first trip with new boat- broke it!!!!

[rocknfish9001]

The first trip with our "like new" procraft bass boat. Performed flawlessly, and was very happy with the purchase. The guy said it was ready to hit the water, and it seemed as if he was correct. However, on the way back, the motor died. Later inspection seemed there was a detail missed. There wasn't really any oil in it and it must have blown the lower unit! And then to boot, the trolling motor died, and we can figure what is wrong with that! If you have any advice in fixing it, or finding parts, that would be greatly appreciated. This is my first bass boat, and i was as excited as could be until this major let down. BTW, the motor is a 1986 yamaha pro v 150hp. It was rebuilt a few years ago, and has only a couple of hours on it since then.

[Grey Wolf]

Sounds like the guy that sold you the boat was laughing all the way to the bank.

[rocknfish9001]

Well heres the thing, the guy took us out on the boat for a test drive before we bought it. It worked great, everything performed perfectly, and there wasn't a thing that went wrong. He drove it around for a while, and let us drive it for a while too, had it opened up doing about 65mph for quite a while, without a problem.

[J_Zink]

The first trip with our "like new" procraft bass boat. Performed flawlessly, and was very happy with the purchase. The guy said it was ready to hit the water, and it seemed as if he was correct. However, on the way back, the motor died. Later inspection seemed there was a detail missed. There wasn't really any oil in it and it must have blown the lower unit!

There wasn't any oil where?  OB oil in the on-board tank? No oil in the reserve tank on the motor itself? In the lower unit?  The Pro V's of that vintage are some of the strongest motors ever made but they do require oil in them to run properly.  I would've checked those levels before taking the thing out myself rather than take the word of the seller.

And then to boot, the trolling motor died, and we can figure what is wrong with that! If you have any advice in fixing it, or finding parts, that would be greatly appreciated.

What kind of TM is it and what's wrong with it?

This is my first bass boat, and i was as excited as could be until this major let down. BTW, the motor is a 1986 yamaha pro v 150hp. It was rebuilt a few years ago, and has only a couple of hours on it since then.

As I stated earlier, I never assume or take the word of the seller that everything is water ready on a used boat.  It's best to check all pertinent fluid/lubrication levels on the boat or trailer before hauling off to the lake.  

[Way2slow]

I know it's like closing the barn door after the cows got out but one of the first things you should do when checking a motor out is remove the LU drain plug, let a little run lube out and check the color and look for metal fragments.

Your first step after buying a motor should be to change the LU oil, change the water pump and give it a good greasing and going over and packing the trailer wheel bearings. Many people don't service their equipment.

I'm willing to bet the guy knew nothing of the problem and did not intentionally sell you a piece of crap, he was just one of those that never checked anything and you happen to be the one that got burned.

The bad part is now it's going to cost you a huge chunk of money to find a good, used LU to replace it with.

Now if your talking oil in the motor's tank, that was totally your responsibility to check that before going to the lake and that's going to cost you a hellava lot more than a LU replace a powerhead.

[rocknfish9001]

The only problem we could find was that there was no oil in the lower unit. We took off the LU drain plug really quick right away and a bit of oil came out, thought it was o.k. But after checking it later, there was pressure built up when we took the plug off, it smelled like burning oil, and it looked like there were some metal fragments inside. The trolling motor is a 2005 motor guide 71lb thrust, and we have no idea what happened with it, it just quit while we were using it.

[Sam]

Please take the boat to a boat repair shop for professional repairs.

Then, ask the technicians about the motors and the proper way to care for them.

I walk back into the shop area and alwas speak with the mechanic who worked on my boat and motors.

So far (knock on wood) I have not had any problems, other than knocking the tansducer off of my trollling motor, but that was my fault for going places normal people don't go with their boats.

After you have the repairs completed and discuss the care topics with the mechanics, you will be in a good position to avoid future problems.

Just don't forget to set the "kill switch" correctly when you start the boat or she won't start and that little switch can send you over the edge trying to figure out why the motor will not start.

I know. Believe me, I know.  ;D

[J_Zink]

The only problem we could find was that there was no oil in the lower unit. We took off the LU drain plug really quick right away and a bit of oil came out, thought it was o.k. But after checking it later, there was pressure built up when we took the plug off, it smelled like burning oil, and it looked like there were some metal fragments inside. The trolling motor is a 2005 motor guide 71lb thrust, and we have no idea what happened with it, it just quit while we were using it.

Well, it sounds like one roasted lower unit. That's gonna hurt. I would start checking the forums. Ebay is another option though you take a chance of getting something no better than what you've got.

Another place is Hardcore marine out of the Miami FL. area. They have a lot of used Yamaha parts. They have an online website and you can make inquiries via email. I've bought from them before with good success.

As for your TM. Check the simple things first. Does the boat have a circuit breaker for the TM? It could be kicked. Breakers can go bad with age and will kick before their rated amps. Get a multi-meter out and start checking to see where your 12volts (or 24) is getting lost. Wiring connectors in older boats are very susceptable to going bad and breaking. That's where I'd look first.

[fishfordollars]

Check craigslist too. A lower unit for a motor like that can probably be purchased for less than a grand if you will look around. It is possible that not all of the bearings are lost in the one you have. Only way to know is to check it out. Good luck.

[skunked_again]

im not sure that blasting the lower unit will make the motor die will it?

[Way2slow]

The drive shaft is a direct connection between LU and powerhead.  If the LU freezes up or binding the crankshaft is gonna stop turning.

My bet on the TM is you tripped one of the circuit breakers at the battery, if it has one.  With that size TM, its very common for people to install them on the boat but not upgrade the breakers to match.  This is usually not a problem when you are fishing because you're not making long, hard runs on the TM, but let the motor break and you're trying to use the TM to get back to the ramp and the undersized breakers trip out.  If they are the manual reset, look for a plastic tab sticking out and press on it to reset them.

If it happens to be one they tried to use fuses, throw them away and replace them with 50 amp breakers

Too bad it had to be a Yammie, I have a couple of LU for Johnson's.

I would shop around all the boating sites to see if an individual has one at a reasonable price ($500 or so).  Buying one from most salvage companies or dealer could be VERY expensive, sometimes as much as $1,500 for a used unit.