is this a good idea?

[Roanld Rzepkowski]

I just purchased a 1989 19.5 foot hydrasport bassboat with a 200hp Mercury that has been sitting uncovered in a friends backyard for 10 years. He SWEARS it was winterized before he parked it. 53 total hours on boat/motor combo. Is this worth fixing? a quick rundown on what will probably be needed would be a great help. thanks GRIZZ

 

[roscoe]

Re: is this a good idea?

This could be a short list, but you don't know until you have someone check it out. I would be worried aboout floor, stringers,hull, transom, wiring, seals,trailer coupler brakes and bearings,ignition switch, t/t, internal corrosion, water pump/impeller, carbs rebuild, compression, upholstery. You name it, it could need replacing.<br /><br />I would think someone that treats a boat like this must have more money to throw a way than brains. IMTO. <br /><br />Why didn't he use it for 10 years, was it broken? I wouldn't touch it. You can probably buy a very good late model for what it will cost you to fix it properly.

 

[91formula]

Re: is this a good idea?

I'm with roscoe,<br /><br />soon this friend will be an ex!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Backlash]

Re: is this a good idea?

Hey Grizz,<br />Check it out carefully. Could be well worth the time, money & effort. I picked up a '84 vintage bassboat that had been sitting in the Georgia sun for 4-5 years without being moved. I paid $900 for it. It had a 115 Yammy with less than 50 hours on it. I ended up replacing the steering, seats, carpet, storage locker/livewell covers, trolling motor, impeller, rebuilt the carbs, painted the trailer and replaced the trailer wheel bearings & tires. Spent a lot of elbow greese on the gel coat. By doing everything myself, I had less that $2000 total invested and had a GREAT bassboat. Ran it for three years and sold it for $5000. <br />Backlash

 

[almost retired again]

Re: is this a good idea?

Hi Grizz,<br />I agree with Backlash; until you have checked it out I would think that it would be very hard to say that it's whether or not it's worth fixing. You may have a great buy.<br />Good Luck

 

[roscoe]

Re: is this a good idea?

Its the part about being uncovered for 10 years that worries me the most.<br /><br />Also, was it, and the trailer, used in saltwater?<br /><br />Remember, that rock you are about to step on to cross the creek, just may be a large turtle. <br /><br />Good Luck, and keep us posted.

 

[mrmarvc]

Re: is this a good idea?

Hi Grizz, and good luck.<br />I'm pretty much in the same boat you are on getting a deal. I bought a 16 ft. Alpex with a 1965 65 h.p. Mercury on it. Interior and seats, etc. are pretty good shape. The outer shel on bottom needs some tlc and elbow grease, but otherwise good. The motor lacks a little to be desired though. Just needs a new water pump impellor, possibly new lower end seals, and some one with more brains than me to figure out why the motor don't run the greatest. But I got the boat, motor and trailer for $500, and the top end of motor had already been gone through and redone. I figure for another $250 to $500 I will have a very servicable rig, which will not be a babe catcher, but will give me lots of fun. The people on here are very good people, and I wouldn't be a bit afraid to try their advice and suggestions. Good Luck, and good boating.

 

[Roanld Rzepkowski]

Re: is this a good idea?

He asked so little I couldn't pass it up. He says he started it yearly(with a flush attatched) and squirted oil into the cylinders until 2 or three years ago when the battery finally gave up the ghost and wouldn't charge. supposedly he kept the main tanks dry. I've reworked several vintage johnson 5-10 hp outboards in my youth, so I'm anxious to try to revive this behemoth. 1988 200hp black max. I'm worried about the oil injection failing and frying the motor, can you bypass this system and premix? should I try to get it started on a richer mixture of gas/oil? haw difficult is it for a home mech. to put a kit in the water pump. He's bringing me the boat this weekend, this is my spring project. thanks

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: is this a good idea?

Hi Grizz,<br />The first thing you will want to get is a Manual for the Motor, if he does'nt have one to give you. That will guide you through removing the Lower Unit and change the impeller, along with other servicing that will come along later. It is not difficult to do the Pump, as long as you have the book to guide you. Be sure to do it before you try and start it. The oil injection can be disabled fairly easily. Just a Matter of disconnecting the oil lines, Tank and related wiring. Just do a search at the top of this page for "Oil Injection". You may also need to rebuild the Carbs. if they are gummed up from sitting. Before you first start it up, shoot some oil into the cylinders and turn it over by hand a few times so it is not "Dry" started. Use fresh gas at a 25:1 Mixture(1 Quart Oil- 6 Gal Gas) for at least 6 Gallons. Here's a little discussion on the oil injection removal that I found in the search:<br /><br /> web page