I bought my first boat, a few questions

mrmike911 · Sep 10, 2003

Hope i can find some answers. I just purchased my first boat a 19.5 foot deep V. It was a U- build...not much info on it at all. My questions will start with the power. It's an in line GM V6 ( had the serial number 10 minites ago...jeez)with an OMC out drive, I believe its an electric shift.. I bought it from someone who got it in a custody battle so the history is ??? I would like to know if there is a way of knowing what year and style it is so I can a) start to figure what parts I need . ( the main drive shaft is snapped. ) b) should I find a rebuilt lower or take the pieces I was presented with when I bought the boat to a dealer and have them rebuild it. I have a feeling..not sure why but I think it might be pre 1970..I got the whole package for a song and know it's going to take some money and time to get it right. I would like to know what steps I should take and in what order to get the best bang for my buck. I have not attempted to start or turn the motor over because the lower unit was off...and in pieces...Can I get a few good sugestions other than what my wifes were?

Doug Durako · Sep 10, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

Good news is that in-line GM 6 cylinder is an excellent motor (if it was taken care of). The OMC stringer drive is another story---your wife will most likely leave you if you try to keep that drive running cause you won't have any time or money left for her.

Tacklewasher · Sep 10, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

My $0.02 (Cdn). Is it a fiberglass or aluminum hull? Last year I bought a 1975 Starcraft with a 120 HP OMC Stringer. I got it cheap but needed the leg and motor rebuilt. If I were to do it again, I'd fill in the hole in the transom and put in a newer drive. Would not be that much more than I paid already and would give me something with more available parts. I think the electrical would be the toughest part. Having said that, there are stringer units for sale on EBAY and there is a local guy who does know how to fix them. I'm sure there are still guys in Vancouver who can fix it as well. You may even be able to re-use the motor with a flywheel change etc. Or maybe sell it to me for cheap if it runs

. I've had major trouble with the tilt and have had to rebuild the tilt motor and the clutch pack. Plus I am still not getting the power I expect out of mine (but that is more motor related). PLus I still have a gearcase leak (someone explain to my why I lose gear oil from the top of the leg, but it never gets any water in it????) In my searching, I did find a place in the Fraser Valley that had parts. Check out the local Buy and sell as that's where I found them. Little far for me to drive but should not be bad for you.

mrmike911 · Sep 10, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

Thanks for the replies..( good & Bad news) Tacklewasher , It is a Fiberglass hull. Seems strong, I took out the floor to see what it looked like under it and was pleased to see only a tiny bit of rot..It sat out in our weather for the last three years uncovered...

Tacklewasher · Sep 10, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

Again, my opinion only. I don't think I would try to repower a fiberglass hull. Seems like filling the hole in would be way too much work. On my boat, I'd just have to tear out a piece of plywood, put in a new piece and seal the aluminum somehow. Fibreglassing would be tougher. But I've never tried either so I could be blowing smoke. 3 years outside, uncovered?? What's the interior look like? How green is it???? I'd look to get a replacement leg and not spend the money on rebuilding what you have. A snapped main drive probably means new gears, new bottom end etc. etc. You may have better luck looking on the Island or the interior (I don't know of any in Kelowna and I do sorta keep my eyes open for spare parts already) for parts. But I'd check out the guys out in Langley first. I don't think this is something the average shop guy can rebuild himself as you need to shim gears etc. and there seems to be a lot of specialty tools required for the gearcase. As for running the motor, you could do it if you really wanted to. I would be loud and messy, but you might try as follow (and if anyone knows this to be a bad idea, please post). 1. Get a manual. 2. remove the leg. Not really hard to do just remember to unplug the shift wires first. 3. Put a automotive flush kit adapter into the water hose on the distributor side of the engine. This goes from the intermediate section to the thermostat housing. 4. Attach water hose to the thing in 3. with the water turned on, you will get water flowing to the engines water pump and this should allow you to run the motor without overheating. Now what I'm suggesting will get water everywher ebehind the boat and be extreamly loud as the exhaust will blow right out the back of the boat. But it will allow you to try out the motor without hurting the leg. If you ever decide it isn't worth it, drop me a line and I may be mildly interested in the motor.

Bondo · Sep 10, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

I'm with dd..... Either Up-Grade the Driveline..... Or, Junk the Boat for Parts,+ Try to get your Money Back....... I Gave Away 1+ a half of those Eletrics to make way for the Chevy/ Alpha1 in my latest project....

mrmike911 · Sep 10, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

Hmm so I got some good news and some Bad news...Time to start looking for an old leg ...thanks all I appreciate your wisdome and experience...further to leg issues..if I want to change the leg to something workable I have to re fiberglass the exsisting hole and stengthen it at the same time...big job I know...or like Tacklewash says try and find one and install it...and hope for the best... I work in Langley...you mentioned a place here, it shouldn't be hard to find...I'll visit them and see how hard they hit..

Tacklewasher · Sep 11, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

I think it was Langley. Anyway, it was from the on-line version of the Buy and Sell and was somewhere around there. Here it is "OMC elec shift, outdrives & parts for 1970's style legs & interm housing, including tilt mtrs, shafts, housing's, gear sets, manifolds etc, manifolds for 120 & 165 Mercruiser, assorted Mercruiser props and some older Volvo I/O parts. Call 604-220-6859 or Fort Langley Tel: 604-882-2096" So I was close, it's Fort Langley.

Doug Durako · Sep 11, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

mr mike----I did not give you much to go on with my smart-alek reply, but I battled an OMC stringer drive on a 1976 Crestliner for 10 years back in the 70s when it was new. It was a very quiet and beautiful thing, when it worked. After the third rebuild, it went "zing" one day pulling a skiier. I made enemies out of some good friends over that one and even got the OMC district rep involved (they were still in business then). No one could tell me why it happened. Learned a lot about boating in those years. One word of advice----if you get it running, DO NOT EVER, I mean NEVER, put the drive into forward or reverse gear unless the unit is completely engaged and in full down position.

Doug Durako · Sep 11, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

oops---"battled the drive for 10 years back in the 70s" when it was a 1976 model does not make sense---I battled it for four seasons, just seemed like 10 years.

mrmike911 · Sep 11, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

Thanks for the insight as well as tracking down a phone numbers for possible parts...My fist adventure into the flaoting for fun has been very enlightening so far. ddboater & Tackle washer your advice is well noted and I'm sure i will have many more questions the deeper I get into this... Boating is something I have always wanted to get involved in..so it's a never give up attitude I will be taking. I think the game plan is to get it running with the drive it has , learn more and eventually get into something reliable...I am very happy I found this forum ..I have gone through almost every posting that had OMC and outdrive related questions...Oh yes My unit has a heat exchanger as well, so I asume it is a closed cooling system, not sure if that is good or bad..

I would think it is a bit better than running raw water through the engine...( raw water) lol read that somewhere...catching on to some of the lingo. Ahh whats a gimble

Thanks again

Tacklewasher · Sep 11, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

Mine is rawwater cooling but if you plan to run on the ocean (or that brown thing called the Fraser), the FWC is a good idea. I still hope to get to the Harrison for Pinks this year but it isn't looking likely. I think a gimble is the outdrive bearing. Anyway, you don't have one. As has been said, you can't run this thing in anything but the full down position (so don't tilt it up at the launch like everyone else) as the ball gears wear down real fast if you do. Feel free to email me if you need quick input, but as I am an Accountant and not a boat mechanic, it is best to ask here where others can read the response to make sure I'm not an idiot.

mrmike911 · Sep 13, 2003

Re: I bought my first boat, a few questions

Thanks again Tacklewash. By the way the pinks are everywhere. small croccs any bright fly I even ties on a bent Miller beer cap and played a few on light spin gear...Take the time ang get some pink action..they don't wait. Mike

I bought my first boat, a few questions

Cadet

Chief Petty Officer

Lieutenant Commander

Cadet

Lieutenant Commander

Moderator

Cadet

Lieutenant Commander

Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officer

Cadet

Lieutenant Commander

Cadet