vipertblck
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2012
- Messages
- 205
Hey all. I?ve been lookin? around for a while now in the search for my first boat. I?m not looking for a big powerhouse boat, just a 19-20 foot with a 6 cyl, trying to avoid looking at v8; so the power and beating on the boat won?t be tremendous. Been posting on here links to boats I?m coming across as to any input on them, but really how do you know what to look for? Figured in addition to posting boats as I find them, I?d post this as well with some concerns and questions I have, or what I SHOULD have in terms of inspection. I?ve listed some things I?ve come across while reading, as well as terms or questions I have?
1) When I go look at a boat, I crawl all over trying to find soft spots in the floor, I?ve been reading that the ?stringers? can rot as well. How can I even get visual of these? Should this be a concern when purchasing a 1990?s or newer boat? Also I?ve read this can potentially cause engine misalignment as well if the mounts have rotten wood?
2) I climb underneath and check the bellow boots for cracks or tears. As well as visually inspect the hull for any spider cracks or such. From what I read there should be ZERO cracks of any sort in the hull exterior..
3) How often is an outdrive expected to last, I read about people replacing them. If properly cared for and shaft lubed, and oil changed annually, why wouldn?t they last the life of the boat? How do I look for signs of a bad outdrive? Also misaligned cables that can potentially damage the outdrive, how do you know if the cables misaligned? If I do purchase a boat I?m assuming the service manual will guide me on how to adjust cables, but I wanna know how to inspect them while in the field inspecting the boat.
4) Engine couplers-how long are these expected to last? I was on a boat once when one failed; it acted as if the clutch just let loose! This was a 68? Sea Ray though so it definitely had some age to it; but I?ve been reading of folks with 1990?s boats with around 400 hours and their coupler failing? There?s no way to inspect this when shopping is there?
5) Greasing the coupler shaft; what does this mean? I understand greasing the two u joints in there just as you would on a vehicles driveshaft, but what is greasing the splines? Are they actually telling you to put chassis grease on the outdrives splines that slip into the engines flywheel?
6) What preventative maintenance should be done annually? I?m reading a lot about ppl pulling their outdrives off and checking alignment? Does that mean just the 6 nuts and yank that sucker off, or is it just the lower portion of it? Then checking alignment is that just putting the tool in through the gimble bearing into the flywheel, and ensuring it slides freely, of which not adjusting the engines stance? Also what is expected annually, obviously greasing u joints when outdrive is pulled, but changing engine oil, but is there only one oil throughout the whole outdrive too? How about the outdrives ?water pump/pickup?, is that a preventative item to change?
How long does it average folks to get their outdrive off during yearly maintenance when greasing u-joints or changing bellows, gimble bearing, whatever it may be?
Thanks in advance everyone, I just wanna buy something I know I can handle when it comes to maintenance and repairs, as I?ll be doing the work myself. Hopefully I?ll gain a lot of knowledge from everyone here and make a good, smart purchase when the right boat comes along.
1) When I go look at a boat, I crawl all over trying to find soft spots in the floor, I?ve been reading that the ?stringers? can rot as well. How can I even get visual of these? Should this be a concern when purchasing a 1990?s or newer boat? Also I?ve read this can potentially cause engine misalignment as well if the mounts have rotten wood?
2) I climb underneath and check the bellow boots for cracks or tears. As well as visually inspect the hull for any spider cracks or such. From what I read there should be ZERO cracks of any sort in the hull exterior..
3) How often is an outdrive expected to last, I read about people replacing them. If properly cared for and shaft lubed, and oil changed annually, why wouldn?t they last the life of the boat? How do I look for signs of a bad outdrive? Also misaligned cables that can potentially damage the outdrive, how do you know if the cables misaligned? If I do purchase a boat I?m assuming the service manual will guide me on how to adjust cables, but I wanna know how to inspect them while in the field inspecting the boat.
4) Engine couplers-how long are these expected to last? I was on a boat once when one failed; it acted as if the clutch just let loose! This was a 68? Sea Ray though so it definitely had some age to it; but I?ve been reading of folks with 1990?s boats with around 400 hours and their coupler failing? There?s no way to inspect this when shopping is there?
5) Greasing the coupler shaft; what does this mean? I understand greasing the two u joints in there just as you would on a vehicles driveshaft, but what is greasing the splines? Are they actually telling you to put chassis grease on the outdrives splines that slip into the engines flywheel?
6) What preventative maintenance should be done annually? I?m reading a lot about ppl pulling their outdrives off and checking alignment? Does that mean just the 6 nuts and yank that sucker off, or is it just the lower portion of it? Then checking alignment is that just putting the tool in through the gimble bearing into the flywheel, and ensuring it slides freely, of which not adjusting the engines stance? Also what is expected annually, obviously greasing u joints when outdrive is pulled, but changing engine oil, but is there only one oil throughout the whole outdrive too? How about the outdrives ?water pump/pickup?, is that a preventative item to change?
How long does it average folks to get their outdrive off during yearly maintenance when greasing u-joints or changing bellows, gimble bearing, whatever it may be?
Thanks in advance everyone, I just wanna buy something I know I can handle when it comes to maintenance and repairs, as I?ll be doing the work myself. Hopefully I?ll gain a lot of knowledge from everyone here and make a good, smart purchase when the right boat comes along.
