Well, first I want to thank you guys (and gals?) for the input I've received on this board about buying a boat and being a first time boat owner. And secondly I wanted to give some details about the boat and get some thoughts. I'll post some pictures of it after I get finished washing and waxing it.
1.) Thanks to everyone that offered suggestions/input etc! Really helped out, from taking it out on the water before buying, to trailering it home --- 175 miles and first time towing anything. Even backed it down my driveway with little/no problem with my wife's help and we didn't even yell at each other
2.) Boat specs:
1988 Wellcraft 220 Elite with 7.4L Mercruiser 454 330hp Bravo I drive
3.) Tow Specs:
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8 - 6800 lb towing capacity. Had 2 issues here: Tractor trailers blowing by me at 80+mph tended to cause a little wag as the draft pulled the boat and the jeep toward the truck as it passed. Only a little, but enough to notice. After the first couple, it was no big deal. Towed the boat home between 50-60mph.
The 2nd issue was the boat cover we had left on due to heavy rain in the area and I didn't want the boat to get soaked going home. The boat cover didn't make it. It tore in half about halfway into the trip. One of the buckles for the strap tore off the cover and after that it the wind ripped it nearly off. Luckily the area that ripped stayed inside the boat.
Thanks to whoever suggested getting tow mirrors. Those worked out great!
4.) One thing the owner pointed out to me when we had it on the water was that the steering wheel isn't aligned to the drive properly. It wasn't when he got it he says and he didn't have a problem with it. There is a piece of tape on the steering wheel marking 0 degrees which is the steering wheel turned about 10-15 degrees to the starboard. I assume this is probably because the drive had been taken loose at some point and they didn't make sure the steering mechanism was aligned before putting it back together? I "assume" this wouldn't pose any problem other than inconvenience?
5.) One other item, is the drive trim gauge. When the drive is trimmed all the way down, the gauge only registers it 2/3 down though I believe it is all the way down. Again, this seems to be ok, only a nuisance? Thoughts?
6.) Went to one of the larger marinas yesterday and watched people load and unload their boats. It was very entertaining actually and I definitely do not want to be the moron that everyone yells at. One guy pulled his boat out of the water and proceeded to stop in the exit area about 25-30 feet from the ramp to finish securing everything. This blocked several boaters from being able to leave the parking lot for a few minutes.
7.) Now I've got to get insurance and get registered and should be good to go.
(I think)
Though now its going to be 2 weeks before I get it on the water due to Mom's day etc.
1.) Thanks to everyone that offered suggestions/input etc! Really helped out, from taking it out on the water before buying, to trailering it home --- 175 miles and first time towing anything. Even backed it down my driveway with little/no problem with my wife's help and we didn't even yell at each other
2.) Boat specs:
1988 Wellcraft 220 Elite with 7.4L Mercruiser 454 330hp Bravo I drive
3.) Tow Specs:
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L V8 - 6800 lb towing capacity. Had 2 issues here: Tractor trailers blowing by me at 80+mph tended to cause a little wag as the draft pulled the boat and the jeep toward the truck as it passed. Only a little, but enough to notice. After the first couple, it was no big deal. Towed the boat home between 50-60mph.
The 2nd issue was the boat cover we had left on due to heavy rain in the area and I didn't want the boat to get soaked going home. The boat cover didn't make it. It tore in half about halfway into the trip. One of the buckles for the strap tore off the cover and after that it the wind ripped it nearly off. Luckily the area that ripped stayed inside the boat.
Thanks to whoever suggested getting tow mirrors. Those worked out great!
4.) One thing the owner pointed out to me when we had it on the water was that the steering wheel isn't aligned to the drive properly. It wasn't when he got it he says and he didn't have a problem with it. There is a piece of tape on the steering wheel marking 0 degrees which is the steering wheel turned about 10-15 degrees to the starboard. I assume this is probably because the drive had been taken loose at some point and they didn't make sure the steering mechanism was aligned before putting it back together? I "assume" this wouldn't pose any problem other than inconvenience?
5.) One other item, is the drive trim gauge. When the drive is trimmed all the way down, the gauge only registers it 2/3 down though I believe it is all the way down. Again, this seems to be ok, only a nuisance? Thoughts?
6.) Went to one of the larger marinas yesterday and watched people load and unload their boats. It was very entertaining actually and I definitely do not want to be the moron that everyone yells at. One guy pulled his boat out of the water and proceeded to stop in the exit area about 25-30 feet from the ramp to finish securing everything. This blocked several boaters from being able to leave the parking lot for a few minutes.
7.) Now I've got to get insurance and get registered and should be good to go.
(I think)
Though now its going to be 2 weeks before I get it on the water due to Mom's day etc.
