Advice on first checkmate (needs work)

[saltair]

New member...I just bought a 1989 spectra 171, with a 1993 150 merc(carb), and a 1997 galv. trailer for $1750. I hope I got a good deal.
It needs all new interior. I am going to call checkmate for an interior price, but don't think I can afford it. I saw white vinyl capt. chairs at boaters world for @ $200. I May buy those and have a local shop cover the back seat to match.
The floor is soft on the passengers side, but the transom is solid. Should be easy enough to replace, and recarpet entire interior.
I am going to start on the engine by draining the gas tank, cleaning the float bowls, and changing fuel filters, spark plugs, fuel lines, and gear lube. The boat ran 50+ on the test drive, dispite leaking fuel line, on old gas, so I'm hoping it is in OK shape. The last time it was in the water was may,'04, and the last time cranked was july, '04. The local merc dealer wants to rebuild the carbs. It idled fine if you kept the bulb tight. I hope with fresh gas, maybe fuel system cleaner, and clean float bowls it'll be alright.
Any advice you can give on interior, flooring, engine, or anything I might not have thought of wuold be greatly appreciated.
I just sold an '86 proline 17 cent. cons., and am looking forward to not being overtaken quite so often. There is always someone faster, but 55 is alot more fun than 35...
Just out of curiosity, what can I expect for cruising speed and top end?
Glad you guys are here! thanks, David (saltair)

 

[175checkmate]

Welcome to the board saltair, and congrats on the new boat.
I can help with some of the things you need.
1, seats, give checkmate a call and see what they can do for seats. If you deside to go another was here is the company I bought my seats from. http://store.yahoo.com/veadastore/index.html
Lots of differant colors to pick from and real great to deal with. They will do a lot of customo work and have great prices. I bought bow, front, and a rear bench for the trimate. Also bought enough material to do the side pads, all new and shipped to the house for about $500 less than what the local shop would charge to rebuid and recover the stock seats.
2, Da merc. Sounds like you have a good plan. The important thing is to get everything clean.
3, Floor, do a search on this board. There has been a lot of cnversation about this. Not a big deal, but it does take time. Most of the trouble you will find is when you get the floor out. What you will find is wet foam, possably a stringer rotten. A good check of the balsa core shold be done before you put it all back together. Not trying to scare you, just stating what is kind of the norm when you start tearing up soft spots.
Shoot some pictures fo the boat and the soft spots and send them over to Chris, he will get them posted for ya. Then we can get a good look at what you are talking about.
3, As for the speed. Well there are a bunch of fine speed junkies on this board that can help you with this. WE love to spend money on go-fast-parts.
What prop is on the boat now? WHat pitch? What RPM are you running on the top end? Is the motor mounted to the tranom or on a jackplate?
Need to know this information in order to see where we have to go in the need for speed.
Good luck with the boat and welcome again to the Checkmate family.

 

[bostoncan]

Pay the dealer to do the carbs if you dont have experince with them ,it could cost you a powerhead if it is run lean.otherwise good luck with your project and post some pictures for us to see.

 

[saltair]

Thanks for your advice.
The website for seats looks to be the best of what I've seen so far. Will probably buy the front seats in red and white and enough white to do the back seat.
I talked to a friend last night that works on street bikes who says he can clean the carbs, and resync them if I take him and his girl out this summer.
I am going to start cutting out the floor today. Will start in the center of the soft spot and work my way out. I hope it's no worse than ot looks.
The prop is a 23 pitch. Ican't think of the brand...lazer maybe. Will have to fix a few things before I find out the max rpm.
Thanks again for your help. D(saltair)

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Saltair, many of us here have had Spectra 170's and 171's with 150's. They make a great, solid package to play with. You should be able to get close to 60mph with the right prop and rigging. I ran a spectra 170/merc 150xr2 with a merc Hi-five 25 and always exceeded 55mph with strong excelleration. With the bow-cover on and one person I was knocking at 60mph and it would just start to chine walk. I would have liked to see how it would have handled with a jack plate but I moved up into a Pulsare before I got the chance. Good luck with your new toy and keep us posted on your progress!!

 

[saltair]

Progress update... Just returned from a trip to my dad's in Fla. He was having a family oyster roast. He owns shrimp trawlers, so I used his knowledge of fiberglass to fix the floors. Will send photos as soon as I figure out how. I cleaned the carbs, and installed new gasket kits. It was alot easier than I thought it would be. Also changed thermostats, waterpump, and plugs. Runs great, 60 mph according to speedo at 5600 rpms., with one person, 1/2 tank of gas, and no back seat. I was suprised at how stable it was at that speed. I've been in a few bass boats at that speed that were scary. Water pump reads 15 psi, I assume thats normal. Do the thermostats have to open before you get a strong stream from the pee spout? Engine is staying cool according to the temp. guage. Prop is laser II 23, that has 22 stamped over the 23. Hole shot is pretty quick and top end is fast enough, so I'm going to leave it alone. Thanks again for your help. D (Salt Air)

 

[addgasgofast]

saltair, 15psi at cruise speed is correct for a mercury v-6 with stock cooling system. At idle speed it should be 4-6psi. Enjoy your new ride.

JDK.

 

[Big Dave]

The Factory Interior kit is fantastic, we ordered one for Daren34's Diplomat (oh my, that was about 7 years ago) got everything that is material already mounted to the wood with new foam for $1600.00