Need Help!

[airbornemp19]

I just bought my first boat as my wife and I just got an awesome lake home in central N. Carolina. I have a few simple questions, maybe someone could help me out.

Winterizing a boat; Right now it's OCT 23 and it's officially 86 degrees here in NC. Do I really need to winterize the boat? Ofcourse, though not in the last few years, it will snow breifly and lightly here, and on those days I could keep the boat in the garage, but mainly due to global warming (maybe???) we have indian summers.

Is 225 hours on a boat alot?

Significant play is in the steering, would fresh bushings do the job?

The prop is dinged up slightly and when I'm riding the boat, it does have an odd vibration at some RPM's. Is possible due to this?

Also in Neutral, it idles roughly but is very smooth in quiet with mild throttle it smooths out nicely. SHould I adjust an idle screw or something? How do I do it?

The boat is a 1994 Stingray z556 with the mercruiser I/O 3.0 LX 135HP, I got it very cheap (3500) and it's very clean and updated. Also, if you have any comments about this paticular boat or some like it, I would like to know.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Need Help!

1) Do I really need to winterize the boat?

Not unless it's going to freeze. Then you do unless you like replacing cracked blocks .....

2) Is 225 hours on a boat alot?

225 hours on a 13 year old boat is almost nothing. Very low hours. Most people I know put in the neighborhood of 100 hours a year on theirs.

3) Significant play is in the steering, would fresh bushings do the job?

If worn bushings is the problem it will. Have someone hold the drive, someone else try to turn the wheel back and forth, and find out where the play is.

4) The prop is dinged up slightly and when I'm riding the boat, it does have an odd vibration at some RPM's. Is possible due to this?

A vibration due to a dinged up prop is certainly possible. Borrow another one or buy another for a spare (good to have) and see if it makes a difference.

5) Also in Neutral, it idles roughly but is very smooth in quiet with mild throttle it smooths out nicely. SHould I adjust an idle screw or something? How do I do it?

You should do something. Might be replacing spark plugs, plug wires, rotor, and distributer cap. A complete tune up would probably be a good idea. Might need to rebuild the carb since it's apparently been sitting up a lot judging from the low hours. A shop manual will tell you how to do it.

Sounds like a very nice boat. Take care of the little things and you should have a good time with it!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Need Help!

I just bought my first boat as my wife and I just got an awesome lake home in central N. Carolina. I have a few simple questions, maybe someone could help me out.

Winterizing a boat; Right now it's OCT 23 and it's officially 86 degrees here in NC. Do I really need to winterize the boat? Ofcourse, though not in the last few years, it will snow breifly and lightly here, and on those days I could keep the boat in the garage, but mainly due to global warming (maybe???) we have indian summers.
As long as the engine is not exposed to 32* or less for more than 5 hours....
More than that & roll the dice.....

Is 225 hours on a boat alot?
Not really, but how much care & preventative maintainence (or lack thereof) can be a large factor....

Significant play is in the steering, would fresh bushings do the job?
No, try tightening the two bolts on the top of the gimbal ring to 50#.....

The prop is dinged up slightly and when I'm riding the boat, it does have an odd vibration at some RPM's. Is possible due to this?
Yes, most definately.....

Also in Neutral, it idles roughly but is very smooth in quiet with mild throttle it smooths out nicely. SHould I adjust an idle screw or something? How do I do it?
When was the last time it had a full tune up?.....
IE, plugs, wires, cap, rotor?.....

The boat is a 1994 Stingray z556 with the mercruiser I/O 3.0 LX 135HP, I got it very cheap (3500) and it's very clean and updated. Also, if you have any comments about this paticular boat or some like it, I would like to know.

Welcome to iboats......

 

[metwrench]

Re: Need Help!

Agree with Everything 45Auto Told ya..

100 Hours Per Year sounds Right !!

 

[fredcrn]

Re: Need Help!

Welcome to iboats airbourne. I've been winterizing in central and coastal North Carolina for a number of years and just pour a couple of jugs of RV antifreeze thru the system. Undo top end hoses, open lower block drain cocks and pour away. If cold weather arrives before I have a chance to get this done, I just hang a trouble light in the bilge. This has worked well for me.
Fred