[Corndog]

I just purchased my first boat, a 1998 180 Shabah with a 4.3 L Mercruiser. My question is, when spring comes and I am ready to take her out for the first time, what will I need to do prior to starting her up and taking her out? Any help would be greatly appreciated by this new boater.

[wssb11]

Do you know if your boat was winterized before you bought it?

[mikeyt]

If your boat was properly winterized then it shouldn't need anything more than fresh gas to get her going in the spring. If the oil & filter weren't changed in the fall (as they should be) then you should also change both.

[Corndog]

Thanks for the replies. I'm told the boat was winterized by a dealer but I don't have any specifics such as if the oil and filter were changed. Is it safe to assume that any dealer would have changed the oil and filter as part of winterization? Again, thanks for the help.

[Corndog]

THANKS mikeyt and wssb11. Since you both have 180 Shabahs, may I ask another dumb question? Can you please tell me what each of the switches and knobs control? I suppose there are lights and blowers and bilge pumps? If I remember right there are two rotating knobs and about five rocker switches. Again, thank a bunch for your help.

[Corndog]

Oh yeah, there is also a switch on the bottom of the throttle lever.

[mikeyt]

It's never 'safe' to assume anything. When in doubt, i would suggest you change the oil & filter

As for the knobs / switches, i'm doing this by fuzzy memory cuz my boat's been in storage since October.

Rotating knob on the left controls the lights, knob on right controls the bilge blower ( i could have these backwards).

Switches from left to right: Dash lights / Accessories / Courtesy / Bilge pump

Switch on handle of throttle is for trim, black switch at base of throttle is for tilt, red switch marked 'run / off' on throttle case is your emergency stop and you should have a little pull tab on a string connected to it.

[Corndog]

Thanks so much MikeyT!