Just purchased a used Monterey

[Gaprider]

Hi everyone, I'm new on here, from Saskatchewan, Canada...so I wasn't too sure where to post this...and I'm a relatively inexperienced boater. (I've only had one other boat before this one).

Just purchased a 1997 Monterey Montura 196.(4.3L V6 Merc Cruiser, 205 HP) Big boat for me, as I didn't look that big from the pictures!

This boat seemed really well made and solid.

I have a few questions for other Monterey owners:

1) The boat when shut off, the battery will still drain if not operated for more than a week between starts? I imagine it could be a number of things...any ideas? (I was told to just unhook the neg terminal from the battery).

2) The skeg is not in the best shape, with a very slight bend at the bottom and is kind of chewed up at the bottom...too many sandbars I guess...Is this worth fixing? Will it make much difference to boat performance?

3) What pitch propeller would be best for getting out of the hole for this boat?

Please let me know, or maybe the mods could move this to the appropriate place.

Thanks.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Just purchased a used Monterey

Welcome to Iboats!
The battery problem could be a number of things.I would get the battery load tested to start with.A bad cell will cause them to discharge over a couple weeks time.Also if it has a stereo that has the clock and memory that is wired direct to the battery it can slowly drain it.

The skeg should not be a big deal unless its causing handling issues.
Don't try to bend it back it will break.

The prop pitch is hard to say without knowing the Wide open throttle RPMS and speed,what engine and drive setup etc..

You will get plenty of help here i'm sure..