Any guys good with boat repairs?

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J

JD7.62

Dovii
MFK Member
Sep 13, 2005
5,513
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at the 'Bama Breeze
I may pick up a 16ft Alumacraft "bass tracker" type boat this weekend for a good price. The seller is asking $900 and it comes with a good working 40hp outboard, foot controlled trolling motor, livewell, graph, ect ect. I think its an early '90s.

Anyhow, the only thing wrong with it is the worm gear for the steering system broke. Does anyone know how hard of a fix it would be to replace one? What about the cost of a knew one and the availability of the part? I found a complete remote system on CL for just $30. That should have the worm gear I need if they are univeral right?

Thanks in advance!
 
I would talk to a boat repair shop before I did it myself maybe get a quota, but I don't think its that expensive at all maybe 200 bucks to fix it. Worm gear is just for forward and backwards as long as the lowerunit isn't full of water or screwed up 900 dollars for that boat if it looks like its in good shape is a real nice deal. Use your own good judgement. Kind of a small motor for up here maybe he used it on a river or smaller lake? All the those bass trackers up here seem to have a big motor.
As for universal I don't know a boat repair store could tell you easily all I know is make sure that lower unit is ok otherwise your looking at most likely getting a new motor. Try and search used if you were to buy new your looking at close to 2k my 9.9 nissan trolling motor for my 16ft lund was $1800 new 2 years ago.
 
I think you should replace the whole steering system, not just the worm gear. If you are tearing across the water and something lets go in the steering, you're in for trouble.

We had to replace the hydraulic steering on our boat at work this spring. It was leaking fluid from around a seal. The mechanics said they wouldn't even try to fix it for liability reasons. I would get the complete system you found on CL.
 
I got the boat! It was even better then I expected. The motor has only been test run since a recent rebuild. It fired up right away on the first try. The decking and carpet is fair. There are no soft spots or tears but the wood will last two more seasons at best,but that is an EASY fix as all the hinges and latches are completely rust free. Upholstery is nice and new with no fading or tears. Two big high back bass seats, one in the front one in the back and one matching bench seat for the console.

The hull is a Lowe modified V 16" long and 65" across the top and very thick. No patches and just a few dings and sratches, no paint. Motor is an '81 40hp motor with a rebuild a couple seasons ago. The motor cranks and shifts perfectly.

It came with a depth finder, a minn kota trolling motor,hummingbird fish finder, four life jackets, minnow bucket, anchor, nav lights, even a seine net all in like new condition other then the older trolling motor.

The bad is that it has no gas tank so I need to purchase a tank and fuel lines, re-place the cable on the batteries, wire up all the accesories to battery and fuse box, and replace the hose to the live well. All of the above are very easy and very cheap fixes.

The only hard part is the steering. I will need pretty much every from the steering back, even the hydrolic piece.

Overall I think I got a good deal and a nice boat.
 
Awesome pick up! Now you can fish my wet a$^ from the river when a surge from the dam gets me :) It'd be fun to seine down there too
 
http://www.dougrussell.com/

Browse the parts catalog and you can get an exploded view of the engine. It's awesome for parts ID and part numbers.
 
Where's the pics?
 
Levi, the link no worky for me.

Spotfin, no pictures as it is over at my bro-inlaws house. His sister wouldnt be too happy if she found out about my purchase!
 
JD7.62 - Congrats on your boat. We will expect pictures. Couple of thoughts since I'm coming late to this thread:

1 - Replace the steering system. It's not worth the hassle.

2 - Replace the fuel filters, oil filters, fluids (especially the lower unit fluid, make sure to check for metal shavings, hopefully none), & double check your spark plugs. Also, use a grease gun anywhere there is a fitting, smaller motors have 2-5 depending on brand.

3 - Replace water pump - such a cheap fix, and those who don't are usually VERY sorry on an older motor.

4 - You seem to have most of your safety equipment, don't forget current flares and a whistle. Much cheaper than a fine & getting pulled off the water by the cops.

5 - Check the grease on your trailer axle/wheel areas, install bearing buddies (worth it) and double check the lights on the trailer work.

These are all standard maintenance suggestions and shouldn't run you more than a few hundred in total. Money well spent.

They say your two happiest boat days are when you buy and when you sell, so I wish you all the best, sounds like a great machine.
 
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