NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

[Levinz11]

1988 Phantom 18.5' Bowrider. 4.3 w/Cobra outdrive. It seems to have been taken care of very well. Interior in good shape. Engine and outdrive had clean oil. Bellows and transom gaskets done 12 month ago w/receipts. She starts right up and purrs nicely. It has a 14.5/21P 3 blade prop and does 42 at 4200 RPM. Gauges might be off?? From my week on this board that seems OK. Had a little more throttle to play with but I don't want to beat on her.

I'm having trouble finding much info on the manufacturer. Phantom Enterprises Inc. I guess they are out of business now. The boat seems very well made, though.

If you experienced guys have any info or tips for a first time boat owner please let me know! I think we got a lot of boat for $2000.

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[tomdinwv]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Congrats on the new boat and welcome to iboats.

 

[Levinz11]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Messed up with the pics. Here they are:

 

[scoutabout]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

I'd say you did as well as long as your stringers, floors, and transom are good. Welcome!

If you are seeing 4200 rpm wide open I'd say that is a little low, however get yourself a service manual to be sure. I would have thought that motor should be turning 5500 or so. Maybe you aren't propped correctly (or I'm out to lunch...has happened before!
)

 

[Levinz11]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

I'd say you did as well as long as your stringers, floors, and transom are good. Welcome!

If you are seeing 4200 rpm wide open I'd say that is a little low, however get yourself a service manual to be sure. I would have thought that motor should be turning 5500 or so. Maybe you aren't propped correctly (or I'm out to lunch...has happened before!
)

Well at 4200 RPM I wasn't at WOT. Close but not all the way there. I kind of scared to rev it higher to be honest.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

OK - gotcha. I'm wrong anyway I think. Max might be closer to 4800. See what happens when you go looking for info on the interweb?

Kidding aside, unless you are getting bad vibrations or some other indication of problems, WOT operation is just fine (water, weather, and traffic conditions being ok of course).

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Scared of something breaking or scared of the speed?! If the motor is sound then WOT is no problem. In my experience (limited) motors run better at WOT. My 86' 200' Johnson loves WOT!! Wallet on the other hand isn't a fan!!! :redface:

 

[Levinz11]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Scared of something breaking or scared of the speed?! If the motor is sound then WOT is no problem. In my experience (limited) motors run better at WOT. My 86' 200' Johnson loves WOT!! Wallet on the other hand isn't a fan!!! :redface:

Haha!
Not scared of the speed, just scared of breaking stuff. 25 year old boat and all.

 

[Aquaman-PSD]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Well we have a saying in KY "Com' on man! that dog'l hunt!!!"

 

[ziggy]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

congrats on the new boat. looks like a nice one.

Not scared of the speed, just scared of breaking stuff. 25 year old boat and all.

imho, ya need to find out what the facts are for wot spec. of your rig. then go find out if it'll reach wot. old or not. if it don't reach wot spec. you could be lugging your engine (over propped) and not even know it cause ya ain't gone out to see if it'll reach spec...
fwiw. mine's older than yours and i give it wot once in a while. if only to find out that all is working well. i've already confirmed a long time ago that i'm propped right (which it wasn't when i got it. had a 21P prop which was to much for my rig). my wot spec is 3900-4300. i achieve 4300 (high end of spec with normal load and trim, right where ya wanna be) w/ my 19P prop. so if i can't reach it now, i know somethings up with my rig... knowing it can achieve wot spec can be used as a diagnostic...

good luck with yer new rig and have lots of fun with her.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Im going to guess your a fl man? lol welcome to iboats great looking boat looks like it was someones pride and joy. But yea see if you can push that boat to WOT as long as it feels fine you should be good. These engines are designed to be operated that high for constant bits of time.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

drive it like you stole it--because you practically did!

$2000 for a well-running boat of that size, and new bellows (the primary risk point for that type of boat) is great. You'll get $2000 worth out of it this season easy.

Welcome to iboats and enjoy your new toy and mistress. It's a good looking rig for that price, and that's coming from a guy who, shall we say, prefers other styles.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

I AGREE lol hopefully yull hit 45-48 if you get it to WOT

 

[Levinz11]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Im going to guess your a fl man? lol welcome to iboats great looking boat looks like it was someones pride and joy. But yea see if you can push that boat to WOT as long as it feels fine you should be good. These engines are designed to be operated that high for constant bits of time.

Yes, sir. Ocoee. That is Starke Lake in the background. I agree about the "pride and joy" part. I cleaned it pretty good after I brought it home but it was pampered!

 

[Levinz11]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

drive it like you stole it--because you practically did!

$2000 for a well-running boat of that size, and new bellows (the primary risk point for that type of boat) is great. You'll get $2000 worth out of it this season easy.

Welcome to iboats and enjoy your new toy and mistress. It's a good looking rig for that price, and that's coming from a guy who, shall we say, prefers other styles.

Thanks Cookin....The PO said he had for sale for 8 months. The only reason I can think that it took so long to sell was 1. the manufacturer is out of business or 2. the OMC outdrive?? What kind of "style" do you prefer? Everyone told me to get an OB but family boats with outboards are kind of hard to find.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

OMC is prolly what did it. They've been gone for over a decade and some parts are getting harder to find and some mechanics won't work on them because of that. A Cobra isn't as bad as some of the older models and there is even a kit available from SEI to convert it to a Mercruiser outdrive if needed. The 4.3 is a great motor. I think you did well if it's water ready for $2k despite the OMC.

Now if it was sporting an obsolete motor like the 2.3 on top of things? Well that would be a different story but I think it was a decent buy.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

congrats on the new boat. looks like a nice one.
imho, ya need to find out what the facts are for wot spec. of your rig. then go find out if it'll reach wot. old or not. if it don't reach wot spec. you could be lugging your engine (over propped) and not even know it cause ya ain't gone out to see if it'll reach spec...
fwiw. mine's older than yours and i give it wot once in a while. if only to find out that all is working well. i've already confirmed a long time ago that i'm propped right (which it wasn't when i got it. had a 21P prop which was to much for my rig). my wot spec is 3900-4300. i achieve 4300 (high end of spec with normal load and trim, right where ya wanna be) w/ my 19P prop. so if i can't reach it now, i know somethings up with my rig... knowing it can achieve wot spec can be used as a diagnostic...

good luck with yer new rig and have lots of fun with her.

Truer words, Zig - great advice. I wonder myself if 21 isn't just a tad too much prop for this boat.

Anyway, Levinz - Looks like your ace in the hole is that conversion kit. Enjoy her as long as you are able and if you finally get backed into a corner parts or service wise on that outdrive, get in touch with SEI for that alpha swap kit.

Meanwhile get to know that Cobra unit inside and out and maintain it to the letter.

Hull obsolescence is not as big a deal believe it or not because a) many of the materials and methods of construction are common to all types (so you will approach work like floor replacement, reupholstry, gelcoat work and the like the same way almost regardless of make and model); and b) many of the smaller fiddly bits such as cleats, lights, fuel caps, horns, instruments, steering systems etc. are from third party suppliers who themselves are either still in business or other companies have perfectly workable alternatives.

Sure, there's some stuff like custom windshield frames or maybe an emblem or a trim piece that can be tricky to find replacements for - for that stuff you occasionally troll ebay and CL and just generally keep an eye out... Or try real hard not to bust it in the first place!

Good luck and boat on!

 

[Levinz11]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Awesome advice about the SEI adapter/swap kit. Knocking on wood it doesn't come to that! Right now she needs nothing but gas and a name.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Well levinz i was hopin to say this ILL see you out on the lake lol i boat there when i fish and on lake fairview when i got my lil bro and sis (a LOT less gators) ooo since were particularly neighbors if you need help with enigmatic or anything mechanical PM me lol

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: NOOB Just bought himself a boat!!

Awesome advice about the SEI adapter/swap kit. Knocking on wood it doesn't come to that! Right now she needs nothing but gas and a name.

Hey if you want you can help me with any left over gas after your fill up . Oh and if you haven't registered it yet go up to the apopka office (just take 429 and a left when you dead end) there is never anybody there besides the workers lol.