Should I buy this boat?

[garbageguy]

Well, I took the plunge today and bought the boat...

Looks like a well-cared for boat. Enjoy!

 

[79Renken]

Congrats on the boat. It does look well cared for, I think you did well. I have a 1979 Renken with the MerCruiser straight 6 165hp, great engine. I think you will love the engine. As for parts, eBay for some things, iboats for others.

 

[Tman1971]

Thanks guys. Thanks a bunch. One question I do have is I thought the mercruiser Chevy you could still get parts for and the mercruiser outdrive you could still get parts for? Are they out of business?
Some how the previous owner got new parts because I had a boat mechanic come out today to check the outdrive and he said all the seals, boots and impeller have been replaced and all look new. So that was a big plus! I knew everything worked and there wasn’t any problems but I figured I’d go ahead and replace some things that wear back there but the mechanic said it was all new and didn’t change anything. Maybe the previous owner got lucky and found the parts but I didn’t know they were out of business and there we no new parts being made for it. That kind of worries me a little...

 

[Tman1971]

Couple more questions. What gear oil do I use in the foot and what oil goes in the motor? Can I use synthetic?

 

[Maclin]

MerCruiser is still in business.

 

[Tman1971]

That’s good to here. I thought they were but want sure. As far as my boat itself. I’m sure it’s be hard to find factory parts for it such as original cleats or the throttle/shifter handle. But hopefully I don’t end up needing anything like that. If I do guess I’ll just have to customize it with something newer.

 

[mr 88]

None of the parts you are looking for were "factory" parts. They are all outsourced from different mfgs. Some of the cleats ,depending on style are still made today ,you can check on this site. If not still in production Ebay is a great source for matching up older parts,including your shifter. You can also check craigslist under boat parts, there is a guy in my area that seems to be buying up older"junk" boats and then stripping the parts for resale,he must have 50 items listed at various times.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

That’s good to here. I thought they were but want sure. As far as my boat itself. I’m sure it’s be hard to find factory parts for it such as original cleats or the throttle/shifter handle. But hopefully I don’t end up needing anything like that. If I do guess I’ll just have to customize it with something newer.

That's one of the reasons a few of us retired Boys out this way that have a little Marine repair/restoration shop going will take any boat, any engine, outdrive, controllers etc. etc. any year in almost any condition no matter how old. Just sold 2 corner cleats for a 70's era Sunray for 50 bucks each, the owner was happy to pay it, the boat was free for the taking. I did a quick inventory last month and counted no less than 50 sets of old controllers and cables of all makes and models they have been picking for the last 30 plus years.

Good luck with your "New" barge, have fun she looks like a beauty. You will turn more heads at the docks then a new 200K Cruiser. I once had a 63' Lancia with original paint (another car I forgot I had) I parked it next to a service centre north of Toronto and when I came out there were 3 guys with Ferraris oowing and awing over it. No better feeling, almost no better anyway, You did well.

 

[Tman1971]

Thanks for the information guys. I’ll just start cruising Ebay and see what I can come up with. I don’t have to have any of it right now, just wanted to replace some of the pieces that the chromes is a little scuffed up on. I started looking into that hydro chrome kit you can buy and chrome anything. However it’s around 3 or 400 dollars but that stuff is amazing. You can chrome anything! Plastic or metal or even wood. It’s basically the same way they use to chrome glass to make mirrors years ago. Same process. If you hadn’t seen the stuff google Hydro Chrome or check it out on YouTube. Have any of you guys ever had any experience with this stuff? I could rechrome every chrome piece on my boat with this stull. It’s amazing!

 

[Teamster]

Great lakes skipper liquidates new old stock for most of the major manufacturers,... I know I saw cleats with Sea Ray logos on them,

 

[Tman1971]

Thanks teamster!!