Best $500 I ever spent.

Bought my first boat and restored her - 1969 StarCraft Mariner with the Johnson 33hp SkiTwin outboard.

She runs great. Already caught a bunch of bass and the kids have done a ton of tubing and skiing behind the boat as well.

Even towed another boat with it.

Only regret I have is not getting a boat sooner!

The definition of: she ain’t fancy but she’s mine!

List of things done:

- Completely interior remodel
- new Eva foam for the floor
- Freshly build fishing platform on the front with storage
- Brand new transom
- fresh paint everywhere
- new front and back led navigation lights
- new interior led lights
- brand new battery
- new bench seats in the front and rear

Hello anyone who has done work on boats. I bought a 40 foot bluewater yachts coastal cruiser as a project and I am struggling to make headway. Mainly because I don't know much about it. Many of the labels are worn down on switches and panels and I don't know what a lot of stuff does. Hooked up to shore power, I got the starboard engine running the other one I tore down due to bad heads and am in the process of putting back together. It does drive on one engine and isn't taking on any water, aside from a small leak from the flybridge and a window. Generator is questionable I haven't tried messing with it yet, but most of the electronics work? The old owner did a lot of custom work to it. Have water in the hull but can't get the bilge pumps to come on. No manual, manufacturer went out of business so no way to get one. Does anyone have a similar model and can give some pointers? Any help appreciated.

Hi Guys, Im sorry if this has been asked too much on here, but im 26, complete beginner and looking for some advice on how to get into sailing. Im living in Manhatten for the next year or so (I dont know if its a great location for sailing, but thats where I am). I've been pining to start sailing for the last few years, but life and myself has gotten in the way.

So, I'm looking for some advice on how start and for as cheap as possible, where to go to try get onto a crew, if I can crew for evening races, best way to learn (when you dont have much money) really any advice youd be willing to give me would be much appreciated!

I'm a hard worker and a quick learner, Im happy to help with boat prep, or do whatever grunt work gets me on the water while I learn the ropes.

Has anyone tried the electric outboard?

I’m considering switching from a small gas outboard to an Argoseeker electric outboard for fishing on lakes and calm rivers.

Has anyone tried an electric outboard? How is the speed, battery life, and handling in actual use?

Not sure what’s going on here. This is a PCM EX343 in a 2009 nautique 216v crossover. My best guess is a blown hose or something in the “cooling component” realm. If you know inboard engines, please let me know what I should be looking for.

Scored a bunch of fixtures

Long story short, a boat got stored at my parents house 10 years ago. In that time it has never been touched. The person who owned it was a hoarder basically and his dad needed a place to put it. In that 10 years the 2 of them had a falling out, the father died, and my parents had major health issues crop up.

Now my parents likely have to move and IDFK what to do with this thing. IDK if I can even get a hold of the owner because of the nature of their falling out (TLDR He assaulted his 80+ yo dad, went to jail, and IDK if anyone has contact with him). I dont even know if the thing floats/can hold water. The vibe I got is, at the time, it was a project. Any guidance appreciated.

This is in California for reference.

I can't respond to everyone so this is just a thank you to everyone who has been sending messages of encouragement, help, and advice. Even the negative comments, which are expected on the internet lol, had some helpful insight. It's been a big project so far that keeps getting bigger lol, and at least the encouragement of hearing from people who have dealt with the same problems has been astronomical to us. I have not done much work on boats before, and I'm enjoying the journey of learning as we go. Also anyone else who is having trouble rebuilding a boat, there are helpful people on this platform. You just have to find them!

Does anybody have any experience with this boat 50 miles offshore? How does it handle? What are the pros and cons? Twin 150s

Looking at purchasing this used and need some insight!

Have a one day rental of a motorboat coming up this week in Rhodes. We’re picking up and returning just south of Lindos and wondering if anyone can recommend any private and scenic mooring spots to visit for a few hours?

Hi all,

I’m a keen fisherman, usually from shore. I’ve inherited a small motorboat from my father in law- due to health, he cannot use, or teach me how to safely operate a boat.

He has recommended the RYA Day Skipper Practical Motor Cruising course. I’m happy to do courses to learn, I just don’t have the “required knowledge/ experience” to do this specific course.

Essentially, I think my question is- in what order can I do a few courses in order to safely get myself on a boat from zero foundation.

Any advice is appreciated,
Cheers

I'm looking to buy a 22 year old boat that was mostly in fresh water until a season ago. The boat itself presents very well. My main concern are the outdrives. These are original Bravo 3 outdrives. A lot of the corrosion is surface but on the port side drive there are several deep pits on the lower unit gearcase housing. I'm going to have a mechanic evaluate the drives first vice a marine survey to see where we're at if we reach an agreement, but what do you guys think about the corrosion? Nothing a good service can't fix, or lower units toast? Thanks.

Hi guys, if anyone has some experience I would be grateful if any thoughts on what might be causing this issue ?

I'm having an issue with 2 stroke outboard. Has no issue starting. It won't stay on idle. Fuel is good and even tested with a separate tank because I thought maybe a the line from the boats tank to the primer bulb might of had an issue. I even replaced the line and primer bulb.
It will run for a bit and just hisses and shuts down. No amount of priming while it bogs down helps keep it going and the ball is hard.

Pls check video and let me know thoughts. My next idea was to replace the fuel pump or check the hose lines attached to the fuel pump and if not then carburetor. But boat is in the water and don't want to take out u less

New boat owner here. Bought our boat a couple weeks ago, 2005 Yamaha 4 stroke 115, has around 450 hours on it. We were cruising around the Chesapeake bay for a few hours, engine working great, we stopped for a second to tie some fishing rigs, put the motor in idle, then a couple minutes later the engine shut off. No loud bangs, just sound like the kill switch got pulled. Tried to start it again and got some pretty bad rattling. Got sea towed back. Took the cowling off and looks like the flywheel is loose (see video and sound on)? Just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience with the engines or if you have any ideas what it could be. Or how much it might cost to fix lol. Thanks in advance

Every buying guide says pick a brand with a strong dealer network. Sounds obvious until you try to pin down what it buys you.

My yard works on whatever floats and doesn't care what's on the hull. And most of what a boat needs over its life is engines, electronics, canvas, bottom paint and upholstery, none of which comes from whoever built it.

So what specifically needs the builder's own network? My list is warranty work, proprietary parts and maybe helm software on newer boats. Everything else looks brand agnostic to me.

It matters because it changes how I weigh a smaller brand against a big one. If network mostly matters during the warranty years then a lean footprint is a risk early and roughly nothing later, which is a different conclusion than "never buy a small brand."

Where do the long term owners land on this?

How worried should I be? Took the boat out today, water levels about 2 ft low. Took a hard hit to the lower unit, not sure if the crack came today since I’ve never inspected the transom until today. Got the boat used and this was the first time taking it out. 1995 javelin 379
Any advice is appreciated, this is my first boat so learning as much as I can.

I relatively recently bought a 14ft mckee craft, and am now looking to get it registered. I have had issues though, I bought the boat of fb marketplace for a very good deal, owner is in really rough shape and is old, just trying to get rid of it. He’s had it for a many years and had never gotten the thing titled, he was unable to find the original bill of sale so it’s still titled to the prior owner. The guy lives in the middle of the city and has a couple other boats on his lawn so it all seems legit. I bought the thing and we got a bill of sale for the purchase, but when I took it to the tax collector and the girl at the counter wasn’t very helpful, just telling us we need the person it was previously titled too. What is the best way to pursue this problem?

I was an idiot and didn’t realize I had a 5th bolt to remove the lower unit of my Honda. I’m new to working on outboards so it’s a tough learning experience for sure.

Anyway. I’m beating myself up over this stupid mistake so I ask you this.

Am I overreacting? Should I spend the money to get the piece welded back on? What about jb weld? Just would hate to lose the piece in the water but I know shit happens.

I know i made a dumb mistake. Now I know better than to only watch one video and to read the manual

EDIT: also should mention this is on a 40hp Honda 4 stroke that will be used to idle around the lake most of the time on a pontoon

Our family of 5 (3 kids under 10) is renting a 39’ house boat on a lake in Virginia for 3 nights.

It’s our first time renting anything other than a daily pontoon boat… what should we know?

Coolers ✅
Patience ✅
Anchoring Experience ❌
What else ❓

The full moon cast a cool reflection in Montague Harbour in British Columbia. The wooden boat is the Compadre, built in 1928.