Getting an old boat ready for the water

[SunnyDan]

I just bought an '86 19' Bayliner Capri with a Volvo AQ 125B. Any tips on what things I should do to prep it for the water? The guy I bought it from hasn't had it out for a few years. Its been sitting under a cover on his farm land (lots of dust). The seal around the transom has been caulked, but has cracks, so I need to re-caulk it with something. I've also heard that you should grease the prop... any ideas will surely help.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Getting an old boat ready for the water

How much money do you want to spend?

How much have you checked it out already....if you literally just pulled it home and have not started it or anything the first thing I would do is get a set of muffs, hook up the garden hose and see if it starts and shifts properly.
(do this with the drive in the down position and dont go crazy on the RPM's)

Assuming it runs and you just want to get it in tip top shape you could do get the sterndrive serviced and the drive bellow replaced. (not familiar at all with Volvo's but I think there is only one ?) included in that get the water pump/impellar changed to be sure your cooling is ok.

change your engine oil and lower unit oil....

check make sure your lights work

all your required safety gear.

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: Getting an old boat ready for the water

You can read some threads here -- tons of posts like this... and it's free !

I'd also make sure the plug is in the transom drain hole, grease trailer bearings (and generally ensure your rig is safe), replace ALL gas with fresh stuff, and bring a buddy and a paddle and don't go out too far. Expect it to crap out and plan accordingly.

 

[rbh]

Re: Getting an old boat ready for the water

+1 on the new gas, do not even attemt to fire it up on the old gas, at 2+ years, its gone bad even with fuel saver.
drain every thing from carb to tank (including replacing fuel filter)

 

[SunnyDan]

Re: Getting an old boat ready for the water

Before I bought it, I took a mechanic friend with me to look it over. We started it up and it ran. The previous owner said when he had it out last, when applying full throttle the engine would die. So he added an electric fuel pump without bypassing the old one, but it still dies at full throttle? The mechanic said it could be something electrical. He's coming over later today to look over a few things!
Any suggestions as to why the engine dies when applying full throttle?

The oil looks clean and above the add line, and to look in oil add compartment it looks very clean. He said the engine seemed ok to him, so I bought it for just under $2000. If I put less than another 1000 into it I'm happy with that. The starter switch wont work, and the blower switch wont work. I'm guessing I need to look over/replace some wiring, maybe switches as well. I haven't looked to see if the lights on the boat work yet. The prop is in pretty poor condition, but good enough for a first time boater like myself.

The trailer is in ok condition; tires/hub grease etc. the lights/wiring need a little fixing.

I will drain and clean all fuel lines and replace fuel filter. I'm planning on having it ready to take out in 2 weeks.

thanks for the input, anymore pointers your willing to throw out there would be great.

 

[grahamh]

Re: Getting an old boat ready for the water

This might be obvious, but make sure you lift the engine cover and check for leaks as soon as you put it in the water. Better to find leaks at the dock than out on the water. A new plug might not be a bad idea either, it's cheap insurance.

I'd also make sure the bilge pump works. I can handle breaking down on the water, but not sinking is important to me..

Also, +1 on a couple of paddles, when I broke down we had to use wakeboards to paddle in and is sucked.