Been a while but back again 88 citation questions

[rbmc20]

Hey all. Been awhile since being on here. Not much has changed since last here other than i got home with boat. (You could look at my last post to read it if you want)Its a 1988 citation cuddy cabin with a 3.7 mercruiser. It was listed as running in item description but of course i get home and try to start it up and nothing, not even a sound from the starter. The ignition fuse for whatever reason (short in wire somewhere?) Got extremely hot. I was a little discouraged and haven't done a thing with it since other than look at it and imagine what could be.

Anyways where should i start?
Trailer needs a little tlc nothing major
floor is a lil soft in back around engine
engine doesn't turn over but i can turn it by hand so not locked up.
all lights,marine radio and stereo work (need new speakers for it however)

Was thinking i should set boat off and get trailer fixed up first. Then gutting the interior/floor (replacing floor and interior after engine repair). Then engine work.
Sound like the order i should go?
thanks in advance

 

[smokeonthewater]

Unless you REALLY love this boat the order to go it....
Sell off all usable parts
Take hull to landfill
Sell trailer
Start over.

A gut job and rebuild will cost more in materials than you can buy a boat ready for the water... Add to that the many hundreds of hours of horrible work and the cost of any mechanical repairs and it is far cheaper to just abandon a rotten hull boat than rebuild it...

Sorry

 

[Grub54891]

Pull the starter,check that first. Clean all battery connections,including the engine grounds. When ya get it to crank over,you can start figuring out if the engine is good or not. Then determine if she's worth fixing up further.

 

[rbmc20]

Kevin- I have seriously considered this but I want to at least take a stab at it

Grub1- if there is some trick to getting the starter off I'm all ears. It is impossible to get to the bolts to get it off.
Thanks for the replies

 

[smokeonthewater]

Pull the engine

 

[Grub54891]

Never had to pull an engine to get a starter off. It can be rather difficult to get to on some set up's. Remove any seats,or panels to help a bit. I will sometimes tie a line or hefty string around the starter and snug it up on something so the starter don't fall into the bilge. Wiggle the ratchet in there and unbolt it. When re-installing I use the same string to pull it close to where it has to be. Then proceed to attempt to get the bolts started. I found on Chevy starters there is a open slot where the bolts slide up into. I take a small pull tie and keep the bolts up there with the pull ties. A fair amount of fancy words usually get it done. Be sure to have the battery's disconnected during the process. Good luck!

 

[rbmc20]

Already took rear seats out will remove rear panel hopefully it will be enough extra. Thank you