New boat owner!

[Tally Marx]

Howdy folks,

Just bought my first boat. Got it from a buddy at work and can’t wait to get it in the water! It’s a 78 MirroCraft with two Evinrude outboards: 78 two stroke 6hp and an 82 two stroke 50hp. I know forums is where it’s at for advice, tips, tricks, wisdom and good talk so just wanted to get on and start some posts so I can get some photos loaded up soon and document the progress/extract all the knowledge I can!

Fair winds and following seas!

 

[jimmbo]

Welcome to iboats

Congrats, you are now experiencing the 1st of the 2 Happiest Days a Boat Owner has.

Before you go and launch it, do you know when the last time it was used, as well as the last time the Water Pump Impeller was replaced?

 

[Tally Marx]

Last time it was ran was 2 years ago. Buddy said the 6hp ran well but the main prop bogged down anytime they tried to give it throttle in the water. From what I know, the water pump hasn’t been serviced or replaced in a long long time.
To check them just run the motors in a barrel of water and see if they pee water?

 

[jimmbo]

Impellers that are old and have sat a long time often break when 'test run'.
Also what condition is the Gear Oil?

 

[racerone]

Install new impellers now.----They need to be replaced about every 5 years or so on those motors.

 

[Tally Marx]

Impellers that are old and have sat a long time often break when 'test run'.
Also what condition is the Gear Oil?

My buddy said he drained and filled gear oil two years ago. I’m thinking of doing it again myself and the water pump impeller as well. I was just looking online and it seems like the impellers aren’t too expensive nor is the oil. I’m fairly mechanically inclined as I’ve worked on pickup trucks for years, so I’m thinking pull and clean the carbs also? Possibly a rebuild kit? Other than that, fresh fuel and would we say that’s a fair start for a test run?
Pic below is the vessel

 

[clemsonfor]

Yea impellers are cheap. I have heard bad things about the china ones. I have used Sierra and Evinrude ones without problems. There is a cup the impellor sits in and bottom plates. Depending on model they may or may not have them and there constructed differently. Impellers are not easy. Some models you have to be careful with the shift linkage to not screw it around as that changes the length and the shift throw. I think your larger motor is this way but I don't know off the top of my head.

I would say you for sure have a carb issue. Those are simple carbs. But a carb kit and clean and rebuild them. I recently got a cheap no name china kit and it was not worth the few dollars savings. The Sierra ones are fine when I have used them and so are the Evinrude ones. The kit I had, the seat for the needle was the wrong thread to use, so it got tossed. The float was really sketchy looking plastic so I didn't use it and i have read saying that the bowl gasket does not hold up either.

Just some tips. I been fooling with these for 16+ years on my own. I like you am mechanically inclined and worked on my own trucks and things but had no experience prior. I read a lot on the forums and the site here helped me learn a lot.

 

[Tally Marx]

@clemsonfor Sounds like spending a little extra and getting the Sierra or OEM products is worth it. Thanks for the advice and story, helps knowing others have been where you are at one time. I drive an old diesel for my daily, going on 5 years now, and I couldn’t tell you how many times the forums have helped me out with the truck. Met some good peeps on there too, thinking iboats will be the same.
So, Navy E-9 or CG @clemsonfor

 

[Faztbullet]

Needs a compression test first

 

[clemsonfor]

@clemsonfor Sounds like spending a little extra and getting the Sierra or OEM products is worth it. Thanks for the advice and story, helps knowing others have been where you are at one time. I drive an old diesel for my daily, going on 5 years now, and I couldn’t tell you how many times the forums have helped me out with the truck. Met some good peeps on there too, thinking iboats will be the same.
So, Navy E-9 or CG @clemsonfor

Haha, no I'm not in the service, never was. That's some iboats lingo they use to label you, based on how many years you have been around and number of posts or something. There all marine related, navy ranks or ship officer terms. I have been here since like 2005 or so and been fairly active over the years at times and have amassed a few posts.

 

[jimmbo]

Looks like a16ft Mirrocraft

We had a couple 14 footers, with Tiller 25 and 35 hp hanging on the backs

 

[Scott Danforth]

With any new to you boat do all the maintenance that the prior owner didn't do

 

[jimmbo]

A Boat is like a Hole in the Water, that you pour Money into

 

[Tally Marx]

A Boat is like a Hole in the Water, that you pour Money into

Hahahah so far it’s true and it’s great

 

[racerone]

Actually you can pour vast sums of money into that hole.------Buying boats / yachts / mega yachts is the quickest way for rich folks to distribute money into the pockets of ordinary folks.-----When someone spends $100,000,000 on a yacht then many folks get a pay check.-----Or ----B.O.A.T.====" Bring on another thousand "

 

[Tally Marx]

Well so far I’m only $650 in for boat and trailer combined. But I’m figuring if I can get on the water for 1K I’d be happy. Both engine runs, and the boat has no leaks are damage really. I got lucky by getting this off my coworker. Im going to clean all the carbs this weekend (hopefully) and then I’ll have to put in a new impeller/water pump on the 6hp. After that though, she’s going in the water!