Ok so juat bought my first boat... the motors run amazing out if the water with mufflers on bit is. horribile the in the water....the stearing is way tootight...live wells wont wont drain and had some water in the the boat after i pulled the plug last night....and idea where to start lol

all this worked before you bought the boat??

assuming so...it sat for 2 ys..one owner....i put in a water

I would never buy a boat or car without lots of inspection before I handed over any money..To late for that now..
I think first you need all the filters changed, carbs rebuilt or at least cleaned..Steering cables MAY loosen up with use, grease in them has harden.. but will likely need replacing..live wells have an obstruction some where. maybe a old worm ..leaking water could be several things,put the plug in, fill with some water and see if you can spot a leak..also could be a line or fitting leaking..

yea i fired up the motor there and it works great... i only paid a grand and the motor was rebuilt 3 years ago and the owner passed away...he was the only owner and the son just wanted rid of the boat...live wells work but bilge pump has issues...pump works but it wont shoot out water...the hose is clear...

so got the steering cable take out and to fine where it connects from 2 to cables to one cables its broke off....completely ripped in half so now im in the search for new cables...everything else to work..

for grand not a bad deal! change plugs, all filters and rebuild carbs and fuel pump, another grand maybe, live wells replace all your tubing and pumps maybe another $200 or 300

btw got any pics?

I have seen a lot of thousand dollar boats end up costing 5 thousand or more before they ever get into the water. Always take a boat to the lake before you buy it.

this is the last problem...go everything else fix...all my wiring works all i need is this steering cable... so itll cast less then 200 for the cable.... i found the water in the haul was from the on board cooler... fixed that issue...so once this cable is on ill set....total spend 500 bucks.... so for 1500 got a nice boat..im think i lucked up

what was wrong with the motor?

Bad fuel and clogged carbs.... used this stuff sea foam... put 5 gallons of gas with a bottle of sea foam put it in the lake on the trailer gave it hell until it emptyed the gas....added more and took it our with no problem.... now it runs great.... on to the last issue

O yea ill add a pic a tom in the day light