Just Bought My First Boat.

[Jason R.]

Hey fellas,

Just picked up an older shawnee type river boat (no branding on it). It is a 16 footer- 45 in wide- very basic with a live well in the middle bench. It came with a 2006 Yamaha 9.9 that is pretty beat up but works (I think)- it must have been a a rental because it has a big "3" on the cowl. The boat itself is in decent shape with some scuffs and scrapes- fiberglass- obviously- with a solid transom and a homemade wooden "jack plate." Anything i should know before I drown myself in the White river? I am going to try the boat out tonight on the Arkansas just to see how it runs. Should I worry about the scrapes and nicks in the fiberglass?- they are not super deep. Thinking of filling them in with MarineTex and painting the whole boat down the road. Any tips or suggestions would be appreciated. I am an absolute boat newby. Thanks!

Picture- http://3.bp.blogspot.com/NFSUSqcKDGhrGHle9Fxta4kN6qQJw0KXyYhjPCCQcDQ=w1597-h640-no

[Greasy B]

I wouldn't worry about scrapes and nicks, I would just start adding your own. Your going to love how much water having your own boat will open up. Good luck.

[fishinwrench]

I'd recommend having the outboard "looked over" before getting too far from the ramp.

*Water pump.

*Gearcase (lube condition, seals, prop hub).

*Fuel system.

*anything made of rubber probably could stand to be refreshed.

[Jason R.]

I'd recommend having the outboard "looked over" before getting too far from the ramp.

*Water pump.

*Gearcase (lube condition, seals, prop hub).

*Fuel system.

*anything made of rubber probably could stand to be refreshed.

I am at least going to put new oil in the lower unit and replace the spark plugs. the inside of the motor looks pretty clean actually. Outside looks like it sat through a sand storm and the prop is pretty beat up. Guy used it on the Norfork and White so that explains the beat up prop i guess. Got it pretty cheap.

[Andy & JoAnne]

I'd recommend having the outboard "looked over" before getting too far from the ramp.

*Water pump.

*Gearcase (lube condition, seals, prop hub).

*Fuel system.

*anything made of rubber probably could stand to be refreshed.

Take Wrench's advice, he helped me fix my boat from 2500 miles away. Thanks again Wrench.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Until you know how well it runs, and you are comfortable with it, go up river, not down. This way if something goes wrong the current will bring you back. Some of the best advice I was ever given.

[Jason R.]

Until you know how well it runs, and you are comfortable with it, go up river, not down. This way if something goes wrong the current will bring you back. Some of the best advice I was ever given.

That is great advice. I'd like to think I would have thought of that... I will take Wrench's advice. I just started it up in a bucket in the driveway and it started and ran pretty well. I believe it is a frankenstein of several different motors cobbled together. Has a brand new 15 hp carb. The plugs look newish and the guy said he replaced the impeller. Oh well, new toy to play with.

[Aleutian06]

Get yourself one if these http://m.basspro.com/Macs-River-Runner-Prop-Protector/product/20945/?utm_referrer=direct%252Fnot%2520provided

[Jason R.]

Get yourself one if these http://m.basspro.com/Macs-River-Runner-Prop-Protector/product/20945/?utm_referrer=direct%252Fnot%2520provided

Thanks man thats a good idea, unfortunately this motor probably doesn't have enough of a skeg left to attach something like that...

[David Unnerstall]

Until you know how well it runs, and you are comfortable with it, go up river, not down. This way if something goes wrong the current will bring you back. Some of the best advice I was ever given.

Where were you with that advice thirty years ago? I sure could have used it.