I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

[DramaFreeBoater]

Hey everyone,<br /><br />I just recently inherited a boat from my father when he passed away. It is a 16 foot Fisher<br />Marine, flat hull, aluminum bass boat, w/ aluminum trailer. It has a 35 hp Johnson Outboard<br />with key-start. And yes, I'm pretty much clueless what to do with it.<br /><br />Basically, the boat has been sitting in my driveway for the last 8 years unused. I know<br />that it was religiously taken care of up until about 1994, but due to illness, the boat was neglected after that.<br /><br />Can someone please tell me what I'm going to need to do in order to get this boat back in the<br />water??? Not registration and things like that - I mean maintenance and repairs. I know it needs a<br />new bench seat & livewell cover, batteries, the engine should need at least cleaning, oil & hose replacement, new<br />gas tank & line. I know it also needs new trailer tires (what else??? do the axles need greasing???)<br />and maybe a new throttle cable. What about steering controls & cables, livewell pumps? Any advice on <br />anything else on the boat that I should look at would be appreciated.<br /><br />I apologize if my terminology is incorrect, but like I said, I'm new to this sort of thing. I've already<br />gotten some advice on getting the engine back in shape. Here's basically what I've been told to do so far:<br /><br />Check the engine to see if it's not locked up...<br />How can I clean up the engine (if it's necessary)? I know it's been sealed in its housing & cover though...<br />Clean the carbureator - how do I do that? I've heard mineral spirits, or take it out and boil it...<br />What about a carb rebuild kit?<br />Replace the spark plug...<br />Check the lower unit oil - how do I do that? Are there other fluids that need to be changed?<br />Replace the gas tank & fuel line - how much should this be?<br />Also, what about other hoses?<br />After that, I need to get the engine into a trash can of water and see if it will pull start...<br /><br />I know the boat had been used a lot, but like I said it was meticulously taken care of.<br />If anyone knows of any info over the web or that could be emailed to me, I would appreciate that<br />too...<br /><br />Please help! I'm located in Baltimore, and if anyone knows somewhere where I could get the<br />seat & livewell cover replaced, that would be awesome...<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />JW, aka the DramaFreeBoater (hopefully...haha)

 

[JB]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Howdy, DFB.<br /><br />You have too many questions. We would have to write a book just to get you started.<br /><br />Go buy a service manual for your engine. Read through it. Then come back with one or two questions at a time.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[DramaFreeBoater]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Ok - to simplify then, how about some information on the engine alone? I know the seat/upholstery is no big deal. Tank & fuel line are just a trip to the boat store. Even general advice will help me. Just getting the engine back in shape is most important to me for now.

 

[cclemon]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

I don't have time to write much. You sound like me not too long ago. The best advice I can give is. On your first few time out. Take an ore a tow rope and an anchor. As for the carbs. Goto your local parts store. Get Berryman B12 carb cleaner. I suggest the one in the gallon bucket, not the one in the spray can. CAREFULLY remove the carbs. I suggest you take them apart one at a time the first time. Take the carb apart. Make sure you remove any rubbber or plastic O-Rings. Soak all of the metal and brass parts in the B-12 over night. If you get the B-12 on you, wash it off, or it will start to dig in quickly.<br />Remove the parts from the B-12. spray them out with air. "Wear safety goggles." Reassemble the carbs. If you can get a manual use it to set the floats. "Oh yeh a couple of other things to remember. Before you disassemble them screw the air fuel mixter screw in until they stop. Count the turns. This is your starting setting where you will want to set them on reassembly.<br />That little brass piece that looks kind of like a bullet is the idle jet. Make sure you can see though it and blow it out good, or the motor won't idle good. Good Luke.

 

[alcan]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Hello Drama<br /> Probably the easiest way to get you started is to go to the public library. You should be able to get a copy of an after market service and repair manual. They should also have some basic boat-motor maintainence books which will include the trailer. Do a little home work and you will find plenty of help here with more spicific questions. Good luck and look forward to hearing from you.

 

[chiefmike58]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

DFB, the first thing I would do before pulling the carb off the motor is get a good battery, fresh fuel with outboard oil mixed in, water source to lower unit, new sparkplug, and see if motor will start. If motor was fogged properly after last use it may just fire up and be ok. If it doesn't you havn't wasted any time or money, since you would need these items anyway. The trailer should have wheel bearings changed, or at least checked and greased. Tires should be checked, all suspension parts greased, lites and wiring checked and replaced where necessary and complete trailer given the once over for any damage, rust, etc. Advise above is most important, get yourself a repair manual for that motor because you can just about be sure that the water pump in the lower unit will haved to be replaced requiring info we cannot explain over the internet. Just do one thing at a time, starting with the motor and you won't get overwhelmed, I hope. Good luck.

 

[chiefmike58]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

DFB, the first thing I would do before pulling the carb off the motor is get a good battery, fresh fuel with outboard oil mixed in, water source to lower unit, new sparkplug, and see if motor will start. If motor was fogged properly after last use it may just fire up and be ok. If it doesn't you havn't wasted any time or money, since you would need these items anyway. The trailer should have wheel bearings changed, or at least checked and greased. Tires should be checked, all suspension parts greased, lites and wiring checked and replaced where necessary and complete trailer given the once over for any damage, rust, etc. Advise above is most important, get yourself a repair manual for that motor because you can just about be sure that the water pump in the lower unit will haved to be replaced requiring info we cannot explain over the internet. Just do one thing at a time, starting with the motor and you won't get overwhelmed, I hope. Good luck.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Hey -- Don't get over your head. (By the way, I really like your handle but old boats are all about drama. and frustration.) I love getting getting into an old rig to see what I've got. Start with the basics. Clean out the tank (plastic tank is best), and put in a couple of gallons of fresh gas and 2-cycle oil (50:1 mix). Spray some carburetor cleaner into the carbs, then do it again after it's set a bit. Check and clean (wire brush, sandpaper) all the wire connections starting at the battery -- and make sure the battery is fully charged. Either immerse the lower unit in water about half way up the leg (plastic trash can?) or get a water muff you can attach to the hose (follow instructions, and turn on the hose about 1/3 -- will spray water out of the rubber cups). Give it full choke, squeeze the bulb until you have pumped gas into the carburetor. Then turn the key and see if she will fire up. At this point, you are into the drama part and will want to let us know what happened (or didn't)! <br /><br />Good luck -- and remember it's a hobby.

 

[JB]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

DFB.<br /><br />With respect for the other advice you have gotten. Read a manual FIRST.<br /><br />You say that you are clueless. Telling you a lot of technical language is going to get you in trouble.<br /><br />Tell us the model number on your engine, someone will tell you the year. Then get a manual.<br /><br />Red skly at night. . .<br />JB

 

[trevorcday]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Whatever you do make sure you change the water pump impeller. If the motor has sat for 8 years it will definately need replacing. Also be sure to change the gear oil.

 

[Toontime]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Hey DFB! Save yourself a lot of headaches and ask some of your boating friends to lend a hand. No point in ruining a good motor by doing the wrong thing at the wrong time with the best intentions. If you are as new to the experience as you say, I wouldn't recommend messing with the motor until you have had someone look at it who is knowledgible about motors as old as yours. This was your Dad's boat and I know what that means. It's been sitting a while, a little longer wont hurt til you get acquainted with the terminology and what to expect. Best of luck!

 

[shorenomore]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

If that was my motor, and it had sat for 8 years, I would pull the spark plugs 1st and look for rust in the cylinders. That is free and if the rust is light you can do something about it before you even think of turning it over. If there is deep rust inside, well you can figure it out. Just my opinion.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Interesting posts. All the advice seems to be accurate, but maybe not right for you if you haven't tinkered around with old outboards. Toontime may have offered the best advice. A friend to show you how is very difficult to beat, and maybe the best way to learn. Manuals are helpful (actually, invaluable), but you sort of need some experience before you can make best use of them. In my opinion, a parts manual for your model would be the best one to start with.<br /><br />By June, you will be an expert.

 

[Ross J]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

I don't know what you have available over there in the way of night school, but our coast guard and some local schools have excellent classes on subjects to do with boating and safety. From there you'll find the mates network works just fine and you'll be surprised what you'll learn. Failing that ask around to go out as crew on a few boats. That way you;ll learn a lot also. <br />Good luck<br />Ross

 

[DramaFreeBoater]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Tomorrow's the day that I'm planning to crack everything open & see what's going on. I want to thank everyone for their advice & guidance.<br /><br />I'll keep everyone in the know...<br /><br />DFB, not to be confused with BFD...haha

 

[DramaFreeBoater]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Being a "drama free boater" is just a state of mind...considering the emotional ties I have to this boat, busting my a** to get it running will be nothing but a challenge, and trust me I welcome it.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br /><br />DFB

 

[Franki]

Re: I NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP & ADVICE...

Hi Guys..<br /><br />From the sound of what Mr dramafreeboating has said, he has some basic mechanical knowledge,, so thats a good thing..<br /><br />I would not strip the whole carb, I'd just drop the float bowl off and clean that out and check that the float and needle are not stuck/clogged.<br />If there was heaps of gunk in there, then have a look in the little holes leading up into the carb. (jets) and see if they are clear..<br /><br />I haven't before found it necessary to strip the whole carb.. if it aint broke, don't fix it..<br /><br />Its possible that your old man emptied the float chamber/chambers last time he used it, (there is usually a bolt at the lowest point of each carb you can loosen to let fuel out after you finish using your boat.. I do it all the time now to stop it gunking..<br /><br />What I did when I got mine for the first time, I took the plugs out, shone in a torch and looked for rust.. finding none, I sqirted some oil in all cylenders and turned the engine over by hand a dozen or so times and let it sit for a few hours..<br /><br />then hook it up to the water muffs and give it a kick in the guts. (try to start it. <br /><br />As was mentioned earlier.. be sure to change the water pump impeller, its not that necessary to do it when running on the water muffs, but very necessary when in the water..<br /><br />Before you get carried away and replace stuff you don't need to, just do what I did with the oil, replace the plugs, put on the water muffs and hook up your hose. get some nice clean 2 stroke mix and try starting it..<br /><br />if it runs, don't over rev it.. just give it 10 minutes or so of running fast idle, then stop it and change your impeller and lower unit oil.<br /><br />Changing the oil is easy,, there are two screws in the bottom of the leg, take both out.. drain all the oil out.. then get an oil can full of the proper lower unit oil, and stick it in the lower hole, pump like crazy till oil starts coming out the top hole, then put both plugs back in..<br />check the old oil, if its white, then you had water in your oil, thats not good, but if it isnt' white, don't stress it..(unless the old oil had bits of metal in it, in which case you should worry more. <br /><br />Changing the impeller is much harder.. it requires removal of the lower unit altogether..<br />lots of bolts to take out, and possibly wiring or gear linkages to remove... I'd get everything else done yourself, then take it to an outboard mech and get them to do the impeller, maybe they could be convinced to show you how?<br /><br />Or go to the library and find a manual similiar to yours.. it depends how mechanically inclined you are, I have never had a manual and I have striped and reassembled a few different outboards.. (though some parts require special tools.)<br /><br />changing your impeller is rather easy once you know how, but explaining it here would be hard..<br /><br />Good luck, let us know how you go.. and remember do as little as you need to to start with.. (you could go nuts and rebuilt the whole thing, but its not likely that its necessary..)<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank