Off to the darkside...

[Project_Mayhem]

I'm going to look at a 95' Sunbird 19 with a Johnson 140 outboard this weekend (I'm still keeping the sailboat). I had a few questions regarding inspection:

• How does one look for wet cockpit soles without tearing the carpet out? Is walking around trying to find soft spots the only way?
• How much play is expected in a cable steering system if I attempt to move the outboard left/right?
• Any tips besides tapping and looking for stains to verify the transom is in good shape?

 

[dmax]

If you can get your hands on a moisture meter, that will help to determine the level of moisture in the transom. Hard to detect problems through carpeting - walking on it and sound with a plastic/brass hammer is probably your best bet.

 

[sail sfbay]

..............How much play is expected in a cable steering system if I attempt to move the outboard left/right?.............

You might find this thread helpful on the same subject Outboard/Steering 'free play'? - Boat Handling - Canal World

 

[Calif. Ted]

I just sold a '92 Wellcraft with a 88 hp Johnson, there was no play in the steering, it used a Teleflex rack system, I believe excess play is indicative of a problem. No play either end, whether moving engine or wheel, the other end responds without any play.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Thanks for everyone's advise. I drove two hours expecting to come home with a boat. It took me all of five minutes to find rotten wood that I could push my finger through. Oh well, better luck next time

 

[capta]

We just picked up a 17.1 Mako center console. I checked the transom by violently shaking the outboard up and down (in the up position) by the lower unit. My wife slowly slid her palm around the transom to feel any movement. There was none, so on to the next test.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

We just picked up a 17.1 Mako center console. I checked the transom by violently shaking the outboard up and down (in the up position) by the lower unit. My wife slowly slid her palm around the transom to feel any movement. There was none, so on to the next test.

Wow that's a strong transom! I like your test method! I'm definitely leaning more towards an outboard for lower maintenance but finding a small one with a cuddy cabin has been very hard to find

 

[capta]

Wow that's a strong transom! I like your test method! I'm definitely leaning more towards an outboard for lower maintenance but finding a small one with a cuddy cabin has been very hard to find

I intend to have a "foredeck" made out of canvas that we could put on to sleep under and to keep some of the water out of the boat if plowing into seas, which I hope never to have to do. I plan to take her out to the giant tuna grounds in nice weather, once I have all the wrinkles ironed out and am sure of the most economical speed, etc. If the weather remains calm, we could spend two or three days out there, eating lots of sushi.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I intend to have a "foredeck" made out of canvas that we could put on to sleep under and to keep some of the water out of the boat if plowing into seas, which I hope never to have to do. I plan to take her out to the giant tuna grounds in nice weather, once I have all the wrinkles ironed out and am sure of the most economical speed, etc. If the weather remains calm, we could spend two or three days out there, eating lots of sushi.

I assume you've sold Skipping Stones?

 

[capta]

I assume you've sold Skipping Stones?

No, we've become a two boat family, something we said we'd never do. However, I was missing spending time on the water and that was causing me some discomfort, so as always, our guidelines had to be overlooked. I doubt I'll ever like living ashore, but I hope this move will ease some the pain that this change has made.
I guess this will soon be the only choices I'll have to make.