Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

[Jbrocious]

Just picked up our first boat after doing a ton of research and looking at quite a few boats. Ended up with a 96 Stingray 556zp with only 123 original hours! Boat is in pretty darn good shape and the engine is spotless.

Anyway, got the boat, trailer, skiis, 3 person BIG tube, vests, ropes, etc etc. for $4000. I'm really happy with that!

I'm going to change oil, check coolant, and drain gas tank.... anything else I should do before I fire it up and take it out? I need to replace the prop too, its a bit beat up.

Here's a few pics.

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Very nice looking boat ya got there!! And at a heck of a price too! As for pre-run checks, first off unless the P.O. found some way to add a radiator, your boat will not have coolant, it uses an impeller to draw in water from the lake/river your on, and pumps it back out of a jet (not sure of the location of the exit jet on that boat).. To add to changing oil and draining the gas tank, I would highly recommend you get a good set of water muff's (if you don't already have them) hook up to a hose and make sure it runs good before dropping it in the water, not the best place to find out it either won't start, or shuts off shortly after start..Also, do NOT rev the rpm's up while hooked to the muffs... Before you do this though, try and find out where the water exits the boat from the impeller and as soon as you start it, make sure that water starts to come out within 5-10 seconds to make sure the pump is working as it should.. I'm far from a boating expert so I'm sure there will be more advice, but just my 2 cents.

*Also, just thought of it, but your gonna want to check the lower-unit oil as well.. 1. to assure it's got enough, and 2. to make sure there's no water in it.. *

 

[Jbrocious]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

If you couldn't tell I'm very new to this!!! haha ... I'm mechanically inclined but this is our first boat!

How are these motors cooled then? I'm sure its a stupid question, but I might as well ask now (I could search but already opened this thread!)

I do have the muffs and I need to get the battery recharged before I can do much. Its only a year old battery, but the owner hasn't had it out since last march.

With so few hours, I'm hoping there isn't much I need to do.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

there are two different ways a boat is cooled the most common is for the motor to draw water through the outdrive and into the motor, another way that is gaining strength of late is to draw water through the outdrive and then run it through a heat exchanger similar to a radiator then the water/coolant inside the motor is a closed system runs through the heat exchanger and never leaves the boat.

get your muffs on and jump start the motor, get her running to normal operating temps and let her go at idle for about 10 or 15 minutes and your battery should be fully charged

If your mechanically inclined get a dipstick oil pump and oil filter and change your oil while your at it, you can drain oil through the oil pan drain plug but the more common way is to suck it out through the dipstick so getting the oil hot makes it flow easy.

also change the fuel/water separator also known as the fuel filter that also holds water in the fuel.

Not knowing the age of each of these means you should replace them so you know in the future, there is a few more things but these are the most common

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

If you couldn't tell I'm very new to this!!! haha ... I'm mechanically inclined but this is our first boat!

How are these motors cooled then? I'm sure its a stupid question, but I might as well ask now (I could search but already opened this thread!)

I do have the muffs and I need to get the battery recharged before I can do much. Its only a year old battery, but the owner hasn't had it out since last march.

With so few hours, I'm hoping there isn't much I need to do.

No problem, LOL... I'm not new to boating, but new to having to figure out my own problems....up until this year, I always helped my dad take care of his boats but he would figure out the problem, order the parts, and I would help put them on lol..

As for the cooling, the way it works is, there is an impeller built into the outdrive (will have what looks like fins or slots, usually located just above the prop on the main outdrive case... this impeller sucks water from the lake or river that you have the boat sitting in.. your motor is thermostatically controlled like a car/truck, only it uses said water to pump through the system as opposed to antifreeze. Like I said, I'm not real sure where the 'hot' water exits your boat (thinking it will be on the back of the lower unit somewhere), but definately want to find that out to make sure it's pumping cause if not, that engine will overheat in no time. Boat engines have to work a lot harder than car/truck engines, usually running higher rpm's to produce any kind of speed... also the gears in the lower unit/outdrive use this water to cool them... if the impeller isn't working you run a good chance of frying the motor or more likely the outdrive...

With all that being said, I don't mean to scare you (lol) just educate. As I said though, I'm no expert but there are bunches of em on this forum that can be more helpful and specific than I can

 

[choppywaters]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Nice Stingray! Where in PA are you or did you just buy it in PA. Our Stingray has been a very good boat so far, we've had to do some work to it motor wise but a great boat. BTW your going to want to buy Smart Tabs for it, Google them and see what they're all about. I sound like a salesman for them now. Our boat is a completely different boat with them now. I just did a review on them in here, just use the search feature. But check over everything good and get her in the water.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Very nice! Coming from someone that just got done shipping for that size bowrider, you got a good deal.

I'm also a newbie on here, the best advice I can offer is to order a repair manual from iboats and READ READ READ the forums. Read the new threads and search on stuff that you're curious about, there's a huge amount of information available.

A couple of other notes on top of the already good advice, after you drain and refuel make sure you use a fuel stabilizer, I use the blue marine Stabil. Also buy a battery charger and leave your boat battery on trickle charge when you're not using it, a dead battery is one of those "doh!" moments that are entirely preventable. If you doubt the battery's condition have it tested at a battery shop before taking it out on the water.

 

[DC20]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Don't forget about the trailer. Look for anything loose, broken, or rusted. You might want to go through the bearings as well.

 

[Jbrocious]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Thanks for all the feedback!

I have been reading and reading. I'm really hoping my wife and I can take this out in a few weeks. Here in PA if you are born after 1982 you need to have a license... I'm 1983 so I have to get that done. We live outside pittsburgh, so we plan to take it on the rivers and also have a dock space lined up on the Ohiopyle River Lake.

I read about the smart tabs-- I'd like to see what it feels like now before I get into that. Thanks for the tip!

The trailer is in excellent condition! New aluminum wheels and the bearings were repacked. Sounds like the leaf springs could use a little wd-40. I only found just a few spots of rust.

The battery is dead right now, I'm picking up a trickle charger. Its only a 1 year old battery so I'm hopeful it just needs juiced. I'll definitely add the fuel stabilizer (the previous owner did also).

Thanks all!

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Hey man, we only live about 45 miles apart!.. ever been to Mountaineer Race Track in Wv?

 

[DC20]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Thanks for all the feedback!
The battery is dead right now, I'm picking up a trickle charger. Its only a 1 year old battery so I'm hopeful it just needs juiced. I'll definitely add the fuel stabilizer (the previous owner did also).

Thanks all!

After you charge the battery take it to an auto parts store and have them do a load test on it.
You don't want to have a weak battery ruin your outing.

 

[Jbrocious]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

As I am learning about fresh water cooling system I started to get worried. The previous owner kept it in a heated garage. But if there is water sitting in the system is there a possibility of rust? How should I investigate? Or shouldn't I worry?

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

As I am learning about fresh water cooling system I started to get worried.

Freshwater cooled engines use a closed cooling system with a heat enchanger and a water/antifreeze mix. Your boat is rawwater cooled - in that is draws outside water in through the drive and circulates it through the engine directly. Using the proper terminology is key to getting proper answers, otherwise people get confused.

Change your boat's impeller (located in the drive) if you don't have service records showing it done in the last year, check (or better yet replace) the thermostat, and if you are concerned about it, remove the exhaust risers and manifolds for inspection to ascertain their condition.

edit: just re-read the thread and realized I just repeated a bunch of info already posted by other iboaters...

 

[Jbrocious]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Thanks for the reply. Wrong terminology is not going to help. I understand the impeller piece. Maybe i am misunderstanding the cooling system for the engine itself. Does a marine engine have a water jacket around the block like a car engine does? If the block is cast iron and water is sitting in the jacket wouldnt it rust without the rust inhibitors of coolant? Maybe I am way off here.

 

[Philster]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

A marine engine is a car engine with some pieces swapped.

Fresh water doesn't rust a marine engine fast enough to be of concern (you won't be on the planet long enough), but salt water can rot out the exhaust (which carries water for cooling) and it'll rot out heads.

Since the water that is used to cool the engine and the exhaust is drawn from the sea, below the engine, an impeller is in the outdrive that starts spinning when the engine is running, and it creates a pressure intake and helps get water up where the engine can circulate it. It's a maintenance item, and it can be destroyed if run dry, and they don't like sand. Suck some up and it'll kill it.

Some boats have heat-exchangers on board with anti-freeze, but they might still draw in water to cool the exhaust.

 

[Jbrocious]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Thanks that makes me feel better. So far I'll plan to change oil, change fuel filter, drain gas tank and add fuel stabilizer, check/change impeller, and prop needs changed (came with spare aluminum prop). I also see the bottom of the outdrive fin is broken-- about 2 inches broke off

 

[countryboy26047]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Hey, a little advice from a fellow Ohio River boater, once you get the maint. All done and are ready to go, you gotta always watch the water on the three rivers... Always a good bit of "junk" hiding and waiting to tear up props.. ive seen everything from small branches, to entire telephone poles floating by.. once seen a dock with two 17-20' boats still attached floating down the middle.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Thanks that makes me feel better. So far I'll plan to change oil, change fuel filter, drain gas tank and add fuel stabilizer, check/change impeller, and prop needs changed (came with spare aluminum prop).

A good plan. With an Alpha One drive, you don't "check" the impeller; you just replace it. Its not worth the trouble of lower unit removal just to reinstall the same part even if it "looks" okay. They're cheap enough anyway. Make sure to use some of the Quicksilver (or the like) anti corrosion grease on the prop shaft.

I also see the bottom of the outdrive fin is broken-- about 2 inches broke off

Its called a skeg, and it primarily exists to protect the prop. It being broken is not particularly consequential, but if it bothers you, you can have it repaired, or cover it with a skegguard-type item.

 

[Jbrocious]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Makes sense on the impeller. I watched a video of the replacement. Looks pretty straightforward. Don't know if I'll have the time to do it or if ill have someone do it.

Skeg It is! Still learning all these terms. I looked at the guards. May get one.

I just want to get on the water!!

 

[Jbrocious]

Re: Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

Hey, a little advice from a fellow Ohio River boater, once you get the maint. All done and are ready to go, you gotta always watch the water on the three rivers... Always a good bit of "junk" hiding and waiting to tear up props.. ive seen everything from small branches, to entire telephone poles floating by.. once seen a dock with two 17-20' boats still attached floating down the middle.

I have been hearing lots of horror stories about the three rivers. I should have a dock space lined up on the ohiopyle river lake. So that will be our primary spot. We do want to take it out on the river at some point. Most likely when I'm a little more comfortable with the boat