I'm now a boat owner

Long story short someone passed away and I inherited a boat(http://s1155.photobucket.com/albums/p543/Kovifan27/). I recently picked it up from the marina and it started just fine. Loaded it to bring it home got a flat tire on the trailer which some truckers were kind enough to help with. Now its home safe in the driveway so I can start working on the interior. I know its missing the anchor cover and the seats need re-upholstered.

Before I left the marina they gave me a rundown of all that did before they stored it. The boat does have high hours on it so it's not a shock all this was fixed/replaced.
i. Sea trial (launch, test/adjust & put back on trailer)
ii. Repair steering (unbolt engine, lift off transom & remove steering rods, clean out & reassemble)
iii. Reseal lower unit (drain oil, pressure test and reseal)
iv. Replace fuel sender
v. Replace anti-siphon valve in fuel pickup
vi. Replace impeller (at same time as lower unit)
vii. Replace bad instrument gauges
viii. Replace tilt/trim motor (while engine is off transom)
ix. Install proper fuel filter

I haven't had a boat since I was in my teens on Lake Saratoga(Now 30's) and at that it was a small 14ft boat or so. So I have a couple of questions some of which are simple answers. I searched and found alot of answers these are ones I couldn't find.

The boat has a Garmin Sounder. Considering how old it is do I need to replace it for mostly lake use(NY Lakes)? Would it be as simple as switching the unit or would I need to redo the sensors too? I may use the boat occasionaly in the bays of DE and MD. It seems to have all the antenna's for ship to shore radio too. I assume it used to have on being an old ocean bay vessel.

I found a Hydrasports option sheet for the boat and it says 85gal tank? That seems high but it was some of an ocean vessel so that is correct right? Filling up gas at $4 a gal should be fun. haha

Everytime before I start the boat do I have to pump the primer ball by the outboard? I know its supposed to be firm but not rock solid. Newer boats/motors are supposed to hold the prime but this thing is almost 20 yrs old so I assume it would be best to just check it before every start?

Thanks in advance.

Re: I'm now a boat owner

I wouldn't think you need to replace the sounder unless it doesn't work and you need one.
Just because it holds 85 gal. doesn't mean you need to fill it all the way.
Yes to ensure good starts you should make sure the primer ball is firm. And BTW if the ball it self starts to get stiff you need to replace it. They go bad on the inside and shed rubber that will plug of the fuel filter, causing a lean condition and lead to engine failure.
Most of all take a safe boating course and have fun!

Re: I'm now a boat owner

As far as I know the sounder works. Never used one and it doesn't have a manual so it'll be a trail and error or find a manual on the internet. Wasn't sure if technology evolved so far as to make the 238(2003 model) expendable compared to something newer for the price.

I think I may try to take it out to one of the DE/MD bays in the next week or two to really get a feel for it. The only thing I will be completely new to is launching a boat off of a trailer. Watched some video's online of that and I can back up the trailer decent so I don't think it will be a total disaster.

Re: I'm now a boat owner

I'd fill the gas tank until you get a feel for fuel consumption. Those V-6s can suck fuel at an alarming rate.

I assume that you have surge drum brakes on the trailer. Check them before you start on your trip and thoroughly fresh water flush after especially if you have to dunk the trailer in salt water. At some point you may want to change the drum brakes for disk. They don't rust as fast as the drums.