My dads new boat...(kinda long)

Ok, my dad just turned 80, we had a boat when I was young, but he sold it when we had to move to Goodland. So he has been boat free since about 1973. His wife decided to buy him a boat for his 80th birthday. Not a good idea in my opinion, that is the age to be getting out of boating, not starting up. So she bought this boat from her brother, who told her he had gone through the whole thing, and while an old boat, was mechanically sound.
Attempted Launch #1 : About a month ago we were camping and boating for the weekend at our lake, and he called and wanted to come up and get her wet for the first time while we were there to help him out. I was playing with the grandkids when he got there, so I sent my son on his jet ski back to the ramp to help dad get the boat on the water, and bring him to us. Now I still have not seen this cherry boat, and did not have any idea this would be a problem.
Well after about 45 minutes my son came back for me, and said they needed my help, they got the boat off the trailer, and to the dock, but it died and could not re-start.
So I go with my son to the dock, and there sits my dad, his wife, and his 3 foster children baking the Oklahoma sun, right in the middle of this piece of crap pontoon. Well by the time I got there the 85 horse Force outboard had cooled off, and I was able to get her started, but noticed there was no water coming out of the exhaust ports just above the water line. I let it idle for a bit, but could feel the heads getting warmer and warmer, and told dad we better shut her off.
So we got her back on the trailer, and I took them on my boat and even though I had my 9 grandkids to entertain, I made time for his foster kids, and made sure they had a good time for a couple of hours, until dad was ready to leave. He was very agitated over the whole ordeal, I told him not to get angry, he said it was too late.
I told him I would order an impeller, and let him know when it was in and I would install it for him. So he left, and I finished the day thankful for my sea ray, and had fun with my grands.
Stay tuned!!

Thought I would throw in a couple pics of said boat *ahem

Ok son. Get to work. Update the seating. And find a nice four stroke to put on it. Let your dad go out in style.

So I order a water pump kit for his motor, let him know I had it and I would get down to change it out when I had time. He lives about 90 miles south of me, but he owns some rental property in a small town in southern Kansas about 45 miles north of me. He said he had some work to do at his rental property, and If I didnt mind, he would just drop the boat off at my shop, and I could work on it there. (which I loved that idea) When he dropped the boat off, he said his wife talked to her brother, and he told her that he just replaced the impeller, and there was nothing wrong with it, but I had a 85 horse force on my first little bayliner 35 years ago, and I knew something was not quite right.
Well the boat had been at my shop for about a week, but I had been busy at work and had not had a chance to mess with it, well last friday, he called and wanted to try the boat again the next day. So Last friday evening I tore into his boat. As soon as I got the water pump housing off, I knew that his wifes brother was a damn liar. I am betting the impeller was 10 years old anyway. So I got it replaced, and lower housing back on the boat, checked the lube in the lower unit, and had to add a quart to it. (went completely through the boat and it was mechanically sound my ass). Again, her brother is a damn liar. So hooked it up to the muffs to give her a test run, no keys in the boat. So this was about 9 pm, called dad and asked where the keys were, he forgot to leave them.
So we are going to launch the next day, and I am not able to test run, not very happy about this, but here goes.

Thought I’d throw in a couple pics of the impeller that her brother “just changed”

And how about a couple of my shin, my foot slipped off his trailer ladder when I was getting off the boat after looking for the key.

I bought a Bayliner when I was in high school. I thought I was king of the lake. Little did I know what a piece of junk it was. The worst part was that pos Force outboard. I would never own anything with a Force on it.

Launch attempt #2.....

So last saturday, my dad wants to try again. I pull my boat to the lake, and my wife pulls the junker with our suburban, so my dad can just meet us there. We get there an hour before him, so we go ahead and launch and go for a cruise. My wife has again invited the kids and grands for the day, so before dad gets there, we again have a boat full. He shows with his wife and kids, ready for a fun day on the lake, (luckily he brought the key) hooks onto his toon and backs her in the water, I am in the boat, and start her up and the only way I can get to run is to use the shift interlock and give it some throttle. Every time I go back to neutral, it dies, so I adjust the mechanical Idle screw, and get it to idle, but is very rough idle, and every time I put her in gear, it spudders and dies.
Soooo we mess with it for about 45 minutes, and he is getting angry again, so we abort the mission, and load them up in my boat and repeat launch attempt #1, we let his kids play for a couple hours, and send them on their way, with out their boat, I get to take it back home and do some more investigating, with the key this time at least.

Stay tuned:

Edit, forgot to mention had good water flow out the exhaust, so 1 of the many problems was fixed.

So last sunday morning I begin the investigation on whether the old girl will ever move under her own power again. I start off with a compression check, to see if it was even worth my time to continue. Pull the plugs, and run the check, 125 on all 3 cylinders across the board, I just ran a cold check, I should have warmed it up, but I didnt have the heart to try to start it and keep it running long enough to get it warm. So I think those compressions are good enough to keep investigating, starting with the plugs, I really think they are the original plugs. Local store does not have the exact replacement, but very close, he assured me that they would make it run. Pulled the carbs, a little trash and water in all 3 bowls, blew out the jets, checked the float adjustment and re-installed. dumped all fuel out of the tank, dried out, and re-filled oil/fuel mixture.
Hooked up the muffs, and she fired up, and Idled pretty good, so I let it idle and warm up for about 15 minutes, good water flow out the exhaust, so I think we may be good for launch attempt #3.

Ouch

Pic of the plug and a wind turbine central ok

Maggieiscrazy said:

I bought a Bayliner when I was in high school. I thought I was king of the lake. Little did I know what a piece of junk it was. The worst part was that pos Force outboard. I would never own anything with a Force on it.

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You know that little 15' bayliner with the 85 horse force that we had was my very 1st boat, my kids were babies, and we ran that boat everywhere. Never left us stranded, it was a great 1st boat. we had it for 5 years or so, and upgraded to an 18' wellcraft with a 3.0 merc and alpha. I sold that Bayliner to a co-worker, he took it out 1 time and then parked it under a tree, and that is where she still sits today. pretty sad to see, I always kept it garaged, interior was immaculate , he has just left it rot away, tarp is gone, seats are destroyed. He no longer works with our company, and I make it a point to never drive by his house in the country.

That brings us to this morning, I hauled both boats and my fifth wheel to the lake last night. Going to start the toon up at the campsite and let her idle 1 more time before I take her to the ramp to try her out. Dad said he would come to the lake later today by himself, or tomorrow with his wife and kids.
Here they are this morning

I hope launch attempt #3 is a success... you're a good son Tater!

JayhawkCurtis said:

Thought I would throw in a couple pics of said boat *ahem
View attachment 132356 View attachment 132357 View attachment 132358

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Holy shit, I thought you were exaggerating when you said it was a piece of crap. Pontoons are among the lowest forms of boats, but that's seriously horrible. I hope his wife didn't pay more than a $1.

I'm usually pretty diplomatic, but I'd be having a serious discussion with that brother. I have no idea what his reputation is but it seems his incompetence not only made your dad really upset, but also put him and his foster kids in danger. Not to mention really effed up your shin.

You're a good son for dealing with all this BS and trying to make your dad happy. I wish mine was still around so we could go boating together.

I agree with everything you said Brad. My dad and mom were married for 52 years before they divorced about 7 years ago, she passed 2 years later, and my dad married this lady. I do not care for her in the least, but I went to the wedding, (3 of my siblings refused to go) and I try to play nice. Part of me wanted no part of this boat, but I thought I would try to make her run because I can see the tension it is causing between them. I do not like her, but I also know that it does no good for a wedge to be driven between them, and so I try.
Btw her good brother sold her this gem for 4500? You know what the say about a fool and their money.

You are a patient son and a good man! That POS would have been on CL and sold to the first offer had it been me. God bless your old man for being so active and interested at 80. I don't think I would feel good about supporting his boating with his wife and kids if he doesn't have the skill set or acumen to work on the boat himself though. This just seems like a bad start to a new boating adventure that is likely to have a bad ending. God Speed

Man this saga sure looks familiar!

We live in a very desirable part of Tennessee where most homes are situated on a few acres I have about 30 acres, homes butil later are on 5-8 acres. I have some equipment, (Case Backhoe, Case dozer, Bobcat Skid-steer) a couple of tractors with implements, a nice shop and more shop equipment than I can justify but I can also make or repair what I need or break. My neighbors are all great guys, 2 druggists, a lawyer, several business owners, several old retired guys like me, and none of them have the mechanical ability needed to open their mailbox. Guess whose phone rings when they need to bury a pet, a horse, or dig up a tree stump, etc.

Right now my right leg from the knee to my ankle looks just like JayhawkCurtis's except I am about 2 weeks ahead of him in the healing process thanks to a favor I was doing one of my neighbors.

My wife is a jewel, endlessly put up with my crap and junk, never complains, but she also never misses an opportunity to boil my antics down to the brass tacks. When I strolled in to the back door dripping blood from my leg, her comments were, "There is no such thing as a free lunch is there ?. Then an hour later, after she found the biggest Band-Aid I ever saw, she said "When will you learn that 'No good Deed goes unpunished' "

Hang in there. It is your Dad you are helping, just be thankful he is still with you.


Frank

JayhawkCurtis said:

Btw her good brother sold her this gem for 4500? You know what the say about a fool and their money.

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$4500??? Wow, that guy is both a liar and cheat.

I'll say again, you're a good son for being so kind and trying to make your dad happy.

My dad just called, he wont make it until tomorrow, so I went ahead and started her on muffs at my campsite, success, idled well, infact maybe a little to high. I forgot to bring my tach, so I will play it by ear. I am going to go ahead and launch her, I will be the only boat on the lake on a weekday morning. He didnt have an oar onboard, so I took mine out of the sea ray. The light wind will be blowing me back toward the the boat ramp should I have trouble. And the good news is on our little lake, 50' from shore in any direction the water is anywhere from 3' to 5' deep. so touching is no problem.

I know everyone is sitting on the edge of their seats with anticipation, so stand by!!