Getting a sitting boat into shape

C

Chuck R

Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2014
RO Number
33682
Messages
4
Hi,

I purchased a 40' Silverton Aft Cabin. Hull is solid, no blisters, good survey was done. Engines ran great (some overheating with port, replaced a water pump and seems better). At the end of the season, had it winterized and put it up.... where it sat out of the water for 2 seasons, thanks to "Uncle Sam".

So now, I'm back and I'm putting the boat back into the water at the end of the month. I'm not a very skilled mechanic, but I understand the importance of good maintenance. Before this boat goes ANYWHERE, I'm having the mechanic that winterized it, springize it. Also, I want him to change out the points/condesor with an AC Delco electronic system, check all the belts and impellers as I figured the rubber might be dry rotted. With it sitting so long, is there anything other problem areas that I should be looking for? Thanks.
 
How much fuel is in the tanks? The condition of the fuel, and amount of water in it would be my biggest concern.
 
2 years ain't long. Even for fuel, as long as you stabilized it. I have found smaller volumes of gas, like less than a gallon in a 5 gallon jug can go bad in a year or less without stabilizer. Full tanks or jugs are much less prone to turning to varnish. The gas you have for lawn mowers are good learning tools.
 
I have worried about the fuel left in the tanks. There's about 75 gallons in a 300 gallon tank in there. It should have been stabilized when it was winterized two years ago (well at least thats what the bill said). I have had some bad experiences with other engines and old gas and have considered pumping out the 75 gallons and starting fresh. I think the logistics of pumping it out would be a bit much and my experience is that if theres water in there, one gallon is as bad as 75. Getting every last drop out could be a chore.
 
Don't move the boat until you pump the bottom of each tank, A $10 hand pump and a piece of copper tubing should be able to get to the bottom of most areas of the tanks.
 
If you're that worried about water, remove the anti-siphon valve and shove a small diameter rubber or vinyl hose down the pick-up tube. You should be able to get to the bottom of the tank. Pump out as OHB said. You just want to get an indication of water and the pick-up tube being at the lowest point in the tank you'll be able to pump out any water if you find some.

I really doubt you'll get any cuz alcohol mixes with water and alcohol mixes with gas and it'll readily run in the engine. Alcohol is all that's in the water 'absorbing' fuel additives anyway.
 
Thanks, that's good to know. At $4 a gallon, I'd rather burn it IN the carbs then using it for the next 20 years starting BBQs and bonfires in the backyard.

I've got a week from the 25th to the 1st to get it running, then move it about 100 or so miles to its new home.
 
When I bought/inherited my pacemaker it had 50 or so gallons of gas, age unknown.

I filled a five gallon can from the bottom of the tank. It was a little on the cloudy side. I dumped it into my jeeps gas tank ( possibly not the brightest move) and it ran fine. I had intended to dump the fuel / water filters after the first few trips; but even though i never did, that 50 gallons burnt with no incidents.
 
I found that most of the fuel issues I've had are with older engines and needle vaulves sticking. I thought that perhaps the formula used in gas has changed somehow. How old is the jeep?
 
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