My first boat.

[Bene288]

Took it out on Saturday for the Stripers, the Force started right up and had no major problems. The only thing that caught my attention was when I was at full throttle I heard a slight metallic grind or rattle. I'm thinking maybe the prop gear is slipping at full?

The floor has some soft spots in it, but not from rot. I pulled up the carpet and found the ply was bone dry but was hardly fastened. The previous owner told me his son tried to replace it a few years back. It's almost like he was afraid to put a screw down into the fiberglass. How does this floor go down, is there some sort of adhesive or is it common to have screws through the wood into the fiberglass ?

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks everyone!

 

[cr2k]

Re: My first boat.

First off Congratulations on your first boat!

Metallic grinding noise is never good. What ratio did you mix the oil?
There are only gears in the lower end. Hard to tell what the noise is with out being there to hear it. If it sounds like it is coming from the engine it could be piston slap, rings, rod bearings, etc.

Could be either bad gas or you need a higher octane gas and it knocking form pre-ignition which will kill a 2 stroke outboard if not addressed. If you think it may be coming form the engine, pull the spark plugs and rotate the engine over by hand to look at the piston tops thru the spark plug holes. If you see any signs of nicks and shiny surface you may have pieces floating around in there. Also if you have much carbon build up the carbon could be interfering with the pistons at the top of the stroke.

If you suspect it is coming from the lower unit, pull the bottom drain plug and look for chunks of metal. Some fine particles are normal but but anything larger then fine sand size is not good.

Never unscrew a Phillips head screw on the drive. The drain plug will be a large flat screw that uses a flat blade screw driver.

I hope it ends up being something simple and easy.
Good Luck


The floor soft spots could very well be rot. The floor will rot from the bottom (underside). The floor is supported on stringers and support boards. The water lays in the bottom so it usually rots from the bottom up.

 

[Bene288]

Re: My first boat.

I mixed 50:1 with a 93 octane. Sounded like it was coming from the prop, only at full throttle though.

About the wood; it's not fastened, I can completely lift up and take out the boards and they're rot free. It's an isolated spot right at a seam in the wood. I was just wondering the proper way to fasten it back down. I was thinking about bridging it to give a good solid step, but I don't want any unnessecary bumps that would cause a drainage issue.

 

[NYBo]

Re: My first boat.

Hmmm. That boat looks awfully familiar for some reason.

The original sole was attached to the stringers and hull with fiberglass and resin- no metal fasteners involved. Is the replacement plywood sealed and/or fiberglassed?

Regarding the grinding, remove the prop and look for signs that it is contacting the lower unit housing.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: My first boat.

The seam is bridged under the deck. First glue and fasten the furring strip ( plywood)to one side with half of it exposed. I used galvanized staples. Screws will work. Then glue and fasten the deck to the exposed piece. Seal/glass for water protection.

 

[Bene288]

Re: My first boat.

Thanks for the help everyone. Hopefully I can take care of those issues this week.

 

[dave11]

Re: My first boat.

Nice first boat. Learn and enjoy.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: My first boat.

Never unscrew a Phillips head screw on the drive.

Why? What happens? Probably lets some sort of boating demon loose.