New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

[Pitbull Joe]

I have a 1973 Mako 17' that has been sitting in my garage at our vacation cabin for the past 5-6yrs. It's only been ran once since then, about 3yrs ago. It has a 90hp Evinrude E-tec that I believe is 8-10yrs old. I've never been on it, actually the only boats i've been on were big cruise ships while vacationing. I know the motor ran well before the boat was put up but i'm sure it's going to need some work due to sitting so long. I'm sure I will also need to work on the trailer also as it only went from the garage to the boat slip that's on the property, before it became ours.

I have no idea where to start, i'm looking for as much advice and as many links for beginners as possible so I can become educated on this whole boating thing. I plan on taking a boater's course so I know how to operate it well but as far as working on it i'm lost. Here's a few pictures of the boat, cabin and tow rig.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Beautiful looking boat - hard to belive it is almost 40 years old.

 

[emoney]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Looks like you've got a great foundation with that combo, especially with that newer 'Rude. There's a sticky around here somewhere that talks about "Starting an engine tha's been sittin", so study that. Hopefully for you there wasn't much fuel left in there, but even that is not a huge issue. Don't forget you can't start a bout without water, so read up on that too. By the looks of it, odds are it won't be too much of a challenge. I had a little jet boat in my garage for 18months with a full tank of gas and oddly enough, it started up as soon as I turned the key, so be encouraged.

 

[KFS]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

No advice other than the unhelpful but sincere "Cool boat!"

Have fun with it!

 

[Pitbull Joe]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Beautiful looking boat - hard to belive it is almost 40 years old.

Thanks. The boat is actually 10yrs older than I am, it was well taken care of.

Looks like you've got a great foundation with that combo, especially with that newer 'Rude. There's a sticky around here somewhere that talks about "Starting an engine tha's been sittin", so study that. Hopefully for you there wasn't much fuel left in there, but even that is not a huge issue. Don't forget you can't start a bout without water, so read up on that too. By the looks of it, odds are it won't be too much of a challenge. I had a little jet boat in my garage for 18months with a full tank of gas and oddly enough, it started up as soon as I turned the key, so be encouraged.

Thanks. I'll search around for that sticky thread, i'm assuming this will be similar to letting a motorcycle or lawn tractor sit for a while. I figured would be draining all the old fuel out and priming the system with new fuel. Hopefully I will have similar luck as you had with the jet boat. I have a few buddies who are big boaters so I should have some help.

No advice other than the unhelpful but sincere "Cool boat!"

Have fun with it!

Thank you.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Looks like a great rig. Those old Mako's are great hulls (unlike the new ones). That's the kind of hull, even that old, people buy sight unseen, and yours is garage kept!

 

[louiefl]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

http://www.iboats.com/basics/serial_number_year.html#evinrude

The model number on the outboard will tell you what year, hp, shaft length, etc. you'll need to know this in order to get the right parts. One of the first things to consider is changing the lower unit lube (easy DIY job), spark plugs, and water pump. Once you figure out the year, start searching for how to's on the above.

Avoid the temptation to simply crank the engine.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

Here's a thread for starting a sleeping outboard, pretty good advice!

There are two types of boat owners, the one that opens their wallet for the pros to fix everything and the ones that will try to fix about anything themselves. I had a binding steering cable that I replaced this weekend and half a dozen times about gave up, but kept charging forward. Once I realized I needed to lift the outboard off the transom with no way to do this solo, I rigged a lifting beam, and eye bolt to my garage trusses ( I'm an engineer, so please don't be critical, it had a huge safety factor). That feeling of fixing it yourself is pretty good for the soul.

My boat is 16 years old (1996 Aquasport 175 Osprey) and in the last 3 months of ownership I have been through every hose clamp, fitting, wire and switch, replacing bits and pieces along the way. If my bilge pump were to quit tomorrow on the water, I know where all the connectors, splices and switches are, and could jury rig either my wash down pump or my fish box pump in a few minutes. Know your boat.

Welcome and good luck.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Nice truck.

 

[Pitbull Joe]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Looks like a great rig. Those old Mako's are great hulls (unlike the new ones). That's the kind of hull, even that old, people buy sight unseen, and yours is garage kept!

Thanks. I've been told that several times by the local guys.

http://www.iboats.com/basics/serial_number_year.html#evinrude

The model number on the outboard will tell you what year, hp, shaft length, etc. you'll need to know this in order to get the right parts. One of the first things to consider is changing the lower unit lube (easy DIY job), spark plugs, and water pump. Once you figure out the year, start searching for how to's on the above.

Avoid the temptation to simply crank the engine.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

Here's a thread for starting a sleeping outboard, pretty good advice!

There are two types of boat owners, the one that opens their wallet for the pros to fix everything and the ones that will try to fix about anything themselves. I had a binding steering cable that I replaced this weekend and half a dozen times about gave up, but kept charging forward. Once I realized I needed to lift the outboard off the transom with no way to do this solo, I rigged a lifting beam, and eye bolt to my garage trusses ( I'm an engineer, so please don't be critical, it had a huge safety factor). That feeling of fixing it yourself is pretty good for the soul.

My boat is 16 years old (1996 Aquasport 175 Osprey) and in the last 3 months of ownership I have been through every hose clamp, fitting, wire and switch, replacing bits and pieces along the way. If my bilge pump were to quit tomorrow on the water, I know where all the connectors, splices and switches are, and could jury rig either my wash down pump or my fish box pump in a few minutes. Know your boat.

Welcome and good luck.

Thanks for all the info, I'll check the links when i get home.

Nice truck.

Thanks. Looking forward to pulling the boat with it.

 

[Pitbull Joe]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Since the trailer has been sitting just as long as the boat, should i put new grease in the wheel bearings? I'm hoping i wont have to change the bearings but if it's needed I will.

 

[louiefl]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Repacking wheel bearings are another good DIY you should learn. Until you remove the bearing hubs and clean the bearings, youo'll have no idea if they are bad or not. I don't want to reinvent the wheel here, do a search for repacking trailer wheel bearings and you will find lots of detail. Pretty simple, remove wheel, then dust cap, then cotter pin, then castellated nut. Wheel hub should come right off. wipe out all the old grease and clean using mineral spirits. Inspect the surfaces where the bearings spin for corrosion or pitting. Mine were ok, but the grease was milky as water had gotten in (previuos owner). I replaced the outer races, bearings, repacked, and installed bearing buddies, all for probably $50. Good peace of mind knowing everything was new and well lubed.

Also, check the tires, not only for cracking, but look at the DOT date codes. One of my ok looking tires had a manufactuired date of 1997. If it is over 5 years old, you might think about replacing it.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Looks like a great rig. Those old Mako's are great hulls (unlike the new ones). That's the kind of hull, even that old, people buy sight unseen, and yours is garage kept!

OMG...my thoughts precisely. My buddy has that boat with an old 88...FUN

 

[Pitbull Joe]

Re: New to the boating world, but have a boat(pics)

Repacking wheel bearings are another good DIY you should learn. Until you remove the bearing hubs and clean the bearings, youo'll have no idea if they are bad or not. I don't want to reinvent the wheel here, do a search for repacking trailer wheel bearings and you will find lots of detail. Pretty simple, remove wheel, then dust cap, then cotter pin, then castellated nut. Wheel hub should come right off. wipe out all the old grease and clean using mineral spirits. Inspect the surfaces where the bearings spin for corrosion or pitting. Mine were ok, but the grease was milky as water had gotten in (previuos owner). I replaced the outer races, bearings, repacked, and installed bearing buddies, all for probably $50. Good peace of mind knowing everything was new and well lubed.

Also, check the tires, not only for cracking, but look at the DOT date codes. One of my ok looking tires had a manufactuired date of 1997. If it is over 5 years old, you might think about replacing it.

Thanks. I've replaced wheel bearings before, I just wasn't sure if it was a good idea to do it since it's been sitting. Before owning it, the trailer basically went from the garage to the boat slip and back. I'll check the tires out, I really appreciate that.

OMG...my thoughts precisely. My buddy has that boat with an old 88...FUN

Thanks a lot.