I took the ignition coil off and to the auto parts store. They couldn't

find an exact match for it, but I got a 12 volt coil for a VW Beetle.
The pos. and neg. posts are on the same end as the wire connection port

that goes out to the distributor. So I just reversed the direction it
pointed so the power wires can connect without being strained.


I took the ignition wire from the coil to the distributor off. Found
the end leading into the distributor did not have the connector.
Between the cracked coil casing and bad lead wire I think I might have
that problem solved.


There's a box on the rear starboard where the batter leads come out of.

I think it's the voltage regulator, but cannot be sure. I had to
replace a missing screw that held a wire to one of the posts.


The connections look pretty good. When I bought the boat (250.00) I was

told the Engine was rebuilt in 2000. The boat was registered through
2001. Sat since.


While we're at it, after cleaning it out, the flooring at the stern, in

front of the gas tank. has a small hole about 3 inches and is soft to
the touch. I think the wood under the flooring is rooted out. I am
thinking that I should cut out hte fiberglass flooring, replace the
flooring and re-glass over it.


I know, a lot to think about. I welcome any and all comments and
suggestions.

You need to give more details about the year, make and model of the
engine and drive if anyone is going to be able to help woth that.

Rot tends to be like iceburgs. You only see 10% of it. One way to
find it is to drill small holes in the floor and transom. Work out
from where you know it is rotten. Examine what the drill brings up.
Check other areas of the floor for sagging or softness. You can fill
the holes with epoxy mixed with filler or sawdust. If there is a lot
of rot you have to decide if fixing the boat is really worth it. Pay
close attention to the transom and stringers. The floor is less
critical. Major stringer, floor, and transom work is hard and dirty.
You could just get it running and use it until it gets too bad to use
if you are boating in protected waters. Obviously you have to consider
the safety aspects of where you will boat.

Chris wrote:
I took the ignition coil off and to the auto parts store. They couldn't

find an exact match for it, but I got a 12 volt coil for a VW Beetle.
The pos. and neg. posts are on the same end as the wire connection port

that goes out to the distributor. So I just reversed the direction it
pointed so the power wires can connect without being strained.


I took the ignition wire from the coil to the distributor off. Found
the end leading into the distributor did not have the connector.
Between the cracked coil casing and bad lead wire I think I might have
that problem solved.


There's a box on the rear starboard where the batter leads come out of.

I think it's the voltage regulator, but cannot be sure. I had to
replace a missing screw that held a wire to one of the posts.


The connections look pretty good. When I bought the boat (250.00) I was

told the Engine was rebuilt in 2000. The boat was registered through
2001. Sat since.


While we're at it, after cleaning it out, the flooring at the stern, in

front of the gas tank. has a small hole about 3 inches and is soft to
the touch. I think the wood under the flooring is rooted out. I am
thinking that I should cut out hte fiberglass flooring, replace the
flooring and re-glass over it.


I know, a lot to think about. I welcome any and all comments and
suggestions.

James,

The engine is a 1964 Johnson 90 HP Model number V4ML-10R. I am pretty
sure I'll have no problems there. It's the boat itself I am more
concerned with. The floor feels very solid until you get to where the
back seats where against the stern wall, just in front of the gas tank.

I think the boat sat with water between the hull and the flooring. I'm
not really too worried about the wood replacement if it is there. But
thanks for the tips. I look forward to hearing others' thoughts on the
issue.

Thanks,
Chris

jamesgangnc wrote:
You need to give more details about the year, make and model of the
engine and drive if anyone is going to be able to help woth that.

Rot tends to be like iceburgs. You only see 10% of it. One way to
find it is to drill small holes in the floor and transom. Work out
from where you know it is rotten. Examine what the drill brings up.
Check other areas of the floor for sagging or softness. You can fill
the holes with epoxy mixed with filler or sawdust. If there is a lot
of rot you have to decide if fixing the boat is really worth it. Pay
close attention to the transom and stringers. The floor is less
critical. Major stringer, floor, and transom work is hard and dirty.
You could just get it running and use it until it gets too bad to use
if you are boating in protected waters. Obviously you have to consider
the safety aspects of where you will boat.

Chris wrote:
I took the ignition coil off and to the auto parts store. They couldn't

find an exact match for it, but I got a 12 volt coil for a VW Beetle.
The pos. and neg. posts are on the same end as the wire connection port

that goes out to the distributor. So I just reversed the direction it
pointed so the power wires can connect without being strained.


I took the ignition wire from the coil to the distributor off. Found
the end leading into the distributor did not have the connector.
Between the cracked coil casing and bad lead wire I think I might have
that problem solved.


There's a box on the rear starboard where the batter leads come out of.

I think it's the voltage regulator, but cannot be sure. I had to
replace a missing screw that held a wire to one of the posts.


The connections look pretty good. When I bought the boat (250.00) I was

told the Engine was rebuilt in 2000. The boat was registered through
2001. Sat since.


While we're at it, after cleaning it out, the flooring at the stern, in

front of the gas tank. has a small hole about 3 inches and is soft to
the touch. I think the wood under the flooring is rooted out. I am
thinking that I should cut out hte fiberglass flooring, replace the
flooring and re-glass over it.


I know, a lot to think about. I welcome any and all comments and
suggestions.

I've seen people just cut some new pieces of pressure treated ply,
carpet it and lay it down on top of the existing floor in your
situation. Cheap and fast.

You may have some rot in the transom as well but not really any quick
fix to that. Just make sure it doesn't look like the transom is
collapsing or swaying excessively where the engine is mounted on it.

Can't help you much with that engine, sorry. I think we have some old
outboard guys in the group that probably can give you some ideas and
point you to some used parts sources as well.

Chris wrote:
James,

The engine is a 1964 Johnson 90 HP Model number V4ML-10R. I am pretty
sure I'll have no problems there. It's the boat itself I am more
concerned with. The floor feels very solid until you get to where the
back seats where against the stern wall, just in front of the gas tank.

I think the boat sat with water between the hull and the flooring. I'm
not really too worried about the wood replacement if it is there. But
thanks for the tips. I look forward to hearing others' thoughts on the
issue.

Thanks,
Chris

jamesgangnc wrote:
You need to give more details about the year, make and model of the
engine and drive if anyone is going to be able to help woth that.

Rot tends to be like iceburgs. You only see 10% of it. One way to
find it is to drill small holes in the floor and transom. Work out
from where you know it is rotten. Examine what the drill brings up.
Check other areas of the floor for sagging or softness. You can fill
the holes with epoxy mixed with filler or sawdust. If there is a lot
of rot you have to decide if fixing the boat is really worth it. Pay
close attention to the transom and stringers. The floor is less
critical. Major stringer, floor, and transom work is hard and dirty.
You could just get it running and use it until it gets too bad to use
if you are boating in protected waters. Obviously you have to consider
the safety aspects of where you will boat.

Chris wrote:
I took the ignition coil off and to the auto parts store. They couldn't

find an exact match for it, but I got a 12 volt coil for a VW Beetle.
The pos. and neg. posts are on the same end as the wire connection port

that goes out to the distributor. So I just reversed the direction it
pointed so the power wires can connect without being strained.


I took the ignition wire from the coil to the distributor off. Found
the end leading into the distributor did not have the connector.
Between the cracked coil casing and bad lead wire I think I might have
that problem solved.


There's a box on the rear starboard where the batter leads come out of.

I think it's the voltage regulator, but cannot be sure. I had to
replace a missing screw that held a wire to one of the posts.


The connections look pretty good. When I bought the boat (250.00) I was

told the Engine was rebuilt in 2000. The boat was registered through
2001. Sat since.


While we're at it, after cleaning it out, the flooring at the stern, in

front of the gas tank. has a small hole about 3 inches and is soft to
the touch. I think the wood under the flooring is rooted out. I am
thinking that I should cut out hte fiberglass flooring, replace the
flooring and re-glass over it.


I know, a lot to think about. I welcome any and all comments and
suggestions.