New boat owner

SilverSS07

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 13, 2012
Messages
266
Hey guys. I just picked up a little 1975 15' Bonito tri hull boat yesterday. I had been thinking about getting a boat for a while and then this one popped up yesterday. It seemed like a good deal for the price. Floor was redecked about 2 years ago and glassed in according to the previous owner. Seems very solid and tap tested it seemed good as well. Transom seems solid also. I don't know much about boats- I've always been into cars and motorcycles but the kids and wife wanted one so I thought this would probably be a good little starter boat for lakes and rivers. I know the boat needs a steering cable as the one on it is broke but it seems to run great. I'm going to get a repair manual for the engine- a Mercury Thunderbolt 500- and check everything out on it. The previous owner also had a complete other outboard for parts that I got. I look forward to learning and hanging out on the forum for a while :D
 

bgc

Ensign
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
980
Re: New boat owner

Welcome! Post photos of new boat!
 

southkogs

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 7, 2010
Messages
14,968
Re: New boat owner

Welcome aboard Silver! I've got a tri-hull, and I've always enjoyed the hull type ... despite the "BUMP" you get going over waves.
 

SilverSS07

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 13, 2012
Messages
266
Re: New boat owner

Here's a few pics of the ol girl. I think she'll clean up pretty good. Got a lot of work to do! Need to get it sitting straight on the trailer lol.

boat004.jpg

boat005.jpg
 

bgc

Ensign
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
980
Re: New boat owner

Nice!

What years your Merc? My youngest Merc is 38 this year, they're a PITA (Pain in the *****) but will run like a scared dog.
 

SilverSS07

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 13, 2012
Messages
266
Re: New boat owner

Just looked it up. It's a 1973 Merc. Seems to run great. Going to check everything out on it as soon as I can get this stupid a/c compressor in my car lol. Are the parts hard to come by?
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: New boat owner

welcome to the forum and to boating! Lookslike a fun boat.

the mercs of that vintage can be challenging and Kiekhoffer was notorious for changing thnigs randomly from year to year. Part are available. Take a good look at the wires up under the hood as they tend to rust out right bad, or the insulation crumbles off and you short against the block (I have a '72 200)
 

Levinz11

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
726
Re: New boat owner

Good looking boat/motor combo. Congratulations!
 

bgc

Ensign
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
980
Re: New boat owner

Parts are readily available (They still have parts for my 6 cylinder 1958 MK75). You can find them here at iboats or www.oldmercs.com
As Home Cookin stated the wires are are problem. If you do have wire issues just replace dont try to fix.
 
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