Soon to be owner of a 1973 SRV 220

Madman960

New Member
Jan 20, 2020
17
Boat Info
1973 SRV 220
Engines
302
Hello all. This is going to be my first big boat. I realize 21 ft isn’t that big. I currently own 2 kayaks and a jon boat. It has a 302 and a mercruiser out drive. Needs a prop. How do I determine what our drive is on the boat? Picture included. Also needs a starter and batteries. PO said it’s been completely rewired, new out drive but doesn’t appear new, all the power trim is supposed to be in working order. Boat is going to need bottom paint soon. Owner claims he winterized the boat. I also have to build an engine cover.

Thanks for any information.

Bill

04684D9D-9BEC-48EC-B08D-83996277D764.jpeg
 
Your taking a lot for granted. Do you know this PO ? If not, this could get ugly quick
 
I do not know the owner. Everything else seems to be in working order. I understand it’s a project boat. Outdoor storage near me is cheap.
 
That's a Pre Alpha outdrive since its a '73. You can also tell by those lines on the side of the gearcase and that old school Mercruiser sticker.
 
Thanks. I don’t know much about boats in general. However, I thought mercruiser out drives were typically paired with Chevy motors. It threw me off when he said it was a Ford 302.
 
Yep it's a pre Alpha, what mercruiser called an MC1. Same drive as on my boat. You can find the manual for the engine and drive at https://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html. If it's the original engine and drive it would be volume 1 of the manuals. The 302 is in the manual see page 513. There is a propeller chart in the back of the book Page 972.
 
Do the hydraulic rams hold? That ratchet strap looks like it's doing something.

I am not certain. I thought it was for transport. I am supposed to take possession tomorrow. There are no batteries in the boat so I didn’t get to check any of the systems. I will be doing system checks this weekend or next week during our warmer weather.
 
A6BD4798-5161-4BE9-8CA9-DC1D455D92FD.png
9E612410-C2FB-43B1-9D09-BAE645A305BD.png
A6BD4798-5161-4BE9-8CA9-DC1D455D92FD.png
9E612410-C2FB-43B1-9D09-BAE645A305BD.png
Front and side pictures. I am getting the boat basically free with the purchase of the trailer. I am well aware that free boats require money and time to get into sea worthy shape. Here’s my starting point. I will get better pictures tomorrow.
A6BD4798-5161-4BE9-8CA9-DC1D455D92FD.png
9E612410-C2FB-43B1-9D09-BAE645A305BD.png
A6BD4798-5161-4BE9-8CA9-DC1D455D92FD.png
 
Sorry, I only selected the pictures once each. No idea what happened.
 
I am not certain. I thought it was for transport. I am supposed to take possession tomorrow. There are no batteries in the boat so I didn’t get to check any of the systems. I will be doing system checks this weekend or next week during our warmer weather.
Haha. Mine is the same way. Some guy roped it off, left it in a field to die. My cousin bought the house due to foreclosure and gave me the boat because it would kill resale when he's done flipping it. Since it's cold and wet in Michigan, I have to wait a few months to even see if the thing will be worth salvation.
 
Haha. Mine is the same way. Some guy roped it off, left it in a field to die. My cousin bought the house due to foreclosure and gave me the boat because it would kill resale when he's done flipping it. Since it's cold and wet in Michigan, I have to wait a few months to even see if the thing will be worth salvation.

I am near Cleveland Ohio and it’s supposed to be near 40 for the next 10 days so I plan to check systems and wiring and go from there. Have to locate a starter and prop. Need to build a Captain’s seat base, and motor cover.
 
I am near Cleveland Ohio and it’s supposed to be near 40 for the next 10 days so I plan to check systems and wiring and go from there. Have to locate a starter and prop. Need to build a Captain’s seat base, and motor cover.
Nice.

Any interior pictures?
 
Nice.

Any interior pictures?

No, but will be getting some tomorrow when we make the deal. Stove, fridge, and sink are all there and appear rarely used. Have to check those as well. Has ship to shore radio and a fish finder. I already own most of the safety gear. Fire extinguishers, signal device, life jackets, etc. I don’t have a throwable but that’s easy enough to get.
 
Unless you are getting that boat for practically nothing I would think long and hard about taking this on. Without a professional marine survey (inspection) you have no idea if the transom or stringers are rotten. You said you had to make an engine cover. they were wood and usually gave way to rot. And if it did there could be, and probably is, more rot. If that boat sat out in the weather and was exposed to rain getting in the bilge you could have a serious problem

I hate to be the one raining doom but I have seen more than one person get a "deal on an old boat" only to find it was not worth putting a dime into. That boat is 47 years old and while it may look good chances are there are issues. In fact, in your case, its best to assume there is rot and if you choose to proceed you can be pleasantly surprised if there isn't....and I hope for you, there isn't. Look up "FriscoBoater" on YouTube. Look at the Sea Ray 220BR videos.

Find a professional Marine Surveyor in your area and have him check the stringers, foredeck and transom for rot. He will know what to do. It may cost you a few hundred dollars but save you thousands in the long run. If there is no rot you will know and be able to proceed with your project without having to worry if the ass of the boat is going to fall off.

Best of luck. Let us know how it turns out.
Shawn
 
Unless you are getting that boat for practically nothing I would think long and hard about taking this on. Without a professional marine survey (inspection) you have no idea if the transom or stringers are rotten. You said you had to make an engine cover. they were wood and usually gave way to rot. And if it did there could be, and probably is, more rot. If that boat sat out in the weather and was exposed to rain getting in the bilge you could have a serious problem

I hate to be the one raining doom but I have seen more than one person get a "deal on an old boat" only to find it was not worth putting a dime into. That boat is 47 years old and while it may look good chances are there are issues. In fact, in your case, its best to assume there is rot and if you choose to proceed you can be pleasantly surprised if there isn't....and I hope for you, there isn't. Look up "FriscoBoater" on YouTube. Look at the Sea Ray 220BR videos.

Find a professional Marine Surveyor in your area and have him check the stringers, foredeck and transom for rot. He will know what to do. It may cost you a few hundred dollars but save you thousands in the long run. If there is no rot you will know and be able to proceed with your project without having to worry if the ass of the boat is going to fall off.

Best of luck. Let us know how it turns out.
Shawn

Shawn,

thanks for the information. I won’t know anything about the transom and such until the weather gets warmer. I can do the repairs if needed. I only considered getting it cause it will be lifelong boat for me. At some point I will have to do the transom and stringers. Once I have to rip it apart, I have to decide on keeping the stern drive or fill the transom and go with an outboard setup. Thanks again for looking out.

Bill
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,804
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top