Getting my First Boat, some questions

[Mazdarx]

I am looking to get my first boat, and I am interested in the 60's and 70's style ski boats, the ones that sit real low into the water with the outboard on it and sometimes a wraparound windshield. I am not new to boating as my dad has had a boat for over ten years now, nut this will be my first boat. I am looking at buying the boat and motor seperately, as i have found what i think is a good deal on a motor. Its a late 70's Johnson Seahorse 115 V4, no power trim, and i can get this for 500$. Runs good, and the guy replaced with one with power trim, thats why he is selling. He will run it in a barrel so I can see it running. Is this a good motor, or a good price? The hull I am looking at is what is supposed to be a 70's Cougar hull, it has seats, ski pylon and Hydraulic trim tabs on it, but no steering or gauges, or windshield. Are these a good boat? Here is a link to the ad
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/boa/762041263.html
As I am new to this, i would like to know what would be involved in setting up this boat and engine combo to be out on the water. I dont know what is needed for steering to work, as well as how to put it all together. I would like to have gauges in it as well, what about that? Thank you in advance for helping somebody new to this.

 

[rndn]

Re: Getting my First Boat, some questions

First off, Welcome to the forum!!
There are many more things to look at on a used outboard other than running it in a barrel. Please search the forums as there have been several posts regarding what things to do or look at prior to the purchase such as a compression test, a leak down test, etc.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting my First Boat, some questions

BUYING A USED MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with it.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[Mazdarx]

Re: Getting my First Boat, some questions

I plan on using it for watersports and some cruising as well. I think I can figure out most of what to look at with the motor and on the boat, but what i don't know is what else I need to put the two of them together.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Getting my First Boat, some questions

- Don't exceed the horsepower rating of the boat

- Take a close look at the transom and make sure it is solid. If any soft floor, usually the wood stringers are shot too.

- Make sure the engine is the right size for the transom. Probably 20" on that boat (measured boat bottom to top of transom on the center line of the boat)

- Engine controls (shifter, throttle cable, shift cable, and electrical harness): Hopefully, the shifter and the electrical harness will come with your engine. You will probably want to get new shift and throttle cables.

- Fuel system: If the boat doesn't have a fuel tank, you will need to get one. If it does, you will probably want to install some new fuel hoses and you will need the connector specific to your brand of engine.

- Steering system: Needs to connect to the outboard