First time out with an I/O. Any advice?

[Milemaker13]

First time owning an inboard sterndrive boat. There is a 165 hp mercruiser in an 18' Cobalt tri hull. 1978.

Everything looks like its in good shape, runs well. What should I double check before heading out on the water?

So far I have refilled the tilt/trim pump using the recommended 5w20.

Driving advice? Trim advice?

 

[Fishermark]

Is this the 4 cylinder 165 or the straight six?

 

[Milemaker13]

straight six.

 

[Milemaker13]

Its hard to imagine this is the original engine. It looks fairly clean. Pretty sure my hour meter is not working correctly, but it says 8.5 hrs. How often are these engines rebuilt?

 

[JaCrispy]

If you didn't drain the fuel tank to check for water bring an extra fuel filter. Charge the battery(s) in the morning, run it off muffs before you head out. Bring some tools along and a cell phone. Check your anchor and line. Make sure the drain plug is in.

Beer.

Good luck! I'd like a tri-hull someday. Any pics of your boat?

 

[poconojoe]

Check the bellows for cracking. A leaky bellows can sink your boat. While you are out keep a good eye in your bilge for water and make sure your bilge pump is working before launching.

 

[poconojoe]

Oh, with a stern drive, you don't want to run your boat with the trim too high.

 

[JaCrispy]

Going off what poconojoe wrote, check bilge pumps.

 

[Bt Doctur]

make sure the drive has oil in it

 

[thumpar]

Keep in mind that the drive have a water pump in it. The impeller needs to be changed regularly. If you don't know the history it might be a good idea to just change it. They are cheap and it is easy to do.

 

[Fishermark]

^^^ Unless you know for sure the impeller was changed recently I would suggest pulling the outdrive and checking the condition of the bellows and engine alignment. (Read the stickies at the top of the page for this kind of basic info).

Drain the oil in the outdrive, do a pressure check, change the impeller, check the alignment, re-install outdrive, refill with gear oil Then you are good to go!

 

[johnkom]

Loved my in-line 6 tri-hull. Smoothest running engine I've ever owned. Low freeboard, good for skiers. But alas the hull turned into crap.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Your hour meter may have died a long long time ago, however it is most likely the original engine. Most I/O motors outlive the hulls

 

[Milemaker13]

Really? That's good news. The hull is in great shape How often are these rebuilt?

 

[thumpar]

Really? That's good news. The hull is in great shape How often are these rebuilt?

Depends on the maintenance. They are easily good for 2000+ hours with proper maintenance.

 

[Milemaker13]

D'oh! Went to the lake, dead battery!! What was that JaCrispy said? Oh, right.. charge the battery and run it on the muffs before heading out.

Well, at least now I have another whole week to get ready. Great.

Needless to say, I've been reading up on adding a second battery. This feels like one of those lessons you learn once and never forget.

Charged the battery back home, fired up within the first revolution. Sigh...

 

[Milemaker13]

First item: change outdrive oil. Can anyone tell me how much is going to fit into this 165 mercruiser? The tag on the back says 1.65R.

 

[GM165]

The 1.65R means a 1.65:1 gear ratio, right hand rotation. Don't know the capacity.

I'm in the same boat (sorry) as you with a 165hp in line 6 that is new to me so I'm going to read the answers here. Mine started and ran fine first trip. But I know mine was serviced last fall.

Hey. Found the answer. 5 US Qt. Found it here. http://www.mercruiserparts.com/tech...rts/SterndriveInboardEngineOilCapacities.aspx

 

[thumpar]

The drive only holds about 1 2/3 quarts. Make sure you fill it from the bottom.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Buy 2 quarts, 'n change to the 2nd one,... Before the 1st one is empty, so ya don't pump in a big bubble of air,.....