New SeaCraft Owner

[brhodes]

Hello!

I bought a 1970 20' CC back in April. It is an I/O and was advertised as a "Potter hull." It's first shakedown cruise is planned for this Saturday, weather permitting. I'm new to boat ownership, so I'm getting a lot of advice from my boat-owning friends and relatives. Still, none of them own SeaCrafts, so I figured I'd see what the folks here have to say.

The boat looks great. The previous owner (second owner) repainted with imron paint. He put new rub rails, a tee top, leaning post, and some electronics on the boat. He got an aluminum Float On trailer when he boat it.

It appears he worried about the looks more than the mechanics. My buddy and I (mostly him) pulled the engine and after a new manifold and riser and misc. pieces got it purring fine. The gimbal bearing was just replaced with everything that goes with it. Now the outdrive comes into question. The Professional mechanic seems to think it got water in it at some point. We will run it this weekend (with another boat following)and then change to oil in the outdrive to check for color and metal pieces.

Any advice for a new owner? How about suggestions on replacing or rebuilding outdrives? I'll try to get some pictures this weekend to post.

Thanks!