New 72 16 SS owner

[poorboatguy]

I just purchased a 72 Supersport 16 foot. When I went looking for a boat I wanted something light and aluminum, not a john boat. I happend across this boat on Craigslist. It had a poor picture and a very short discription. When I called the owner he said it was an 18 foot, I wanted a 16 or 17. Based on the photo it did not look like an 18, so I set up a time to look at it. When I drove up on it in the back parking lot of an industrial park, it was love at first site. It was indeed a 16 Supersport. I had no idea at the time these boats had such a strong following. The steering cable froze on the previous owner so he removed it to match up a replacement. The cable and hardware were no longer available. It has an 80 HP Merc, that the seller promised me ran and idled good. I bought it without even cranking the engine. This was about 2 weeks and 500 dollars ago. I will have pictures loaded soon. My boat has no center windshield section. Was this an option or is mine missing? I don't see any attaching points for it either. I just received my new Teleflex NFB steering system and am having a little trouble with the engine connection. The original setup was transom mounted, but I don't have the hardware for it. The Merc has the threaded tilt tube so I have opted to go with that type connection. The problem is I can't find anyone that can tell me which link rod I need to connect the cable end to the motor. Any part numbers or dimensions would be helpful. I hope I love this boat as much in the water as I do on the trailer. Looking foward to future posts.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

you will find the help you need here . Ill try as other also will. measure the distance from the center or the steering wheel to the side.from there measure the length to a even spot where the motor tilt tube lines up then measure the distasnce you will need If it is a 16 SS the cable length will be 13 feet. every ones is the same . the box the steering came in should tell you also or go to the telflex site or even on Iboats. real simple job evev I could do it.

 

[chuckndiscs]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

Welcome to the starmada!!

Sounds like a great new relationship (Careful of existing significant other ones as it may detract from them SIGNIFICANTLY unless you can rope em in on it as well!). The 16' SS is like the 69 Camaro, they are / were everywhere (How does it go: "A dime a dozen...") but they are damn sharp and EVERYONE wants one!

Puget hit it, 13' is the distance for shifting and drive cables (I just replaced one of mine) but I would bet steering is a bit different as there is no real loop back in the spalshwell. 13' will get you there for sure but at least my steering cable does not have a loop). I'd give ya number but I got a johnnyrude hanging on the back of mine. Love them old mercs though.

Chuck

 

[poorboatguy]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

Thanks for the input, I guess I did ok on the steering cable length, I just received my new teleflex 13 foot cable setup. I will be replacing the wood on the dash when I replace the steering setup. I still trying to figure out the link I need from the cable end to the motor itself. I ordered one from someone on ebay, if it is incorrect then I will try to modify it. Is there any place in particular I should look for loose or missing rivets? I am going to try to to post some pics.

 

[poorboatguy]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

Photos of my new baby. Pulled out the carpet and dash boards today. Floor is not good, not bad. I can jump around on it and it will flex, but I cannot go through it anywhere. it is much like the 1/2" plywood on the roof of my house. Wood on dash at steering is bad and will be replaced so I can mount my new Teleflex helm. At this time I am going to put in new carpet, replace the dash pieces and try to get it in the water. The throttle control and the seat seem a bit high to me. I know seat is a replacement, but the control looks to be in its original position. The lounge seat on the left has been rebuilt using the original covers and padding. I also have new tires and need to replace/modify the bunks and add on some guides, I like an easy to load boat. The boat was all green I guess and someone painted the silver on the sides, the silver is a nice metalic and it is a pretty good job. It is starting to grow on me, but I don't love it yet......

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

Nice rig!

 

[Bighoss]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

Heck yeah, very nice. Patch it up and use it. I wish I could have made a few minor repairs and hit the lake.

 

[poorboatguy]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

Dash boards done, just need to mount my new steering helm. Carpet is out and plywood is ready for carpet install. seats are repaired to point of usability. I will need to tend to the trailer before I go anywhere. the existing bunks look like they are made out of baseboard molding and they are too short. I almost ordered the Tie Down Engineering selt centering bunk covers, but I noticed in the add not to use them on a boat with rivets, to bad, I have them on another trailer and they work very well. So I guess I will be going with carpet. Anybody have photos of their trailer bunk setup. If I am going to change bunks, I would also like to do as much as I can to make it easy to load, I love a boat that is easy to load. Thanks

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

Anybody have photos of their trailer bunk setup?

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/DSCF2352.jpg

I've got guide bunks too http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_0460.jpg

I'm very pleased with the set up.

 

[bunker108]

Re: New 72 16 SS owner

I am set up similar to ez's but I have fewer keel rollers. My simple setup proved to load/unload easily. This is my first boat and first time launching...it worked well, even though I was solo.