New boat advice and servicing recommendations

savagemcd

Hi folks,
New to boats and the forums:o. Bought a bayliner 20ft with a 3.0l Mercruiser engine last week. Guy I bought it from was sound and had done some servicing himself. However the alternator belt is on its final adjustment and is starting to squel when the engine is starting for a second or 2 then its fine, so wanna get it done before it becomes a problem.

Hot starting the boat is a little problematic, when the throttle is in the F position it will start after a second or so but will then tick over for 5-6 seconds and cut out, this will continue to happen unless I give it a bit more gas (of course when you are in the middle of Lough Derg with the wife and mother in law, who told you not to turn off the boat in the first place you kinda get a bit freaked )

None of the guages apart from the speedo work, fuel guage reads full when you start but never drops unless you power off the engine. Have attached a oil pressure guage direct to the engine and it is reading 40-55 psi when running so I think that is about right.

It was in the sea prior to me buying, now in Lough Derg, antifoal is well worn and needs redoing I think, is this a DIY job??

I am looking (sorry to the mods if this is not allowed) for a recommendation of a good marine mechanic to give the boat a general service and once over to make sure all is well, ideally in or around Ballina/Killaloe. There was a sound guy I spoke to prior to buying the boat based out near Birdhill but I have lost his number and don't know where he works out of.

Any recommendations/advice offered is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks folks

Mc D
PS: What a weekend to be out on the water...fantastic...have caught the bug already:)

fergal.b

Hi savagemcd and welcome, with any second hand boat with an outdrive unless you are 100% sure it's been done is get a new impeller also have a good look at the bellows or just put new ones on to be on the safe side.
Make sure your fan belt is tight you can buy belt dressing form halfords, put that on and if there is still a squel it might be a bearing .
If the fuel gauge is going back when its turned off it sounds like a stuck float in your tank or a bad connection on the tank or gauge, on the tank you will see a round disc with screws around the edge and on top of that there is a spade connector try giving it a rub with some sand paper.
The carb could be anything from a sticking choke to a stretched cable or you may just need to up the revs of the engine a bit.
I am not sure of any mechanics near you but you could give this guy a call and I'd say he will be able to help. Ask for Mick " tell him I sent you "
Clinton Marine Services - 0872881041
clintonmarine@gmail.com

savagemcd

Thanks for the advice fergal, getting it checked out next week
Many thanks
Andrew

Skuxx

savagemcd wrote: »

Hi folks,
New to boats and the forums:o. Bought a bayliner 20ft with a 3.0l Mercruiser engine last week. Guy I bought it from was sound and had done some servicing himself. However the alternator belt is on its final adjustment and is starting to squel when the engine is starting for a second or 2 then its fine, so wanna get it done before it becomes a problem.

Hot starting the boat is a little problematic, when the throttle is in the F position it will start after a second or so but will then tick over for 5-6 seconds and cut out, this will continue to happen unless I give it a bit more gas (of course when you are in the middle of Lough Derg with the wife and mother in law, who told you not to turn off the boat in the first place you kinda get a bit freaked )

None of the guages apart from the speedo work, fuel guage reads full when you start but never drops unless you power off the engine. Have attached a oil pressure guage direct to the engine and it is reading 40-55 psi when running so I think that is about right.

It was in the sea prior to me buying, now in Lough Derg, antifoal is well worn and needs redoing I think, is this a DIY job??

I am looking (sorry to the mods if this is not allowed) for a recommendation of a good marine mechanic to give the boat a general service and once over to make sure all is well, ideally in or around Ballina/Killaloe. There was a sound guy I spoke to prior to buying the boat based out near Birdhill but I have lost his number and don't know where he works out of.

Any recommendations/advice offered is greatly appreciated.
Many thanks folks

Mc D
PS: What a weekend to be out on the water...fantastic...have caught the bug already:)

Welcome to the forum Savagemcd!!
If you are still looking for a mechanic to have a look at it, Dave and Bob Parkes are probly the best around in the Killaloe/Ballina area. Between the two of them (father and son) I'd say there is no part of an engine that they don't know! I'd only love to know as much about boats and engines as they have forgotten!! I don't have a number now but I can get it for you in the next few days once my 'ol lad comes back from holidays!!
Where are you keeping the boat, on the lake in a mooring or just on a trailer and bringing it to and from the lake? We have our boat moored down in Killaloe so hoefully will see you out on the lake in the future!!