Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

[Gary H NC]

I finally got the ChrisCraft in the water today.I am SO pleased!
The 175 runs flawless!I was expecting some spit and sputter till she got some fresh gas thru it but that didn't happen. I had trouble starting it at the ramp then realized i forgot to pump the primer ball up
The steering is easy until you get up to speed then its pretty stiff,no pull left or right though.
It runs out at 5200 rpm WOT,I think that may be a little low.No speedo or gps yet but i would guess 40 to 45 mph. It idles very smooth at about 600 rpm.500 in gear. It shifts perfect! can barely feel it go into gear.I guess i got the shift rod adjusted good the first try.
The trim works great and so does the gauge,i'm not used to having a working trim guage that is accurate!
I tried to find the roughest water and wakes i could.It cuts them and you hardly notice.
The old boat got some looks and thumbs up today.

 

[Pony]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Congrats Gary..... I cannot begin to tell you how jealous I am!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Thanks Pony!
Only thing i did wrong was use auto primer on the lower.Now the paint is peeling..sand it all down and start over.
Anyone know where to buy the right primer?

 

[Pony]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

I bought zinc chromate from west marine.com when I did my little evinrude. I think they may sell it here too, its just the cheapest I found at the time was there (both in store and online).

So far the paint is absolutely flawless.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

That looks awsome! Thanks Pony,I'll find some. What brand of engine paint did you use? Looks like OEM..

 

[Pony]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

That looks awsome! Thanks Pony,I'll find some. What brand of engine paint did you use? Looks like OEM..

Gary I took a paint chip with me to the local hardware/automotive store......then just picked the autobody paint that matched the best. I got really lucky and found the color I was looking for. If I didnt I would have bought the OEM stuff that Tempo sells.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

great glad to here it. getting the trim correct may help with the hard steering, does with my 88, it will get real hard to steer until i trim it to where it likes it. also takes a lot of outboard to steer. still haven't got the duracraft in the water, been working a side job, along with the smoke from the forest fires, and winds.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Any auto parts store has self-etching primer in rattle cans..if you ask for zinc chromate primer you'll get that me-no-speakee look.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Allright! Man that thing is looking sharp too (I see your assortment of cleaning supplies in the photo)! That hull has a good deadrise so I imagine it cuts through the chop like nothing.

I have to say, installing hydraulic steering on my rig really tamed the torque-steer. That would really make that Chris Craft sweet. I picked up a used system on eBay, and with the new hoses and all, I have less than 300 invested.

I would really recommend the zinc-chromate primer for the LU, whatever paint you go over that with will be fine.

Congratulations on such a sweet deal!​

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Very nice, very nice. I know you are tickled pink. Happy (again) for you.

Mark

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Thanks guys! I got the zinc chromate primer and oem paint coming.Might as well do it right this time.The steering is even both left and right.I guess its the nature of that big motor.Turns easy at low speed.I can trim all the way out with no prop blow out or porpoising! The power steering may be something to add later on.
Spent all day yesterday removing teak wood one piece at a time.Pressure washing it then sanding it smooth,then about 5 coats of golden teak oil..looks like new.Next project is the bow rail cleaning..
Waiting on my Humminbird 575 with speed and temp so i can get it installed..

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

If you have no blowout when you are trimmed all the way out, then you may want to consider raising the motor up just a bit. That could help with the steering some, not to mention adding a few MPH.​

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Thats a good point Studley! I need to measure the cav plate and see how it lines up with the hull.I'm only turning 5100 rpms at wot.
Strange thing is this boat leaves way less wake than my 19ft starcraft.It sets high in the water for its size..

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

A 175 is a big engine for manual steering. 5100 are low rpm's for WOT. From what I have learned on here, Studly is putting you on the right track.

Don't forget your Sea Foam in the gas.

Mark

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

I think it should turn 5500 anyway. Its running a 19 pitch prop.The no blowout got me thinking now..
I'll have to go out and look the engine over.Make sure its getting full throttle first then go from there. I think there is one other set of holes to raise the engine.It has those anodes on each mounting bolt but looks like it may have another hole under them. If not how else would i raise the engine?If it does have the holes and it raises up do i need to fab something up to go on top of the transom for the brackets to rest on?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Shake Down Cruise of the new to me boat

Ok,went out and did some measuring. The cav plate is below the hull by about an inch to an inch and a quarter. I see the bolt holes behind the anodes.Looks like i have one or two holes it can go up.Whats the best method as far as putting something between the top of the transom and the engine bracket? do i use metal or wood?
Also do the bolts need 5200 on them when i put them back in? You can tell i'm a newbie on outboards..