Need a little help with new boat

[day-dayc]

So my girlfriend's dad gave me a boat my first own boat yayy me and thank you much to him. Now on to the good stuff, its a 1978 Reinell 240, has been sitting for about 3 years. he is giving it to me because his wife says its out dated, i'm having trouble trying to find any info on this boat, spec's, uses, pro's con's about it, any help would be great! im just looking for info and what to be looking for on it of common things that go wrong, it was winterized before it was put away 3 years ago, i have yet to dig into it. Thanks again

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Need a little help with new boat

Most of the things that can go wrong will be with the drivetrain, unless we know what that is its kind of hard to answer common problems. So onto the hull check everywhere for rot that would be my biggest concern. Soft floors, rotten stringers, transom are all bad signs and should be considered unsafe. If it has been left outside without covers or with leaky covers the possibility of wood rot go up a ton. If the plug was left in the bilge or it was stored bow down, again the rot issue is first on the list. If it has an omc drive it probably also has ford power in it, both have been out of the marine business for almost 15 years now so parts AND mechanics can be a challange to find. Do some more digging and post back as this is all speculation at this point...

 

[mrallen007]

Re: Need a little help with new boat

Found some basic specs from NADA...

1978 REINELL V 240
KAL-KUSTOM ENTERPRISES
Stern Drive Power Boat


Length: 24'
Model Name/Description: V 240
Boat Type: Stern Drive Power Boat
Hull Material: Fiberglass
Beam: 7' 11"
Engine: 1, 200 HP, Gasoline
Net Weight: 3500

Sounds like a nice old boat. As far as uses, it sounds like a basic runabout which can easily be used for pulling skis or tubes. 200 HP should be plenty for that. Other than that, use some creativity. It can be whatever you make it. With some basic craftsman type skills, you can turn it into whatever you want. You can install covers for shade, ski pylons and seats for group ski trips. You can carry quite a bit with it for camp/boat/ski type trips. I'd say the sky is the limit, but the water level generally is!

 

[day-dayc]

Re: Need a little help with new boat

utah, thanks, i know it has a mercruiser drive, it has a cover but was torn not sure on what motor it has? myself im a mechanic at infinity but i have semi boat knowledge well basics i always helped out my uncle with his grady but that was a merc outboard

 

[day-dayc]

Re: Need a little help with new boat

007- thanks for the info as well!!

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Need a little help with new boat

Just given the size of the boat if it has a merc drive I'm pretty sure it is a 350 GM block probably the merc 260. Very good setup still has any and all parts you may need readily avaliable. If it were me I would try and get it running, lake test to make sure everything works as it should(drive shifts doesn't knock, etc.) then go through the hull and repair as needed. First things first though, to start check oil condition if it looks okay might be good enough to at least test engine. I would use a seperate gas can and use fresh gas rather than suck up all that old gas and clog everything up. Put a good battery in it, get a set of muffs have them on with water flowing prior to trying to start. prime the carb and see what happens. Should start and run if all was fine when laid up. After you verify it does run, then you need to change a few things before you lake test it(or at least I would). Change oil, change outdrive lube, install new impeller in LU, siphon out all old gas, replace with new, replace fuel filter and have a few extras. When you lake test keep a real close eye on all guages and stay close to start. Good luck....