Scott,

Did you get the engine booklet that came with the boat? If so, its got annual maintenance
instructions in it. If not, I'd suggest going to a dealer and buying a manual, because it will be
well worth the $30 investment over the time you own the boat. The basics a

0) Charge or replace the battery! Its likely to be flat after sitting over the winter.

1) Change engine oil and oil filter
2) Check belts and hoses (My 1996 has the originals, and they are still going strong)
3) Change fuel filters (my rig has two--A spin on, and a small filter in the carburetor)
4) Check battery water level (if possible)
5) Check and clean battery terminals
6) Check the propellor for nicks, dings, corrosion

If it is an I/O instead of a true inboard, add the following:

7) Drain and replace lower unit lube oil. Note--The main reason to do this every year is to check
for a water leak in the lower unit. If you bump something with your prop, its not uncommon to put a
small bend in the prop shaft, which quickly destroys the prop shaft seal. Water then leaks into
your lower unit, and the gears and bearings rust eventually destroying the lower unit. This is a =
$1K repair. If the lower unit oil is a grey-whiteish (milky) color, you've got water in the lower unit.

8) Check and refill the tilt/trim pump hydraulic oil as needed
9) Grease the outdrive swivel points.

Also note that your gas tank probably has stale gas in it from sitting over the winter. Its a good
idea to add as much fresh gas as your tank will allow, to dilute the stale gas.

Good luck with it,

Don W.

Scott Shirley wrote:

I am new to boating and purchased a 1996 model with an 5.7L inboard last
spring. What maintenance do I need to perform after de-winterizing the boat?

Oil Change ( I have no idea if/when the previous owner had it changed)
Belts?
Hoses?
Any other fluids, filters, or things that need to be changed/adjusted?

And assuming I/O, every 2-3 years, pull the outdrive (or better still have
your trusty mechanic do it) to grease the universal etc, "break it"
(assuming mercruiser) to replace the impeller. And I recommend picking up a
Seloc repair manual ... www.selocmarine.com ... (it's not a shop manual,
but imo good enough) for your particular engine/outdrive combo.

And then there's the hull buffing and waxing, etc.

And if you trailer, give it a looksee ... e.g., grease the wheel bearings
(those bearing buddy's (sp?) are an excellent investment), touch up the rust
spots.



"Don W" wrote in message
m...
Scott,

Did you get the engine booklet that came with the boat? If so, its got
annual maintenance
instructions in it. If not, I'd suggest going to a dealer and buying a
manual, because it will be
well worth the $30 investment over the time you own the boat. The basics
a

0) Charge or replace the battery! Its likely to be flat after sitting
over the winter.

1) Change engine oil and oil filter
2) Check belts and hoses (My 1996 has the originals, and they are still
going strong)
3) Change fuel filters (my rig has two--A spin on, and a small filter in
the carburetor)
4) Check battery water level (if possible)
5) Check and clean battery terminals
6) Check the propellor for nicks, dings, corrosion

If it is an I/O instead of a true inboard, add the following:

7) Drain and replace lower unit lube oil. Note--The main reason to do
this every year is to check
for a water leak in the lower unit. If you bump something with your prop,
its not uncommon to put a
small bend in the prop shaft, which quickly destroys the prop shaft
seal. Water then leaks into
your lower unit, and the gears and bearings rust eventually destroying the
lower unit. This is a =
$1K repair. If the lower unit oil is a grey-whiteish (milky) color,
you've got water in the lower unit.

8) Check and refill the tilt/trim pump hydraulic oil as needed
9) Grease the outdrive swivel points.

Also note that your gas tank probably has stale gas in it from sitting
over the winter. Its a good
idea to add as much fresh gas as your tank will allow, to dilute the stale
gas.

Good luck with it,

Don W.

Scott Shirley wrote:

I am new to boating and purchased a 1996 model with an 5.7L inboard last
spring. What maintenance do I need to perform after de-winterizing the
boat?

Oil Change ( I have no idea if/when the previous owner had it changed)
Belts?
Hoses?
Any other fluids, filters, or things that need to be changed/adjusted?

Bowgus wrote:
And assuming I/O, every 2-3 years, pull the outdrive (or better still have
your trusty mechanic do it) to grease the universal etc, "break it"
(assuming mercruiser) to replace the impeller. And I recommend picking up a

Agreed... just didn't want to scare him before he even got the boat in the
water. Personally, with a "new to me" used boat, I'd do the following:

1) Pull the prop and regrease the splines (use the proper grease)
2) Pull the lower unit, and inspect/replace the impeller
3) Pull the outdrive downhousing and grease the u-joints and splines (proper grease
again).

Of course, someone who is not mechanically inclined should take the boat to a
mechanic to have the above done. Even though fairly easy, there are some things
you can muck up--the shift linkage for example

Seloc repair manual ... www.selocmarine.com ... (it's not a shop manual,
but imo good enough) for your particular engine/outdrive combo.

And then there's the hull buffing and waxing, etc.

And if you trailer, give it a looksee ... e.g., grease the wheel bearings
(those bearing buddy's (sp?) are an excellent investment), touch up the rust
spots.

Right on! I strongly second the suggestion of repacking the trailer bearings,
and putting on "Bearing Buddys". I've had them on our trailer since new (1997)
and the original bearings look like new. I pulled and repacked them last year,
but they didn't need it.

If you are trailering a new-to-you boat, pull those wheel bearings and inspect/
repack them. Replace the grease seals while your at it. You'll save yourself
a lot of grief

Now all of this sounds like a lot, but it really isn't that bad, and after you've
taken care of it you won't need to worry about it for a few years again.

Don W.