First Timer

da1moed

New Member
Aug 30, 2009
2
How is everyone doing? My name is Moe, and I just bought a 1979 SRV 220 Cuddy. The boat has a merc 228 engine, which has been winterized 2 seasons ago, and has not been used yet.
I pick up the boat this Thursday, and was thinking of taking it down to lake Erie for a little while.
Since it has been winterized, what should I do prior to putting it in the water, other then putting in the plug.

What should I do to test it?

I appreciate everyones help!
 
Personally I'd rather hook the water up while dry to make sure she starts and everything is functioning. Even so, you won't necessarily know how she runs out or what shape the bellows, etc are until you're in the water.

Assuming fuel stabilizer was added and all was well when winterized, you could assume everything should be OK.

If you do splash her, be sure and check the bilge first thing to make sure all is tight.

After motors sit a long while I like to "pre-lube" by pulling the coil and turning it over a few times. Not sure if this is eally good or just makes me feel better...

Good luck!
 
I'm also a first timer my boat had been winterized 4 seasons ago and stored on the trailor at a marina, well after it was winterized someone stole the outdrive so I obtained the boat and after I got everything I needed and before taking it to my mechanic I fired the boat up w/o the outdrive and let it run for about 40 seconds which I will never do again I got lucky and it did not burn my shutters up. And might I add again I will NEVER do that again. I had him put me a new impeller in and change my outdrive gear oil and make sure everything was good with fluids, I then backed the boat in the river and let it run for a while on the trailor and checked for leaks and then I went on my first test run to find that everything was good to go. You might wanna check simple things first like your bildge incase your boat takes water if your bellows are bad, but all these things you can inspect your self just by looking. I would definently check the oil in the outdrive. But I am also a first time boat owner and thats the stuff I checked for before going out, hope this helps........from one green horn to another....thanks
 
Matt - good point about leaving it on the trailer and trying out the motor and checking for leaks. That would work if you can find a ramp thats not busy.

Might ought to check and make sure she shifts too before sending her off.
 
If it was not winterized with the pink stuff you will flush the green stuff into the lake when you start it...BAD. Start it at home first on muffs.
 

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