New to me...

32_d3gr33s

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
89
So i just picked up a boat off craigslist a couple days ago and i have a few questions. I'm new to boating (have rode on one 3 or 4 times as a child) and therefore know nothing about them. I bought a 1974 Crown Custom Fiberglass (i guess is what it is) with a 1989 Evinrude 135 outboard. The guy i bought it from said it ran wonderful when he took it out (he only had it for a little over a month) but said his wife wanted a sea doo instead (they already had a 20 some-ish foot open bow boat, that looked immaculate). My question is what do i need to do prior to dropping this thing in the lake? I'm short on cash so i dont have tons to drop it at a shop and have them run tests or whatnot on it. What can i do myself to make sure this thing is sea worthy before taking it out? any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 

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TJDave

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
184
Re: New to me...

That's a great looking old boat! It has been years since I have owned an outboard so I am probably not much help. I'm sure someone will chime in.

If it were me, I would get a set of muffs for it and run it at your house before I bring to the water. Just to make sure it starts, sounds and runs well. Nothing more frustrating than someone blocking a lane at a boat launch trying to work on their boat, or get it started.
 

airdvr1227

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 15, 2009
Messages
1,666
Re: New to me...

I'll second what TJ says. Make certain you understand how this rig operates before venturing out on the water. Also, do you have the required safety equipment? Wouldn't be too fun to get a ticket on your first outing.

BTW...great looking boat!
 

jfadool

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 25, 2009
Messages
119
Re: New to me...

Great looking boat!

Find a buddy/coworker/family member that has some boat experience and see when they have a free weekend. Have all your safety stuff and make sure your boat is in good working order.

It looks like it will be a hoot out on the water.
 

32_d3gr33s

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
89
Re: New to me...

Thanks for the responses. Where do you get the muffs from? Anyone have a suggestion of stores or online where to buy stuff? I have all the required equipment, an extra gas tank, a set of oars etc. Anyone have any tips for launching the boat? What about by myself?
 

TJDave

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
184
Re: New to me...

You can get muffs online right here on iboats, any boat dealer (although you will pay twice the amount!) , even Wally World sells them in the boat section.

Launching is a breeze by yourself, just takes a bit longer if you are the one that has to pull the boat to the dock and tie it up so you can park the trailer.

Don't forget to put your plug in!:eek:

Happy boating.
 

BigB9000

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,154
Re: New to me...

Launching, well, thats an entire thread itself.
Actually, each part of the boat it. A lot of information you'll need to know.

1st, that trailer looks like a modified jetski trailer.
A larger, better fitted trailer will make a big difference.

A new battery is worth its weight in gold.
Nothing like a good new battery.

NEVER start the engine while not connected to a water source.
NEVER run the engine without the battery connected.
This is a 2-stroke engine. Make sure you mix the oil and gas.
If the over-heat buzzer sounds, shut the engine off.
Check for a healthy pea-stream (water pump indicator)

boating is expensive, you can save a lot of money by doing the work yourself. But, unlike a car, you cant just pull off the road and start walking.
Boats float away, the longer your broken down, the worse things get.

Wind and weather conditions you'll soon realize are important.

That engine DRINKS gas. you'll need a healthy fuel budget.

1st thing I would do is a compression check. I do this to every new engine I get. If things are in the good enough category, you can get started on the boat & engine.

Muffs should be sold at walmart. But you can buy them here on iboats.
Dont rev the engine while attached to a hose, it needs more water than the hose can supply, nothing more than a short idle here.

You'll need to understand the operations of the controls too.
when I first started boating, I didn't know what the top lever did, and I didn't know how to activate the choke.

The top lever is the warm-up lever. It'll increase the throttle (Give it gas) without having to put it in gear.

To use the choke, push the key in.

It doesnt look like you have power trim and tilt (PTT) ?

Also, that front winch will not keep the boat from bouncing off the trailer.
You need to strap the back down.
the 1" straps will work, but really, you want a 1 1/2" strap (home depot)
Make sure its a ratcheting type. The simple 'Pull it' type wont do it.
 

32_d3gr33s

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
89
Re: New to me...

Thanks again for the replies. Where should I bring it to check the compression? How much would something like that cost? What ratio should I mix the oil? The guy I bought it from said 32:1 but that it would be on the rich side. There is a silver switch below the key any idea what that is? You have to manually set the angle of the motor. There is 6 settings - which one should I use and what do they do? There is a little fin on the back of the boat that has an airline that goes to it but it's broke... What is it? Thanks for all the help and keep it coming. I'm soaking it up like a sponge lol
 

TJDave

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 6, 2009
Messages
184
Re: New to me...

^^ I agree with all of the above with exception to the trailer observation. Take another look....full size wheel and axle. The frame looks exactly like my EZ-Loader trailer I had under my '73 boat with smaller fenders, rollers removed, and small bunks. ???? What's the title say for the trailer? Make/model/GVWR
 

BigB9000

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,154
Re: New to me...

Where should I bring it to check the compression?
How much would something like that cost?


Thats something you do yourself!
http://bigb9k.com/brp/compression/

What ratio should I mix the oil?

Its probably a 50:1 If you got an owners manual it'll say in there
OR Check for a sticker on the motor above where the fuel line enters.

There is a silver switch below the key any idea what that is?

Have a Picture?

You have to manually set the angle of the motor. There is 6 settings - which one should I use and what do they do?

Different for each boat/motor combo. Its probably ok where it is. If you want, you can move it to the bottom most hole, and see how it performs.
Move it up another hole, and recheck. until you find the right spot.
This is something that needs to be lake tested.

There is a little fin on the back of the boat that has an airline that goes to it but it's broke... What is it?

pic?
 

soaringhiggy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2009
Messages
167
Re: New to me...

I am guessing the broken "fin" is the speedo pitot tube. The line going from the fin is black about a 1/4 inch and hollow correct?
 

grego

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 12, 2008
Messages
328
Re: New to me...

Most boat shops will walk you through remedial boating, "for a price". TAKE NOTES! and put them in the boat glove box to use as a checklist.. walmart will have muffs for about $8.00. fuel mix will be 50/1 BUT!! I would run it at 40 or 45/1 this way you are sure that you are safe, untill you feel confident about all aspects of your boat. replace water pump,"money well spent"! look in engine for "dirt dobber" nests, they will make hot spots on cylinder heads. read some of the older post about first time owners. this site has a wealth of information. So many things to warn you about!! read all you can and listen to those that have been there. my 0.2;)
 

32_d3gr33s

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
89
Re: New to me...

That engine DRINKS gas. you'll need a healthy fuel budget.

I have a 8? gallon tank. How long should that last on average?

I am guessing the broken "fin" is the speedo pitot tube. The line going from the fin is black about a 1/4 inch and hollow correct?

Thats what i thought it was but wasnt sure.

fuel mix will be 50/1 BUT!! I would run it at 40 or 45/1

What octane fuel should i use? what brand oil? any better than others?
 

can-amsledder

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
140
Re: New to me...

Your newness to boating concerns me, as it does you. That?s why you are here, right? There is so much to know. What you really need is to have an experienced boater with you for the first time or two. Do you have a buddy, family member or work mate that would come over and walk you through everything? If not maybe one of the guys from here would! What part of Michigan are you from?
And most importantly take a safety course.
 

32_d3gr33s

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
89
Re: New to me...

so i went to wally world and bought some muffs, got home and put them on. I fired it up (it started kinda hard - had to use a little starting fluid) but then it ran good. I immediatly noticed there was no (pee?) stream from the engine. there is supposed to be one right?



it should come from here right?
(i do have the muffs in the right spot?)
pee.jpg


but there is a little stream that comes from here...
(its not running in the picture... when i saw no stream i shut it off)
pee2.jpg


I am guessing the broken "fin" is the speedo pitot tube. The line going from the fin is black about a 1/4 inch and hollow correct?

IMG_0109.jpg



There is a silver switch below the key any idea what that is?

Have a Picture?

IMG_0104.jpg
 

Wingedwheel

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
1,071
Re: New to me...

First off, welcome to boating and I-boats. That silver switch is your choke, or enrichner valve. I'm not which one that particular engine has, but its used for cold starts. You'll figure out the best sequence after a few tries. Yes the fin is for your speedometer. I'd get another tank, maybe two or always keep an extra gallon or two for emergencies. That engine MIGHT get 3 MPG. If you have a Harbor Freight close to you, a compression gauge is under $20 and its easy to do yourself. Just make sure you disconnect the gas and spark-plug wires so it doesn't accidently start while you're doing the test. It sounds like you need an impeller(water-pump) Again, its not a hard project if your slightly mechanically inclined you just need to get a good manual. Theres nothing more satisfying as a boat owner than being able to do the majority of your own maintenance and this is the site for more resources than you can imagine. There are some great people on here with a wealth of knowledge. Great looking boat and I bet it scoots along pretty good.
 

Wingedwheel

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
1,071
Re: New to me...

Oh yea, as far as the octane gas to run there's always a debate about that, but I would say which ever octane your particular engine runs best on. Also I use the two-cycle oil from Wal-mart as well. Its always worked fine for me. You might want to check the lube in your lower unit. Thats always a good thing to know about. There are plenty of threads which explain that as well.
 

32_d3gr33s

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
89
Re: New to me...

Thanks for the info. Picked up a compression gauge today buy it's raining out so I'll check it tomorrow. As for the impellar, anyone have any good write ups on here? I can't seem to find much on that motor... Not sure exactly what I need for it. Just an impellar or is it a kit? I'm pretty good at mechanical stuff... Always working on cars and motorcycles..
 

wellsc1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 7, 2009
Messages
328
Re: New to me...

First, I suggest you get a manual for that engine.

Second, while it may seem costly, take it to a reputable outboard engine mechanic for that make. The investment will ensure you get started on the right path as well as stem potential problems an experienced mechanic should detect. They can change the lower unit oil while replacing the water pump. They can do compression check and compare it to the engine specifications, they can do a lot in short order.

Of course, if you'r in no hurry to go boating till next year (winter is coming soon to Michigan, I think you're in MI), take your time with one piece of the project at a time.

1 - Motor (impeller, lower unit oil, engine compression, oil/fuel ratio, etc.)
2 - Boat (speedometer do-hickie, lube cables, navigation lights, etc.)
3 - Trailer (wheel bearings, tire inspection, lights-I noticed a tailight lens missing.)

In the end, happy boating!
 

Wingedwheel

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
1,071
Re: New to me...

32_d3gr33s I'm also in MI. West of Det in Oakland Co. If you live in the area I'd have no problem giving you some pointers on your motor and any help if you need it time permitting.
 
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