need some inspiration

[mattyb973]

i bought this for 150 bucks with the trailer! i've never driven a boat before so my plan was to get this thing, get her running and basically beat her this summer and get another better boat next summer . . . butttt its surprizingly pretty solid. has a good motor, mercruiser 165 inline 6 and has the seating set up i want. its a 18' 70 glasspar (cutlass??). hasn't been registered since 2002 and doesn't run (marina got it on trade, said the starter was busted and thats as far as they took it) but theres no water in the oil so i guess the heads and headgasket r good. figure i can get her going. she's an old chevy.

i guess i'm trying to figure out how far i wanna take this. is it worth buffing all out and making all pretty like and dumping some money into carpets and seating? or just get her running and beat her up and junk it. its 5 in the morn and i'm rambling. so here's the boat.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: need some inspiration

Welcome to iboats!

You got a great deal. You can easy make some great money if you have to part that out. Great motor, outdrive and trailer.... a very good investment.

Well..... get familiar with checking for transom/stringer rot..... there are great threads here on that. Please ignore the boat being pretty until you are positive the hull is sound.

Visit the I/O section for info on your motor. DO NOT use an automotive starter..... only marine.

Yup....welcome to iboats ....you have some work ahead of you.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: need some inspiration

what is that under the front? looks like fiberglass damage...


the boat looks like its been ridden hard. probably needs transom/stringers/deck at minimum, in addition to the motor work.


here's where you should start: explore the boat. check out the transom. check out the stringers, and let that determine if its worth it to do any major work and keep it for a while or just beat it this summer and ditch it.

amazing things can be done with the biggest turds.

 

[mattyb973]

Re: need some inspiration

whats the difference b/t an automotive and marine starter? i wanted to avoid buying the marine starter online and instead get one from napa to at least check the compression that way if the motor is shot i can return it.

its dirt on the bottom there. i already checked out the transom and its fine. the floors are solid. there is a crack on i think its call the cap in the back left corner. i'm really not lookin to make this thing perfect. this is the tentative plan.

1 - get a starter and check compression on motor.
2 - if its good replace all fluids and crank her over
3 - when it doesn't start (i'm a pesimist) make sure its getting spark and fuel and proceed to rebuild carb
4 - get her running
5 - fix crack on cap (bracing and laying fiberglass over it. not looking to make it perfect)
6 - clean up. lay down new carpet, build a new engine cover, fix up seats. vaseline trick the hull.
7 - buy a grill, various meats, and beer
8 - meet friends at the sandbar and enjoy the lake

 

[ezmobee]

Re: need some inspiration

Here's what I'd do.....first get the motor running. Then check the boat over for rot. If you don't find anything unsafe, service the outdrive (this can get pricey. I/O's are expensive when it comes to catching up on deferred maintenance). Then use the thing as-is for a little bit. If you want to upgrade the seating maybe keep your eye on CL for some decent used seats. Just use it and if you and your family get hooked on boating, get something nicer in a year or two. You'll also get a better idea of what type of boat you really want in that time. Good luck with it. Most of all do NOT dump a bunch of money into this one because you will never get it back out.

 

[mattyb973]

Re: need some inspiration

sounds like my thinking right there

 

[DukesFin]

Re: need some inspiration

If you want to buy an automotive starter just to try and get the engine running in the driveway, I'd do that. I have to throw the reality of it out to you though...

Keep the engine hatch OPEN and constantly check to be sure you don't have a fuel leak anywhere while you are doing it. If you do get it running and you plan on dropping it in the water, PLEASE get rid of the automotive starter and pick up a marine one.

The difference is the shielding from sparks... Automotive starters don't have this shielding and if you've got a gas leak then turn the key, BOOM! You, your friends and/or family will be lucky to make it to the hospital, and that would inevitably be followed up with serious burn treatments.

Should you get it running with the automotive starter, most would likely tell themselves, "Oh, it's okay. It won't happen to me. I'll just leave my trusty new automotive starter in here." You can google "boat explosion" and see how that will turn out for you.

See if she can get running, use it and then decide if you want to really spend some coin on it!!!

What a DEAL! Even if she won't run!!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: need some inspiration

sounds like my thinking right there

Yeah we posted practically simultaneously. Just make sure you understand that I/O's aren't like outboards where you can pretty much get 'em running and toss 'em in the water and go. The outdrive has a couple gaskets and bellows that if worn/cracked could leak badly and sink your boat in a hurry. There are also moving parts that need to be checked and lubricated. Skipping these steps could cost you more money down the road. You can throw a post up in the I/O repair section and the gurus there can better tell you what all will need to be done. I am not an I/O guy at all.

 

[mattyb973]

Re: need some inspiration

yea i'm probably gonna separate the lower unit and take a look inside. i have some vague knowledge of i/o's but one of my good friends is insanely into boats. i watched him do an impeller last summer, i'll prob get one of those too. they're cheap enough and i dont wanna overheat it.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: need some inspiration

Yeah we posted practically simultaneously. Just make sure you understand that I/O's aren't like outboards where you can pretty much get 'em running and toss 'em in the water and go. The outdrive has a couple gaskets and bellows that if worn/cracked could leak badly and sink your boat in a hurry. There are also moving parts that need to be checked and lubricated. Skipping these steps could cost you more money down the road. You can throw a post up in the I/O repair section and the gurus there can better tell you what all will need to be done. I am not an I/O guy at all.

i agree with jeremy about the bellows and seals. NOTHING like an outboard. make sure to pay attention to them. even if you have to drag that beast down to the boat launch and put it in the water to check for leaks...



i noticed your username "b973"... would that happen to be b 97.3 the radio station in seattle?

 

[mattyb973]

Re: need some inspiration

negative. 973 is the area code i live in. northern nj