virgin boater, 1987 19' capri cc , 125 force

[ppaulin]

Thanks guys for your amazing forum, have spent lot of time here lately, my first post, here goes:

Bought a 1987 capri cuddy 19', with a 125 force, 5000$ here in canada (2 min to boat launch in upper niagara river), known the 2nd owner for 11 years years he's had it for 10, always stored inside , never used the tops (towing and camper both in great shape), he used it 4 ,5 times a summer, read all the bayliner posts AND the force posts, boat is in great shape for the year, but its still 20 years old. I get 34 mph with the skiing prop (25 mph is fast enought for me), havent tried the other , he called it the cruising one.(dont know the pitch of them yet.)

As a new boat owner I wanted something cheap, to learn. Then upgrade in a few years, boat runs like a top, everything works great so far, not much out there for 5000$ around here in that shape.

Few questions:

-1987 capri's use these clips on the windsheild for the covers, dealer has replacement plastc cheap clips, but i have to install the snaps myself, i did , but looking for a better solution, drill and rivit them in the window frame?

-All of the flooring is very solid , i looked everywhere, But these crossbracing boards pictured here: http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/i...i,5123,00.html (from another boat) have some rot in them, its the only place on the boat everything else is very solid and dry (belive me i looked), what would be options?

-fuel gauge works but its not reliable below 1/2 tank i was told, and it isnt, jumps around, have a trusty stick with marks on them. Fuel sender i guess?

-bought a new battery, to install a 2 battery setup, looks pretty basic, the 2 battery switch is already installed, parrallel install with both positives to #1 and#2 terminals on the switch and both negatives to each other?

Thanks to all, even after reading all the posts (and some of them should have scared me running from a bayliner/ force combo, lol , but most of the negative posts about bayliners were heresay.) I still bought this boat based on value, I knew the previous owner, I want to make any mistakes on a cheap boat first lol, and looks like I will learn a lot fast.

Any info will be awsome!!!

[ppaulin]

Another question:

This motor has run Amsoil Saber outboard 2 cycle oil for the last 10 years mixed at 85:1, not 100:1 as a safety from previous owner, any comments on this oil?

[Bigprairie1]

...It's good your on the water, thats most of the battle.
With respect to your questions I'm not too sure about the window bit or the stringers. I have an 18' Capri (bowrider) so I don't completely understand if there is something different there.
You should already have the buttons in the frame? No?
I have a dual battery set-up and I will check it and get back to you.
I have the same fuel gauge issue with it jumping around a lot. I am going to redo the connections to the sending unit to make sure they are good and tight with no corrosion. Beyond that I think it's just the motion. That said, when there was very little fuel in the boat it was definitely showing below empty on the guage. So anything above that (at least on mine) means I'm ok for fuel.
As for the Bayliner/Force thing. Well...look at some of the other motor forums (merc, evinrude, etc). Everyone has problems, particularly if they don't look after their machinery. Check out some of the other boat forums (Sea Ray, Reinell, etc). Lots of repairs and negatives in those as well.
If you get a chance find a good local Merc/Force service dealer and go talk with them about your motor. They will tell a little more accurately what you have and what you may to worry about or not. You have a 20 year old arrangement so you might have to cut it a little slack and expect a few things to either go wrong or require some tuning and upgrade. Usually only the new stuff is 'plug and play'.
Outboards and boats never fair well with abuse and neglect...ever.
Bayliner is a reasonable boat and has made some good products. They got a bad rap many, many years ago and are still suffering from it.
Good luck, I'll check out my dual battery wiring and get back to you'