First time boat owner

[Makedust]

Hello from San Antonio.
i just picked up an older deck boat from a gentleman down the road who just got too old to take it out anymore. Its a 1978 Anchor Pastics lo decker Deck Boat. I named her Dangerous Type because everything about her looks kinda sketchy. I put some pontoon seats and a flip flop cooler seat in as it came with no seats, just a ledge all the way around.
I did an overlay on the floor with four sheets of freated 1/2" plywood as the floor had been redone at some time before but it developed some soft spots anyway because it was never glassed over. I put some new marine carpet and it feels good on bare feet. I will probably tear out the the floor and stringers in the near future. I re-did the swim platforms with 5/4" deck boards and added a new ladder since the old boards we rotted and the ladder was kinda wimpy. I got a Magma fillet table and Kuuma gas grill for it. I also got an alpine stereo, marine amp, and marine speakers, I have yet to install. It's a party boat for sure. We took her out to the lake a couple of weeks ago, we had fun but the 140 OMC sterndrive could use a carb kit and a tune up. She swims like a great white shark on the prowl, side to side on the water so I'm going to guess a new rack and pinion is in it's near future. It was a sight to see us trying to get it in and out of the water, it was a youtube moment worthy of epic boating fails episode. I didn't have a clue about owning or piloting a boat, it was a disaster, I boogered up the prop on some rocks but it came with an extra, so no biggie. Benny Hill would have peen proud! Its got a working Eagle fish finder and it was no fun when the engine konked out in the middle of the lake in 106 feet deep water. All in all it was a fun day at the lake, there will be many more in its future. I'll attach some pics and I am happy to be a new member.
Thanks.

 

[alldodge]

:welcome: aboard

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard.

The "wander" you're experience when steering: if it's at low speed, then it's probably pretty normal. I/Os tend to do that. If it's happening on plane, then of course that's different.

You're also into a electric shift OMC Stringer with through hull push/pull steering. You almost can't get much more vintage (translation = obsolete, antique and finicky) than that. I personally like the drive, but be ready: it's going to take attention, and care.

 

[Makedust]

Thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated.
I will have plenty of questions to ask. I wanted this boat to be something that my son or daughters could hook up and take to the lake at a moments notice without me having to be there as the mechanic to make sure everything was in proper working order but unfortunately it will be what it is....an old boat that will always need attention and some sort of tweaking. I just got the new tires for the original Dilly trailer, I re-did the rub rails on the side but I have no clue how im going to re-do the ones on the bottom. I also want to get new rollers because the ones on it right now are brittle and torn. It will be awhile before it needs nothing....if there is ever such a thing as that when it comes to owning a boat.

 

[mr 88]

Boater Safety course comes to mind as well as charts .Pressure treated wood attached directly to aluminum is a no no . I know you said you put it over the old stuff , just letting you know for future reference.