicks, dings or black marks. There is some light maintence that needs to be done, trim needs to be stained, carpet replaced, little timbits, nothing major, (or so it appeared). Engine cover was lifted to reveal a clean engine compartment. Engine paint was still adhering, all wiring was clean, solenoids were new, everything looked as it should. All systems work, bilge, lights, blower fans, etc.
We brought it home, and put it in the water for the first time. Started like a top, idled nice. However when we put it into gear, the engine would begin to rev slightly, before jumping into gear. This could be avoided by a sharp rasp in the control before the engine could rev, however it made for a real pain when trying to load back on the trailer. When it was in gear, it pulled and ran great, no noises, clunking, just worked as it should. However in reverse, it would go into gear, but barely idle, almost stall like the engine was cutting out under the load, but wouldn't accelerate. I suspect that (after looking at the linkage) that one of the microswitches had something to do with this.
Suspecting that it was a cable adjustment for the gear unit, I took it to the local marina to have it set properly. A day later they called and charged 64.00 for 30 minutes of labor to adjust it. They said it was way out of wack, but should work fine now. We put it back in the water, backed off the trailer and tried to pull foward into the dock. There was no foward gear. Reverse worked fine now, would go into reverse and rev fine, but no foward whatsoever now. Foward advancement of the throttle would accel the engine with the slight whine/howl of gears just about to mesh, but not quite, as if it was almost in gear, just not quite there.
Now that I've explained the life story, my questions are.
What type of rear unit do I have?
I believe its a stringer 800, but I am not sure. Its not a cobra, as I asked the marina, they said no, and cannot find a decal of one anywhere on it.
Which engine do I have? I didn't take a picture, but its says OMC on the manifold, is an inline four, 2 bbl carb, likely original. I'll see if I can take a picture tomorrow if need be.
What is going on with the gear selection? Gear selection is made by a cable from the thottle. This cable goes to a plate that sits on the top rear of the engine. It has degree markings and microswitches on it. It moves a something inside a case that must be attached to the lower unit, or so I assume. What is the right way to adjust this? Its hit or miss if done by hand. If you slowly move the controls foward the prop will lock up eventually, but if you repeat the process, once in a while the prop will spin freely, as if in neutral, leading me to suspect the marina didn't set something up right.
I've taken it back to the marina, but am from a small town where they are the only business in town and have the 'we're the only ones in town' attitude, and am getting the vibe they and screwing with me. Appreciate any input. I'll take more pictures if requested. Thanks for reading my noval.
Recently bought a 1983 Doral bought from a couple from the nearest town. This is our first 'real' boat, and we wanted something we could use and run right away with only a little work. We found this one for just under 3K. It appeared to be well maintained, the owner's father-in law was a mechanic and always replaced something before it needed replacing, oil, cables, whatever. Seemed like honest nice people. Hull was in good shape, not hardly a scratch, no nicks, dings or black marks. There is some light maintence that needs to be done, trim needs to be stained, carpet replaced, little timbits, nothing major, (or so it appeared). Engine cover was lifted to reveal a clean engine compartment. Engine paint was still adhering, all wiring was clean, solenoids were new, everything looked as it should. All systems work, bilge, lights, blower fans, etc.
We brought it home, and put it in the water for the first time. Started like a top, idled nice. However when we put it into gear, the engine would begin to rev slightly, before jumping into gear. This could be avoided by a sharp rasp in the control before the engine could rev, however it made for a real pain when trying to load back on the trailer. When it was in gear, it pulled and ran great, no noises, clunking, just worked as it should. However in reverse, it would go into gear, but barely idle, almost stall like the engine was cutting out under the load, but wouldn't accelerate. I suspect that (after looking at the linkage) that one of the microswitches had something to do with this.
Suspecting that it was a cable adjustment for the gear unit, I took it to the local marina to have it set properly. A day later they called and charged 64.00 for 30 minutes of labor to adjust it. They said it was way out of wack, but should work fine now. We put it back in the water, backed off the trailer and tried to pull foward into the dock. There was no foward gear. Reverse worked fine now, would go into reverse and rev fine, but no foward whatsoever now. Foward advancement of the throttle would accel the engine with the slight whine/howl of gears just about to mesh, but not quite, as if it was almost in gear, just not quite there.
Now that I've explained the life story, my questions are.
What type of rear unit do I have?
I believe its a stringer 800, but I am not sure. Its not a cobra, as I asked the marina, they said no, and cannot find a decal of one anywhere on it.
Which engine do I have? I didn't take a picture, but its says OMC on the manifold, is an inline four, 2 bbl carb, likely original. I'll see if I can take a picture tomorrow if need be.
What is going on with the gear selection? Gear selection is made by a cable from the thottle. This cable goes to a plate that sits on the top rear of the engine. It has degree markings and microswitches on it. It moves a something inside a case that must be attached to the lower unit, or so I assume. What is the right way to adjust this? Its hit or miss if done by hand. If you slowly move the controls foward the prop will lock up eventually, but if you repeat the process, once in a while the prop will spin freely, as if in neutral, leading me to suspect the marina didn't set something up right.
I've taken it back to the marina, but am from a small town where they are the only business in town and have the 'we're the only ones in town' attitude, and am getting the vibe they and screwing with me. Appreciate any input. I'll take more pictures if requested. Thanks for reading my noval.
