First boat help

Robson921

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Nov 6, 2017
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Hi I just got my first boat last week its a Chris Craft Scorpion 186 with 3.0 Mercruiser 140 hp & mercruiser outdrive. It needs a little bit of work as you can see on pictures. Somebody replaced all flooring and it's solid as rock there is no carpets or cushions. Do you think it's worth restoring? I'm gonna have to replace all the wiring cuz the old one is kinda not in good shape. Is it better to make all the wiring by myself or buying ? Don't know much about the year of the boat and the year of the engine. What are the necessary things I would have to do first and how can I fix the fastest way the stripped front engine mounts screws? Thanks a lot. Last Saturday I too a battery from my truck & tried to start the engine where I disconnected the round connector to the engine and short pin5 &6 together and touching pin7 to pin 6 the engine started cranking so slowly but when removed the plugs it was turning fine no problem. Don't know when the boat was in the water last time please help. Thanks a lot 😀 I changed oil to save 30 rotella t1 as well as oil filter and also put the marine antifreeze in the block.
 

Robson921

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Nov 6, 2017
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The cables getting hot too. Also I didn't find the water in the engine. What do you recommend
 

tpenfield

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:welcome:

Somebody replaced all flooring and it's solid as rock there is no carpets or cushions. Do you think it's worth restoring?

A new floor (and only the floor) is often a red flag to covering up problems below within the structure of the boat.

I'm gonna have to replace all the wiring cuz the old one is kinda not in good shape. Is it better to make all the wiring by myself or buying ?

It's not like you can go to the local electronics store or marine store and buy the wiring harness. Much of the wiring in a boat is based on the engine, and you can (sometimes) get the wiring pre-made to the connector . . . but you will have to terminate the other ends. I would try to clean up the existing wiring as much as possible.

Don't know much about the year of the boat and the year of the engine. What are the necessary things I would have to do first and how can I fix the fastest way the stripped front engine mounts screws?

Look on the starboard side of the transom just below the rubrail . . . there will be a number molded into the hull (that is the HIN). The last few digits will have the year of the boat. Tell us more about the 'stripped engine mount screws' . . . do you mean the lag bolts that hold the engine to the boat's structure? If so it is not a good sign and would relate to the new floor.

Thanks a lot. Last Saturday I took a battery from my truck & tried to start the engine where I disconnected the round connector to the engine and short pin5 &6 together and touching pin7 to pin 6 the engine started cranking so slowly but when removed the plugs it was turning fine no problem. Don't know when the boat was in the water last time please help.

We'll be right over :D . . . (forgot to ask where you live) I would get the engine to spin for a while with the plugs out - shoot a squirt or two of fogging oil into the cylinders first - then see if you can crank the engine with the plugs out long enough that it creates some oil pressure.

Clean up all of the electrical connections between the battery and the starter.

Since the engine has been sitting for a while (apparently) see if there appears to be any rust in the cylinders.


I changed oil to save 30 rotella t1 as well as oil filter and also put the marine antifreeze in the block.

The exhaust manifold also holds water . . . If you still have the old oil you can take a small sample and heat it a bit . . . if it boils, then there is water in the oil.

BTW - your pictures did not post, because you need to have 3 posts before you can put pictures in your posts. so, post once more and then you can post some pictures to your 4th post. there are instructions at the top of the forum (stickies). You will have to reduce the size of the pictures from what the the mega-cameras of today save them as, down to about 640 x 480 pixels
 
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chevymaher

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I googled it and looks like it is similar to my boat. On the is it worth restoring question. Only you can answer that. I am having to gut and rebuild mine with all new interior. It is definitely worth it to me. I like the boat. Just sitting there half done it brings a big smile to my face.

It is alot of hard work and money. It is probably only worth what the materials cost when your done. So it isn't a money making proposition.

On the positive side of the coin. To get a boat in the shape it will be in when your done. You would have to pay 10X at least as much. From being here on this forum if it isn't a brand new boat. Chances are it needs everything yours does. And new boats cost out the wazoo.

So if you plan to keep it restore it and take care of it. It will last you a long long time and be worth every dime and all the blood sweat and tears you put into it.

You need to just grit your teeth and check for rot. Make your decision from there. Myself I like saving the manatees. All my cars were lost causes when I got them. If you got the restorers blood in your veins. You will enjoy the process of breathing new life into her.
 

Robson921

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Nov 6, 2017
Messages
25
A new floor (and only the floor) is often a red flag to covering up problems below within the structure of the boat.
That's why I'm worried on the outside it looks really nice with the nice paint. Have no idea how the stringers inside looks like hope it's not rotten. 😑 How can I check without taking out all flooring?


It's not like you can go to the local electronics store or marine store and buy the wiring harness. Much of the wiring in a boat is based on the engine, and you can (sometimes) get the wiring pre-made to the connector . . . but you will have to terminate the other ends. I would try to clean up the existing wiring as much as possible.
Yeah the cables looks kinda rough especially the ones that going from that round connector on the engine to dash, but they are complete. Just some of them loosing the isolation on them. I would have to rewire one by one I guess.


Look on the starboard side of the transom just below the rubrail . . . there will be a number molded into the hull (that is the HIN). The last few digits will have the year of the boat. Tell us more about the 'stripped engine mount screws' . . . do you mean the lag bolts that hold the engine to the boat's structure? If so it is not a good sign and would relate to the new floor.
Yeah I will do that when I get a chance😀
Yes it's a stringer that that hold the boat to the engine structure... the two bolts that hold down the engine mount can't torque them down completely. I'm not sure that the wood that make that stringer is rotten but it's wet for sure there was some water in the bilge not a lot I pumped it out. I observed that on the sides of that stringer where the bilge hole is so the water can go thru the fiber glass structure is coming off from wood. Huh I'm getting nervous 😔 I'll try to upload some pictures...



We'll be right over :D . . . (forgot to ask where you live) I would get the engine to spin for a while with the plugs out - shoot a squirt or two of fogging oil into the cylinders first - then see if you can crank the engine with the plugs out long enough that it creates some oil pressure.

Oh I forget to say that too 😀 I live in Plainville Connecticut.
The weather is getting more colder and crappy here now it supposed to be in low 20s this Friday...
All I did last Saturday was:
I cleaned all of the junk there is some assembly to be done like steering wheel windshields panels etc
I changed the oil where the old one was kinda clean, changed oil filter, cleaned spark plugs sprayed some carb cleaner, I did spray some stabil fogging oil in the cylinders like you said. While the plugs were out I tried to crank the engine and it cranked normal for a while. Couldn't check the oil pressure cuz the gauges are disconnected. I cleaned the plugs they were not really bad had some dark gunk on them but I took wire brush cleaned them nicely. There was no rust or water present or maybe I'm blind😀
The weirdest thing for me was when I took the petcock off and drain plug it looked like somebody put the auto antifreeze in. Kinda yellowish and greenish fluid same as regular that you using for car🙄 So I drained it out and put 2 1/2 gal of that purple rv/ marine antifreeze up to -75 F. But I don't understand why the engine is turning so slow with plugs in? It's like clunk clunk clunk then it's turning so slow. Apparently it's to slow to start. I checked for spark none as well. Also noticed that cables are getting hot when cranking as well as solenoid on starter.

Clean up all of the electrical connections between the battery and the starter.

I bought that connector cleaner at Walmart don't know if it works well?

Since the engine has been sitting for a while (apparently) see if there appears to be any rust in the cylinders.[/COLOR][/B]

Couldn't really see any rust it looks like metallic color inside to me. Engine looks clean no oil leaks etc.

The exhaust manifold also holds water . . . If you still have the old oil you can take a small sample and heat it a bit . . . if it boils, then there is water in the oil.
Oh gosh I disposed the old oil 😬 That would be good to do that

BTW - your pictures did not post, because you need to have 3 posts before you can put pictures in your posts. so, post once more and then you can post some pictures to your 4th post. there are instructions at the top of the forum (stickies). You will have to reduce the size of the pictures from what the the mega-cameras of today save them as, down to about 640 x 480 pixels[/QUOTE]

Sounds good I will definitely post what I got😀 I know it still looks like a junk but don't have money to buy a new one that cost so much hahahahha my idea is to fix it as much as I can so I can use it on lake or river don't know if you can use it in the ocean?
I just got addicted to having my own boat and using that during the summer weekends 😀 Let me know your ideas or tips I really appreciate them a lot 👍
 

chevymaher

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Messages
2,937
Can't look worse than mine did when I got it.

It looks like mine so it is probably built alot like mine. Look between the seats for screws holding a panel down over the gas tank. In the middle of the floor. Open that up. Drill into a stringer. Look in the back of the skii locker. Pull that carpet up on the bulkhead. Do the same in the engine compartment. Black or wet and just get ready to take it apart.

Look in my boats thread. I though mine was fine till I got here on the forum. I was told it was fine when I got it. It is just a thing.

It is worth it. Just brace yourself for the inevitable. We are all here because of the same thing. That is a clue.
 

chevymaher

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Above the box you type in there is a camera icon. Hit that. Below the box you type in a tab that says upload pictures appears. From there it is self explanatory.
 

Robson921

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Robson921

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Robson921

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Can't look worse than mine did when I got it.

It looks like mine so it is probably built alot like mine. Look between the seats for screws holding a panel down over the gas tank. In the middle of the floor. Open that up. Drill into a stringer. Look in the back of the skii locker. Pull that carpet up on the bulkhead. Do the same in the engine compartment. Black or wet and just get ready to take it apart.

Look in my boats thread. I though mine was fine till I got here on the forum. I was told it was fine when I got it. It is just a thing.

It is worth it. Just brace yourself for the inevitable. We are all here because of the same thing. That is a clue.

Mine doesn't even have the seats cuz previous owner after he was done with new flooring newer installed them back so I need to buy new ones. It need some more work as you can see now
 

chevymaher

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Mine doesn't even have the seats cuz previous owner after he was done with new flooring newer installed them back so I need to buy new ones. It need some more work as you can see now
I am making interior for mine now. Every single bit of the old is being replaced. Thing that is hurting you is the foam and seat tracks are gone and nothing to use for patterns.

Finding the things missing may be a challenge.
 

tpenfield

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Looks like you got a project on your hands . . .

Wiring looks rough . . . so maybe see if you can buy a pre-wired connector.

The good news is that Chris Craft is one of the better builders of boats and the stringers do not look too bad. In order to check you could drill a few test holes into the stringers and cross members at about 1" up from the hull, and see if you get water or mush, then seal the holes up with epoxy. Additionally, you could get a contact wood moisture meter at HD or Lowes ($35 ish) and drill slightly into the fiberglass coating on the stringers and cross members, then use the meter to get a more scientific measurement.

The moisture meters look something like this.
M-Meter1.jpg

Once you get some readings, and if all is OK, you can seal up the holes in the fiberglass with epoxy.

About that engine . . .

When you spin it with the plugs out, does it do the "clunk, clunk, clunk" ? If so, not good.

Also, if you can get the battery on a charger and spin the engine for a while with the plugs out to get some oil pressure, then you could do a compression test.

Keep the plug at the transom out so any rain water will readily drain. Also, see if the antifreeze that you poured in stays in the engine. You will need to separately pour antifreeze into the hose that leads to the exhaust manifold to get the AF in there.

The thing about boat engines with unknown history is that you don't know if they were properly winterized.

You'll be busy for a while, but Chris-Crafts are well made boats, but you are dealing with its age and some neglect.
 

Scott Danforth

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electric cleaner will do nothing for corrosion (its intended to remove grease and dirt). get some 3M scotchbright pads or some 120 grit sand paper and scrub the ends of the cables and the terminals with elbow grease and the abrasive. you need the cable connector and the connection point to be shiny and clean. clean enough to eat off of. This is the most important step.

if you see any corrosion, re-clean the terminal. I sometimes use a wire brush in a drill. when both parts of each connection are clean, then mount the cable and tighten. once the connection is secure, seal with spray marine electrical varnish (this is the 2nd most important step)

if you bend the cables and they make cracking sounds, or the strands of the cable are green under the insulation, throw away the battery cables and get new

trying to start a motor with the jumper cables like you have it wont cut it, you cant not get a good enough connection. actually mount the battery and properly make the connections

did you strip the boat down like it is?

one pic shows a bunch of corrosion on your drive just below the label

I would also stop using fram oil filters. you may as well use a cardboard tube and toilet paper. go to Napa and get a WIX filter, or even a purolator from walmart however dont use fram
 

Robson921

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I am making interior for mine now. Every single bit of the old is being replaced. Thing that is hurting you is the foam and seat tracks are gone and nothing to use for patterns.

Finding the things missing may be a challenge.

Yeah that's true especially like you said there is no old pattern so I'm gonna have to figure it out by myself...
I think the only way and cheapest way would be to check Craigslist or eBay i guess.
 

Robson921

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Nov 6, 2017
Messages
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Can't look worse than mine did when I got it.

It looks like mine so it is probably built alot like mine. Look between the seats for screws holding a panel down over the gas tank. In the middle of the floor. Open that up. Drill into a stringer. Look in the back of the skii locker. Pull that carpet up on the bulkhead. Do the same in the engine compartment. Black or wet and just get ready to take it apart.

Look in my boats thread. I though mine was fine till I got here on the forum. I was told it was fine when I got it. It is just a thing.

It is worth it. Just brace yourself for the inevitable. We are all here because of the same thing. That is a clue.


Yeah don't understand why someone would strip almost everything and then put all the parts in a bucket I mean screws and things like that
 

Robson921

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Joined
Nov 6, 2017
Messages
25
electric cleaner will do nothing for corrosion (its intended to remove grease and dirt). get some 3M scotchbright pads or some 120 grit sand paper and scrub the ends of the cables and the terminals with elbow grease and the abrasive. you need the cable connector and the connection point to be shiny and clean. clean enough to eat off of. This is the most important step.

if you see any corrosion, re-clean the terminal. I sometimes use a wire brush in a drill. when both parts of each connection are clean, then mount the cable and tighten. once the connection is secure, seal with spray marine electrical varnish (this is the 2nd most important step)

if you bend the cables and they make cracking sounds, or the strands of the cable are green under the insulation, throw away the battery cables and get new

trying to start a motor with the jumper cables like you have it wont cut it, you cant not get a good enough connection. actually mount the battery and properly make the connections

did you strip the boat down like it is?

one pic shows a bunch of corrosion on your drive just below the label

I would also stop using fram oil filters. you may as well use a cardboard tube and toilet paper. go to Napa and get a WIX filter, or even a purolator from walmart however dont use fram


Yeah I try to clean all of the connections like you said there is so many cables that I need to straighten out. All of the connectors and fuses to dash are disconnected dunno why someone did like that. Yeah there is some rust on the engine might be because somebody didn't cover the boat or something have no idea. Don't even know if that's original engine but in my opinion this engine might be from 80s or 90s i guess. I did plugged the battery first like it supposed to be but old cabl es started getting hot and smoke was coming out so I tried with jumper cables and my truck battery. I bought it from Craigslist for 250. The owner wasn't present but I talked to his wife she said he replaced floors. But as you can see he stripped out more things and put them in the buckets. There are cushions missing and seats. When I took plugs out the engine was cranking fast but with plugs so slow. I know from is the worst but just wanted to check the engine out. There was mercury filter before...
 
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