Purchased a boat

Gangly · 07-26-2011, 06:41 AM

I purchased my fist motorized boat, a v-hull 2007 LOWE Stinger 190 with a Mercury 90hp outboard. I got a great deal on it and couldn't pass it up. This is the only picture I have of it, but when I pick it up today on lunch I will take some more pictures. I'm so excited, this is my first "real" bass boat. However, I have no clue how anything works or what the maintenance is on it, but thats the learning experience.

pa_yote_hunter · 07-26-2011, 09:26 AM

sweet man!! Congrats on an awesome purchase

Gangly · 07-26-2011, 12:02 PM

thanks, apprciate it. I will post some pics soon...so excited, acting like a 10 year old girl at a britany speers concert.

buckhunter14 · 07-26-2011, 12:02 PM

If that is a 2007 Merc as well, if you think you get a good deal I bet you got a great deal. Them motors go a pretty penny. Very nice ride.

Gangly · 07-26-2011, 01:15 PM

The boat is a 2007 190 (18'6") model and the motor plate says Dec 2006 so i think the motor would be considered a 2007 model motor if they are built and stamped like boats and vehicles. Its a 90 2-stroke. I don't know whether its good or bad or otherwise, but if you say its good BH14, then I take your word for it.

A bank that we do quite a bit of business with repo'd it and mentioned to me that if I covered the rest of the remaining note I could have it. So for approximately 5K out of pocket, I brought it home. I thought it was a heck of a deal, but we will find out once I get it home tonight and check things out more thoroughly. The prop and lower "fin" have no dings, the motor is in perfect shape externally other than where the water has removed some of the pain on the lower "fin", the hull doesn't have a single scratch anywhere, and the trolling motor looks brand new, even where the transducer it attached. The repo yard where I picked it up from said that they pulled it out of a covered and locked storage bay and the boat looked like it had never been used. The trailer tires still have 75 percent tread left on them. I will check the lower unit tonight, and pull off the cowling and check for any rotted or ruined hoses and see if anything is out of the ordinary but hopefully everything checks out ok.

Can any of you suggest things that I should check for that need to be regularly checked? I know very little about boats and would appreciate any and all help provided.

In the pictures below, there are tons of leaves and twigs in the bottom of the boat from where the repo place left it outside for 2 months.

The boat and boat hauler:

Merc 90

The floor board (right word?) has a lot of leaves and twigs in it.

Chuck7 · 07-26-2011, 03:30 PM

I'm very happpy for ya partner..I hope all goes well with it and that you and your family get a TON of enjoyment from it..Hey ..August 31st aint here yet...you need to go to your favorite big bass lake and apply your skills.

Texas is very similiar to FL...big bass country.

NEK · 07-26-2011, 08:14 PM

What an exciting time for you Gangly. Just reading your post has brought back a lot of memories of my first boat so many years ago. I have been through a bunch of boats since then, and have a lot of experience with both new and used boats. Maybe I can pass some of what I have learned on to you.
First - if that rig has set for a long time without being used the batteries are probably shot - but check them out first and see if they will take and hold a full charge. You will probably be well off to just get new ones - as the batteries are the heart of your rig and you want them always in top shape.
Second - as best you can - check out the fuel tank for water and if it was me - I would drain as much of the old fuel as I could and start out with all fresh fuel. There is probably an in - line fuel filter back by the motor somewhere - usually it will be attached to the transom. It looks sort of like an oil filter- change that after you put fresh fuel in the tank.
Third - I would have an outboard mechanic look over and service the motor and if possible - have him show you how to change the lower unit oil and the fuel filters. Check out the steering tube at the front of the motor and grease the two fittings there and make sure the motor turns freely. Remove the propeller and check the shaft and seal behind it for fishing line that can sometimes get wrapped around it and cut the seal. Then grease the shaft with a good waterproof grease that Mercury sells. It's always good to have a tube of that around anyway.
Once you have good - charged up batteries then start methodically turning on and checking out each pump the livewell aerator pump and then the bilge pump. Then - check out the depthfinder and gps if you have one, and then - make sure the trolling motor works. I would take a garden hose and run some water into the bilge and make sure that bilge pump is ok. Also, make sure you have a plug for the drain hole at the back of the boat and always - always - make sure that plug is installed before you launch that boat.If you leave it out, the boat will fill with water and sink. I have forgotten to do that three times in my life - and every one of those times has been an embarrassment.
One other thing I should stress. Always pay special attention to your electrical system. This is the most important advice I can pass on to you. Make sure - that the terminal connectors at the battery are bright and shiny with no sign of green corrosion and that all your electrical connectors under the dash are tight and free of corrosion. I always spray mine with a good corrosion inhibitor. Never leave your battery in a discharged state - even over night if you can help it. Always put it on charge as soon as you get home.
And last - I would try to get an owners manual for the outboard motor and your electronics.
Sorry for the long post - but I hope it helps you out.
Best of luck with your new rig.

Gangly · 07-27-2011, 05:28 AM

Thats great information NEK, I greatly appreciate it. I took it by a service shop yesterday and they ran me through a rundown of things to check. The three batteries are good, but I'll purchase a 3 bank charger tonight and keep it hooked up. The aerator worked great and the bilge pump workedas well, but was much more quiet, is that normal?

I havent checked the trolling motor yet, but will try to do that today. Hopefully everything works well.

NEK · 07-27-2011, 06:50 AM

Glad it's all ok so far Gangly. Hope the rest of it is as good. Not sure on the bilge pump question you asked, but the two pumps never do sound the same, also - the pump will usually be quieter when it has water to pump.
One other thing I failed to mention - check your trailer wheel bearings, and replace the inner seals. A wheel bearing going bad can ruin a fishing trip in a hurry. Also give the lug nuts a quick check for tight.
Best wishes and happy trips.