First Boat

[mdrinkwater]

Just got my first boat...first mistake....put it on the water the day I got it, found out it didn't run good, then found out it was about 90 degrees out of time, rebuilt the carb, all was looking good running in the drive way. Took it back out, lost the ignition coil, and she was running soooooo good. Put a new coil in, now there is ratteling in the out drive while in nuetral, thought it might be a bearing....took the out drive off, took it apart, sure enough (lucky the ignition coil went) no gear teeth or splines look bad, but the pinion bearing/gear won't turn...it should turn right?

So my question, with it all apart like this, how much should I do/look for to be sure once it's back together and on the boat I won't have any issues?

BTW...1986 SeaRay seville mid-cabin with a 4.3 liter V-6 and cobra outdrive.

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: First Boat

Here is where your big choices come in to play.. most of it will depend on a few known things... How much did you pay for the boat? How much more are you willing to pay for the boat? Is the boat in good enough condition to warrant spending more money to get what you thought you had already paid for? Can you do the work yourself, or will you need a mechanic? These are hard questions.. and how you answer them will dictate how you should proceed.. you can pay to rebuild the outdrive, you can pick up new or used outdrive uppers and lowers, or you can convert the cobra to the SEI 116

The boat lists for about 2500 in good condition.. so if you have any of the normal problems like soft spots or rot, severe interior wear, engine mechanical etc.. and you have to drop 500-2000 in it to make it work.. are you prepared to eat that cost if you have to sell it, or determine if it is in good enough condition to see you thru another 5 years of boating... If the boat is rough, and you just wanted to putt around the lake for a season or 2.. then now may be the time to dip out and cut your losses..

Some of us are hard core, and turn these old boats in to things of beauty and power...

I have more in to mine than it's worth.. but it runs and looks new, and makes me smile..

 

[mdrinkwater]

Re: First Boat

Well....I paid $2000....rebuilt the carb and timed the engine, that was about $40, the ignition coil (I bought 2...just in case) $80, it looks like the bearing is about $40, everything elses in the sterndrive looks good to me, I have to make a tool to get the pinion gear out, and I think I can determine if I only need the bearing, or the carrier as well etc....

I think I'd like to get an alternator, it charges, but it's a low charge.

The interior was redone by the guy I bought it from....I think he was one of those bling guys...make it look nice, and get it to semi-run....with the engine timed, I know that is solid, as far as I can see stern drive looks good, I just figured not knowing them...some one can point me into what I should be looking at...adjusting...upgrading..etc.

I will always do the work..as much as is possible...I never had the internet growing up, and think it is just the greatest thing...all the information...if your willing to do some digging, and some work...there is almost nothing we can't do.

As for the floor...no soft spots, its all fiberglass....there where some spots where it was seamed where the sealer was gone...that was not a tough fix....the tach was adjusted to an 8 cylinder, instead of a 6...again..not a big pain to fix, I just see a lot of poor work or things that were done with lack of research...nothing really bad that would make you run away...just things that make you say, 'what was he thinking?!'

All in all....I think I will end up about $3200 or so into this boat with what it cost...and the wife and I think it is a great family boat for tooling around the river, and possibly down to Lake Michagan for July 4th fireworks.....this is our vacation plan, we figured better to have something to put our time into rather than spend 5-7k on a 5 or 7 day trip somewhere....IDK...in our mind, we are already saving money...even though we are still spending...if that makes sense.

 

[mdrinkwater]

Re: First Boat

Good news is, I got the pinion gear out, but I think I need to have the actual gear pressed out of the bearings/carrier.

I can see the bearing that crapped out, it's pretty chewed up, looks like one of the rollers in the upper part pretty much disitegrated, I hope the gear shaft is still ok.

I guess now I ned to take it in and keep my fingers crossed they will take it apart and put it back together for me.