what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

[Ohio Tristan]

Hello all,

Just inherited dad's boat. Its a '69 (if I remember) 18' Holiday model. I went out a few times as a teen on it (dad only took it out a couple times a year) and then its been parked (under cover) since '97. It was good running and winterized before being parked. So its sat now about 13 years. I am wondering what I am going to be getting myself into LOL. I figure the motor will probably need a basic rebuild atleast , carb cleaned, gaskets, etc. Not to familiar with lower units. Upholsterey is shot but floor is decent.

Has a 120HP mercruiser. How hard are these to work on? Parts still available? Good motor to have? And the lower unit? Some problems I am aware of is the prop blades have mangled tips and the lower fin is broken off on the lower unit but it was that way when we went out in the 90's.

Ok here are some pics:



My plans: I'd like to be able to get this thing running on a budget without worrying about looks or nice upholstery, basically get the mechanics and electrics working. Think this is doable? Just to go fishing and take my wife to see how much we use it / enjoy it. If she likes it then I'd like to do a full restoration new interior, paint, etc. and make it nice enough to take friends and family out in. I dont know a whole lot about boats but I am a DIYer and learn good as I go, with the help of forums like these. I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew!

 

[Schwagner]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Looks like you're getting into it deep. Kidding, Looks like a lot of fun to me. Nice boat, and the price was right. You're into it $0.

 

[fshngho]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Nice looking boat OT. Check the floor and transom for any signs of rot or decay. If they are good for the time being I would do as you say and enjoy it.
Welcome to the club.

 

[dozerII]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Great looking boat and project. There are still lots of parts avaiable. Iboats has some and quite a few other sites. I have found you have to shop around as prices can vary as much as 30%. If you have major problems on the outdrive check out the SEI replacement units as they are a good price and have a great waranty.
Good luck
Glen

 

[barato]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

nice boat, OT....i like the blue hull. doesn't really appear to be in that bad a shape.

one major data point you need to assess how much it will cost you is to run compression or leakdown test on engine....comp tester is <$25 at Harbor Fright, or any mech or car geek friend could run one. invariably, one valve is open when engine is parked so one cyl is sort of open to atmospheric moisture and tends to rust cyl walls. what this essentially tests is the sealing ability of piston rings....doesn't tell you anything directly about condition of other engine internals (bearings etc), but since IMHO the rings wear out much faster than bearings, if you get good compression or leakdown #s (for this engine, i'd look for 120psi+ with no more than 10-15 psi difference between cylinders), this usually indicates that your other engine internals are also good.
one weak spot on this engine is the timing gears, so it also wouldn't hurt to hook up timing light and look for any signs of erratic timing. or just order a gasket and look at gears for wear/damage.

assuming your engine is OK, you really have one of the cheaper ways to get into boating there.....

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Welcome to the fleet! Those Mercruisers are the best I/O's to run, plenty of parts around and mechanics that work on them.

Just be glad that it's not an OMC I/O

The rig looks good, very nice that it comes with that canvas too

 

[ezmobee]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Welcome to the forum. That's a real nice boat you have there. You lucked out by having a winterized Mercruiser in it. That's a solid powerplant you can still get parts and service for. Catching up on a lot of postponed maintenance on an I/O can get a bit expensive. In addition to what was mentioned I believe the drive should be removed, all the appropriate parts inspected and lubed, and the bellows serviced.

 

[Ohio Tristan]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Welcome to the forum. That's a real nice boat you have there. You lucked out by having a winterized Mercruiser in it. That's a solid powerplant you can still get parts and service for. Catching up on a lot of postponed maintenance on an I/O can get a bit expensive. In addition to what was mentioned I believe the drive should be removed, all the appropriate parts inspected and lubed, and the bellows serviced.

Thanks... yeah the I/O parts have me the most worried since I know nothing about them. Engines I have some auto experience with but not I/O. I'm not ashamed to admit I dont even know what 'bellows' mean...

Welcome to the fleet! Those Mercruisers are the best I/O's to run, plenty of parts around and mechanics that work on them.

Just be glad that it's not an OMC I/O

The rig looks good, very nice that it comes with that canvas too

I hope the mercruisers are good!

Yep the canvas is actually in fine shape.

nice boat, OT....i like the blue hull. doesn't really appear to be in that bad a shape.

one major data point you need to assess how much it will cost you is to run compression or leakdown test on engine....comp tester is <$25 at Harbor Fright, or any mech or car geek friend could run one. invariably, one valve is open when engine is parked so one cyl is sort of open to atmospheric moisture and tends to rust cyl walls. what this essentially tests is the sealing ability of piston rings....doesn't tell you anything directly about condition of other engine internals (bearings etc), but since IMHO the rings wear out much faster than bearings, if you get good compression or leakdown #s (for this engine, i'd look for 120psi+ with no more than 10-15 psi difference between cylinders), this usually indicates that your other engine internals are also good.
one weak spot on this engine is the timing gears, so it also wouldn't hurt to hook up timing light and look for any signs of erratic timing. or just order a gasket and look at gears for wear/damage.

assuming your engine is OK, you really have one of the cheaper ways to get into boating there.....

The hull and paint are actually pretty good... not sure when it was painted but since my dad got it around early 90's it was only used a handfull of times and always stored in building. The paint is a metallic blue and does have just a hint of sparkle if the light hits it good. Good enough for me to leave repainting as one of the last things I do I think.

Yeah I actually have the HF compression tester but never used it yet. I'm also working on a 1978 Bronco, thats where I got most of my auto knowledge from. Keeping that thing running for the last 10 years has taught alot!

And since it has been sitting for a long time, do you think I should dissasemble the motor before doing anything? Pull the heads and have a look? I was figuring I'd have to be replacing pretty much all the gaskets for starters and dissasemble and clean the carb. beyond that though I'd have to take the motor in somewhere I think.

Really looking forward to getting 'old blue' running again! I gots me lots of reading to do now...

 

[mfg75]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

The boat looks good.
I have a 1975 MFG Gypsy with a 140 in it. It was stored inside since 1996 & this year I decided to get it running to sell it or play with it. Some things I had to do: Pull out the gas tank & clean it & get rid of old gas. Mine smelled like varnish. My gas tank, pickup & float needed cleaning. Also where your gas line comes out of the tank there is an antisiphon check valve. Inspect & clean it. It might need to be replaced. They sell them at Iboats. Also replace your gas filter that mounts on the fuel pump & the one at the carb. Put some oil done the spark plug holes & turn it over to coat the cylinders. You might want to take top off carb & clean float, bowl & needle seats. Of course change all fluids in motor & outdrive. For more info on what I did you can look in the MFG forum with my post. I'm also a newbe here & I don't know how to link to it.

 

[fshngho]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Ohio, I am not an IB/OB man, but personally I would not tear it down yet. Do as the guys suggested and check it out good, do the minor tune up procedures and see if it runs and how well. It may just be a matter of removing varnish from old gas, cleaning and flushing ports/holes that bugs like to make home in. You said it was well maintained and stored inside so your luck may continue.

 

[barato]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

when i was younger, i would have yanked the head off in an hour just to look at it. nowadays, tho, i'm with Fishngho....run the comp test first and then see if you need to pull the head....you'll have enough nasty fun cleaning the carb (just finished mine last night....really impressed with the Sierra rebuild kit, very complete). give it a tune-up and carb rebuild (you'll need to do this even if you rebuild engine so you lose nothing), then run it enough to go through a full heat cycle and then run comp test. you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Welcome Aboard!
Nice you have something that was in your family, always a nice touch!

If you have any mechanical ability at all ( and it seems you do) you will be fine. Many MANY I/O owners such as myself didnt know am Impeller from a shift interrupter switch when they found themselves with a boat with a car motor in it..lol

A few things to do right away..Send me a private message and I will send you a Mercruiser manual on a flash drive, it's too big for a CD, or the ones I have I should say..

Bellows are the large 3 inch round rubber do hickey that is what the water that cools your motor and the exhaust gases go through, on their way out from the motor and through your prop.
If you are in the boat, facing the motor, on the right (port) side of the motor, you will see a large "r" shaped cast iron piece and the rubber bellows that are clamped to it.

What you want to really check is the impeller in the lower half of the outdrive. The OD has to be seperated to do this, but isnt toooo difficult, hey I even did it..

The impeller has rubber fins that draw water in from those little slots on the lower OD and push it up into the motor to cool it. If sitting for that many years, they are hardend and brittle and wont be very good for long when she's running.

any question you have, we have been there or are going through the same..We are here for you!

 

[barato]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

to add on to Kev's comments re bellows, there is also one around the driveshaft....the important thing to remember about these is that if they leak, water comes in and can sink your boat

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

to add on to Kev's comments re bellows, there is also one around the driveshaft....the important thing to remember about these is that if they leak, water comes in and can sink your boat

+100 on Barato's..I was up late and may have to not post past 1 am..lol
Here on iboats in the Mercruiser/OMC I/O section..You can probably use the "search" feature in the tool bar and get an answer on any problem you may have..

Also the Merc 120 is a GREAT motor..great on fuel plus enough OOMPH to get you moving along quickly. Parts are readily available along with service techs.
I dont want to insult you though but I am just saying, automotive parts, carbs, alternators, starters are never to be used on a marine engine, if you know this I am sorry..

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Heres where the digital camera is at its finest. Take photos of everything you disassemble .And put you parts seperatly in a box. Now when you pick up something won't need to say where does this go. Saves serious time and research.

 

[Ohio Tristan]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Welcome Aboard!
Nice you have something that was in your family, always a nice touch!

If you have any mechanical ability at all ( and it seems you do) you will be fine. Many MANY I/O owners such as myself didnt know am Impeller from a shift interrupter switch when they found themselves with a boat with a car motor in it..lol......
any question you have, we have been there or are going through the same..We are here for you!

Thanks for all the info! I'm being edumacated already!
BTW, CheapboatKev, before I even posted this thread I was doing some searching through the starcraft section and your Holiday was one of the threads I read through, very nice! I have to dig up the paperwork but ours might be just about identical... I know mine was a late 60's but I cant remember the exact year.

Heres where the digital camera is at its finest. Take photos of everything you disassemble .And put you parts seperatly in a box. Now when you pick up something won't need to say where does this go. Saves serious time and research.

I've done the very same on other projects, thats a good idea for newbies.

to add on to Kev's comments re bellows, there is also one around the driveshaft....the important thing to remember about these is that if they leak, water comes in and can sink your boat

Gotcha. Leaking water on a boat = bad

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

Thanks for all the info! I'm being edumacated already!
BTW, CheapboatKev, before I even posted this thread I was doing some searching through the starcraft section and your Holiday was one of the threads I read through, very nice! I have to dig up the paperwork but ours might be just about identical... I know mine was a late 60's but I cant remember the exact year.

Thanks! You can use my thread as a what NOT to do!

Keep us updated!

 

[The Hammer]

Re: what am I getting myself into... 18' Holiday

You should sell it to me Nice boat!