Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

[MAC ATTACK]

All,

Just wanting to document my experience so far on my recent purchase of a 2001 Sea Chaser 175, Yamaha 90 2 stroke on a B&S Sportsmen trailer. I am not a huge poster here, but belong to several other boards (Camaro, Chevelle, Garage etc.) so I am hoping that this info may help another boater out there.

Let me also say that I have looked through the post here, and really appreciate the very experienced boaters (Captains) on here taking time to share their many, many years of experience.

So I saw this boat on craigslist for a price that I could afford. I had been looking at CC boats, but were all out of my price range. I knew this was the only way to get into the game on my budget. I already own a older Bass boat so working on boats is not new to me. Coming from the aircraft maintenance field, I am pretty anal about maintenance/repair, and mostly SAFETY.

First mistake....... not testing the boat in the water. Talked to owner and his grown kids and they had just run it for a solid week during scallop season. Heard it run with muffs on, tested forward/reverse, pee hole etc. Guess what? It misses at low throttle so I am sure the carbs need rebuilding. I was under pressure by others coming to look at the boat due to the reduced price. Hopefully rebuilding 3 carbs and new plugs will do it, if not I go down the list.

Second issue..... Not seeing the fiberglass repair on the starboard side roll gunnel. A positive is that it was done well enough that not really noticeable. The negative is that I have some more glass work to do in order to be pleased with it myself (weak area when you squeeze the rolled lip in one spot).

Since I am waiting on my carb kits and Yamaha Service manual (if you do not have a service manual, buy one!) I decided to re-seal every fitting below the water line, to include transducer. One thing I found out so far, if 3M 5200 is applied correctly it is a bear to remove. One of the live-well fittings should have been left alone , but you do not know until you remove. And yes, I was taking on water during my test run through the plug and transducer.

The good is that I have a solid floating hull, motor (it ran smooth and strong at full throttle), and nice B&S Sportsmen galvanized trailer as a project starting point. I must put in a plug for B&S Sportsmen trailers out of Florida. I have received wonderful support from them by just owning a used trailer. I would imagine even better if I bought it new.

I have a lot of work to do before I head to the water with my family, but I knew this when I bought it. If you are in the market for a used boat, and are not related to the owner, give yourself a few weeks of time after purchasing to get the bugs worked out. People selling boats are not usually inclined to spend money on future upkeep.

I have seats to recover, carbs to build, fiberglass work, re-seal work, VHF radio to buy, (oh yeah, I had to do a fiberglass repair to the bottom of the battery compartment too. Who lets the battery sit in there without anything under it or strapped down?) But all in all I feel like I am almost saving a fishing boat. If I could not do fiberglass, engine, epoxy, paint, interior work etc. I would have passed on this one. A labor of love, or a sickness , but I am stuck with her now.

I will post pics and updates later......

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Have fun and good luck!

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Just a quick update to my latest project. The anchor well has a drain hole on the port side of the forward hull. Kind of low for me, although I know whatever comes in will drain out...... but if I am fresh water fishing with a trolling motor and 2 people up front I like a sealed boat. Here is what I am going to try. The thru-hull plastic grommet is breaking apart anyway. I found cooler drain replacements at Academy outdoors that are the same diameter as the hole (and same diameter as the 2 drains by the engine that have damaged grommets). I think I can modify this cooler drain to fit (depth wise) into the hole. The part on the outer hull looks exactly like a thru-hull live-well drain, but smaller. Hopefully I can then use the little screw on cap for the inside, and open or close as necessary........ Sound crazy? I am still looking for a fitting not so thick, but I think this might work even though a tad unsightly...... The cap is on the interior side

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

I already own a older Bass boat so working on boats is not new to me.

I would have passed on this one. A labor of love, or a sickness , but I am stuck with her now.

Multiple Boat Syndrome (MBS) cannot be cured, only managed. Some are better managers than others. Good luck!

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Thanks. I have had the bass boat for 12 years, bought it used and planned on just getting a few years out of it. It keeps on going and catching bass/crappie so what is a guy to do. Trying to get into the flats/inshore salt-water fishing now and did not feel the bass boat was safe for any type of unforeseen conditions. Especially when a 10 yr old daughter goes fishing with you.

MBS....... that's funny right there, goes along with my other stuff..... ADD, OCD, etc

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

you have a good boat and motor to work with.

your home-made anchor drain is a bad idea. You want a fitting that is practically flush with the hull. Not only does that look like crap, you are at risk if you hit something or something hits it to best case, break it off and worse case take a chunk of hull with it.

I'm not really sure why you are reworking all through hulls unless the previous owner reworked them wrong (if it ain't broke fix it until it is) or they were actually leaking.

And yess 5200 is permanent, and should be used judiciously for that reason.

I don't understand the transducer issue. they are either mounted on the transom outside the hull, or they sit on the bottom of the hull inside. Did someone cut a hole in the hull for a transom mount transducer? I sure hope not.

what was the issue with the drain plug?

 

[jkimball]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

you have a good boat and motor to work with.

your home-made anchor drain is a bad idea. You want a fitting that is practically flush with the hull. Not only does that look like crap, you are at risk if you hit something or something hits it to best case, break it off and worse case take a chunk of hull with it.

I'm not really sure why you are reworking all through hulls unless the previous owner reworked them wrong (if it ain't broke fix it until it is) or they were actually leaking.

And yess 5200 is permanent, and should be used judiciously for that reason.

I don't understand the transducer issue. they are either mounted on the transom outside the hull, or they sit on the bottom of the hull inside. Did someone cut a hole in the hull for a transom mount transducer? I sure hope not.

what was the issue with the drain plug?

The boat could also have a thru-hull transducer, not just an internal "shoot thru" design.

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Drain plug was leaking around the mounting flange. It looked to be an original plastic type that retained the plug with a plastic keeper. If I need to pull it and reseal, I am putting on a brass plug, screw in with the (supposedly) fail proof check ball by seasense. The old plug only mounted with 2 screws into a plastic flange, and it looked brittle. The brass plug has a thick flange and is fastened by 3 screws.

The transducer mounting screws were leaking also (external transom mount). When I pulled it I found previous screw holes that were leaking from not being sealed correctly. Thank goodness for the solid composite transom area, but water can effect any material if left to sit.

After more thought....... you are correct on the ugly anchor storage drain. Not sure what I was thinking but after looking at it I have a new cooler plug for the captains seat

Also, I only want to do the re-sealing once, since it is a 7 day cure. I am waiting on Carb kits so I have the time and it will give me a piece of mind. I can be anal about things like that. I figure to do them all now with plenty of 5200 and get it over with. I absolutely hate water in the bilge area.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Drain plug was leaking around the mounting flange. It looked to be an original plastic type that retained the plug with a plastic keeper. If I need to pull it and reseal, I am putting on a brass plug, screw in with the (supposedly) fail proof check ball by seasense. The old plug only mounted with 2 screws into a plastic flange, and it looked brittle. The brass plug has a thick flange and is fastened by 3 screws.

The transducer mounting screws were leaking also (external transom mount). When I pulled it I found previous screw holes that were leaking from not being sealed correctly. Thank goodness for the solid composite transom area, but water can effect any material if left to sit.

After more thought....... you are correct on the ugly anchor storage drain. Not sure what I was thinking but after looking at it I have a new cooler plug for the captains seat

So no wood in your transom on that type of boat? Most transoms are wood cored, good for you, because the screws you say that are leaking behind the transducer are great examples of how a transom can be destroyed by having water seeping in over time, then rotting out.

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

According to Carolina Skiff and the sticker on the side of the hull it is 100 % composite structure. I have the plug out and have had so far 3 thru-hull fittings out and I see fiberglass about 1-7/8 inches thick. Unless I am unsure of what I am looking at.......

I should have listened to Home cookin'....... Just went to re-seal a scupper thru-hull fitting and am now getting ready to order a fitting and hose for that side When I went to tighten it back down the plastic threads would not grip at the base , oh well, live and learn! You can bet the other (and last) scupper thru-hull will get sealed when it leaks!!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

sounds like you are making a lot of work for yourself, but also that your previous owner left you wtih a lot of mistakes.

I'm surprised your boat came with a plastic garboard plug; I would have thought they'd do better. Maybe PO did it. Anyway, don;t get one of those ping-pong-balls-in -a-cage rigs; get a screw in plug, screw it in and leave it there. don't mess with your scuppers.

how were your transducer screws "leaking" unless they went all the way through the transom? usually you use short screws. Again, if your seller drilled through the transom he didn't know what he was doing.

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Yeah, I am pretty good at making work for myself. I did purchase the garboard brass screw in plug that has the check ball in it, if it is a bad idea I will exchange, but it was the only brass screw in available except online order.

Yes, PO did screw through to the inside, but it is on the lower part of the transom that is inset from the engine and not as thick, probably 1 inch thick in that area, 2 inches thick on the main transom. Still should have used shorter screws, I am thinking of making a fiberglass plate about 1 inch thick and using the original xducer screw holes to mount it with 5200, then I will have a xducer plate for future changes.

Yup, screwed the pooch on the scupper re-seal. But I will fix this one and leave the other for now. I did find out that my floor drains need re-sealing as I had to remove the one and it was loose when the screws were pulled.

I am looking for 1 1/2 inch scupper hose and read on another forum that some folks are using flexible PVC spa hose from home depot etc. since it is not under pressure. Any thoughts from anyone?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

any hose will do but you want it smooth, not ribbed.

a mounting plate is a real good idea since you are likely to be changing equipment

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Found some good hose at Lowes, 1 1/2 inch I.D., thick and smooth also has some sort of braid in the wall. It was $4 a foot. They have the less expensive spa hose, but this is thicker so why not?

I have looked at many threads on the transducer mount. My plan is to make a fiberglass piece, about 1/2 inch thick that will cover all previous holes. I will shape, prime and paint it. Then I will scuff the gelcoat with 80 grit, and mount the fiberglass plate with 2 screws, using 5200 inside the screw holes and between the surfaces. Once cured I will add another coat of paint, then mount my transducer with short screws.

One question; I have a new kit of Marine-Tex epoxy. Should I mount the fiberglass piece with that? My fear is the only thing that it will be bonded to is the gelcoat, since I will not be taking the surface down that far. My thought is, down the road I can always remove everything if needed for future repairs/modifications if I stick with 5200 and 2 screws....

Also, got my carb kits and service manual in the mail. Bought a gallon of carb cleaner with the basket. Will have to soak them one at a time..... At least I am not in a hurry since all of this 5200 and paint needs to cure. If I get the itch to get on the water my lil' bass boat needs some fresh gas run through it

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

A little update (I am pretending people read this) and a question,

I finished rebuilding the carbs and am now waiting on the electrthermal valve that primes the carbs like a choke on the yamaha's. When I disassembled them I found the needle completely missing, so either someone broke it and did not replace or tried to modify it. Either way I would like it to operate per the service manual.

Ordered 6 new plugs, 3 for the motor and 3 spares for the boat box I am putting together (thanks to this site)

I fabricated a piece of fiberglass 1/2 inch thick to bond to the transom over the old transducer holes that were leaking. Not sure why someone drills completely through the lower transom. Thank goodness it is 100% composite (so Carolina Skiff says). Found that one of the holes that was drilled into the area beside the bilge was still wet, so I pushed a sharp metal rod (1/8 th diameter) into the hole and felt like I breached foam and more water started coming out. So guess what? I drilled a hole in the other side and found water trapped in there also. I am sure it is from years of rain/splash etc. leaking through unsealed hatches, scupper drains etc.

The water is not discolored or does not smell bad, but I am sure I have some water logged foam. I will fill the holes with marine tex and allow to cure. I will also countersink the hole opening a little so the epoxy has more area to bond to.

I plan on fastening the 1/2 fiberglass piece over the transducer holes with Marine Tex, after I scuff the area real good. I am priming/painting the piece with rustolium appliance paint. I figure 6 or seven coats of paint and a few days to cure will do it. It will be bare fiberglass on the bonding surface side.

Also, since I am waiting on parts and 5200 cure I had to order a new rear nav light receptacle and I am going to go ahead and replace the fuel pump, thermostat and pressure relief valve.

Question..... Will filling the holes with marine tex epoxy be a sound repair?

Anything I am forgetting?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Question..... Will filling the holes with marine tex epoxy be a sound repair?

Yes, it's good stuff!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

"the only thing that it will be bonded to is the gelcoat" which is bonded to the hull. Gel coat won't peel off like aluminum siding.

and 8 coats of paint on a mounting plate? Overkill. You need to go get that boat in the water and release some of this tension that's sending you into Extreme Repair Syndrome.

Replacing the fuel pump, etc. just to kill time? I think the cost advantage of buying a used motor will be consumed by parts and labor that will total more than the cost of a new one!

Oh well have fun

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

All true. Actually I want to eliminate any issues "and" have spare parts available in the boat box. So far the box will have a used fuel pump, wires, carb gaskets, spark plugs, sealant, thermostat and pressure relief valve. I know I am spending extra money, but coming from over 20 years in aircraft maintenance I like the piece of mind also. I tend to over do most things I work on, and at my age there is no changing it

My plan since having issues the first time in the water is to eliminate the small fuel related stuff. Changed the fuel line and 10 micron filter, so everything fuel related from the filter to engine will be new/rebuilt.

Sometimes time on my hands is not my friend, but it did allow me to find the extra water inside the hull, corroded nav light receptacle and broken electrothermal valve

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Who ever buys this boat from you will end up with a nice rig, the ERS (Extreme Repair Syndrome) is new to me, and while I don't have it, I think you do. And finding the wet foam is a good thing too, get that water leak fixed, replace that foam, and go have fun on that boat. It is my opinion that all that extra stuff you are hauling around in your boat box is just extra weight that you will never use in a emergency situation on the water. Extra plugs, a spare prop and wrench, few fuses and a good towing insurance policy are all ya need to go have fun.

 

[MAC ATTACK]

Re: Just info on my new (to me) boat issues, maybe help someone else

Thanks for the tip on the spare prop and wrench! Actually the other items are small and light. I usually travel about 2 hours when a fishing trip is planned so some stuff can stay in my truck box.

I have no plans yet of changing the foam until I investigate further as it would involve cutting the entire deck out (it is a roll gunnel). I will pull the captains seat and access panel for a further look. I would estimate that about 1/2 gallon total of water came out of both sides, and that is after sitting with the front raised for over 2 weeks.

Definitely getting on the water soon!