Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

[silverfarm]

Hello Folks,

I was looking to spend more quality time with my teenage sons and not being much of a golfer, I thought getting us out fishing on any of the countless lakes here in Manitoba would be a good way to go.

I'll admit it was a bit of an impulse buy in mid winter January, heh, but I had to go for it in her / wife's moment of weakness.

Ended up with a 2002 Lund Rebel 1650 wheel with a 2001 Yamaha c40 hp. Nothing special compared to some of the rigs on here but I am thrilled and can't wait to get on the water.

Boat was 4 hours away, so I arranged for owner to take it to a local marine shop to start it up, compression test it and give the boat motor and trailer a look over and all came back good.

We all took a boating safety course and got our operators cards and are ready to go.

sorry for the long story...but i wanted to say how much I appreciate this forum and look forward to learning lots.

As for questions..

Any general comments about this motor? 4 stroke would have been nice but wasn't in the budget and i do like the layout of the boat. Hope I don't regret it.

Previous owner winterized with Seafoam. I plan to use seafoam in each tankful as well as Penzoil synthetic for enviro and smoke concerns.

I'm not clear on what a water/fuel seperator is, how it works, where it goes, if i need one and if so any recommendations of make and model?

I hope to learn to do as much maintenance myself as possible. I'm no mechanic but do change my own vehicle oil.
Once it warms up a bit yet, plan to
- try hooking up the muffs and starting it,
- removing prop and inspect for line and relube
- change plugs
- install an additional battery in stern for rear trolling motor that was being run off the cranking battery.
but the carbs are a mystery.. any engine manual recommendations, basic cleaning / maintenance advice?

I think that's about it for now.

Thanks for your help / comments.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

sounds like you did everything right so far, especailly getting it looked over. If it's running, don't mess with the carbs. Get the Yamaha filter that matches your HP and change it every 50-75 hours. I assume you are using 6 gallon tanks; just keep an eye on the fuel quality--pump a little into a clear container and inspect for water, brown goo. When you first empty a tank, clean it w/ carb cleaner (spray). Stay good friends with the mechanic.

Or be this way: if it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!

ETA: Welcome to I-boats! When getting advice here, be sure to match the advisor's boating environment and use to yours.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

Welcome to iboats . My first observation is and I'm not saying this to dampen your excitement because I have the same boat only in the 14.9 length.

You will probably get by with that outboard for the first season and then probably look to move up to a 4 stroke EFI (electronic fuel injection) that is closer to the max rating for your rig. Look on the capacity plate. The new Lund's probably say Max 75 hp.

You say it will be you and your 2 Son's. That's 3 people counting yourself.

If it came with a 60 hp you would probably be in better shape to push 3 people plus your gear and trolling battery etc.

It will push it along alright for fishing but you "might" find it's going to take awhile to get it on plane when trying to move across the lake to another fishing spot or trying to out run an oncoming lightening storm when you are high tailing it back to the launch. You might be OK because it's a 2 stroke which is lighter than a 4, but see what the HP rating is and seek to go at least 70-75% of the max rating if you ever upgrade the O/B. And your 2 stroke will have decent resale on Craigslist because there is still high demand from die hard 2 stroke fans who will always love their 2 strokes. Nothing wrong with that, they were of a great reliable technology, but can you buy a newer car anymore without EFI? We still own a 10 year old 25 hp merc 2 stroke that came on a 2nd boat, we bought last year. So far a good motor nice and light, but I also spent $700 in preventive maintenance for a new carb and impeller. IMPORTANT: Make sure your impeller was changed in the last year or two. If not, have it changed. I just had mine changed at a local merc shop for my 2007 40 hp done for like $113. Have the shop clean the carb and install a carb kit that comes with new jets and gaskets. I'm guessing it's in the range of a $100 service.

I for one, still hate to have to add oil to the gas and oil is really expensive now. EFI has no carbs and is now more reliable in my opinion. Most manufacturers don't make 2 strokes anymore (except Etec which is a different and expensive breed of 2 stroke technology)

Max hp for any rig is even better especially for those times you have 4 passengers. You may have to get one kid to move to the bow to get it on plane faster and then they move back to their seats. Boat dealers typically sell new packages by under powering the rig to get first timers into the sale cheaper. They did this to me cause mine came with a 30hp and I had to return the 30 for a 40 2 weeks later.

Make sure you re-charge your trolling battery back to full ASAP don't leave discharged over night. Don't troll till it's dead. Leave about 20% discharged and then re-charge it. Black and Decker makes a nice inexpensive auto charger for like $30.

I use a stern Minn Kota electric but my rig has a place for the trolling battery upfront. Most come with a battery locker up front to power the bow mount troller they sell with the package. I ran two wires along the steering cable and wire harness from the upfront battery box back to the stern troller to keep the 50 lb. battery weights up front. Minn Kota makes nice male and female waterproof connector plugs for this purpose.

So I'm trying to pop the 2 stroke bubble and rain on your new rig . . . I'm just bringing up my experiences with under powering a rig, so you don't "blame the boat". It's an amazing boat. You will have no issues for fishing with the 40hp, but for decent boat performance Lund's have a different hull design that make it feel like a bigger boat, but the trade off is you need decent power for proper handling. I also keep the cooler in the space in front of the windshield on the deck to further help shift more weight towards the bow. Keep the anchors or anchors upfront in the forward anchor locker.

Tip: Get a $10 1.2 to 2 gal small plastic gas jug and keep it in the forward bow space. My Bother-in law taught me this. It's a lifesaver when you run out of gas especially if your model does not have a built in gas tank. I only have a 6.5 gal tank. Several times I've crossed a big lake (like 10 miles wide) to get to a gas pump only to find them closed or out of gas. Then what do you do??? Your electric won't help much especially if the battery's flat already. 2 gals will get you back to the launch from most anywhere even on a huge lake. Comes in handy when you thought you topped off your tank, but never did That extra tank allows me to run with almost 9 gallons on board.

For more info on Lunds, check out some of the threads in the Lund forum: http://forums.iboats.com/Lund_Boats

Congrats on one of the "best made" top of the line boats out there

Post some pics!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

Gee whiz -- the man asks a couple simple questions and gets a very long description of why he will be unhappy. A 40 two stroke will power that rig with three adults just fine. Besides, if memory servies me correctly, a 2002 Rebel is a very different boat than the later models. I happen to have owned a very similar rig and routinely fished with three very large adults. The boat never suffered a lack of power. Besides, not everyone needs or desires to get from point "A" to point "B" in the least amount of time. They are out to fish and enjoy the water. Ther is nothing simpler than a two stroke and there are hundreds of thousands of them around that are many decades old and have never been touched by a mechanic so don't let anyone tell you they are not a desireable motor. Adding oil to fuel is a 30 second operation. Use of SeaFoam in every tank of fuel is a good way to delay having to clean the carbs. A fuel/water separator is recommended on engines that have very large fuel tanks or on any boat that does not get a lot of use. These filters remove water from the fuel. If gasoline in your area contains ethanol, know that ethanol attracks moisture although on smaller fuel systems it is not as big an issue as many make it out to be. The filter looks like an oil filter on a car and installs between the fuel tank and the engine. Now changing oil on a four stroke, adjusting valves, replacing timing belts on a four stroke -- that's a pain in the behind as well as the wallet. Lastly, if you intend to do any maintenance on this engine yourself, you are well advised to buy a factory service manual for your specific engine. It will save you money, time, and frustration while avoiding costly mistakes. You have a nice rig. Go fishing and enjoy the time with your sons.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

My thoughts on the boat and motor:

motor: really nice and the 2-stroke will feel like it has a lot more horsepower than a 4-stroke of the same horsepower. If I were buying new, I'd get a 2-stroke yamaha or if I had the dough, an evinrude e-tech.
I think you will really like it. Just check the lower unit oil often, take off the prop once in a while and check for fishing line on the shaft which will eventually cut your seals, and use clean gas. A cheapo fuel/water separator that is spliced into the fuel line is a good idea. Just google it and you'll find lots of examples.

boat: you can't beat an aluminum boat! Lund is a good boat.

I personally think changing plugs just to do it is a waste of time. Even new ones can get fouled. Just keep a plug wrench and spare plug in your tool box (get one for your boat) and have it with you. If your motor is running fine and the old plugs look good, there's no reason (in my opinion) to change them. A spare fuel line is not a bad idea for your "tool box" either, along with a couple of screwdrivers and needle nose pliers.

Don't forget to put your plug in the boat before launching it and bring your paddle!
Welcome to iboats!
JBJ

 

[Expidia]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

Gee whiz -- the man asks a couple simple questions and gets a very long description of why he will be unhappy.

Sorry if my post was too long for you Silvertip. Put your 2 stroke freak flag away because if you read my post I never said the boat "is" under powered cause no one will know that until he drives it fully loaded. My post alluded to the fact as a new boater, don't blame the boat if it does not handle they way you expected it too.

I share my own personal experiences with others and those experiences came from over 40 years of boating from canoes to a 46 foot Bertrum. Owned and operated many 2 stokes over those years. Still own a 2 stroke and two 4 strokes. To each their own. My point was after having two kids, they get bored with fishing and sometimes want to move to doing some water skiing. A 40 hp on a almost 17 foot boat is underpowered fully loaded and it won't be the boats fault if a new boater is eventually unhappy with the boats performance because the original owner tried to save a few bucks on the HP's.

No one is holding a gun to your head to read my posts. Why not let the person who asked the question decide what is good advice???

Last I checked, this forum is the iboat's forum, not the Silvertip forum.

Learn to deal with someone else's opinions or just add my name to your ignore list!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

No two-stroke freak flag here -- I have both two and four strokes. The point is, why not just answer the fellows questions. He had already owns the boat so the negativity toward that purchase is really irrelevant.

 

[silverfarm]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

Thankyou everyone for your replies.

I appreciate the advice regarding the impeller and plan to have that replaced.
As far as being a 40hp 2 stroke, being my first boat with nothing to compare it to I'm sure I will be thrilled just being out on the water. Likely lots of fun and learning before a more powerful 4 stroke is in the picture. But if and when will be based on experience and will enjoy paying my dues so to speak.

Also have a basic fuel/water separator lined up.



I'm wondering if a tach is a useful item for this setup?
Something to monitor frequently for feedback if your motor is running properly?
How is the rpm info used? (dumb question)



Thanks again

 

[LoweRider]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

Thankyou everyone for your replies.

I appreciate the advice regarding the impeller and plan to have that replaced.
As far as being a 40hp 2 stroke, being my first boat with nothing to compare it to I'm sure I will be thrilled just being out on the water. Likely lots of fun and learning before a more powerful 4 stroke is in the picture. But if and when will be based on experience and will enjoy paying my dues so to speak.

Also have a basic fuel/water separator lined up.



I'm wondering if a tach is a useful item for this setup?
Something to monitor frequently for feedback if your motor is running properly?
How is the rpm info used? (dumb question)



Thanks again

If you want to know the answer the question is never dumb! A tach is very helpful when trying to change prop size and or pitch(the angle of the blades on the pro). It will tell you when the outboard is running at the correct RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) at WOT (Wide Open Throttle). Changing the props pitch will change the RPM of the outboard. Congrats on your new boat! You and your sons get to build a lifetime of memories!!

 

[sdsaw]

Re: Hello!...First time boat owner has questions

I might add: change the lower unit gear lube as preventive maintenance. The color of the old lube will alert you to a seal problem.

Happy boating to you!
It will require dedication and ambition to own your own rig but you seem to have that already