newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

[ezmobee]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

Ok, the fact that you only paid $2900 for it changes things considerably. That's a beautiful boat with a V8 for small money. OMC Cobras (assuming that's what you have) are a little better for parts support than some of their older stuff. As was mentioned, if you were just considering this boat we would have recommended against it but since you've got it, it isn't the end of the world. Also as mentioned, there is an SEI conversion kit to change a Cobra to a Merc outdrive should you grenade the drive. http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=9D-116&Category_Code=Cobra

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

Hey drafter, nice looking Chris Craft. I had almost the identical boat. Mine was also a 197 Concept with the 5.0 and Cobra out-drive. However the out-drive was an SX Cobra which is actually a Volvo out-drive. If you have the same set up disregard all the doom and gloom above.:facepalm::facepalm: Even if it is a OMC Cobra general wear parts are plentiful, they are easy to work on and function great as long as they are maintained.

 

[drafter93]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

u guys are right, i wish i would've found this site before i bought this boat. but like u all said, whats done is done. so i'll get this boat running and enjoy it for the summer. then i can sell it and look for something else. i feel a lot better after talking to u guys. this boat will be a great learning experience. so this is what i know... my outdrive is an omc and it has a "cobra" sticker on it. i'm not sure if its an "sx" or not. i'll look at the tag when i get home tonight. i'll just use this outdrive and try to maintain it as well as possible until it dies. then i'll go from there. when i bought this boat i assumed i would have to replace or rebuild the outdrive at some point. i have around $1500 in the budget for that. but i can always add more $. the floor is solid and the stringers in the stern area are solid also. i havent been able to check the stringers in the bow area yet. the glass on this boat is in better shape than our c2, lol. the safety class i took was an online class. it was helpful. i'll post more pics in the next few days. i have a ton of tech questions that i'll post in the i/o forum. thanks for welcoming me into the forum

 

[drafter93]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

oh yeah, almost forgot. limited-time- since u had the same boat, is there anything else u can tell me about this boat?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

I only owned it for 3 seasons before I traded up. But as I recall it was well built and there were no significant issues with the craft. It rode dry and handled like a dream. If it is a OMC Cobra there may be issues with the lower shift cable. But I would think it would have been addressed by now. Any way good luck with her.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

thats great typically if the stern stringers are in good shape the bow should be fine, get it running and get it on the water!!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

u guys are right, i wish i would've found this site before i bought this boat. but like u all said, whats done is done. so i'll get this boat running and enjoy it for the summer. then i can sell it and look for something else. i feel a lot better after talking to u guys. this boat will be a great learning experience. so this is what i know... i'll just use this outdrive and try to maintain it as well as possible until it dies. then i'll go from there. when i bought this boat i assumed i would have to replace or rebuild the outdrive at some point. i have around $1500 in the budget for that. but i can always add more $. the floor is solid and the stringers in the stern area are solid also. the glass on this boat is in better shape than our c2, lol.

Hey drafter, nice looking Chris Craft. I had almost the identical boat. Mine was also a 197 Concept with the 5.0 and Cobra out-drive. However the out-drive was an SX Cobra which is actually a Volvo out-drive. If you have the same set up disregard all the doom and gloom above.:facepalm::facepalm: Even if it is a OMC Cobra general wear parts are plentiful, they are easy to work on and function great as long as they are maintained.

Hey drafter,

My boat is in my avatar and signature. She's almost 20 years old. She has an obsolete motor and outdrive. She's always been very well maintained. The motor runs like new. She purrs like a kitten and screams like an eagle!!! The outdrive works smoothly, silently, and flawlessly. The parts for your motor and outdrive are not only easier to get than mine, but they are also a lot easier on the wallet. The parts I'm able to get, such as bellows (which I'm about to replace) are about three times the price of yours. I love my boat. I love everything about her, including my obsolete motor and drive. It would be great if it were easier to get parts, just for the peace of mind, but as I said, My motor and drive work beautifully. My point in all this is, look at my situation, it's similar to yours... I'm not looking to sell or trade my boat for an easier time getting parts. You may very well want to sell or trade your boat to upgrade to a larger, or different type of boat in the future. I wouldn't make up my mind to sell or trade just to get rid of the motor and drive. OMC's have been serving many people very well over the years. People today tend to complain more than they praise.

You not only got yourself a beautiful boat, but you also got a great deal on her. You drove 600 miles to get her. Think about how happy you were on your way home with her behind you. There's no reason for you to be any less happy now. Do the work you'd planned on doing. Enjoy your beautiful boat, and be safe.

 

[drafter93]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

lippcj7- thats what i wanted to hear. i figurd if the stern was solid then the bow would be too. thanks.
veritas- thanks man!! i needed to hear that. i plain on maintaining the boat very well and keeping the fluids clean. i'm gonna buff it, tune it up, and enjoy it!!! and yes, the drive home with a new (used) boat hooked to the back of my jeep was a blast!! i took my best friend with me to pick it up. we were like 2 little kids singing "we gotta boat!! da na na na" lol!!! thats what its all about. live and learn, right?!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

lippcj7- thats what i wanted to hear. i figurd if the stern was solid then the bow would be too. thanks.
veritas- thanks man!! i needed to hear that. i plain on maintaining the boat very well and keeping the fluids clean. i'm gonna buff it, tune it up, and enjoy it!!! and yes, the drive home with a new (used) boat hooked to the back of my jeep was a blast!! i took my best friend with me to pick it up. we were like 2 little kids singing "we gotta boat!! da na na na" lol!!! thats what its all about. live and learn, right?!

Yes drafter, we live and learn. I'm glad your thinking for yourself again.

Too much work keepin' fluids clean... Most people just change 'em.

May your boat serve you well for many, many years... Treat (maintain) her well, and she will!!!

 

[infideltarget]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

Hey drafter,

My boat is in my avatar and signature. She's almost 20 years old. She has an obsolete motor and outdrive. She's always been very well maintained. The motor runs like new. She purrs like a kitten and screams like an eagle!!! The outdrive works smoothly, silently, and flawlessly. The parts for your motor and outdrive are not only easier to get than mine, but they are also a lot easier on the wallet. The parts I'm able to get, such as bellows (which I'm about to replace) are about three times the price of yours. I love my boat. I love everything about her, including my obsolete motor and drive. It would be great if it were easier to get parts, just for the peace of mind, but as I said, My motor and drive work beautifully. My point in all this is, look at my situation, it's similar to yours... I'm not looking to sell or trade my boat for an easier time getting parts. You may very well want to sell or trade your boat to upgrade to a larger, or different type of boat in the future. I wouldn't make up my mind to sell or trade just to get rid of the motor and drive. OMC's have been serving many people very well over the years. People today tend to complain more than they praise.

You not only got yourself a beautiful boat, but you also got a great deal on her. You drove 600 miles to get her. Think about how happy you were on your way home with her behind you. There's no reason for you to be any less happy now. Do the work you'd planned on doing. Enjoy your beautiful boat, and be safe.

So beautifully put!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

So beautifully put!

AAAWWWWWWW, wellllllllll, shucks:redface::facepalm:

...Now, if only we had a smiley emoticon kickin' and draggin' his feet around in circles

 

[drafter93]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

bubba- there is no problem with the outdrive. it is in good condition and it only needs a springtime fluid change. it says "cobra" on it but nothing about "sx". model #987346

 

[drafter93]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

hey everyone!! i know this is an old post that everyone forgot about by now. i just wanted to give u guys an update. i got the boat running last night!! i put in a new starter and she fired right up!! only cost me $200 and 30 min of my time. im super excited. im tuning it up this week and hitting the water next week. thanks again for all the info. i'll post the rest of my tech questions in the tech area of the forum from now on

 

[ezmobee]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

Awesome! Take some pictures for us on your maiden voyage.

 

[Sparke]

Re: newbie just purchased my first boat. 93 chris craft 197 5.0

Hope it works out for you, that really is a nice looking boat.