first timer!

murfc6

Hi ! Myself and a friend are thinking of getting a boat for water ski-ing and general family fun days out. Iv been looking at a 70hp evinrude engine speed boat online and am going to look at it in the next couple of days.
my questions are:
Is this boat suitable?
Do you have any advice for a first timer?
thanks in advance for your time

fergal.b

Hi and welcome, The engine will pull a skier alright but we would have to see what the boat looks like, do you have a link to the boat for sale.





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murfc6

thanks fergal heres the link http://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/16ft-speed-boat-with-engine-and-trailer/6608650

fergal.b

No that won't work you should buy this http://www.donedeal.ie/boats-for-sale/50s-style-gentlemans-runabout/6649162

Just kidding that will be a perfect boat for starting off, I'm not 100% sure but you might need a pole or tower to get the rope above the engine maybe something like this. One of the other guy's / girls might know more about waterskiing.

murfc6

Thanks a mill do u think I should get it surveyed before I purchase?

fergal.b

For a boat of that price I wouldn't get it surveyed but bring someone with you that knows boats and engines, they should be able to tell you if the boat had some dodgy repair work or if the engine is not running right then if you do buy it spend your money getting the engine serviced and impeller checked.



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murphym7

If you have no experience with boats go do a powerboat course, it’s the safe thing to do.

murfc6

murphym7 wrote: »

If you have no experience with boats go do a powerboat course, it’s the safe thing to do.

Ok thanks im from near dundalk can u recommend a course ?

fergal.b

I think Dundalk and Carlingford sailing club do one, give them a call on (042)9373238






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Bio Mech

murfc6 wrote: »

Ok thanks im from near dundalk can u recommend a course ?

I would definitely do the course before you buy and before you get out. If you have zero experience and go buying a power boat with a 70hp and go water skiing you could end up really hurting yourself or someone else.

I like the look of that boat. Its been refurbed but they seem to have done a decent job. Just one point I would not be a fan of evinrudes of that vintage so do get it checked by someone who has some knowledge.

murfc6

Bio Mech wrote: »

I would definitely do the course before you buy and before you get out. If you have zero experience and go buying a power boat with a 70hp and go water skiing you could end up really hurting yourself or someone else.

I like the look of that boat. Its been refurbed but they seem to have done a decent job. Just one point I would not be a fan of evinrudes of that vintage so do get it checked by someone who has some knowledge.

thanks Bio we dont really know anyone with experience. We are going to see it running on water before we buy. Is there anything we should look for in particular that would make a difference to the engine ?

fergal.b

If she floats runs forward and backwards without any strange noises or big plumes of smoke she should be ok for that money:) but it is a gamble and not having someone that knows boats could put the odds against you. If you do buy her bring it in for a service and get the compression and impeller checked before you head out on the water.
I'm not sure what comes with the boat so also think about having to buy ropes, lifejackets, fenders,VHF, kill cord "if not fitted" insurance "should be cheeper when you do the powerboat course" and any other bits and pieces like trailer bearings as well as at least €50 a day in fuel :eek:






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Bio Mech

murfc6 wrote: »

thanks Bio we dont really know anyone with experience. We are going to see it running on water before we buy. Is there anything we should look for in particular that would make a difference to the engine ?

There are a few critical things to check. In a boat that age check under the carpet for rot and make sure there are no soft spots. check the hull for cracks or holes and any obvious damage. Check around the transom (where the engine is mounted) for rot too.

Check the steering is moving freely and not seized. Check the trailer for rust and ask when the wheel hubs were last done.

See if you can run the engine and make sure it starts ok and ticks over at idle. Make sure it is pumping water. There should be a stream of water (like a stream of pee ) coming from the bottom of the power unit. Look online for the basics of an outboard and you will see what I mean. its the impellor stream from the cooling system. Make sure the engine is not spluttering or dropping revs. Take off the cover and check for obvious problems, rust, damaged cables. Ask when it was last serviced. Check the propeller for damage. If the blades are heavily damaged you will need a new one and they can be a bit pricey.

But as Fergal said you cant go too far wrong for that money.

murfc6

ok cheers for the info guys much appreciated. Il let u know how we get on