New to boating, LOTS of questions

[etripp111]

Hello

I am new to boating. I recently acquired a fiberglass tri hull deck boat, with a 90 HP Mariner outboard motor. I have several questions about the boat and motor.

1.) The previous owner had started to "restore" it and has removed the steering/throttle cable, how do I figure out how to install the new one?

2.) Do I have to reconnect the above mentioned cable in order to start the engine? I want to see if the engine actually runs before I start anything else. The previous owner claims the boat had been winterized two summers ago.......

3.) The transom seems to be have some minor damage and looks like it has been repaired in the past. Is there a way to assess the condition and strength of the transom without being too invasive?

4.) And here is the stupid question of the year, there is a small hole, it has a plastic "bushing" inside it, on the back of the boat. It seems to be a drain hole, but also looks like it is below the water line. Does that get plugged with some type of drain plug?


I am excited about getting this thing in the water, but don't want to have any problems........I've heard(not sure if its true) that if the transom is weak, the motor's torque could rip the back half of the boat off????

Picture of small hole

Picture of damage, trim pulling away

Picture of crack in fiberglass/motor mount

Any input would be greatly appreciated.


Tripp

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New to boating, LOTS of questions

The hole at the back of the transom is indeed a drain. It can be used in two ways. First -- never leave home without the plug. In fact, tie wrap and extra plug somewhere in the boat so you are never without one. The plug can be installed from inside or outside the boat. If it is easily reached from the inside, then install it there. If not, from the outside will work. No plug -- the boat makes a visit to Davey Jones Locker (since you are new to boating -- that means it sinks). Should the boat take on water, you can get on plane and have someone pop the plug. At speed the drain is out of the water so any water in the boat will drain out rather quickly. Just remember to put the plug back in before you slow down again. On the trailer, you pull the plug after an outing to immediately drain any water.

The steering and throttle cables are separate. You actually have a throttle, shift, and steering cables. You need a new helm (the steering box), probably the wheel, and the steering cable. Go to Teleflex/Morse to see how to measure and what's available. I strongly suggest you consider No Feedback helm. That is described on their web site. You also need new throttle and shift cables and again, the teleflex site will explain how to measure.

 

[gcboat]

Re: New to boating, LOTS of questions

The last picture makes me want to scratch my head a bit. Is that crack just beginning at the top or does it follow to the front? Not trying to be stupid here but it appears that the PO's patch job might not be up to "snuff". Might just be a simple glass job with no thought to structural integrity.
Glass - or gel coat - will not crack or delaminate if the underlaying structure is strong. Even though it is a 'cosmetic' feature on a boat it should not crack or fail as I see it in that pic.
Means to me that the transom is not as strong as you'd like it to be. Might also be just a crappy job.
Take the motor and give it some serious up and down movements ( while it is trimmed all the way up ). You'll soon find out how strong of a job it really is. Better the motor falls off in your driveway then while in the water.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New to boating, LOTS of questions

As for steering cable replacement, if you look at the last picture, the nut you see on the shiny shaft secures the steering cable to the steering link. Remove that nut to disconnect that end of the cable. There is a large nut on the opposite side of the engine where the steering cable enters the tilt tube. Loosen that nut and the cable pulls out of the tilt tube. Do Not hammer on the end of the cable as you will mushroom the end and it will not come through the tube. If you look at the second to last picture, one of the cables (throttle or shift) appears to have no end on it and will need to be replaced. That cable is laying in the splash well by the hook on the tie down strap. You can start the engine without the controls hooked up but you will have to prime the engine manually and once running, you have no way to turn it off unless you disconnect the gas line or choke it. Do not run the engine without a source of cooling water.

 

[etripp111]

Re: New to boating, LOTS of questions

Hello

I went outside last night and tried to move the engine up and down, and back and forth. It seemed to be pretty solidly attached, now I didn't reef on it by any means..............

Its hard to tell about the crack...........he definitely re glassed the back area of the transom. The trim piece on top has also pulled away a little.......If I was to remove the trim piece, could I tell if the structure has been compromised? The transom on this boat doesn't look to be the same shape as others I've seen. Is it possible to just add a pressure treated board inside and/or outside for additional support?

I only paid 900 bucks for this thing and cannot see putting more than a couple hundred dollars into it. I'm trying to way the options of fixing it up or removing the motor and mounting it on something in better shape.......


Any thoughts on that idea????


Thanks

 

[etripp111]

Re: New to boating, LOTS of questions

Hello

We had a few days of nice weather here in Northern Michigan, so I decided to work on the boat. I took a few pictures of the motor. I looked at the cables and indeed the ends on both the shift and throttle have been cut for some reason. The previous owner supplied me with a new cable. I'm confused though......the cable only has a threaded end with a nut on it. I looked at where the cables are supposed to connect to the motor and it seems that maybe the cable is incorrect or there are parts missing from the motor.......

Here are pictures of the motor, which is an 85 HP Mariner..........

Can anyone tell me how to connect these cables? What parts are missing and where to get them?

Thanks

Tripp

 

[etripp111]

Lost keys

Lost keys

Hello

Can anyone tell me how to get a key for my Mariner Ignition switch. The previous owner neglected to give them to me.......

Or even how to start the motor without the keys, ie hot wire it?

Thanks

Tripp