1995 ProCraft

Ryanb1818 · April 17, 2017, 09:45:08 AM

Hey guys! I'm new to forum and hoping this is the right section to post in. I've been an avid bank fisherman for years but to my surprise yesterday my grandfather decided it was time to hand me down his 1995 16' ProCraft, it has a75hp Mariner outboard on it. It's been garage kept, and dry ran over the years but hasn't been in the water in a long time. Would you take it to a marina to be checked out or is there certain things I can check myself before putting it in the water? I did buy two new batteries for it this morning and wil be picking it up this afternoon. Thanks for any input!

Lipripper · April 17, 2017, 10:35:27 AM

Hello and welcome to Ultimate Bass and glad to have you here with us. I don't own a boat and do most of my fishing from the bank but it sounds like your grandpaw gave you a nice boat. Like I said I don't have a boat but if it has been kept that well and the motor has been dry run and was running good I would say it's good to go. Just check to make sure the gas is good and check the oil and when you take it out just go easy on it till you know how it acts. Some of the smart guys around here who own boats will know more about this.

Bud Kennedy · April 17, 2017, 10:53:47 AM

Not really clear when you mention it has been sitting for a while. As lip mentioned you certainly need to have all of your fluids checked and pay attention to the gasoline as well. It would be a good idea to have the motor checked out as you mentioned. It would be good to know what your compression check is and also change any filters that are present.

Also don't forget about the trailer. Tires are critical and they don't like to sit for a long time either inside our out. The trailer is old enough that dry rotted tires is possible. Look for sidewall cracks as an indicator. Be sure the tires are inflated to the correct pressure, usually about 50 lb on that style of boat trailer but check on the recommended pressure listed on the sidewall.

You just want to avoid any problems along the road and you don't want any issues when you take it out for the first time. I am sure you will encounter a few other things but most likely that would be routine. Above all be sure to wear your approved PFD and have the kill switch attached. Good luck on your initial outing.

Ryanb1818 · April 17, 2017, 12:14:42 PM

Thank you for the responses. And when I said sitting a while, I mean in the past 5-7years my gramps lost the motivation to fish anymore so he never took it out. All he did was hook it up to the hose and crank it every few months. I think I'm just going to go ahead and take it to the local marina and have them take a look at all of that mentioned.

Bud Kennedy · April 17, 2017, 12:24:53 PM

That is a great idea. Be sure to get rid of that old fuel as well. 5-7 years is a long time to sit idle. I would suspect fuel lines including bulb and fuel pick up should also be replaced. A complete engine service is in order. Since you have not run the boat you don't know what the water presser is and your mechanic should go ahead and replace the impeller. These are just normal maintenance items and taking care of them now will keep the boat gremlins at bay.

Ryanb1818 · April 17, 2017, 01:36:29 PM

I'm going anyways this afternoon and will bring up all you said to the marina to have it all checked, but would you have any idea of an approximate cost? Depending that everything was fine except for maybe replacing the impeller, fuel pickup and that stuff? I'm clearly a noobie to boat mechanics lol

Bud Kennedy · April 17, 2017, 02:01:34 PM

Most likely your mechanic is going to charge about $100 per hour for their services + any parts you are gonna need. If you get by with under $400 you should consider yourself fortunate. Boat service is an expensive deal but in your situation is well worth the money. You will find that once you get your motor all checked out most maintenance can be done yourself once the initial problems are resolved.

Lipripper · April 17, 2017, 02:42:33 PM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on April 17, 2017, 02:01:34 PM
Most likely your mechanic is going to charge about $100 per hour for their services + any parts you are gonna need. If you get by with under $400 you should consider yourself fortunate. Boat service is an expensive deal but in your situation is well worth the money. You will find that once you get your motor all checked out most maintenance can be done yourself once the initial problems are resolved.

Bud is right once you get your motor purring with all the help you can get around here you should be able to handle any other problems that pop up.

Oldfart9999 · April 18, 2017, 06:46:28 AM

Bud gave you the best advice you can get!!! Get an itemized list if you're not sure what it entails. If you aren't inclined to do your own service become "friends" with a good tech, they'll talk to you about what does and what doesn't need doing. Let us know how you make out.
Rodney
By the way, welcome to the site!!! You'll find a lot of helpful info here, good friendship and a bunch of nice people!! Check out the new members contest you could win a nice prize!!

Ryanb1818 · April 18, 2017, 10:09:28 AM

Thanks for all the input guys! I actually got really lucky, my co workers husband is a boat mechanic so he going to take a look at everything for me for $75 and whatever needs to be fixed/replaced he's going to give me the quote before fixing. I do need to get two batteries today. One for the trolling motor and one for everything else I believe.

Lipripper · April 18, 2017, 10:28:00 AM

Quote from: Ryanb1818 on April 18, 2017, 10:09:28 AM
Thanks for all the input guys! I actually got really lucky, my co workers husband is a boat mechanic so he going to take a look at everything for me for $75 and whatever needs to be fixed/replaced he's going to give me the quote before fixing. I do need to get two batteries today. One for the trolling motor and one for everything else I believe.

All right good deal glad you found a good mechanic to look at it and see what needs to be done and then do it for you if he finds anything wrong with it and $75 is not a bad price to inspect it

Bud Kennedy · April 18, 2017, 10:41:41 AM

Quote from: Ryanb1818 on April 18, 2017, 10:09:28 AM
Thanks for all the input guys! I actually got really lucky, my co workers husband is a boat mechanic so he going to take a look at everything for me for $75 and whatever needs to be fixed/replaced he's going to give me the quote before fixing. I do need to get two batteries today. One for the trolling motor and one for everything else I believe.

Ryan, I am surprised about the number of batteries you mentioned. Most likely your trolling motor is a 24V and will require two batteries. I could be wrong but worth check to be sure. Also you might have an on board charger and it should be checked as well. If no charger is installed you may want to do that. Your friend is doing you a great favor and I am sure he can guide your battery and charger decisions.

Ryanb1818 · April 18, 2017, 12:45:39 PM

To be honest Bud I have no idea lol I'll bring that up to the guy taking a look at it for sure.

Ryanb1818 · April 24, 2017, 12:58:16 PM

Hey guys! Hope everyone had a great weekend. So I picked up the boat over the weekend and was actually surprised at how great it looks especially when the sun hits it ohhhhhhh weee that flake sparkles lol. Unfortunately my buddy that's going to take a look at it for me is out of town until next week so I was just fiddling around with it. One problem I'm running into is trimming the motor. It makes the sound (the buzz) like it's working but the motor will only trim up verrrrrrrry slowly and won't trim back down. Any ideas on what that problem could be? I was thinking/hoping it was maybe low on hydronic fluid or something but again I'm like a talking baboon when I comEs to engines

Bud Kennedy · April 24, 2017, 01:07:29 PM

Ryan, it can be as simple as needing a new crank battery. I had the same symptoms this spring but the battery just needed a good charge. Works just fine now. In the past I did have a relay issue and upon replacement it fixed that problem First, I would start with the battery, then perhaps a few light taps on the solenoids on the trim unit as they can stick a bit after a boat has sat for a long period of time like yours. You should expect a few issues like this due to the circumstances but most likely will be easy to correct as you identify them.

Ryanb1818 · April 24, 2017, 01:42:19 PM

Okay I'll check with that. The batteries were drained when I picked it up so I connected the crank battery to my truck to get the trim to work for the drive to my house. Obviously didn't but I was able to work it a little bit. And Bud I remember you mentioning three batteries and I looked this boat only had two. Gramps said one is for the crank one is for trolling motor etc. but again this trolling motor is only a motorguide 730 with 28lbs of thrust lol so I'm assuming it just doesn't need much power.

Bud Kennedy · April 24, 2017, 02:04:50 PM

that is a really small trolling motor but if it works for you then that is great. Most likely is a 12V but not what I would recommend long term. I sent you a pm and it would be helpful if we could have a chat just so I can understand what you plan to do with your new boat.