1983 forester phantom 160

[Captcha]

Hi,

I just committed the ultimate boating sin and purchased rig totally sight unseen. I'm looking for any advice I what precautions / servicing I should take before firing it up.

boat
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313061479683

I attached the auction sheet with all the info I have.

I know I'm an idiot but I have met many others in my life so I don't feel alone.

Appreciate any help or advice you good folks may offer

Regards

Joe

 

[briangcc]

Well...in my state (NY) before you do anything to it I'd make sure you can get it registered in your name. Flags right off the bat are no paperwork/title/discernable vin (also known as a HID). IF you can't register it in your name, you have an expensive yard planter that your admirable may or may not want there on a permanent basis.

Beyond that....I'd be concerned about the bent skeg - lower unit looks to be bent in the shape of a J. Either hit something at speed OR forgot to raise the motor up before pulling the boat out of the water.

But...look into getting it into your name first!

 

[Captcha]

Cheers Brian,

No drama out here in the Missouri all I need is a detailed bill of sale and I can title all 3 into my name. Have to pay local and state tax on the sale and that's it.

I was thinking I should be able to give that sieg a little heat and bend her back into shape

 

[briangcc]

The bent skeg would be the least of your worries as it hit something, pretty darn hard, to do that. Now what that is and what damage it caused you won't know till you tear into it. Guessing....bent shaft at a minimum.

IF it were mine...I'd be dropping the lower unit to see what condition everything was in. I believe, and could be wrong, there's an impeller in there that I'd want to be replacing.

IF all that checks out, I'd start looking for rot as its not a given that the boat is solid. Based on the skeg alone I'd wager used/abused/put away wet which is a recipe for a rebuild based on other boats in this section.

 

[Captcha]

Thanks again mate

I will be sure to take the bottom off and look around before I fire it up. I thought the interior looked good it's all original no cracks after close to 40 years, that's one of the reasons I went for it.