New SeaCraft Owner

brhodes · #1 06-19-2003, 10:59 AM

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!

TUGBOAT · #2 06-19-2003, 12:26 PM

BaneDog
Welcome Aboard !! Just come w/ plenty of ?'s & Beer !!
Oh There's a lot of THEORY's Here !!
I'd rather Buy a Boat that was Kept up (LOOKS)
As long as the transom,deck,etc.Was in great shape than Mech. Only because its easier for Me to get that work done.
ENJOY ! Good luck on the Sea Trial !!
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

brhodes · #3 06-19-2003, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the words of wisdom. We had the engine out and the transom was dry. It really is a beautiful boat. I'm climbing the walls until Saturday. Too much rain to do much outside until then. I'll probably think about replacing the console in the not too distant future.

Here's some interesting history on the boat. The guy I bought it from, bought it in Miami from a guy named Ricky. Apparently Ricky fished with "some guy named Jose." The story goes that Jose got his "pro status" while using this boat. The implication was that perhaps it was Jose of Spanish Fly fame. No idea if it's true or not. It certainly was not a factor is buying the boat. Still, a good story is a good story.

JohnS · #4 06-20-2003, 01:58 AM

Welcome and enjoy the voyage this weekend. Good idea to drain the lower unit and check for water intrusion. Unless the outdrive is shot, the only thing you might have to rebuild is the lower unit, which, if your mechanic is pretty good, is basic and simple for the most part. If you do need to rebuild because of a leak, that is simply the seals and possibly a few roller bearing. Unless corrosion set in on the other parts or it was really abused, than it should be easy. Some snap ring pliers will be a must but not much else in the way of special tools. A kit with all the seals is available. Last time I did one, it took me a couple of hours to do. I also sanded, primed, and repainted while it was off because it was much easier than doing it while on the boat. Just a thought if it needs it. Check the prop shaft for staightness too, as long as you are at it. This will tell you pretty quick if someone, at some time, smacked something REALLY hard with the prop. That is one of the major causes of seal leakage.....

[ June 19, 2003, 12:59 PM: Message edited by: JohnS ]

ole yeller · #5 07-11-2003, 05:19 PM

I'm in the same boat as you (almost exactly) [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Are you posting on the Tidalfish website as well? Good luck with that yell'r boat if you're the same guy!

BARNABY55 · #6 07-11-2003, 06:04 PM

Just for the record..It IS a Potter hull. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

brhodes · #7 07-11-2003, 10:15 PM

Ted

Thanks for the confirm on the hull. I figured someone with a more experienced eye than mine would speak up.

Bruce

BARNABY55 · #8 07-11-2003, 11:08 PM

Anytime, Fortunately or unfortunately, I have had the opportunity to own many hulls. I guess this craziness will never get out of my blood. Tight Lines.

barnacle · #9 07-12-2003, 09:34 AM

The first thing I would do is replace the water pump in the outdrive. The pump no matter if its a sterndrive, inboard or outboard should be changed every 3 years. What kind of outdrive do you have? You will need special tools to get a MerCruiser apart and back together right. The main tools you will need is the spanner wrench to remove the retainer nut at the u-joints along with the retainer nut at the prop shaft. Even you you do not have a leak I would change the seal at the u-joint shaft. This seal is famous for leaking. Also be sure to check the shaft that this seal rides on.

brhodes · #10 07-12-2003, 11:19 AM

Joe

Thanks for the advice. We've been discussing that water pump issue. After the first test run, the pump seemed to work fine and no water was found in the oil. The mechanic I have been using suggests changing the water pump every year. He is a very cautious man. The drive is an alpha one gen II. We just finished rewiring the entire boat and reseating the gas tank sending unit. So, teh boat has been out of the water. It's due for another test run. I'm putting the water pump next on teh list.

Bruce