BOUGHT MY FIRST BOAT TODAY!

[snowman246]

Welcome to the board!!!! A first boat is something special you will always remember.

CHECK YOUR BILGE PUMP!!!!! Go over every nut, bolt, wire, etc. Better to find it at home than on the water. On any boat I purchased from someone else, I always run the water hose over the entire boat and verify the water is coming out of the drain hole in the bilge and not the bottom of the boat hull (this is an easy way to make sure there are no leaks in the boat itself).

I verify the bilge pump looks good and is working better. As a golden rule, I always install a second bilge pump as a last resort. I personally could care less if my engine dies on the water-its happened plenty of times. I want to make sure water coming in has a way to be pumped out without my help. Fire extinguisher, horn or whistle, small tool kit.

​Most of all safety first. Life jackets, throw cushion, anchor etc. Take a friend who has a boat to the lake with you the first couple times you launch it. Its easier to wave them over and have them tow you back to the dock then sit on an empty lake with no help in sight.

 

[Mattjphoto]

Don't forget to put the drain plug in at the boat launch before you hit the water and pull it when you get off the water.

 

[redneck joe]

i either tell my wife the plug is in, or if boating by myself I text her....

 

[orgblu80]

I attached the boat plug to the ignition key ring.

 

[bruceb58]

What do you mean that you greased the bearings? Did pull the hub and remove them and regreased them by repacking them?

 

[orgblu80]

I greased them via bearing buddies. I have since come to realized this does not actually grease the bearing but more or less helps keep water out. They will need to be service for sure before towing any kind of distance.

 

[bruceb58]

I greased them via bearing buddies. I have since come to realized this does not actually grease the bearing but more or less helps keep water out. They will need to be service for sure before towing any kind of distance.

You are correct. It does pretty much noting other than pressurizing the hub. Since you just bought this, I would pull each hub and inspect for water intrusion especially at the rear bearing.

Just so you know, once the hub is full, you should never have to add grease to the bearing buddy. Adding more grease just forces it past the rear seal. I never have to add grease to mine after the initial fill.

Do you know what grease is in there? If you don't, you should clean all the grease out before you add more because you need to make sure the grease you use is compatible with the grease in the hub. Best just to remove all the current grease and start over.

 

[noahsinclair]

Never leave the dock without Vessel Assist! Every boat rescue Ive been on and the owner didn't have vessel assist Im sure they wish they did when they saw their bill. You can get the gold membership for something like $165/yr. If you don't have it they charge you by the mile from when they leave their dock.

 

[redneck joe]

Trust me, pull the bearing and repack no matter how little the distance. DO NOT trust old grease

 

[Willyclay]

I was unable to get the bottom drain plug out of the lower unit with the screw drivers I have so waiting to get the proper equipment before attempting again.

How did you fill the gear-case with fresh gear lube if the "lower drain plug" was not removed? The proper procedure requires it to be filled via the bottom gear-case FILL opening until lube flows out of the top gear-case VENT opening to force out any air. New washers/o-rings should be installed on both plugs to help prevent water intrusion. Good luck!

 

[bruceb58]

How did you fill the gear-case with fresh gear lube if the "lower drain plug" was not removed?

Doesn't sound like he has yet.

 

[orgblu80]

The bearings definitely new seals at least as I can see grease all over the back side of the wheel. I planned to have the bearings, seals and races replaced by a professional. From the sound of it I will be doing this sooner than later. Any opinions on roughly how much it should cost to get the two hubs rebuilt?

As far as the gear-case oil I was able to drain it by removing both plugs and then filling from the bottom. I wasn't able to remove the bottom plug initially but after I got the right tool for the job it was no problem.

 

[bruceb58]

When you get them done, definitely take it easy with the grease gun. You only want to put enough grease in so that the bearing buddy piston just begins to rock. Later on, you can touch the piston and if you can still rock it, don't add any grease. I never add grease to mine and the piston still rocks. Ignore people that say they give it a few pumps before they but their trailer in the water. They are the ones that have blown out their rear seals like yours currently are.

 

[Willyclay]

Attaboy!

 

[orgblu80]

Finally getting a chance to start up the motor on muffs today. I was planning on taking it on the water today but the engine sounds a little rough to me (backfiring is what I would call it but again this is my first boat so my experience is very limited). The link below is a short video of the motor running.
My concern is it may be a and issue but it could be totally normal. Just wanting to get some thoughts of the more experienced about how this motor sounds before I go out on the water; any ideas as to what is causing the "back fire" or is this normal.
Note: the motor has been sitting for a few weeks since I bought it (last started).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zinNYvKwNUY

 

[roffey]

I have not watched the video so take this in to consideration for the following comment. If I had a new to me boat in the drive way I would plan and splashing the boat and just keep with in distance of the dock and take someone with you. Drive the boat and you will get a feel for needs to be fixed and replaced. Don't jet me wrong, you sound like you have fixed all the important stuff and now its time to have fun....:fish2:.

 

[roffey]

ok, I watched the video, you have something wrong with the motor,lol. I bet the o/b guys here will have you fixed up in no time. My bet is the carb or the jets have dirt or gunk on them.

 

[orgblu80]

roffey - I was guessing a carb issues as well. I got daring anyways, went to the river and dropped in. All and all pretty successful; the motor did have issues in idle and in very low rpm (sputtered, skipped, backfire or whatever the correct term would be for it). However as I put in some throttle it seems to run very well. I went out and got home so I will consider it a good day!

 

[NYBo]

Older 2-strokes tend to be a little rough at idle as they run a little rich to keep things properly lubricated, However, yours might be a little too rich. Set the carb(s) per specs, and make sure you have the proper spark plugs. You can get great advice in the outboard-specific forum area.

 

[LSU]

All good posts.

Take everyone's advice.
I suggest you phone a friend with a boat and see if the two of you can take both boats. Sort of like having a tow truck along.

Get on YouTube and study the serious boat videos. Lots of info on there.