Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

[spanish armada]

OK gang...been following this site for a little while....now as of this weekend I am officially a boat owner! Goal is to fish her spring break, first week in April. In the mean time I would like to customize her. Add decals, adult beverage holders, rod holders, marine radio, antennae, etc.

I am also interested in purchasing a operator/maintenance manual for both the boat and 50hp Johnson out board. Boat is mid 80's 18' Starcraft Mariner, motor is 1985 Johnson 50hp.

Transom has a little rot on the end towards the port side. Motor is mounted securely on the transom and does not rock or move at all. Has anyone one tried Abatron (wood bondo) just to keep her stable???

 

[ricohman]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Bondo over rotten wood in the transom isn't going to help with anything. Maybe replacing the transom in the future is a good idea!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Nice looking rig. It will be good for skinny water.

I think I'd get that transom issue determined before putting any money into it, but it might not be a problem for now. No one can say from here.

Looks like the trailer has a home-made extension on it? Might want to get that checked out, too.

 

[spanish armada]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Nice looking rig. It will be good for skinny water.

I think I'd get that transom issue determined before putting any money into it, but it might not be a problem for now. No one can say from here.

Looks like the trailer has a home-made extension on it? Might want to get that checked out, too.

I had a mechanic from a different marina look at the transom and thought it would be ok for a while, especially since it was only powered by a 50 hp motoe. His estimate to R & R transom = $400-$600.

Also, how do you tell the trailer has an extension? What should I look for?

Lastly, does anyone know the redline of a 50 hp johnson? It has an operable tach. Or a link to an 1985 johnson specifications?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

A transom replacement on a Starcraft is not a difficult job. Easily done in a weekend (I've done two).

You won't find a manual for the boat.

The best manual for your motor is a factory service manual. They're FAR better than the Seloc/Clymer manuals. Usually you can find one for your specific motor and I'd love to be able to link one up for you. Unfortunately, for some reason, it looks like the only factory manual available for your motor covers all motors of that year and is expensive as heck: http://www.outboardbooks.com/index.cfm/manual/J50BECO/ Here's an '86 one on ebay for much less http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-Johnso...anuals_Literature&hash=item2c5a2f28ef&vxp=mtr not sure if there were any changes that in that year. I'd put a post up in the Johnson/Evinrude section and maybe they can better help you.

You have found the biggest congregation of aluminum Starcraft enthusiasts on the internet right here though. Welcome!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Trailer is factory, have one like it, seen many more.

 

[spanish armada]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Thanks for the all advise...went to the BMV today to title the boat and license the trailer. Unfortunately, I do not have the previous owners information about the weight slip of the trailer. Therefore, I need to weight the trailer without the boat. A local weight station will weight the boat and trailer together and subtract the weight of the boat if I new what it was. Any suggestions to figure out approximate weight of 18' cc mariner and 50 hp johnson?

 

[spanish armada]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

well...we have had the boat out a dozen times this spring and she's a fish catching machine. We love the boat, but she's takin on some water. any suggestions?????

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

any suggestions?????

Yup, I have one; find out where the water is coming in.

You're gonna have to help us help you by providing more information. How much water is "some" ?

Check hull for cracks, even small ones. Check thru-hull fittings. Check livewell (I will assume there is one) and associated plumbing, check drain plug for proper sealing. You can fill the bilge with water while boat is on the trailer and see if you can spot where its leaking out. Lots of other techniques, but we needs details!

Edit: I can't tell from the pics if thats a glass boat or aluminum, but if its tin then loose rivets are also possible culprits.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

^^^^ what he said ^^^^

Any rough idea as to where she's taking it in and about how much? If it's toward the front of the boat, I'd start thinking just under the rub rail. Toward the back, I'd start by trying a different plug (just to rule that out). Could be a bunch of other stuff too though.

Some water in your boat is (kinda') normal. If you pop the plug after you put it back on the trailer and a quart of water drains out - that might be "par" for the boat.

 

[spanish armada]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

^^^^ what he said ^^^^

Any rough idea as to where she's taking it in and about how much? If it's toward the front of the boat, I'd start thinking just under the rub rail. Toward the back, I'd start by trying a different plug (just to rule that out). Could be a bunch of other stuff too though.

Some water in your boat is (kinda') normal. If you pop the plug after you put it back on the trailer and a quart of water drains out - that might be "par" for the boat.

after a full day on the lake, when i pull the drain plug, I literally have gallons draining out while on the boat ramp. I suspect it is from the bow, as while in use there is little at the stern at the transom. I am hearing, i should further investigate while on land.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Does it have livewells?

 

[64osby]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

If you leaking gallons in a day you have some serious problems, if it's not a live well type issue.

First inspect the whole hull. Look for any missing or damaged rivets, cracks, splits ..... If you don't see anything jump out then...

The only way to truly fix it is to remove the floor and foam and find the leaks. New rivets and Gluvit should solve the leak issue. You should put a new transom in at the same time.

Go the the Starcraft section and you will see tons of rebuilds and great how to's. There are also quite a few in the renovation section.

If you are dead set on tearing your boat a part right now, go get two bilge pumps. One with an auto float switch and install them. That will get the water out while your using it. A temp solution but it's better than sinking.

Starcraft's are great boats, we have a 21' Mariner. Good luck and welcome to iboats.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Might try dropping the nose of the trailer WAY down ... run some water into the boat and see if you see a place up front with water dripping out (if you're drawing gallons in, you should see something coming out). If not, put the plug in and raise the trailer nose way up.

NOTE: When you fill the bow with water, have a plan for raising the trailer nose back up - it's gonna' be heavy. Pump would work if you have one.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

If livewells are not plumbed correctly the boat can fill with water, just sayin'...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Bought a 18' CC mariner saturday...now what????

Look for a missing rivet, or one with the head wore off from where it rests on the trailer.


These boats are sealed and riveted very well.
It it rare for them to leak that much unless there is a missing rivet, or a hole punch through the boat.

Also check the bottom of the hull directly in front of the motor, as this spot can get smashed/worn, from hitting objects in the water.


If you want to delay any repairs or downtime until later in the year, just put a bilge pump in and pump her out occasionally.

If you no longer want the boat, just deliver it here.