My brother and his used boat...

[UKJAK]

My little brother just purchased his first boat. It's a 1988 Sea Ray 18' bowrider. It's got a 350 Magnum that's fairly new, been in the boat since 2004. The guy he bought it from did little regular maintenance besides winterizing and changing the oil (I'm not sure how much he did of that either). My brother came to me asking about what kinds of things he might need to get checked out on this boat. I don't proclaim to be too brilliant when it comes to knowing much about situations like this. It's his first boat and he's willing to spend a little money to get it into top running condition, for the end of the summer and fall.

Being his big brother, he came to me for advice about this new boat. It runs alright when I went out with him, but he wants it in "good running condition." I don't want to disappoint him with not much info. about where to start. What kinds of advice can you give me that I can come back to him with? I'll make sure to give anyone who gives me great info. full credit when discussing this topic with my brother...J/K, I'll make myself look like a boat genius!!:grin:


Thanks in Advance...

 

[Quint4]

Well for starters I would:

- drain and refill outdrive gear oil (milky? hopefully not)

- remove outdrive and inspect u-joints & gimbal bearing.Some ujoints have zerk fittings for grease.gimbal bearing should turn smoothly. water in there?..bad.Check alignment also.

- have a good look at all bellows for excessive wear

- pull prop and lube shaft

-hit all grease fittings with proper grease

- change engine oil ( milky? hopefully not)

- change water separator filter

- change fuel filter at the carb

- change spark plugs and check compression while your at it.

- belts tight?..power steering fluid...etc.

- alternator charging? check voltage at battery while engine stopped then while running.

- soft spots in the floor? indicates rot below.

- If it was me I would buy a gasket set and pull the elbows and risers off the exhaust manifold for inspection. Looks like you are in freshwater so probably okay, but if those gaskets or elbows are leaking that is an engine killer.

This is a good start, I'm sure others will chime in with what I'm forgetting.

 

[skibum]

Tell him to join CSR.

Let the rest of these guys help him out while you go have a cigar and a cognac.

 

[UKJAK]

Skibum, I totally agree with you on having him join the forum. However, he's basically "computer-challenged." Anything internet-wise, he comes to my house and asks me to help him find what he's looking for. He doesn't even have a home computer.

Oh by the way, I'll just take a cold Miller lite and maybe a few puffs off somebody's cigaretter (I'm trying to quit, but they taste so good on the water)...

Quint, thanks for the list...I was looking for things I could write up and give him and a list like yours is great.

Anyone else have any ideas of things that may need to be checked and possibly replaced or repaired...