Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

[sasada]

I have a 16' Lund equipped with a 1996 Johnson 50HP 3cly 2stroke and to date the thing runs like a champ. I was just wanting to get some thoughts on what you folks thought i should do/double check prior to pulling the rig 700mi to Canada for my annual fishing trip. It runs out great and purrs at idle. Just like every spring i have changed the lower unit oil and spark plugs, as well as greased the zerks, and will be doing the impeller (even though it pees great) in the near future. But other than that in regards to the motor is there anything you recommend I look in to or maintain? Thanks!

 

[Daviet]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Sounds like you have every thing covered. Check electrical connections and make sure everyting is clean and tight, battery connections also.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Make sure you have a spare set of plugs and prop.

 

[boobie]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

May want to have your battery load tested before you go to make sure it's okay.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

May want to have your battery load tested before you go to make sure it's okay.

Having a rope to pull start in an emergency is a good idea, too.

 

[sasada]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Electrical connections...check. Spare plugs and spare prop...check. Pull start rope...check. Have not checked the battery for load but have 2 on board so worst case i switch them out or use my pull start rope. Anything else?

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Make sure you have a spare set of plugs and prop.

And a proper prop wrench.

 

[sasada]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

And a proper prop wrench.

HA! Yeah, wouldn't that be convenient!?! Extra prop but no wrench to change it out if need be...

 

[archcycle]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Having a rope to pull start in an emergency is a good idea, too.

And test the rope first to make sure it doesn't stretch too much to be useful. It takes a small rope to fit in that groove and you may find the one you chose to fit that groove acts more like a rubber band under a heavy load.

Might want to pick up an extra ignition coil.

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Charge batteries , check PFDs & first aid kit.

Check your wheel bearings & spare tire.... your boat might be fine but you need your trailer to get it to the water.

Make sure you take a camera so you can post some pictures here!! (I always wanted to go to Canada and fish... I hear it is beautiful there.)

 

[sasada]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Charge batteries , check PFDs & first aid kit.

Check your wheel bearings & spare tire.... your boat might be fine but you need your trailer to get it to the water.

Make sure you take a camera so you can post some pictures here!! (I always wanted to go to Canada and fish... I hear it is beautiful there.)

Will do! I tend to worry about the trailer about as much as anything else because you are very right...there will be no fishing unless i have the tailer to get it there.

It is very beautiful there. Dont get me wrong i really enjoy the fishing up there but the scenery and down time to recharge is well worth it by itself. Heck, if i didnt go up there i dont even know if my Lund would really even get used! That is how much i truely enjoy going.

Couple fish from last year...nothing super impressive but nice nonetheless.

 

[Beek14]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Don't forget your 13/16" wrench or socket so you are able to change out those spark plugs if necessary.

 

[sasada]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Don't forget your 13/16" wrench or socket so you are able to change out those spark plugs if necessary.

Got it! I generally keep a basic socket set, pliers, and a couple screw drivers on board if they are needed. I understand its a pretty basic tool set up but hope i don't need them while I'm out. I can say though, that the screw drivers have come in handy a time or two.

 

[sasada]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Okay so new plugs, new impeller, new tires, extra coil on the way, new prop (old one for spare), bearings checked, batteries charged...anything else I can reasonably do prior to taking off?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Make sure the cooler has plenty of cold beer and ice inside. I can't believe no one mentioned THAT necessity.

 

[sasada]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Make sure the cooler has plenty of cold beer and ice inside. I can't believe no one mentioned THAT necessity.

I wish!!!!! Total crap... in Canada u cannot have booze in the boat. Probably a good thing for this guy!

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

in Canada u cannot have booze in the boat

Whaa...

 

[sasada]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

Whaa...

View attachment 148183

In Ontario you can't even transport alcohol unless the boat is classed as a "home".....now back to the original question in this thread.

 

[archcycle]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

In Ontario you can't even transport alcohol unless the boat is classed as a "home".....now back to the original question in this thread.

I took the liberty of planning your fishing destination for you.



Also sandpaper to clean fouled spark plugs, and a spark tester so you know whether you need the coil.

Then put all of this stuff in a waterproof-ish zip up bag with a rust preventer stick and leave it in your boat forever

 

[oldman570]

Re: Preventative maintenance prior to my fishing trip?

If the carbs, rings, and pistons have not been cleaned latly you might want to get a can of power tune at the local dealer and use it on the carbs and pistons as the derictions state on on the can. Very simple to do, and will clean any varnish out of carbs and carbon off pistons and rings.
Oldman570