general maintenance - engine oil
 

I figured i could have posted this in a number of places, but the only forum that i could post in, and not be called stoopid, would be here, where i guess essentially we are allowed to be stoopid!
i was pretty lucky last year, in my virginal boating year, in that i bought a boat, spent a whole load of time on the water and didn't do much other than clean it.

conscious that is wave of luck that eventually runs out, and also gets very expensive when it does, what should i be looking to check/ adjust / lubricate to make sure my lady serves me well for another summer?

i was really not sure where to start, so last weekend, with a very slight hint of sunshine, we went down to the lake, i didn't check anything, apart form the fuel gauge, pumped the throttle a few times, she purred her little sx19 self in to life and ran around the lake just like we had never been away!

I am sure that if i don't do more than than this the luck will run out, so I'm thinking change the engine oil, but where to start? what oil do i need? how do i do it? where do i get it? do i need to check other levels? which ones? is there a simple posting guide (preferably with pics...) that will help me?
thanks any and all for guidance.

Re: general maintenance - engine oil
 

Poyntoncat, at the very least stick to the basics as you would with your car engine. I have an SX21 and unless you know the maintenance record of the previous owner, i would change or have someone change the oil and filter, fuel filter, plugs, rotor button and distributer cap, and definitly impellor and gear oil. I have a guy here who comes to my house does my work, and i paid about $400.00. My mechanic actually worked where we bought our Mariah's, and freelances on the side. Hope this helps, best bet is try to find a mechanic at a dealer or marina and lure him away for side work.

Re: general maintenance - engine oil
 

many thanks schevel, I will certainly take your advice. we do not have nay maintenance history at all, so i really should be more careful.

Re: general maintenance - engine oil
 

The only time i would think someone might be a bit 'stoopid' is when they dont know what they're doing and they dont ask questions or at least do a little research before they start taking things apart or even worse, simply ignoring regular maintenance that helps prevent big problems down the road. There's nothing wrong with admitting you simply dont know what to do and there are lots of good people here who can help someone out.