I'm hoping to aquire this boat soon from my uncle. Its been in its current location for about six years. I'm just wondering what all I will need to do to it to get it ready to go back out on the water...it was in perfect working order prior to being placed there.

bump

prater, OK here goes.

1. Remove the sparkplugs and squirt some TCW3 into each cylinder. Wait one day.

2. Try to rotate the flywheel by hand..just make sure all the starting wires are disconnected. If it turns go to step #3.

3. Remove all the old gas from the tank, put in fresh fuel and 2 cycle oil at 40x1 mix, just a litttle bit extra. I would use a portable tank for this step.(normal is 50x1)Then do a compression test ..........if all OK go to #4.....after squirting a little more 2 cycle oil into the cylinders.

4. Reinstall new spark plugs........remove carbs and clean and put in a new carb kit with gaskets, floats and neddles.

5. Charge up the battery........probably will need a new one after so many years sitting.

6. Put in a new water pump impeller, change lower unit gear oil, and replace thermostats.

NOW........put the water muffs on it, and crank it one time QUICK, if it still spins, try to start it. If it runs ......you are good to go. Might need a certified mechanic to sync the carbs after the rebuild, and check timing.

prater,

I would add one thing to what boatman said. Somewhere between #2 and #4, I would check the plugs for spark. You will need to spin the motor to test this, so make sure to squirt some gas/oil mix down the carb throats prior to doing this. Fixing ignition problems can be very expensive. On the motor, if you have even compression and good spark, you are probably going to be OK. If the motor looks good and you think it will run, make sure you change the impeller before running it. Other than the motor, what else on the boat needs repair such as bilge pumps, lights, horn, etc.?

Ron

well like I said, it was working perfectly prior to being stored. The lights I will have to check, as well as the trailer lights. This boat doesn't have a horn so a good ole portable air horn will suffice. I'll just have to check out the pumps, lights, wiring etc. to see if they work. I'll probably take it in to a mechanic for the engine work, hopefully all will be well. Also, does anyone know how I would go about registering the boat and trailer with no title? how much does that cost?

OH........NO! Your uncle does not have the title???

prater,

I understand your desire to take the motor in to get her running again. In that case, I would make sure the boat transom and floor are good before you spend any money on the motor. If it has been stored away from the weather, it should be OK, assuming it was OK when it was stored.

With regards to titles - the trailer is no problem. Trailers that size don't require a title is Texas. Licensing is handled by TXDOT. If you have the license plate number, they can help you. If you don't, you will have to go down the 'homemade' trailer route.

But the boat and motor, that is another animal. The TPWD follows very strict rules about titles and registration. I would at a minumum call them to discuss the situation armed with as much information as you can get such as the hull ID number and the serial number on the motor. Hopefully, the boat and motor are titled in your uncle's name and he can simply go there with you for lost title forms, transfer forms, etc. If he is not on the title - I would not spend one dime on the boat until (if ever) you get title from Austin. Otherwise, you are taking a big chance on wasting your money on a boat you will never be able to legally put on public waters. If you call the Garland TPWD office, they have always been helpful to me over the phone. They will not bend the rules, but will tell you what you need to do.

Keep us posted.

Ron

Just looking at the picture, is that
a set of 4 open holes in the transom
at mid top right.

If so marine-tex.

If the floor is bad and transom
is bad have a look at what you
are in far.

http://tejascreations.com/Magnum/BoatRetoration.html

Wood Dragon

First off, rb7764 is giving you good info.

Here's what I know regarding the title: If this boat is in your uncle's name, you will be okay...although it will require a bit of effort on his part. He will need to go in, show ID, blue card if he has one (not required but could help), and anything else that proves it is his. You'll need a photo of the boat showing the TX #'s and also a photo of the motors serial #. If you don't have a camera to do this, TPW has a scratch paper that you scribble pencil over and it sort of etches the serial # on it.

Might I suggest to go in being willing to do whatever they ask and show appreciation. They are easy to work with if you are patient and appreciative. Best of luck!

WoodDragon those are not open holes, they are plugged with something, I'm not exactly sure what they are for. The only open hole is the plug.

I think my uncle might have the title somewhere, he just doesn't know where it is. We'll probably find it. I'm sure the deck and transom are fine, the boat was in perfect working order prior to being put up where it is now. It has been kept under a carport covered with a tarp for the last few years, so I'm not worried about the body. The motor was running great a week before it was put up as well, so I don't expect any major problems with it, a new water pump, and a tune up, maybe a carb kit, the gas has been drained, (the tanks are portable so I ran the gas in the lawn mower). So as long as the engine isn't frozen it shouldn't be too hard to get it running again. This is an old school boat, it didn't even come with a trolling motor, my uncle installed one in the mid 90s, a few of the seats were replaced. All in all this is a tough old boat, so hopefully after a little TLC it will be ready for yet another generation of fishing.

If the holes are filled with what
appears to be silicon I'd get
it out of there and fill with
marine-tex, no point in letting
something stay that will let water
seep into the transom.
Since it was stored well it should
make you a good boat without a lot
of extra work.

Wood Dragon

Transom check, Deck check, Hull Check.

If all those work out what the other motor guys have said for sure.

My .02 to add is dry rot of all rubber hoses, and rubber coated sparkplug wires etc.

Still a good looking rig. Good Luck.