New Boat!

[Jedburton]

how long has it been since it was last running? I have a 78 tri hull that looks ugly but has run like a top after I went through it and did all the little maintenance things that were lacking. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, most of the issues are very similar to a regular car engine, change the fluids, Oil in the engine, oil in the outdrive, both are pretty easy except you usually have to pump the oil out of the dipstick hole (engine) unless you want to get creative and install a valve on the bottom of the oil pan. After that I generally fill up a big blue bin or tub with water and drop the outdrive in it making sure the intake holes are well covered and then start the engine and open the valve on the top of the engine to make sure water is pumping. Next I look for leaks around the seawater pump (usually on the front of the engine similar to a water pump on a car). If water is not circulating then it is probably time to replace the impeller on the seawater pump. If i don't see any leaks then I usually let the engine run for 10 minutes or so or until i see the engine temp gauge jump and I know the water is circulating well. Finally I turn the boat off and check the engine oil a second time and make sure it looks good (no bubbles or milk shake appearance, if it does that would mean the boat was not properly winterized and has a crack in the engine block or water has somehow gotten in the oil). If all these check out then I take it out on the lake for a good lake test and make sure there are no leaks (or at least no more than the normal little ones that are usually there). Good luck man I have really had good times with my little old boat,
Jed B
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