Questions on my first boat purchase.

I just purchased a used 2000 Lund Pro Sport 17 with a Johnson 90 hp two stroke from a very nice lady for $8,500.
She lost her husband 2 years ago to cancer and the boat has been stored in her garage since his death with out being used since. Boat is in near perfect condition and was stored with the fuel and oil tanks full.
What should I do before using the boat for maintenance and servicing? I am already in trouble with the wife for going over budget by almost double what I told her I would spend on my first boat, so I need to try to keep my cost down to a minimum to get it Lake worthy.
Thanks for any advice.

First off welcome to IDA

I’m by no means an expert, (but I do stay at holiday Inns on occasion )

I guess I start by looking everything over, does it appear he stored it properly? like stabilzed the gas and fogged it. Do you have anyway of finding out? I’d somewhat expect it to be done propely if he had the tanks filled.

I’d look into getting some fresh gas in there. First tank or two I’d highly suggest running premixed gas, watch you oil level make sure the pump seems to be pumping and using oil, before you run the motor off the oil tank. ( I believe every 2 stroke should be done like this when running it after it’s been sitting for a long period of time) Even if the gas was stabilized it’s probably no good anyways, and risky in my opinion to run it. The oil it probably alright. Try pumping up the primer bulbs, make sure they stay firm when running otherwise look into replacement.

Change the lower unit oil out, I’d probably do that befoer running it. Make sure you are getting a good flow of water out of the pee hole.

I’d also be sure and treat it for atleast the first couple tanks with a good dose of seafoam in addition to the premixed oil, and atleast one treatment of seafoam after you are done runnign premix. Get yourself an extra set of plugs.

Concerns I’d be leary of a motor not running good, don’t push it, shut it down, you could cause some major damage it’s possible the carbs got gummed up, in which case I’d consult a dealer, if you are halfway handy you should be able to clean them youself.

All that said and done, providing you check everything out well in advance, I doubt you’ll have much issue with the boat or motor, I guess this it a good start for you of where to start, I suppose some more people will be along for some more insight.

BTW Nice job on the boat Sounds like a nice one , and I see you live by my motto, “Better to ask for forgiveness than permission”

I’d definitly pump the tank out and clear the fuel line. Also drain the bowl on the carb/s and put fresh fuel in with some sea foam. Pump out the oil tank and fill with fresh oil. Drain the lower unit, check for water, if that’s clean refill. Charge up your batteries and start it with muffs in the driveway to make sure everything is on the up. If you don’t get any warning buzzers going off take it out for a easy cruise.

Or, bring it in to a reputable mechanic and have them go through it.

BIRDDOG

Welcome to IDA Cassey! Congrats on your boat.

Welcome to IDA cassey !!! And get that boat back on the water !!! Good advice above.

big g

Good advice gentlemen Also, don’t forget the trailer, if it is also a 2000 model year, especially since it has been sitting for a while. Pull those wheel bearings and check the tires….

Good luck on the water

Good advice, and it sound as though you found yourself a good deal. The trailer thing should not be over looked, tire pressure and bearings, lights. Go through the fore-mentioned checklist. Bring her down to the landing on a slow day and back it in, but leave the boat hooked up, don’t forget the plug! Start the motor and listen, make sure the pee hole is doing it’s job, let it idle for a bit, making sure it’s not coughing or sputtering. If all seems well take her out for a spin. I’m sure once the wife goes out for a ride or two, she will enjoy. Take her out on a dinner cruise, grab a bucket of chicken and all the sides on the way to the landing, get out a ways and enjoy the evening, that will help her with the monthly payments.

1) Check tires for weather checks (cracking on sidewalls). If cracked, discard and purchase new.

2) Pull apart wheel hubs and change bearings. Repack bearings.

3) change spark plugs

4) Dump old gas

5) Treat first and second tank of gas with seafoam to clean varnish build up in carbs/fuel line.

6) change fuel filter.

7) change water impeller (Been sitting too long without running and it is cheap maintenance).

8) If this is fuel injection, talk to a service technician as to what type of fuel injector cleaner you should run through your Johnson.

9) I would drain out as much of the oil in the reservoir as possible. You truely don’t know how old the oil is and you do not know what type of oil it is. Some oils will coagulate while “sitting” for extended lengths of time in the “4 seasons”.

Now, for your “first day” of operation:
As others have stated, put it in the water. Fire it up and let it idle. Do not “gas it” or “throttle it”. Just let it idle. The motor was sitting and the piston rings might have “set in” a tiny bit on the cylinder walls. Not a big deal at all. But just let the pistons slowly cycle through to get “loosened up” again. I would let her warm up a minimum of 15 minutes, idling before going for a buzz. Even then, on your first run I wouldn’t take it over 3000 rpm. Run it for a good hour. Probably I’m taking this to the extreme, but so what.

I’ve repeated about what most others have already stated. I basically posted a “bullet point” list for you.
2-strokes are very tough motors. Just give this a little love during the first tank. Make sure she warms up good prior to giving her a “good run”.

Welcome to IDA and congrats on your new purchase!

Thank guys for the great advice on prepping my new used Lund Pro Sport boat, Johnson 90 hp motor and trailer that has been unused for 2 years. Ex-owners wife didn’t know for sure if it had been stored properly. I think with your good advice I will do the things recommended by you, by myself and save the money instead of bringing the boat to a dealer to minimize any more problems created with my wife for going over budget so much. Thanks again, I am looking forward to getting it out in the water.

If its only been sitting for two years, leave the gas and injector oil in there. I’d still dump some seafoam and injector oil in the gas and top off the tank with some fuel and run that stuff down.