New owner, maintenance questions.

[mikemo1964]

Hello and thanks for reading. I just purchased a 1995 Maxum 1700XR and had some maintenance questions I was hoping to get advice on. The boat has been garage kept since new and it shows. I didn't want a project so I waited for something in my price range that had been well cared for.

1) I can't keep this boat in my garage (it won't fit). I plan on keeping it on the side of the house under a 10x20 shelter (steel poles and canvas/plastic top). I don't know if I should also cover the boat with a tight fitting cover while it is under the shelter. If I cover it, I'm worried about mildew (I'm in steamy Florida). If I don't cover it, I'm worried about the filth that will make its way inside, along with those pesky wasps that seem to want to build nests everywhere. Maybe I can cover it and provide some sort of ventilation?

2) How do you cleain the inside of the boat? The floor is carpeted and the seats are vinyl. Can I just hose off the inside of the boat and let the water drain out the back? Will it take forever for the carpet to dry if I do that?

3) The boat has a built in fuel tank, that according to the manual is 22 gallons. During our sea trial, the fuel gauge bounced around quite a bit. He said that the fuel was fairly low. Since it is a two stroke motor, what is the best way to mix the fuel and fill the tank, while making sure the mixture is correct and not overfilling the tank (which according the the manual is a no-no).

4) The outboard is a 1996 Force 120 two stroke. The hour meter on the boat shows about 250 hours. The owner had maintenance records that show the motor was tuned up and the bottom end had been resealed and re-lubed two years ago, and the compression was 135psi across all four cylinders. I know that the Force outboards don't have the best reputation, but I wanted to know what I could do to keep this one running with the fewest problems.

Here's a picture:

Thanks again!
Mike M.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New owner, maintenance questions.

That has got to be the nicest '90's Maxum with a Force I've ever seen! Super nice aluminum trailer too.

I would cover it under the shelter but just with a loose Wal-Mart cover. It would be open in the back by the motor anyway so it should breathe find. I've had no issues with mine over the winter. Bummer that is won't fit in your garage. How close it is? My 18' fit but with only inches to spare.

That boat has wood a carpeted wood deck so I wouldn't be hosing it out to clean it.

To keep your outboard in good shape, get a good water separating fuel filter and run Stabil in your gas if it's going to be sitting for a while. The best thing you can do for a boat is use it. More problems seem to arise from sitting than anything else.

I mix my gas in jerry cans usually.

 

[zagger]

Re: New owner, maintenance questions.

I had a 97 1700SR, for 10 years all I would do is point the bow as high as I could to provide a good drain point and spray the carpets allowing water to pour out of the drain. Never had an issue and boat never gained weight so no water logging or rot. Just make sure to allow it to dry after washing. The vinyl on your maxum is pretty good quality and there is a thin film moisture barrier between the foam and vinyl so spraying the seats is no problem. Again make sure to allow it to air dry (no cover) after washing.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: New owner, maintenance questions.

I would just clean it the same as you would your car. Not to sound like a jerk but spraying it out with the hose is the last thing I would do. Why introduce water into the interior that really doesn't need to be there. I always premixed my gas in cans then dumped it into the boat, many will say its not needed but by doing that I always knew for sure it was full and had the proper mix everytime. I also kept a 6 gal. portable tank onboard just to be safe for longer trips. 22 gallons isn't all that much fuel as 2 stroke outboards are a bit thirsty. Get a good manual and plan on doing a waterpump( or atleast the impeller) every couple of years, its easy and cheap insurance. Heat or overheat is death to outboards. Most of the covers around even the ones from walmart(which arent bad covers) have vents in them you could also put a small fan on a timer to come on for 1/2 hr per day.

 

[mikemo1964]

Re: New owner, maintenance questions.

That has got to be the nicest '90's Maxum with a Force I've ever seen! Super nice aluminum trailer too.

Thanks for that comment. I was worried about spending too much on the boat. With all the talk of "it's a buyer's market" I'm thinking maybe I didn't dicker enough on the price. I need to learn how to relax and not worry so much

I'll play around with the cover and see how things look. The fan idea actually sounds good. I can run a trickle charger on the batteries too if I bring an extension cord over from the house.

I'm going to get some good outboard oil and pre-mix in the 5 gallon gerry cans I have. Should I fill it until the gauge reads full, or is there some other indicator when the tank is full? I'm also going to use ethanol free gas, as I've had nothing but trouble with the E10 on my motorcycle.

Thanks again
Mike M.

 

[mpdive]

Re: New owner, maintenance questions.

Hello and thanks for reading. I just purchased a 1995 Maxum 1700XR and had some maintenance questions I was hoping to get advice on. The boat has been garage kept since new and it shows. I didn't want a project so I waited for something in my price range that had been well cared for.

1) I can't keep this boat in my garage (it won't fit). I plan on keeping it on the side of the house under a 10x20 shelter (steel poles and canvas/plastic top). I don't know if I should also cover the boat with a tight fitting cover while it is under the shelter. If I cover it, I'm worried about mildew (I'm in steamy Florida). If I don't cover it, I'm worried about the filth that will make its way inside, along with those pesky wasps that seem to want to build nests everywhere. Maybe I can cover it and provide some sort of ventilation?

2) How do you cleain the inside of the boat? The floor is carpeted and the seats are vinyl. Can I just hose off the inside of the boat and let the water drain out the back? Will it take forever for the carpet to dry if I do that?

3) The boat has a built in fuel tank, that according to the manual is 22 gallons. During our sea trial, the fuel gauge bounced around quite a bit. He said that the fuel was fairly low. Since it is a two stroke motor, what is the best way to mix the fuel and fill the tank, while making sure the mixture is correct and not overfilling the tank (which according the the manual is a no-no).

4) The outboard is a 1996 Force 120 two stroke. The hour meter on the boat shows about 250 hours. The owner had maintenance records that show the motor was tuned up and the bottom end had been resealed and re-lubed two years ago, and the compression was 135psi across all four cylinders. I know that the Force outboards don't have the best reputation, but I wanted to know what I could do to keep this one running with the fewest problems.

Here's a picture:

Thanks again!
Mike M.

Welcome Mike. I live in S Carolina and know the heat. If you jump on it right now, Meijer Depeartment stores has StormPro covers at clearance prices. Just recieved mine today and it is a NICE cover for the money. Breathable and very weather resistant. I shopped for about a week when I ran into them by accident. I ordered immediately and they ship UPS. Here is the link...
http://www.meijer.com/s/stormpro-boat-cover-gray/_/R-149811
About 50.00 bucks cheaper than the other guys. Trailerable too.
Nice boat!

 

[Philster]

Re: New owner, maintenance questions.

Dust ain't yer enemy, and critters won't hole up in it because you are in love with it and will take care of it, and this includes sitting in it and making engine noises (this is highly recommended to keep critters out).

Keep the sun off of her and 90% of your worries are gone. I wouldn't wrap her up tight, because it's best that she breathes, and if you cover her to keep dust out, and that is the only reason, well... I wouldn't. I would much rather take on some dust and know mildew isn't an issue.