just got a 89 capri?!?

[Bryan G]

Its my first boat...2.3ford i/o ...engine looks like low hours, redid all the seats and sagging floor. I havent had a lot of time to play with the engine, but I got it to run, seemed fairly strong (with muffs).... can anyone give me a few pointers on what to look for as far typical issues?

 

[gcboat]

Re: just got a 89 capri?!?

With a 20 year old boat there will always be 'issues'. With your particular model Bayliner they were mostly confined to rot in the stringers and transom wood - obviously you saw that in the decking lumber.
I would try and remove one of your motor mount bolts and check the condition of the wood. If it's wet - or was - the bolt will be rusty and the surrounding wood will be soft. Take an awl and poke around - if mushy, time to fix that as well.
Your motor is not a powerhouse. Don't expect it to pop a 200 pound man out of the water on ski's. You might drag him around for awhile but he will eventually get up.
Maintenance will be your key to keeping your boat runnning strong and looking good.
I would change the impeller right off the bat if it has sat for any period of time. And purchase an OEM manual for both motor and drive. No Seloc, no Clymer - get the real deal. It will cost a few more bucks but you will be thankful you did.
Have fun - be safe. That's what it's all about !!!

 

[jayinpa68]

Re: just got a 89 capri?!?

Hey congrats on your new purchase. No matter what type of boat you have it's a blast. I also recently sold an 89 Capri 1750 with a 2.3 Ford also. Other than typical 20 yr. old boat upkeep the only thing i ran into that was a hassle was that I needed an intake manifold. From what I hear this is a pretty common thing for this motor. They are out there but it takes a little digging to find parts. I just thought I would let you know. Have fun and be safe!!