1976 22' Holiday Introduction

[MSGGrunt]

First timer here. New to boating, my better half is not, and recently picked up a 1976 22' Holiday with a 165 MerCruiser I/O. I purchased off the son of the original owner who was gifted the boat, but never used it. It came on a 1977 tandem axle EZ Load trailer. During the off season the boat was always stored inside. I knew enough to check the floors and they, from what I can tell, are solid. It came with all of the original paperwork and sales brochure for both the boat and the trailer.

I paid $2500.00 in Massachusetts for boat and trailer.

The hull is in amazing shape with not a gouge or scrape one on the keel or anywhere else for that matter. The green paint is a little faded, but that is to be expected, the white seats and interior needs a good cleaning and the wood needs to be refinished, all pretty easy mini projects.

The trailer is getting 4 new tires as the ones on it are original 1976 vintage and the brakes will be checked to ensure they are in good working order.

Not knowing boats as well as I know cars, I have an appointment with a local marina to have it completely gone over and made water worthy. I have done the easy things like changing the oil, installing new plugs, cap, rotor and points. I ordered a carb rebuild kit just in case.

A few newbie questions:

- I see more of these in the 18' model, were the 22' models less common?
- I assume the MerCruiser 165, essentially a GM 250 cubic inch motor, is pretty reliable?
- Any source for new canvas or at this point would it be easiest to just go to a custom boat upholstery shop?
- Any recommendations on sourcing anything I may need like switches, trim, etc.. or am I relegated to eBay?

 

[SHSU]

Howdy MSGGrunt
Welcome to the forum!!! Someone should be along that can help with your questions. Personally don't know that much about your model.

As for sourcing stuff, depends on what you want. Iboats had most of the stuff you need and you can get a forum discount of 5% (I think)

With that said, looking good from here. Any major repairs planned or just looking to do a little refresh and then get her back in the water?

SHSU

 

[MSGGrunt]

Short-term goal is to have the motor and stern drive gone through, make sure all the lights and electronics work as they should and enjoy it this summer. Longer term, maybe a repaint, especially the faded green paint, some new redesigned seats, and that would be about it.

 

[Alumarine]

Nice looking boat!
I think the 18's are more popular because they were smaller and less expensive.
That 165 motor is a very reliable workhorse and should last a good long time.

 

[SHSU]

Short-term goal is to have the motor and stern drive gone through, make sure all the lights and electronics work as they should and enjoy it this summer. Longer term, maybe a repaint, especially the faded green paint, some new redesigned seats, and that would be about it.

You looking to do your own work or take it to the marine tech?

SHSU

 

[MSGGrunt]

I am taking it to a Marina to get it sorted out. I have changed the oil, new plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, etc..., but it doesn't crank over (I believe its in the ignition switch) and electrics are not my strong suit. The trim switch doesn't work, the bilge pump isn't working, but the blower for the doghouse area is.

I know this isn't the most economical way of getting into ownership, but with everything else going on in life it is worth it to drop it off, pay the piper and pick it up all sorted out.

 

[bchaney]

Congrats on the big Holiday! It looks very nice and the Mercruiser should be reliable. The bigger Starcrafts are definitely more rare. I see about a 3:2:1 ratio of 16, 18, 22 footers posted for sale in my area. For the Holiday, it is nice to have that extra space since the closed bow takes up a lot of room. I haven't been able to find a non custom cover for any older Starcrafts so your best bet is universal or custom. I used switches from blue sea systems and got them from pkys.com because they had the best price - the switches seem to be good quality.

 

[Watermann]

:welcome: to the Starmada MSGGrunt,

Nice big Holly! Yeah you'll be due for new bellows, lower unit service and water pump kit.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I wasn't very happy when I dropped the boat off at the marina to get her running. When I initially called I told them the age of the boat and they had no issues, but when I dropped it off this crotchety old fart immediately started spewing how it will need this and that and how the bottom end could be thousands of dollars before even looking at the boat. I was very put off. I will be happy for them just to get the motor running and either find are area like the Lake Winnipesauke area up in NH that may deal with more older boats, or buy a manual and learn to rebuild the stern drive myself. If I can rebuild car motors and transmissions, I should be able to figure out a stern drive. With the help of YouTube of course. I just want to have the boat well sorted. I see lower unit rebuild kits are around $600 depending on what the unit is. Is this about right for the parts?

 

[Watermann]

The gear case will be fine, the main thing are the age of seals that need replaced to keep water out. These motors are super simple to work on and there are a few special tools one needs. Bellows replacement is essential before heading out on the water even if they do get it running. A ripped open drive shaft bellows will sink you in a few minutes.

I went from a complete basket case motor and with no IO experience swapped from an out dated MC1 to Alpha one and did all the work myself just by studying and reading.

 

[SHSU]

With Watermann, didn't know squat on my 1974/77 70 HP Evinrude or engines for that matter. Iboats, Google, and youtube are a wealth of information if your willing to ask and do a little grease work.

SHSU

 

[jbcurt00]

Closed