81 Terry Bass boat

Paul G · November 05, 2017, 03:03:46 PM

Just paid $1,400 for it. 65hp Mercury, 2 fish finders, 1 live well. Upholstery and carpet are in good shape.
Owner said it will not go into neutral or reverse. I asked a friend about it he mentioned the spline might be off line at the motor. Any opinions on it.

Mike Cork · November 05, 2017, 03:23:57 PM

Omgosh! I fished as a kid out of a boat just like this. Dad won the boat in a cucuit but had to put a motor on it. What a time machine. The boat was worth 7,000 brand new with everything but a big motor. He bought his team partner out for 2.5k (if I remember right) and put a 90 hp on it. That boat was scary fast with the 90 HP.

If it is just the spline year you did great. If it's more complicated, motors that old are very basic and easy to work on. I think you done good

Wizard · November 05, 2017, 03:31:39 PM

Is that a V hull or Tri-hull?

Wizard

Paul G · November 05, 2017, 03:36:45 PM

I think its a V hull

Mike Cork · November 05, 2017, 04:30:10 PM

They called it a modified V Hull. It actually handled rough water well for a smaller boat, they advertised a more stable fishing platform. Back then the glastron had something similar.

D.W. Verts · November 05, 2017, 04:57:45 PM

Terry's were one of the finest boats in their day. Great rigs.

They were bought out by Mon Ark for Terry's superior aluminum line, and Mon Ark dropped the glass boats.

In the day my home town had dealers that sold Terry, Ranger, Champion and Tide Craft. Only one survives, yet they all had some tremendous (and a few losers of course) hulls.

Lipripper · November 05, 2017, 05:06:56 PM

It looks like a nice boat .

Hope you can get it fixed without spending a lot of money on that old motor.

Princeton_Man · November 05, 2017, 06:16:40 PM

Looks like you did real good.

FD · November 10, 2017, 05:04:06 PM

Quote from: Mike Cork on November 05, 2017, 03:23:57 PM
Omgosh! I fished as a kid out of a boat just like this. Dad won the boat in a cucuit but had to put a motor on it. What a time machine. The boat was worth 7,000 brand new with everything but a big motor. He bought his team partner out for 2.5k (if I remember right) and put a 90 hp on it. That boat was scary fast with the 90 HP.

If it is just the spline year you did great. If it's more complicated, motors that old are very basic and easy to work on. I think you done good

And you don't have to have a laptop to work on it.

At that price if it floats, you got a great deal on it.

Sent from the end of the paved road.....

Deadeye · November 11, 2017, 07:34:27 AM

/\ What he said.

The trailer looks to be in good shape and that is worth close to the price. Boat looks to be cared for and in good shape too.

Even if it needs a new lower unit or that one worked on it shouldn't be that bad.

Enjoy

Paul G · November 19, 2017, 02:47:48 PM

Good news seems that the spline was not lined up and after its installed correctly that should fix neutral and reverse issues. Compression on cylinders is at 120 on all 3.
Will be changing out impeller and gear oil on lower unit since its already off. Steering cables look like originals so they will be replaced. Control box is worn out and will be replaced also. $800 total

Mike Cork · November 19, 2017, 03:22:06 PM

That's great news. Even with this work you're still doing awesome.

FD · November 21, 2017, 04:05:51 AM

Quote from: Paul G on November 19, 2017, 02:47:48 PM
Good news seems that the spline was not lined up and after its installed correctly that should fix neutral and reverse issues. Compression on cylinders is at 120 on all 3.
Will be changing out impeller and gear oil on lower unit since its already off. Steering cables look like originals so they will be replaced. Control box is worn out and will be replaced also. $800 total

Instead of replacing the cables you might want to look at switching it over to Hydralic steering while you have it apart. Unbelievable difference when I did it to my 91 stratos.

Sent from the end of the paved road.....