Re: New boat owner with stupid question
With a boat of that age there are a few things that are normal maintenance type items that would be good to just get done. Most of them are relatively low cost items. Breakdowns in a boat are a lot bigger pain than breakdowns in cars and trucks, just pulling over isn't so easy. You want to make sure everything is as reliable as possible.
* Engine Tune up. Replace all the plugs, wires, cap (marine) and rotor.
* I've changed out the thermostats on new to me boats just to know they are good, cheap and easy insurance.
* Check the belts and potentially just change them out.
* If you have idle problems or it runs rough, rebuild the carb. $30 kit and a few hours of work and can make a huge difference.
* Change the seawater impeller and service the outdrive (change the oil). The impeller pumps the water out of the lake to cool the motor. They are supposed to be changed every 2 years/x hours type of thing. Cheap, but can leave you stranded when they fail.
* Check the bellows and ujoints. There is a rubber boot that protects the motor output shaft/driveshaft that runs into the outdrive. If the bellow goes bad it'll ruin the ujoints and can cause water to come in the boat and other issues. This one is more involved than the others above.
Here is a link to OEM service manuals. Invaluable.
Boatinfo - The library, containing manuals, brochures and other technical documents from the last hundred years!
You have a popular drive train and can find all kinds of YouTube videos and information. Watch the videos to get a good idea of what to do, and then follow the service manuals while you do the job. Ex: the service manual will tell you the exact steps to rebuild your carb, which parts to take off first, etc.
You should be able to clean up the outside with lots of elbow grease. Research wet sanding and get to work!
Good luck with the new boat!
