Got our first boat-- 96 Stingray 556zp

[H8tank]

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

Does that prop have some missing chunks? You want a clean, smooth prop.

 

[spoilsofwar]

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

Does that prop have some missing chunks? You want a clean, smooth prop.

In his original post he acknowledged the beat up prop and stated he was going to replace it.

 

[Jbrocious]

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

Getting ready to do some work this weekend. Instead of starting a new thread. Any advice for emptying the gas tank? I believe there is an anti-siphon valve (I could be wrong). I'd like to get the tank completely emptied and put in new. The gas in the tank is at least a year and a half old. I can see the tank connections under the seat, but I'd like to avoid having to pull out the tank.


Thoughts?

 

[LippCJ7]

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

how much gas is in the tank, any idea?

If its only a year and a half old I would fill the tank and run it, if it really bothers you try this stuff http://www.priproducts.com/FAQ.cfm I have heard great things about this and have it in my garage but have never used it as of yet(waiting for the zombie apocalypse) but to be completely honest as long as you get a half tank of good gas I wouldn't worry at all, In my opinion its better to run bad gas then it is to run the tank empty most of the time. Getting gas out of a gas tank thats in a boat is never any "Fun".

 

[Jbrocious]

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

I really can't tell how much is in there. With it having only 120hrs on the boat I'm optimistic there isn't a bunch of junk in the tank. Maybe I should just burn off what's there and then change then fuel filter? Then I'll know the gas and filter are fresh.

 

[LippCJ7]

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

you could but those filters are cheap and easy to replace, very cheap for the piece of mind.

 

[Jbrocious]

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

That was my thought. Can't hurt to do it. Now to figure out which filter i need!

 

[LippCJ7]

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

Jb, I just reread the thread and you said the PO put fuel stabilizer in already, just fill it and run it, it will be fine, go ahead and change the fluids, oil and fuel filter, but that's just routine maintenance, go get your license and drive it like you stole it.

I may have missed your power train though, engine and O/D?

 

[Jbrocious]

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

Consider it done! Haha. It's the 3.0 mercruiser with alpha 1 outdrive. I'm checking with previous owner if impeller was replaced. Otherwise will change that and spark plugs too. The engine and outdrive really look like theyve never been run. The heated garage and less than 10 hrs per year have kept it in good order!

 

[LippCJ7]

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

ok since your new I will allow you this one indiscretion buy two impellers, replace the current one and put the other in your backup parts kit, next year replace this years with the spare you bought this year and replace the spare with a new one, in other words always have a spare, you should also have a spares kit, I keep a quart of engine oil, trim fluid, outdrive fluid, a section of fuel injection line and splices, a selection of hose clamps and my spare impeller. I also have my boat cleaning kit, a selection of terry and micro fiber clothes and Ducky's hard water remover and detailer in spray bottles and glass cleaner, and my boat tool kit, small selection of sockets wrenches and screwdrivers and a prop wrench, dykes wire crimpers and a DVM and long jumper cables. since your just beginning I would expect you to bring a complete tool kit which you will never use but over time you will learn specifically what you will need for just about any situation for you and your boat plus a few of those tools that do everything like crescent wrenches. I keep all of this in my boat but lets face it I have a much bigger boat then you do so keep that in mind, you may need to keep some of this at camp or in the car or truck but the idea is that you will fight at all costs to stay on the water! Nothing in life sucks more then having your weekend ruined by a 2 dollar part that you don't have and cannot get until Monday, I do mostly day trips so I take it a step further I don't want my day ruined.

I hope that all of this makes sense and realize I tend to take things to extremes, I like to go fast in my boat but if I see someone in distress on the water I am the first one to offer help, its just the way I am, I have in the past dropped the wife and kids off at the beach to help a broken boat out or tow an unprepared boater back to the ramp. I used to say that I would never accept payment for my services but with the price of gas these days I have to say I am likely to accept a $20 for my gas but my time is free and I never ask, only if it is offered.

The kindness you will receive here and on the water is what Boating is all about, your job is to pay it forward, forever, just like we do, that's how you boat not like the few that you will meet who are butt holes, you will meet them, its inevitable, don't pay them any time, offer your help and move on don't let it mess with your time on the water.

 

[Jbrocious]

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

Thanks for the words of wisdom! I am definitely planning to stock up on spare parts and i always carry tools. I was considering trying to get a trolling motor on it somehow as a back up. There must be a way. I have always found the boaters to good folks. My buddy is a big time boater and is helping me learn the ropes. He set me up with an open dock space near his lake house. The first time out will be a bit nerve racking. Particularly the launch. But we are all beginners at some point so I'll play that card for a while! Haha

 

[greenbush future]

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

Thanks for the words of wisdom! I am definitely planning to stock up on spare parts and i always carry tools. I was considering trying to get a trolling motor on it somehow as a back up. There must be a way. I have always found the boaters to good folks. My buddy is a big time boater and is helping me learn the ropes. He set me up with an open dock space near his lake house. The first time out will be a bit nerve racking. Particularly the launch. But we are all beginners at some point so I'll play that card for a while! Haha

Take your time the first time out and if possible take your friend who is close by. Pick a day durring the week to use the ramp, nothing wrong with running through the process a couple times so, under presure you will not crumble, or cause problems for others.
I also would include a roll of duct tape in your tool kit, it can be a nice temp fix when or if you encounter a leak while under way. Boat looks really nice.

 

[LippCJ7]

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

Duct tape definitely!!

As to the Launch and retrieve, honestly relax it is so much easier then it looks, I think what you and almost all new boaters think of launch and retrieve is probably 100times worse then it actually is, take your time, if you have a friend that's even better after a few times you will be wondering what all the fuss was all about, if you have a better half get her involved it just makes things so much easier, if she can drive the truck and back down the ramp great if not let her drive the boat, she cannot do anything worse then you can. Get a routine down and stick to it.

Since I'm long winded here is how me and my wife launch and retrieve.

upon arrival we get out and unsnap the bow and cockpit covers, I help her into the boat(she doesn't need it but its an opportunity for a cheap feel and you know how us men are), then I hand her the coolers and boat bags, while she is putting things away I take the transom straps off and were ready for inspection (quagga and zebra mussels) at inspection I take the trailering clips off the outdrive and she lowers the drive to just before it hits ground, inspector verifies a dry bilge and outdrive and we are cleared to proceed to the lake so wife raises the outdrive and I PUT THE PLUG IN, once the wife is in the boat (after she got felt up) she stays there.

I back the boat into the water until it floats, get out of the truck and wife knows that this is the time for her to lower the outdrive and fire her up typically I cannot hear the boat fire unless its out the sides so she normally knows to open the exhaust, (we normally launch at a busy 6 lane launch and its usually pretty loud, not that I am hard of hearing or being a tool) once I hear it fire I take the safety chain off and release pressure from the strap, we both nod when we are ready and I push her off with a little push one way or the other to help turn the boat.

From the time we get to the lake its less then ten minutes and were on the water (depending on a possible potty break), from the time I start down the ramp until I am pulling out empty is 2 minutes MAX usually less then one minute, retrieve is just the opposite, get a routine down and stick with it, it will not take you long to master the ramp.

 

[sickwilly]

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

From what I see in the pic you seem to be missing the grate on the back of the boat that the blower tube attaches to. You see that 3 inch or so round hole in the side of the area to the left on the back of the boat you stand on? Mine has a cheap white platic grate that extends about an inch into the inside of the boat. On that side there should be something that looks like dryer hose extending down to a blower motor that turns on when you hit the blower swtich on the dash. Make sure that has not fallen off or come disconnected. It evaluates any fumes in the motor area. The other side should also have a hose that just extends from the hole to the bottom of the bilge/ motor box area. That is your blower inlet. You run the blower for about 4-5 minutes before starting the engine to be sure there is no gas fumes to ignite. It also helps with cooling.

Also, do the merc io section here, and find the adults only threads. You can find a link to download a manual for your engine and outdrive there.

Happy stinging!

 

[spoilsofwar]

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

From what I see in the pic you seem to be missing the grate on the back of the boat that the blower tube attaches to. You see that 3 inch or so round hole in the side of the area to the left on the back of the boat you stand on? Mine has a cheap white platic grate that extends about an inch into the inside of the boat.

His has a black grille rather then the white.

 

[sickwilly]

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

Ok ... good. It sure looked just like my cut out hole with no grill. It is amazing how similar that hull/boat looks to my 2004 version.

 

[spoilsofwar]

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

Ok ... good. It sure looked just like my cut out hole with no grill. It is amazing how similar that hull/boat looks to my 2004 version.

The hull molds are probably identical. Stingrays still look almost the same. My 2012 195CX even looks close:

 

[Jbrocious]

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

Thanks Lipp! I had my wife read that too...haha...I really appreciate your responses, they are a BIG help!

Sickwilly--Yup mine has the black inserts. I'm going to fire it up with the sundeck/engine cover opened up (is there a technical name?) for the first time. That way I can test the blower making sure its doing its job. As for the 'adults only'... I had no idea the manuals were so risque! maybe boating is more fun than I thought!

Spoilsofwar-- Nice stingray!! I'm jealous yours is brand new!! I'll have to settle for my 96 for now... but at least it was rarely used!

 

[LippCJ7]

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

Good now let me be honest with you, I wish I could load my boat as good as my wife does, Seriously she makes me look like a rookie, side wind, following wind head wind no wind she never misses, I took the kids out and the wife wanted to go shopping it took me four freaking tries to load my boat, the kids have never let me live it down, dad are you sure we can do this without mom???


That's what the Duct tape is for....

 

[Jbrocious]

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

Just fired the engine up for the first time. Put in the new battery and it pretty much started right up. I about had a heart attack when the hot water from the engine came out from behind the outdrive! I didn't know that was where the exit was! It was nasty brown for the first 30 seconds (I imagine surface rust from the old water sitting in there). Should it be discharging the hot water just from the right side?

Anyway, I let it run for about 5-7 minutes and the water temp gauge never moved above 130 degrees. Maybe a bad gauge? Or maybe normal operating temp? The hot water being discharged was not hot to the touch.

Should I still go through the trouble of replacing the impeller, plugs, and fuel filter? Peace of mind I'm sure would be to do it....