True barn find on a 30yr old Champion bass boat last week..... 5-4-23

[willyfish]

On 5/4/2023 at 11:40 AM, fishinwrench said:

She's a peach 👍 

 

If the Mariner has set unused for more than a couple years it's gonna need some serious love.   

Hey Wrench I have a buddy looking at a 2004 triton with a 225 merc on it. It's been sitting for 2 years, what should he be most worried about concerning the engine?

[fishinwrench]

3 hours ago, willyfish said:

Hey Wrench I have a buddy looking at a 2004 triton with a 225 merc on it. It's been sitting for 2 years, what should he be most worried about concerning the engine?

There are a number of different Merc 225's  (,carb., EFI, DFI ?)

The charging system on all of them is always suspect.   And of course compression readings that are within spec (all within 15psi of each other). 

As with any boat with a black motor hanging on the back of it......Always make offers assuming that you'll have to spend another 5k within the next year or so. Manage THAT and you'll never be upside down in it. 👍  Otherwise you're gambling. 

 

 

Triton's are plagued with electrical/wiring issues, and components like switches, gauges, fuel sending units, pumps and valves are always a real bastard to access.    Great hull....but the worst of all to do maintenance on.   A livewell pump & valve swap on a Triton, in MY shop, is equal to a powerhead swap......almost 😅  because you have to tear the whole backend of the boat apart.

[Steve McBasser]

On 5/4/2023 at 11:40 AM, fishinwrench said:

She's a peach 👍 

 

If the Mariner has set unused for more than a couple years it's gonna need some serious love.   

What would you recommend for preventative maintenance Wrench??

[Steve McBasser]

On 5/4/2023 at 7:03 PM, cheesemaster said:

That’s a fantastic find. What are you going to do with it? 

I will probably fish out of it this summer just for fun. Maybe take the grandsons a couple times and then sell it this fall. I don't really need my own boat. I have such awesome fishing buddies that I am never hurting for a fishing trip. Plus they let me borrow their boats when I need one. I should be able to make a little bit on this barn find.  

[fishinwrench]

8 hours ago, Steve McBasser said:

What would you recommend for preventative maintenance Wrench??

Terminate the oil injection system PROPERLY, and blend fresh fuel at a 50:1 ratio.

Replace the fuel pump diaphragm with the new style alcohol resistant one.  

REMOVE both the idle stabilizer & high speed advance module, and retard WOT ignition timing by 2°.  

If Throttle pickup timing is still on it's index mark.....LEAVE IT ALONE. If not then make the little minute adjustment to reset it.

Install a fresh water pump kit. 

Change the gear lube.

Remove the starboard bank thermostat......and throw it in the trash.   

Now she'll run forever👍  Give her a kiss on the forehead and take her little grayass fishing at least twice a month.   🙂

 

 

 

Hey, you asked 🤷‍♂️

[Bill Babler]

That is some great advice from Wrench. I’d also pack the wheel bearings and make sure the rubber on the tires are not dry rotted. 

Beautiful outfit. Back in her day she would have been a head turner as she is now.   

Don’t forget the new ProGuide Batteries. 😀
 

[Steve McBasser]

The oil injection system has already been deleted and the Mercury block off kit installed. 20 gallons of 3 year old premix syphoned off, tank cleaned, and new premium fuel with 50:1 oil mix added. Started it in the driveway on the muffs and it popped on the first crank, started and settled into a perfect idle on the second. After just a few minutes to warm up the thermostats opened up and it started peeing a good steady stream. Next day took it up to Stockton and the wheel bearings stayed cool as a cucumber. We put in at Mutton Creek north and it started 1st crank. Hole shot was about 7 or 8 seconds from a dead stop. 4 seconds if you are already idling along. I wanted to try all the systems out so we fished for about an hour. The Troll motor works perfectly. The old Lowrance fish finder with GPS on the console is outdated but it works perfect. I'll have to find one for the bow. The previous owner said they never had one up there. Right before it was parked the previous owner had 3 brand new batteries and a brand new battery charger installed. Also, 3 new trailer tires and new dual steering. They kept all the receipts for any work they had done and it shows they had a new water pump and new lower unit oil added at the the same time they did the steering cables. I looked real good at all the tires and I find no evidence of dry rot. It has obviously been protected very well. The condition of the gel coat on a 30 year old boat blows me away.....The trailer will need a little love but other than that this thing really is a peach.... Thanks guys on any and all advice.... I will work through all these things as needed. 

 

[Bill Babler]

Put about 20 Grand worth of Livescopes and Garmin Gear on it plus Monster Mounts and you will be allowed to fish LOZ and Truman. 

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[fishinwrench]

Hell yes!   You really did find a peach.   I'm jealous 😁 

An old friend of mine snatched up an 18' Champ with an Evinrude XP150 in Illinois a few weeks ago.   It's really clean too, just a few minor scuffs on the rub rail.    It needed a stator & voltage regulator, fresh water pump, and all new batteries.......but he still got into it for under 6k.   

I didn't charge him any labor.  I'm just waiting for his wife to throw a hissy fit so I can swoop in with a fistful of Benjamin's and rectify his marital squabble!   😁

[Steve McBasser]

Kind of you to do a friend a favor like that......