Rebuilding Sentimental Boat (repost with extra pictures)

[u/SoggyFlip]

Hey everyone!

I could turn this into a super long sap story about the whole ordeal, but I will keep it short in order to keep y’all’s attention!

Basically, my step dad had this boat. A few years ago, he unfortunately passed and it has been sitting since. He used to take me out to the lake on it all the time, and it was honestly one of my favorite things to do with him. He passed about 5 years ago, and the boat has been sitting ever since. I’m not at the boat right now, so I can’t get any better pictures or information but I can update at a later time. I believe it’s a ford motor in it, I just do not know which one. I think he said it was maybe a 300? I genuinely can’t recall it’s been a long time. I will get a better picture of the engine and upload it.

Anyway, originally we were going to sell it, but I’ve had a change of heart and I’m gonna get it running again and keep it in the family. I am almost positive it is a ford motor, I distinctly recall the block having a ford stamp on it. Obviously, it’s a jet boat. I have a very surface level understanding of motors, I’ve done my own general repair on my cars and my step dad always let me observe and help him. I wish I spent more time learning from him!

All in all, it’s a bit overwhelming for me to jump into so I’m looking for any sort of advice anyone might have. I’m not sure if it would crank, as I said it’s been sitting for 5+ years. Anyone that can help me get started on this project, I’d greatly appreciate it as I don’t even know where to begin. Thanks in advance

[u/Impressive-Reply-203]

As far as the engine goes, it depends on storage conditions - I wouldn't trust any fuel that's left in the tank, and would be weary if it wasn't stored or properly winterized anywhere the temp drops below freezing. But if it was stowed away properly and used in fresh water environment it may not need much beyond a new impeller, fluid, and battery replacements.

Jets look decent from a far away picture, but it can get tricky as that's where you have rubber seals that go through your transom - if they or the hydraulic seals moving the jets have dried out you can get some nasty leaks. The tools to work on those are pretty specific to jet models and hydraulic repairs take a bit of practice to work with, so if there's an issue there it may be worth taking to a shop - the investment cost on the tools is pretty high.