First time boat owner

[SkemoFisher]

Hi all. It's my first time owning a boat. As a new boat owner, excuse me if I don't know all of the marine language. I just picked up an older wellcraft w/85 johnson ob. This boat has been out of the water for a few years and I will be getting it back in shape.
Hopefully joining here I can learn about boating.
I will be asking question on how to locate parts as the motor is from '74.

 

[alldodge]

welcome aboard

 

[mike_i]

Take a boaters safety class.

Auxiliary

www.uscg.mil

 

[southkogs]

Welcome!

 

[racerone]

Many parts ( consumable ) are readily available from the factory.---Many aftermarket parts as well.--And do a complete evaluation of the motor BEFORE spending any beer tokens.-----Post the results of a compression test.----Check lower unit for water intrusion.

 

[jimmbo]

First thing to do if it passes the Compression, Ignition, and Gearcase Seal tests, is to drop the Lower Unit, and replace the Water Pump Impeller, or if need be, the complete Water Pump.

 

[JimS123]

Before you even look at the motor, look at the hull. If the boat is also a 1974, it would be quite unusual for the hull to be solid. Boats weren't built that long-lasting back then.

You need to enlist a local friend to help you do an inspection. A professional survey will cost big bucks. Major work to make the boat safe (if required) will cost more than the boat is worth.

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

There are outboard forums here to ask specific questions. Lots of websites sell parts for older motors, including iBoats

 

[Buster53]

Take a boaters safety class.

Auxiliary

www.uscg.mil

Take an actual class, not online. You will get a lot more out of it. Some states require it as well as insurance companies before insuring a boat.
After taking it, follow up with the Seamanship class that both the US Power Squadron and Coast Guard Aux offer.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Welcome, @SkemoFisher ! You've come to right place to get your boating questions answered. Lots of helpful folks here.

When asking questions about your boat and its condition, keep in mind that pictures go a long way in helping us help you.

 

[SkemoFisher]

Before you even look at the motor, look at the hull. If the boat is also a 1974, it would be quite unusual for the hull to be solid. Boats weren't built that long-lasting back then.

You need to enlist a local friend to help you do an inspection. A professional survey will cost big bucks. Major work to make the boat safe (if required) will cost more than the boat is worth.

I had a friend help me looking at the hull. It's pretty solid, there are a couple of small quarter size chips that need to be addressed. The floor is solid.

 

[SkemoFisher]

Take a boaters safety class.

Auxiliary

www.uscg.mil

I plan to, right now there are none scheduled in my area

 

[SkemoFisher]

Welcome, @SkemoFisher ! You've come to right place to get your boating questions answered. Lots of helpful folks here.

When asking questions about your boat and its condition, keep in mind that pictures go a long way in helping us help you.

Thanks! I will need the help, that's why I joined this site....

 

[SkemoFisher]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

There are outboard forums here to ask specific questions. Lots of websites sell parts for older motors, including iBoats

Thanks, I will be needing a few parts. The former owner decided to remove a couple of key parts. I did a search and found that one is not available.

 

[racerone]

What parts are not available ??----Where are you looking for these parts ?----Any part numbers or pictures if what you need ?

 

[Buster53]

I plan to, right now there are none scheduled in my area

You might want to let us know your location.

 

[SkemoFisher]

Take an actual class, not online. You will get a lot more out of it. Some states require it as well as insurance companies before insuring a boat.
After taking it, follow up with the Seamanship class that both the US Power Squadron and Coast Guard Aux offer.

Before I even purchased the boat, I did some research of what the requirements of are operating a boat. I looked in my area and there are no classes at this time.

 

[SkemoFisher]

You might want to let us know your location. Check to see if there are any fairly local chapters of either the US Power Squadron or the Coast Guard Aux. They both offer boating safety classes and I strongly suggest following up with the Seamanship class both offer.
if there are no local classes available, you can take the Boater Safety class online, but I do believe you will get more out of an actual class as opposed to an online one.

I'm in CT, the only classes that were offered in Dec. I appreciate if you locate a local chapter for me.

 

[Buster53]

I'm in CT, the only classes that were offered in Dec. I appreciate if you locate a local chapter for me.

Google both organizations. They should list the chapters. If you can’t find a nearby class, you can take the boater safety class online. I just prefer actual classes over online ones

 

[airshot]

I had a friend help me looking at the hull. It's pretty solid, there are a couple of small quarter size chips that need to be addressed. The floor is solid.

Looking wont answer anything !! A deep dive is needed, hulls rot from the bottom up !! You need to look at stringers and transom near the bottom. Core samples will be needed to know for sure. I would not spend a nickle until the hull is inspected for rot. Being a 1974 I can almost assure you there will be structure issues!