Need some education from the pro's
 

I've been saving my pennies and doing my research for almost 2 years. For about half of that I've been settled on the quest for an original Mariah and I"ve finally bought it boat!! I'm the proud new owner of a 1997 Z 221 Talari with a 5.7L Bravo III. I'm the third owner and both the previous owners took excellent care of the boat. It was keep in covered storage but it wasn't used last year and it needs some TLC - that's where I need some help from you guys.

i was told the boat was winterized and the gas was drained before storage last year. I don't want to wait for spring to check it out and find it needs work. Can you share some of that hard earned knowledge about the do's and don't of cleaning, servicing, check this, check that, etc, etc, etc, etc?

David

Re: Need some education from the pro's
 

Having bought another boat that was sitting for over a year, here's the things I found out the hard way:
1) Change the fuel water separator filter and any other filters. Even with the gas removed, they gunk up and who knows when they were last changed.
2) Make sure the outdrive oil and engine oil/filter are changed and new.
3) Given it's a '97, my guess is it has a 4bbl carb. Good chance the carb will need a good cleaning. Get a good carb cleaner, spray down the outside to make sure all parts move freely. Once you get the boat running, spray out the throttle body.
4) It doesn't hurt to replace the plugs, wires and distributor parts.
5) If you're going to start it out of the water, make sure you have a strong water flow through the muffs and the outdrive is down.
6) Oh yeah - charge the batteries and see if they hold the charge. Make sure the battery connections are clean.
7) Grease all the points that you can see. They don't require a lot of grease, usually a couple of pumps.
8) Look at the fuses and connections. Clean any rot, etc.
9) The hydraulics should be at the fill level.
10) Give the hull (above the water line) a good cleaning and wax. Don't wax below the waterline as it does actually work opposite of what you make think.
11) When you put gas in - also use a good stabilizer with the E-10 mixture unless you're filling from a marina that already adds it. They have to tell you if they do (at least where I am they do in NH).

I'm sure there's more. A good cleaning. CONDITION the vinyl after cleaning. It makes a huge difference.

Good luck! :wink_thumbup:

Re: Need some education from the pro's
 

Thanks SO much! I'm very mechanical and work on cars and trucks but boat ignorant - so that's the kind of thing I need. What about lube for the outdrive? It's a Bravo III. Any suggestions on go lubes etc?
I really appreciate the help.

Re: Need some education from the pro's
 

Oh, also. Waxing the outside - any suggestions of products. Should I use a buffer?

Re: Need some education from the pro's
 

Meguiars Fiberglass Restoration Kit. It's a 3 part kit that can be hand applied or buffed. Has done wonders for many of our members boats.

Re: Need some education from the pro's
 

+1 for Meguiars products. If the gel coat is in decent shape, you might not need to do the full 3 step restoration, but at least be sure to get a coat of wax/sealer on it.

Re: Need some education from the pro's
 

Thanks for the info. I want to keep my Mariah looking good.