Hello

I'm thinking about buying a
1978 Silver Line boat
Model Nantucket 17V
140 hp Outboard motor Evinrude

Any information would be appreciated
How does this boat handle in rough water?

The owner informs me that the boat+motor is fast and quiet?

The fuel tank is only 18 gallon is this to small? (No I will not be running the boat at full
thottle)

--Christopher

I will say that my 200hp gets approx 2mpg and my boat has twin 18gal tanks
and that is borderline for my use (out in the Gulf of Mexico). If you only
got 2mpg, that's 36 miles to empty which means maybe 20-25 miles with some
reserve which is not much. Even if you got 3mpg (and I'd bet you won't)
you'd be pushing it. Be sure you can get some extra capacity somehow (USCG
approved).
Also, I second the recommendations by captainkearsley on the checks and
tests (plus, replace the crank seals, water pump impeller, and change the
gear lube).
I AM THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE. I bought my '78 Wellcraft V20 Steplift
w/200hp Merc and alum trailer, knowing the motor was "weak" on #6 and that
the transom was "spongy" for $2,000, figuring worst case, I'd have $5,000 in
it ready to fish sal****er!!!!
The transom cost me $300, no biggie but motor parts were even more than my
wildest dreams. Two cylinders bored and sleeved plus a bearing or two $800
and a box of gaskets, two pistons and rings, another $800, a $200 powerpak,
then fishfinder, VHF, rod holders, misc stuff, totaled around $5,000. I
didn't make out like a bandit but I had a strong engine I knew was good and
dependable---til the gearcase went out. That was another thou, last year.
Then this year the electrics (trigger and stator went out ($500). Good
thing we had "tow" insurance! The tow bill would have been over $500!

As to your question on handling in rough water, I have no idea. Generally
however, a deep V hull and an "older" heavy boat (mine weighs about 4,000lbs
w/motor) will take the rough water well. (We don't go out in the Gulf if
the wave ht forecast is greater than 4' unless it's a North wind). I still
have a lot to learn about waves but do know there's a big difference between
a 4 foot whitecap vs. a 4' swell on an otherwise calm day. I am very
pleased with my boat/motor and have the confidence to take it 10 to 15 miles
out that I might not have if I hadn't rebuilt the engine, now that the
gearbox and electrics have been replaced.

You didn't say where you'd be using the boat but unless you're on a very
small lake, over and above the state or USCG required safety equipment (fire
ex, life jackets, flares,etc.) I'd strongly recommend a VHF radio and a GPS
along with a proper anchor, chain, and line.
LD
"--Christopher" wrote in message
...

Hello

I'm thinking about buying a
1978 Silver Line boat
Model Nantucket 17V
140 hp Outboard motor Evinrude

Any information would be appreciated
How does this boat handle in rough water?

The owner informs me that the boat+motor is fast and quiet?

The fuel tank is only 18 gallon is this to small? (No I will not be
running the boat at full
thottle)

--Christopher

Hello LD
The boat is used mostly in fresh about 95% of the time right now, but:
I would be using the boat around Cape Cod, close to shore, with in 5 miles at most, and
most of the time with in 2 miles.
On the issue of repairing the lower gear unit: last year I did the one on my 1965
Mercury outboard 65hp. Cost about $250 in part , and $100 in special tools

Three things that need to be done to outboard motors
1. Replacing the water pump impeller on a regular basis.
2..Change the Lower end gear lube each season
3. Change the plugs and condensor on a reular basis.

I have all but the VHF radio and GPS unit.

Thanks for the post
--Christopher

"LD" wrote:

I will say that my 200hp gets approx 2mpg and my boat has twin 18gal tanks
and that is borderline for my use (out in the Gulf of Mexico). If you only
got 2mpg, that's 36 miles to empty which means maybe 20-25 miles with some
reserve which is not much. Even if you got 3mpg (and I'd bet you won't)
you'd be pushing it. Be sure you can get some extra capacity somehow (USCG
approved).
Also, I second the recommendations by captainkearsley on the checks and
tests (plus, replace the crank seals, water pump impeller, and change the
gear lube).
I AM THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE. I bought my '78 Wellcraft V20 Steplift
w/200hp Merc and alum trailer, knowing the motor was "weak" on #6 and that
the transom was "spongy" for $2,000, figuring worst case, I'd have $5,000 in
it ready to fish sal****er!!!!
The transom cost me $300, no biggie but motor parts were even more than my
wildest dreams. Two cylinders bored and sleeved plus a bearing or two $800
and a box of gaskets, two pistons and rings, another $800, a $200 powerpak,
then fishfinder, VHF, rod holders, misc stuff, totaled around $5,000. I
didn't make out like a bandit but I had a strong engine I knew was good and
dependable---til the gearcase went out. That was another thou, last year.
Then this year the electrics (trigger and stator went out ($500). Good
thing we had "tow" insurance! The tow bill would have been over $500!

As to your question on handling in rough water, I have no idea. Generally
however, a deep V hull and an "older" heavy boat (mine weighs about 4,000lbs
w/motor) will take the rough water well. (We don't go out in the Gulf if
the wave ht forecast is greater than 4' unless it's a North wind). I still
have a lot to learn about waves but do know there's a big difference between
a 4 foot whitecap vs. a 4' swell on an otherwise calm day. I am very
pleased with my boat/motor and have the confidence to take it 10 to 15 miles
out that I might not have if I hadn't rebuilt the engine, now that the
gearbox and electrics have been replaced.

You didn't say where you'd be using the boat but unless you're on a very
small lake, over and above the state or USCG required safety equipment (fire
ex, life jackets, flares,etc.) I'd strongly recommend a VHF radio and a GPS
along with a proper anchor, chain, and line.
LD
"--Christopher" wrote in message
...

Hello

I'm thinking about buying a
1978 Silver Line boat
Model Nantucket 17V
140 hp Outboard motor Evinrude

Any information would be appreciated
How does this boat handle in rough water?

The owner informs me that the boat+motor is fast and quiet?

The fuel tank is only 18 gallon is this to small? (No I will not be
running the boat at full
thottle)

--Christopher

On Tue, 4 Jan 2005 06:19:51 +0000, "--Christopher"
wrote:


Hello LD
The boat is used mostly in fresh about 95% of the time right now, but:
I would be using the boat around Cape Cod, close to shore, with in 5 miles at most, and
most of the time with in 2 miles.
On the issue of repairing the lower gear unit: last year I did the one on my 1965
Mercury outboard 65hp. Cost about $250 in part , and $100 in special tools

Three things that need to be done to outboard motors
1. Replacing the water pump impeller on a regular basis.
2..Change the Lower end gear lube each season
3. Change the plugs and condensor on a reular basis.

I have all but the VHF radio and GPS unit.

You have everything except a Sea//Tow membership.

Get one of those and your all set.

You obviously caught yours before it "blew up". Mine started making kind of
a scraping noise and before I could get back the two miles to the dock, it
went crunch, no gears, even scored the case, runing the entire foot. That's
the last time I asked for my brother's advice who said he "didn't hear
anything". :-)
LD

"--Christopher" wrote in message
...

Hello LD
The boat is used mostly in fresh about 95% of the time right now, but:
I would be using the boat around Cape Cod, close to shore, with in 5 miles
at most, and
most of the time with in 2 miles.
On the issue of repairing the lower gear unit: last year I did the one on
my 1965
Mercury outboard 65hp. Cost about $250 in part , and $100 in special tools

Three things that need to be done to outboard motors
1. Replacing the water pump impeller on a regular basis.
2..Change the Lower end gear lube each season
3. Change the plugs and condensor on a reular basis.

I have all but the VHF radio and GPS unit.

Thanks for the post
--Christopher

"LD" wrote:

I will say that my 200hp gets approx 2mpg and my boat has twin 18gal
tanks
and that is borderline for my use (out in the Gulf of Mexico). If you
only
got 2mpg, that's 36 miles to empty which means maybe 20-25 miles with
some
reserve which is not much. Even if you got 3mpg (and I'd bet you won't)
you'd be pushing it. Be sure you can get some extra capacity somehow
(USCG
approved).
Also, I second the recommendations by captainkearsley on the checks and
tests (plus, replace the crank seals, water pump impeller, and change the
gear lube).
I AM THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE. I bought my '78 Wellcraft V20 Steplift
w/200hp Merc and alum trailer, knowing the motor was "weak" on #6 and
that
the transom was "spongy" for $2,000, figuring worst case, I'd have $5,000
in
it ready to fish sal****er!!!!
The transom cost me $300, no biggie but motor parts were even more than
my
wildest dreams. Two cylinders bored and sleeved plus a bearing or two
$800
and a box of gaskets, two pistons and rings, another $800, a $200
powerpak,
then fishfinder, VHF, rod holders, misc stuff, totaled around $5,000. I
didn't make out like a bandit but I had a strong engine I knew was good
and
dependable---til the gearcase went out. That was another thou, last
year.
Then this year the electrics (trigger and stator went out ($500). Good
thing we had "tow" insurance! The tow bill would have been over $500!

As to your question on handling in rough water, I have no idea.
Generally
however, a deep V hull and an "older" heavy boat (mine weighs about
4,000lbs
w/motor) will take the rough water well. (We don't go out in the Gulf if
the wave ht forecast is greater than 4' unless it's a North wind). I
still
have a lot to learn about waves but do know there's a big difference
between
a 4 foot whitecap vs. a 4' swell on an otherwise calm day. I am very
pleased with my boat/motor and have the confidence to take it 10 to 15
miles
out that I might not have if I hadn't rebuilt the engine, now that the
gearbox and electrics have been replaced.

You didn't say where you'd be using the boat but unless you're on a very
small lake, over and above the state or USCG required safety equipment
(fire
ex, life jackets, flares,etc.) I'd strongly recommend a VHF radio and a
GPS
along with a proper anchor, chain, and line.
LD
"--Christopher" wrote in message
...

Hello

I'm thinking about buying a
1978 Silver Line boat
Model Nantucket 17V
140 hp Outboard motor Evinrude

Any information would be appreciated
How does this boat handle in rough water?

The owner informs me that the boat+motor is fast and quiet?

The fuel tank is only 18 gallon is this to small? (No I will not be
running the boat at full
thottle)

--Christopher

One more thing, in regards to the VHF and GPS, I was able to call (Towboat
US) w/my VHF and give him my exact position, from the GPS and the anchor
which, more than just keeping me over the sunken barges fishing, kept me put
for the hour a half it took the towboat to get there.
I use the GPS for an accurate speedo, a distance traveled indicator and a
"structure" locator for the fishing spots. It is invaluable!
LD

"--Christopher" wrote in message
...

Hello LD
The boat is used mostly in fresh about 95% of the time right now, but:
I would be using the boat around Cape Cod, close to shore, with in 5 miles
at most, and
most of the time with in 2 miles.
On the issue of repairing the lower gear unit: last year I did the one on
my 1965
Mercury outboard 65hp. Cost about $250 in part , and $100 in special tools

Three things that need to be done to outboard motors
1. Replacing the water pump impeller on a regular basis.
2..Change the Lower end gear lube each season
3. Change the plugs and condensor on a reular basis.

I have all but the VHF radio and GPS unit.

Thanks for the post
--Christopher

"LD" wrote:

I will say that my 200hp gets approx 2mpg and my boat has twin 18gal
tanks
and that is borderline for my use (out in the Gulf of Mexico). If you
only
got 2mpg, that's 36 miles to empty which means maybe 20-25 miles with
some
reserve which is not much. Even if you got 3mpg (and I'd bet you won't)
you'd be pushing it. Be sure you can get some extra capacity somehow
(USCG
approved).
Also, I second the recommendations by captainkearsley on the checks and
tests (plus, replace the crank seals, water pump impeller, and change the
gear lube).
I AM THE VOICE OF EXPERIENCE. I bought my '78 Wellcraft V20 Steplift
w/200hp Merc and alum trailer, knowing the motor was "weak" on #6 and
that
the transom was "spongy" for $2,000, figuring worst case, I'd have $5,000
in
it ready to fish sal****er!!!!
The transom cost me $300, no biggie but motor parts were even more than
my
wildest dreams. Two cylinders bored and sleeved plus a bearing or two
$800
and a box of gaskets, two pistons and rings, another $800, a $200
powerpak,
then fishfinder, VHF, rod holders, misc stuff, totaled around $5,000. I
didn't make out like a bandit but I had a strong engine I knew was good
and
dependable---til the gearcase went out. That was another thou, last
year.
Then this year the electrics (trigger and stator went out ($500). Good
thing we had "tow" insurance! The tow bill would have been over $500!

As to your question on handling in rough water, I have no idea.
Generally
however, a deep V hull and an "older" heavy boat (mine weighs about
4,000lbs
w/motor) will take the rough water well. (We don't go out in the Gulf if
the wave ht forecast is greater than 4' unless it's a North wind). I
still
have a lot to learn about waves but do know there's a big difference
between
a 4 foot whitecap vs. a 4' swell on an otherwise calm day. I am very
pleased with my boat/motor and have the confidence to take it 10 to 15
miles
out that I might not have if I hadn't rebuilt the engine, now that the
gearbox and electrics have been replaced.

You didn't say where you'd be using the boat but unless you're on a very
small lake, over and above the state or USCG required safety equipment
(fire
ex, life jackets, flares,etc.) I'd strongly recommend a VHF radio and a
GPS
along with a proper anchor, chain, and line.
LD
"--Christopher" wrote in message
...

Hello

I'm thinking about buying a
1978 Silver Line boat
Model Nantucket 17V
140 hp Outboard motor Evinrude

Any information would be appreciated
How does this boat handle in rough water?

The owner informs me that the boat+motor is fast and quiet?

The fuel tank is only 18 gallon is this to small? (No I will not be
running the boat at full
thottle)

--Christopher