My $500 270DA.

Ck111484 said:
OH, and also: do the short rear wooden "guard rails" come off on these boats?
I wanted to take them off to refinish them, but all I see are little circles in the wood, which I imagine could potentially pop out and reveal screws, but I was too worried that I'd damage the wood trying to really give it a go.
Same goes for the bow pulpit; couldn't find any screw, just little circles in the wood.
Click to expand...
You're on target that the plugs cover screws, and that you can damage the surrounding wood by trying to pry them out by inserting a tool at the edge. You may be able to remove them more cleanly by drilling or chiseling into them carefully, just enough to be able to pry from the middle and kind of chip them out, whole or in pieces. A friend succeeded in loosening the nuts on the back side of each, then tapping enough that the screws pushed up on the plugs; didn't work for all of them, but definitely more than she expected.
 
Ck111484 said:
OH, and also: do the short rear wooden "guard rails" come off on these boats?
I wanted to take them off to refinish them, but all I see are little circles in the wood, which I imagine could potentially pop out and reveal screws, but I was too worried that I'd damage the wood trying to really give it a go.
Same goes for the bow pulpit; couldn't find any screw, just little circles in the wood.
Click to expand...

On our 270DA i just carefully drilled out the wood plugs to reveal the screws.
I slightly undersized the drill and once thru the plugs were easy to dig or chip out of there with a small screwdriver.
Did the same thing with the teak rails on the deck.
 
I've taken a course thread drywall screw and threaded it into the center of the plug and most of the time the threads pulled it out or at least split it enough that I could remove it without damaging the surrounding wood.
 
Thanks!
Did you guys just leave the screws exposed afterwards then?

I suppose I could just refinish the wood while it's on the boat...
 
Ck111484 said:
Thanks!
Did you guys just leave the screws exposed afterwards then?

I suppose I could just refinish the wood while it's on the boat...
Click to expand...
You can get wood plugs to refill the holes. Sand/stain to blend into the surrounding surface and you're good to go.

Refinishing while installed can be a PITA. You'll need to mask very well to avoid getting gunk on the fiberglass/surrounding surfaces, and managing curves, corners, etc. is much more time consuming than if you can manipulate the pieces freely on a separate work surface.
 
Gotcha.
Yeah, I can see how it'd be much easier, and probably turn out better, to just remove the pieces.

Related - has anyone fiberglassed a wooden bow pulpit?
I was planning on removing the old one to use it as sort of a template and build one out of wood that would incorporate a roller on top and allow an anchor to hang underneath, then fiberglass over it and (try to) match the color of the boat. I feel like it would update the look of the boat considerably, and be quite useful.
 
There are ready made fiberglass pulpits you can get that will fit in the space of the old one and have a slot and roller. I don't know how well resin will adhere to the teak wood of the old pulpit.
 
Thanks for the replies guys... spring is approaching! Starting to get calls on the Four Winns I'm selling (kinda bittersweet, but it'll be worth it) :)

But, I'm still wondering about my question regarding the helm... is it possible to (somewhat) easily remove the entire helm (the whole driver's seat bench "pedestal", along with the rear jumper seats, etc.)?
It'd make it a hell of a lot easier to re-do the vinyl, replace the veneer, build my sub box, etc. if I could just trailer the whole helm home. And I've seen pictures of boats where the helm appeared to be completely custom, so I imagine it's possible...
 
Ck111484 said:
Thanks for the replies guys... spring is approaching! Starting to get calls on the Four Winns I'm selling (kinda bittersweet, but it'll be worth it) :)

But, I'm still wondering about my question regarding the helm... is it possible to (somewhat) easily remove the entire helm (the whole driver's seat bench "pedestal", along with the rear jumper seats, etc.)?
It'd make it a hell of a lot easier to re-do the vinyl, replace the veneer, build my sub box, etc. if I could just trailer the whole helm home. And I've seen pictures of boats where the helm appeared to be completely custom, so I imagine it's possible...
Click to expand...


Yes should be easy to remove.
Everything is attached with aluminum angles inside, hardest part is finding all of them.
Access from under the the seat cushions and the storage areas.
 
FWIW: I had a lot of the same teak on my 1979 260DA. I used an acid based teak cleaner (2 or 3 part process depending on the brand) to clean the wood nice. No masking needed. Then I finished all of the teak with Cetol. It holds up to the elements very well & only needs a little touch up each season & will last for years. I used to clean & oil the teak but got tired of doing that several times a season. Good luck with your project, love the enthusiasm!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Todd
 
Before worrying about the interior and upholstery, I would highly suggest you assess your engine and stringer situation. I would be very skeptical of rot. Try loosening and tightening one of the bolts for the engine mounts
 
Okay, so I've sold my Four Winns, and am ready to get going on this project :grin:
First of all; what would you replace on two Alpha One outdrives that have been sitting for 10+ years?
I'm thinking:

Bellows kit (x2): http://www.amazon.com/Transom-Bello...8009110&sr=8-16&keywords=mercruiser+alpha+one
Hinge pin tool to perform the service: http://www.amazon.com/Hinge-Mercrui..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=0YX1X5HQN6WXHBFSPYQ9
Bellows adhesive: http://www.amazon.com/Mercury-Marin...200_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E8EVS2X0HE7D1VGNM0Z
Shift cables (x2): http://www.amazon.com/MERCRUISER-AL...8-7&keywords=mercruiser+alpha+one+shift+cable
Throttle cables (x2): http://www.amazon.com/Mercury-Mercr...&keywords=mercruiser+alpha+one+throttle+cable
Impeller kit (x2): http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-18-321...sr=8-2&keywords=mercruiser+alpha+one+impeller
Trim Sender kit (x2): http://www.amazon.com/Sierra-Intern...001F0M7L4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Change gear lube


What do you think? Is all of this a good start/necessary? Anything else I should add?
I've already changed the motor oil and spark plugs, as well as flushed the cooling system.

Any input is appreciated,
Thanks!
 
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Check the throttle cables before you replace them, they may not need it. But the rest sounds right. Check slack in the top pin of the drive too. May need to do a hole kit (Gimble Housing Access Plug Kit.) Part number 22-88847A1.
You also need a drill, a 1 1/8" hole saw, and a 1" NPT tap. it needs to be done. I did it on my last boat. Tightened up the slop in the drive.
 
Ok, I'll pull the drives before ordering a bunch of stuff, thanks.

Stupid question (I'm new to Mercruisers, coming from OMC's); the shift and throttle cables are separate, right? I mean you'd think they'd have to be, haha, but browsing Amazon and such I've seen many things advertised as "shift/throttle cables". Are they interchangeable?
 
Also, I was wondering: I know that Mercruisers simply cut the ignition for a moment when they shift to let the clutches disengage, whereas OMC's had the ESA which "stumbled" half the cylinders (I know this because I had wired in a switch so I could switch to "Mercruiser mode" on my last boat because the ESA was bad when I bought it).
Is there a mechanism that cuts the ignition on Mercs, or is it simply in the wiring?
 
Ck111484 said:
Also, I was wondering: I know that Mercruisers simply cut the ignition for a moment when they shift to let the clutches disengage, whereas OMC's had the ESA which "stumbled" half the cylinders (I know this because I had wired in a switch so I could switch to "Mercruiser mode" on my last boat because the ESA was bad when I bought it).
Is there a mechanism that cuts the ignition on Mercs, or is it simply in the wiring?
Click to expand...

There is a shift interrupter switch. On our GenII's it's at the shift plate on the engine (where the throttle and shift cables "meet") I'm not positive where yours is but I would imagine it's the same place.

There's a couple places to do this, but I use this site to put in my S/N and look through the parts diagrams. It helps me understand where things are and how they work together, you might want to check it out

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc/parts.html
 
Strecker25 said:
There is a shift interrupter switch. On our GenII's it's at the shift plate on the engine (where the throttle and shift cables "meet") I'm not positive where yours is but I would imagine it's the same place.

There's a couple places to do this, but I use this site to put in my S/N and look through the parts diagrams. It helps me understand where things are and how they work together, you might want to check it out

http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc/parts.html
Click to expand...

Thanks very much, I'll take a look!

So, progress from today, for anynoe who's interested; i scrrubbed, powerwashed aand hot water exttracted the cushions I pulled from the salvaged boat. Tough to say how well they came out since they're still wet, but the water coiming out of the hot water extractor was nasty, so they'ren certainly much cleaner than they were - and I'm hoping it should have a dramatic impact on the smell. I will let them air dry and blow them out with an air compressor every day or so until they're completely dry.

Mtcg5Eh.jpg


They should lighten up considerably as they dry and I use the air compressor.
The aft cabin cushions I've unzipped and am going to pre-treat and throw in the wash. I'm not looking for pristine quality, just a boat that is clean, comfortable and gets the job done. Perhaps a full reupholstering down the line.

As for the helm, I've come to realize that most of it would need to be reubilt and would be expensive to reupholster, so I think I've decided I'm going to rip the helm out and replace it with a captain's chair and a flip/flop bench - that way the folks on the bench can face forward or aft, and I can simply swing the captain's chair around and join the party.
Something like this:

Y9O3SJW.jpg


It's actually be much cheaper than reupholstering the helm, and I kind of dig the flexibility of the seating.
Would anyone happen to know the brand of that bench in the picture? I quite like, goes well with the boat.

The original cabin carpet is a coral type of color, which actually isn't bad, so if it cleans up well with the hot water extractor I'll just keep it, at least for now.

That leaves the only thing left in the cockpit to address, which is the rear fold out bench. I believe I'll have to rebuild the structure, but will have the cushion reupholstered professionally.

BUT, first things first: motors, drives and a marine survey. i just want to know the condition of the stringers and the transom before I put any money into her. If all comes back well, I'll pull the drives and give them a complete service, and hopefully get this gal ready for the water. Can;t wait! Hoping everything goes well.

P.S. Random question: How the hell do the pads above the bow cushions come out? Mine are all chewed up, and I'd like to remove them and have them reupholstered, but I cannot figure out how they come out.
Any advice? They really detract from the appearance of the cabin, and I have a fabric in mind that I think would look great.

P.P.S. - how in the world do you remove the table pedestal in the cabin? It almost seems like you have to cut some carpet, but I can't believe Sea Ray would be that foolish. Maybe I just need some PB blaster and some muscle.

Once again, and input and suggestions are appreciated;
Thanks!

Corey
 
Ck111484 said:
P.S. Random question: How the hell do the pads above the bow cushions come out? Mine are all chewed up, and I'd like to remove them and have them reupholstered, but I cannot figure out how they come out.
Any advice? They really detract from the appearance of the cabin, and I have a fabric in mind that I think would look great.

P.P.S. - how in the world do you remove the table pedestal in the cabin? It almost seems like you have to cut some carpet, but I can't believe Sea Ray would be that foolish. Maybe I just need some PB blaster and some muscle.
Click to expand...

"P.S." If the pad your talking about has folds in the material, try and peal them back a bit and look for screws hidden in there.

"P.P.S." The pedestals can get stuck in there pretty tight, especially if it has never been removed over the years and leaned on. Ours took two people to remove, one pulling and one trying to wiggle it around.

Good Luck!
 
KC_Sundancer said:
"P.S." If the pad your talking about has folds in the material, try and peal them back a bit and look for screws hidden in there.

"P.P.S." The pedestals can get stuck in there pretty tight, especially if it has never been removed over the years and leaned on. Ours took two people to remove, one pulling and one trying to wiggle it around.

Good Luck!
Click to expand...
Thank you sir!
I'm nervous about the big kahunas, the motors and drives... I guess I'll just dive straight into it and see what I can accomplish.

BTW, your boat is an inspiration to me... I hope mine can be as clean as yours someday. Beautiful, kudos.
 
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