Finally made it home, so many problems
- Thread starter VTBoater
- Start date
I would say that now you have the boat and time to give it a thorough going over ( owner based survey ) and sort out what you actually have and what needs fixing/updating.
The old 454's are good engines if properly cared for and not worn out. Going over the carbs/fuel system, checking/changing plugs, changing oil and filters and getting rid of the old points ignition should put them in good operating condition (that is as long as they were not worn out or damaged to start with.
I have an older boat (1985) with 454's and they run just like new. Even though we don't use the boat a often as we used to, it is kept in good shape and reliable. Your boat can and will be also after you get all the "bugs" worked out and will provide you many more years of enjoyment once brought back up into good condition.
All boaters know that boat ownership can be frustration at times but as others have said, just take a deep breath, re-evaluate your situation, and start new with a fresh perspective knowing you can work it out and end up with that dream boat you first envisioned.
The old 454's are good engines if properly cared for and not worn out. Going over the carbs/fuel system, checking/changing plugs, changing oil and filters and getting rid of the old points ignition should put them in good operating condition (that is as long as they were not worn out or damaged to start with.
I have an older boat (1985) with 454's and they run just like new. Even though we don't use the boat a often as we used to, it is kept in good shape and reliable. Your boat can and will be also after you get all the "bugs" worked out and will provide you many more years of enjoyment once brought back up into good condition.
All boaters know that boat ownership can be frustration at times but as others have said, just take a deep breath, re-evaluate your situation, and start new with a fresh perspective knowing you can work it out and end up with that dream boat you first envisioned.
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2001
- RO Number
- 5508
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- 1,255
I once bought a boat that was surveyed, and while certainly competent, he did not predict that both engines would have overheating issues, a shaft would pull off the trans, a head gasket would blow, and it would take two rebuilds on the starboard carb before I would be able to dock her with both motors running; and all of that happened the first year. The survey was twenty pages of "double up the hose clamps below the waterline" and "Rebed the deck hardware" , so don't spend to much time beating your self up, just get everything fixed one problem at a time- and take it from me, if something fails one one of the power trains, it's getting ready to go on the other, so fix both while you are at it.
Again, thanks everyone for the encouraging words, it has helped heal some wounds.
I am thinking the same as said above about doing both sides. Due to my sons soccer game today I didn't have a lot of time, but managed to pull both props and both shafts. The good news is the stb. shaft is not broken. It was the key that broke that caused the separation from the coupler. I ran out of time to pull the coupler, going back in the morning to get more done and will be able to assess the coupler.
The zinc did damage the cutlass bearing on the strut, so I am planning on changing both sides, not a job I have tackled yet, so more research needed.
Bringing the props and shafts to a machine shop on Monday to get them done.
Moving forward!
I am thinking the same as said above about doing both sides. Due to my sons soccer game today I didn't have a lot of time, but managed to pull both props and both shafts. The good news is the stb. shaft is not broken. It was the key that broke that caused the separation from the coupler. I ran out of time to pull the coupler, going back in the morning to get more done and will be able to assess the coupler.
The zinc did damage the cutlass bearing on the strut, so I am planning on changing both sides, not a job I have tackled yet, so more research needed.
Bringing the props and shafts to a machine shop on Monday to get them done.
Moving forward!
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2001
- RO Number
- 5508
- Messages
- 1,255
I didn't mean to imply that skipping a survey is a good idea, or that surveys won't discover a lot of potential issues that normal buyers would never catch. I guess just trying to let VT know that even if he handled the sale as responsibly as possible, it's boating, and something always seems to break when it shouldn't. Enjoy the boat!
Thinking about this some more, you may want to consider bringing a surveyor in before you start dumping money on repairs. While you may think you are fixing the most critical items first, you may be missing issues which are of more consequence, and end up spending illogically.
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- RO Number
- 17353
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- 1,267
Just wanted to wish you all the best as you move forward. I had a pretty rough first year with my '87 Portofino. Basically had to correct a lot of 'cheap shortcuts' taken by the previous owner. The boat was definitely a love/hate thing for a while there. She has been great for the last few year (bought in '08). I simply wanted 'good bones' and a style that would age well. Thank you for sharing your tough outing, but know that lots of us have been there too. It gets better! In fact, it gets great!
Originally posted by AustinPaul
Just wanted to wish you all the best as you move forward. I had a pretty rough first year with my '87 Portofino. Basically had to correct a lot of 'cheap shortcuts' taken by the previous owner. The boat was definitely a love/hate thing for a while there. She has been great for the last few year (bought in '08). I simply wanted 'good bones' and a style that would age well. Thank you for sharing your tough outing, but know that lots of us have been there too. It gets better! In fact, it gets great!
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- RO Number
- 17353
- Messages
- 1,267
Thanks gents! I posted on the fly and totally missed that!
Paul
Paul