I Just Bought My First Boat. 1997 Sea Ray 175 3.0LX A1 G2. WHERE TO START PLEASE HELP!!

[nola mike]

Reading this I'm trying to understand why everyone is saying the transom is rotted when you found a tear in the shift cable boot.

Pull the drive and inspect the rubbers and see if there's any other leaks. I think just saying the transom is bad is jumping to conclusions way too quickly.

Nobody is saying the transom is rotted. Everybody is saying that before you sink a bunch of money into a 25 year old boat *that was sitting outside for 2 years*, you should take the 15 minutes to see whether you're putting lipstick on a pig or not. The hole drilling is so quick and easy that it should be a non-issue. Takes longer to change the gear oil. I would do this on any boat I bought, and would probably make it a condition of the sale somehow.

 

[todhunter]

Reading this I'm trying to understand why everyone is saying the transom is rotted when you found a tear in the shift cable boot.

We're saying (well...at least I am) that he should at least check the condition of the transom with a simple drill test. He said this is his first boat and his thread title is "where to start please". Just trying to make sure he doesn't spend hundreds of dollars on the engine & drive only to find out later the boat is rotten and he doesn't have the money or will to do the structural repairs. I do agree with you some...this place can feel like a dogpile with everyone shouting "your boat is rotten" to the new guy. It seems harsh, and I would go about it differently, but often they're right.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I agree, no one stated with certainty the transom is rotten

We all stated check for rot as there is a very high probability for the following reasons:

The boat sat outside for 2 years without proper care or cover
The boat is a searay from a time they still used lots of wood
The boat is 25 years old
The boat is taking on water
We see hundreds of these posts per year, and only a few are not projects

 

[dubs283]

Reading this I'm trying to understand why everyone is saying the transom is rotted when you found a tear in the shift cable boot.

Pull the drive and inspect the rubbers and see if there's any other leaks. I think just saying the transom is bad is jumping to conclusions way too quickly.

Nobody here is saying OP has a rotten transom. It was merely suggested that OP inspect the transom for rot. Reason being as stated the age, brand, quality, history, and issue noted by OP. The persons suggesting the inspection are experienced boat owners, mechanics, boat repair enthusiasts, and overall helpful people. Just don't want OP getting in over their head and become surprised by major repairs.

If anything you should be chastising OP for yelling in the thread post.

 

[Benny67]

If anything you should be chastising OP for yelling in the thread post.

I'm not chastising anyone. It just appears the thread took a turn to the extreme without any real data being presented first.

 

[97Alpha175]

Nobody here is saying OP has a rotten transom. It was merely suggested that OP inspect the transom for rot. Reason being as stated the age, brand, quality, history, and issue noted by OP. The persons suggesting the inspection are experienced boat owners, mechanics, boat repair enthusiasts, and overall helpful people. Just don't want OP getting in over their head and become surprised by major repairs.

If anything you should be chastising OP for yelling in the thread post.

Are you being serious? I used all caps on PLEASE HELP Is that a thing here that I should not be doing? Forum etiquette or something?
I hope no one else took offense to that, I was joking even with a smile...

Ok I will be posting a new thread this got out of hand.. Title will say, "Transom is perfect, what should I start with????" please help.

 

[nola mike]

I'm not chastising anyone. It just appears the thread took a turn to the extreme without any real data being presented first.

When your thread is basically, "I know nothing about boats, I bought a boat, what do I do now?", without a real question, that's pretty much open season for thread direction. And we've settled on rot

 

[97Alpha175]

When your thread is basically, "I know nothing about boats, I bought a boat, what do I do now?", without a real question, that's pretty much open season for thread direction. And we've settled on rot

I did ask a question, what should I start with. There are tons of maintenance items, some important inspections, ........ Not what do I do now, but what order would make the most sense. I assume people here can see in the pictures that some items need addressed. I guess I could have made a specific list of things I am planning on doing and asking what I should do first, but that is too specific. I want input from the forum. It is a 25 year old boat lots of things to do. Yeah I guess I was a fool to expect something like:
-Make sure the boat is solid back to transom
-Compression test
-Tear apart and inspect bellows/impeller
-Replace manifold
-Replace water pump
-Replace power trim bracket
- Clean carpet
-polish boat

something like that, and some explanation. I guess I was a fool..... No one moved past transom, like you all are waiting for me to say, "oh no the transom is bad."

Now I have two pages of people talking about drilling holes and nothing more... I appreciate the input, but why are people now taking shots at me?? This forum is kind of toxic....
I will maybe try a few more posts here, but I have a feeling this forum is where all the angry dudes who think every one is an idiot hang out...

 

[Benny67]

When your thread is basically, "I know nothing about boats, I bought a boat, what do I do now?", without a real question, that's pretty much open season for thread direction. And we've settled on rot

The transom probably isn't the leak. Help the guy out with some real advice without going to the extremes is all I'm getting at.

 

[nola mike]

I did ask a question, what should I start with. There are tons of maintenance items, some important inspections, ........ Not what do I do now, but what order would make the most sense ( I assume people here can see in the pictures that some items need addressed. I guess I could have made a specific list of things I am planning on doing and asking what I should do first, but that is too specific. I want input from the forum. It is a 25 year old boat lots of things to do. Yeah I guess I was a fool to expect something like:
-Make sure the boat is solid back to transom
-Compression test
-Tear apart and inspect bellows/impeller
-Replace manifold
-Replace water pump
-Replace power trim bracket
- Clean carpet
-polish boat

something like that, and some explanation. I guess I was a fool..... No one moved past transom, like you all are waiting for me to say, "oh no the transom is bad."

Now I have two pages of people talking about drilling holes and nothing more... I appreciate the input, but why are people now taking shots at me?? This forum is kind of toxic....
I will maybe try a few more posts here, but I have a feeling this forum is where all the angry dudes who think every one is an idiot hang out...

Again, open ended question of "where do I start"?
"clean carpet" probably wouldn't have been on anybody's top 10.
From all of the "been there, done that" guys here, rot is the thing that turns a boat into junk. Anything mechanical...anything...is relatively cheap and easy in comparison. If you want to assume the boat is structurally sound without actually investigating it, we can move on. There are plenty of threads detailing what you should do with a "new to me boat"--all of which assume that you did your homework prior to buying it. But lets go with:
1. Check compression. Sure, give you a baseline.
2. Change fluids--gear lube, oil
3. Change fuel filter(s)
4. Replace impeller
5. Check/replace belts/hoses
6. Pull outdrive. Check ujoints/bellows/gimbal bearing/shift cable. Check engine alignment
7. Grease everything that's greaseable.
8. Check all wiring for chafing/corrosion
9. Change plugs/wires/cap/rotor/points as applicable
10. Do every single maintenance item listed in the merc service manual.
11. Replace manifold/brackets/water pumps--why?

Edit: 10a. Get a factory service manual

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't think most of us are angry or anything. I just think we see lots of posts like this and often it's found that there are problems with rot. It's just such a simple and cheap thing to check for rot before dumping money on any other problem, that it's kind of a red flag for denial when someone doesn't at least check for rot.

 

[Rick Stephens]

The transom probably isn't the leak. Help the guy out with some real advice without going to the extremes is all I'm getting at.

Benny, the thread is fine. This thread went to transom rebuilds because the OP, in post 16, asks:

"Ok so I see a trend here. Let me change the subject then. Who would replace the transom on this boat? And I do not mean what is the right thing to do. Who would actually spend the time or money on this boat to get that done."

All of us are stating that before anyone spends on engine and drive work that they check condition of hull. OP doesn't really want to do that, but unknown to someone who hasn't been there before, the hull is the expensive part of fixing up an older boat. The motor and drive are dirt cheap in comparison. So every last post since then is related to surveying the hull before spending on anything else.

Rick

 

[Benny67]

All of us are stating that before anyone spends on engine and drive work that they check condition of hull. OP doesn't really want to do that, but unknown to someone who hasn't been there before, the hull is the expensive part of fixing up an older boat. The motor and drive are dirt cheap in comparison. So every last post since then is related to surveying the hull before spending on anything else.

Rick

Understood.

However, from my viewpoint it seemed way to early and way too dramatic for any reason to go the way it did.

ANYHOW... I can see it's a futile argument so we can agree to disagree on it.

OP,

You might want to check the exhaust pipe base for rot. The 3 things I've seen the most on Mercuiser sterndrive leaks were the boots(2 boots) and the exhaust pipe(the 3rd item).

Good luck.

 

[97Alpha175]

Understood.

However, from my viewpoint it seemed way to early and way too dramatic for any reason to go the way it did.

ANYHOW... I can see it's a futile argument so we can agree to disagree on it.

OP,

You might want to check the exhaust pipe base for rot. The 3 things I've seen the most on Mercuiser sterndrive leaks were the boots(2 boots) and the exhaust pipe(the 3rd item).

Good luck.

Thanks for the info.
Currently I am waiting on all the shop manuals in the mail (i prefer the books).
The rust looks like it is from the manifold end cap seal front and back seals, also below the water pump, and thermostat. I am guessing there are tiny leaks there and they caused the rust.. I don't know. I am slowly investigating, but I am kind of planning that these will need changed. (Assuming the boat is worthy of working on) I am at the stage where I am making a list of things and pricing out parts.
I was curious what everyone would say about these things as far as prioritizing repairs.
Oh and I did turn the stern drive into a trampoline and recorded video. Slo-motion 4k video shows no flex at the transom. Port and starboard, top and bottom appear to not be moving at all ( I weigh only 185lbs, Tiny is on vacation). I will test the transom with a moisture meter (from homedepot $40 penetrates 3/4 hardwood) I have seen online tests and it should tell me a lot. If it shows nothing I think I will move on.

 

[rustybronco]

If your 1997 SR 175BR is anything like mine it has no (Zero) structural wood in its construction. I believe this process started in 1995 on that particular model.

The ski locker has a wood door along with the other two? panels on the floor, the back rest for the stern seats, the seat cushion bottoms themselves and the sun pad bottom.

1997 Sea Ray 175

Hi Everyone, Welcome to my project page. I've purchased a gutted out 1997 Sea Ray 175 and intent on restoring it. I have a 1987, 19', Glasstream that I will be using as a 'donor' boat. In this thread, hopefully you will see me: 1. Build an engine hoist out of wood 2. Transfer a 1987...

forums.iboats.com

(see post #7)

 

[Scott Danforth]

. I will test the transom with a moisture meter (from homedepot $40 penetrates 3/4 hardwood) I have seen online tests and it should tell me a lot. If it shows nothing I think I will move on.

but it wont penetrate fiberglass.

If your 1997 SR 175BR is anything like mine it has no (Zero) structural wood in its construction. I believe this process started in 1995 on that particular model.

The ski locker has a wood door along with the other two? panels on the floor, the back rest for the stern seats, the seat cushion bottoms themselves and the sun pad bottom.

1997 Sea Ray 175

Hi Everyone, Welcome to my project page. I've purchased a gutted out 1997 Sea Ray 175 and intent on restoring it. I have a 1987, 19', Glasstream that I will be using as a 'donor' boat. In this thread, hopefully you will see me: 1. Build an engine hoist out of wood 2. Transfer a 1987...

forums.iboats.com

(see post #7)

are you sure. pretty sure the blocks the motor is screwed into and the center portion of the transom are still wood. The 190/210 didnt change until 2001/2002 timeframe

 

[rustybronco]

but it wont penetrate fiberglass.


are you sure. pretty sure the blocks the motor is screwed into and the center portion of the transom are still wood. The 190/210 didnt change until 2001/2002 timeframe

I'm not 100% certain as I can only go by the one review I found that quoted Sea Ray stating no structural wood in it's construction. I'm trying to find the Review.

Look at the pictures I indicated. The 175BR used a one piece inner liner attached to the hull. Even if you put buckets of water the only place it could go is through the screw holes into the foam core. Hopefully the owner left the transom drain hole open.

"are you sure. pretty sure the blocks the motor is screwed into" I was roaming around the engine bay just two days ago trying to correctly install the seat platform so the back seat panel would mount correctly. (Damn hacks)

 

[97Alpha175]

Hah. I read the same thing about no wood construction, but I did not know if that included the transom.
It is raining here but my moisture readings were about 5% all the way around the stern drive. Everywhere else was around 3.5-4% except behind the gas tank and it would show 6-7.5%.
If it is a foam core I do not know what it should read I had the tool set to Hardwood.

 

[rustybronco]

Hah. I read the same thing about no wood construction, but I did not know if that included the transom.
It is raining here but my moisture readings were about 5% all the way around the stern drive. Everywhere else was around 3.5-4% except behind the gas tank and it would show 6-7.5%.
If it is a foam core I do not know what it should read I had the tool set to Hardwood.

I can't see the cutout in my transom to be able to verify what it's construction is. Looks fiberious to me. Some sort of composite possible stranded wood in a resin? Look where the steering arm? pokes through the inside of the boat and you'll see what I mean.

Pretty sure your transom is just fine....

 

[dubs283]

Are you being serious? I used all caps on PLEASE HELP Is that a thing here that I should not be doing? Forum etiquette or something?

Click on the "Adults Only" sticky at the top of the thread page. Click on the first item, "How to ask a question". First post item #5.

FYI on the internet/electronic communications using all caps is the equivalent to yelling irl