New guy with questions!

[Sangster]

Here's a quick pic

[Pipe_Dream]

Welcome, Sangster! Pretty boat. And '83 is a great year. ;-)

Sounds like you have issues but you're dealing with them well.

[Sangster]

Thanks!

Big push this weekend to get things sorted!

Fully clean interior, hatches, bilge
Install Bilge pumps
Motor was raised, so good there.
Adjust steering trim tab
clean up helm
reseal all through hulls, hoses, etc
Install Lowrance transducer and chartplotter/fishfinder

Then I'll need to get a VHF radio (which is affordable, simple, yet reliable?)
Need to find a good marine stereo. Don't want to go too over the top, but want bluetooth, and want it to sound good. Any recommendations?

[phatdaddy]

Welcome and congrats on the new project. On the steering issue, disconnect the steering cable from the arm and see if the motor swings freely both ways. If it does then the binding is in the helm or cable, if so then replace with NFB helm and cable. This will also cure the motor leaning over issue also.

Ive had about 4 marine stereo s on my boat, they last about 3or 4 years. Since I Bluetooth music off my phone now, i just got a good quality blue tooth speaker and use that. Might want to try that till u rewire

[Destroyer]

2000 GPH Bilge pump nothing less in IMHO

[Sangster]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

Welcome and congrats on the new project. On the steering issue, disconnect the steering cable from the arm and see if the motor swings freely both ways. If it does then the binding is in the helm or cable, if so then replace with NFB helm and cable. This will also cure the motor leaning over issue also.

Ive had about 4 marine stereo s on my boat, they last about 3or 4 years. Since I Bluetooth music off my phone now, i just got a good quality blue tooth speaker and use that. Might want to try that till u rewire

There isn't any binding when no throttle. It's only when under power. Sitting on the trailer, i can steer from the wheel with ease, as well as turn the motor side to side by hand from behind the boat. So it's a torque steering issue while on the throttle. This is why I'm thinking it's the tab/fin on the underside of the cavitation plate.

I have a bluetooth speaker that I used over the weekend. I'll definitly wait to put a stereo in it when I rewire. No sense in adding new wires to the existing mess!

[scook]

I hear you on the wiring “mess”. I have an ‘85 and boats that age have often been through several versions of electronics. I think I got almost two 5 gallon buckets full of wire when I went after mine to clean out the unused stuff. It’s part of making it your own.

A comment about stainless deck hardware - I’ve had pretty good experience with Marine Part (not Parts) Depot. I’ve bought from them several times and I think once I didn’t get the parts but their prices are so far below retail and seem to be plenty good quality that it’s definitely been worth it.

Welcome to the site and good luck with the boat.

[pjbrownva]

Originally Posted by Sangster

There isn't any binding when no throttle. It's only when under power. Sitting on the trailer, i can steer from the wheel with ease, as well as turn the motor side to side by hand from behind the boat. So it's a torque steering issue while on the throttle. This is why I'm thinking it's the tab/fin on the underside of the cavitation plate.

I have a bluetooth speaker that I used over the weekend. I'll definitly wait to put a stereo in it when I rewire. No sense in adding new wires to the existing mess!

Great to hear about your boat. I picked up an '84 V20 in June 2020, and have been thrilled! Like you, I drew up a long list of things to do... when I typed it up it had 53 items on it! I think I've knocked off the top 30 or so, but then I keep adding to it... HF Marine radio w/ antenna.... maybe radar.... new fish finder.... HMMMM.... decisions, decisions!

Well, a belated welcome! I'm definitely loving my V20 step lift!

-Philip