New to me boat
 

I finally picked up my new to me boat Friday night. I'm just getting into boat as of about 4 years ago and bought an 18' bowrider used as a first boat. It was all over then... This spring I looked around and bought a 23' cuddy with a small block. I should have just waited and found something with a big block in it... SO, all summer I have been "just looking" on craigslist and boat trader, saw this boat back in the summer for $13k, says many upgrades. I let it go, I didn't have the cash so why bother. About a month ago I see the same boat down to $8k and decided to call on it to find out what all the upgrades were. The boat is an 89 Mach 1 2350. The guy tells me the motor is a 454 330hp Merc out of a 98 Checkmate that was installed in it 3 years ago, the Bravo drives as been gone through just as a check-up on it, the interior is brand new 2 years ago, ne gauges, trailer is mint, new bearings, new tires, new bunks, straps, the whole nine. All of the work installing motor and drive has been done by a local high performance shop and he has all the receipts. So I say what the hell and go take a look at it. Loved what I saw and the only thing it needs is new paint and maybe get rid of the teak. I still didn't have ALL of the cash and was honest with the guy and he gave me a month to come up with it. Brought me out for a sea-trial and it ran awesome. Saw 68 on the speedo, I'm sure it's a little off but he said it runs about 63-65 on gps and I believe it. So I finally came up with the rest of the cash and picked it up Friday after work. I'm doing some trade off work with a painter in a couple weeks so the boat will have fresh paint in the spring. I've read a few threads on how to make a race fairing and think I want to go that route with it also. One question, how does the windshield come off???? What do you guys think about the bow rails, should I lose them?? Anyway, just thought I would share a few photos of it with everyone.

Oh, and why isn't there a Mach 1 section in the owners forum? I know they aren't as popular as many other boats, but there has to be a few people on here that own them.

I like the teak, but you have to stay on top of it. congrats on the boat

I think you have a nice clean classy looking boat. I wouldn't mess with it too much. Except make it faster of course.

Thanks! I really don't plan on messing with it too much, just a new coat of paint for sure and maybe build a fairing to replace the windshield. I never sit in a boat and I get blasted in the face standing, so I don't know, we'll see. As for going faster, I don't want to do any engine mods, I'd rather keep it 100% stock. I MAY be able to go to a 25p prop instead of the 23p that's on it now. A month ago when I was out on it the WOT was 4850rpm and according to Merc the WOT should be 4200-4600rpm. I know they run faster in the fall, so I'll wait til next season and see what it does on hotter days. Maybe a 25p labbed???

congrats, have fun and be safe.

Nice boat, now enjoy it.

I might have a labbed 25p. I have a labbed 27p for sure, but if your interested I'll see what Ive got.

Congrats on the purchase. I think a race fairing would look great. about the bow rail, I think it would be really update the look to put a single lower rail straight down the center of the bow. but that is just my preference. in any event have fun and be safe

I might be interested, take a look and see what you have and let me know what you might want for it. Like I said before though, I'm not sure what the boat will turn in normal operating temps yet. When I was out on it the temp was about 50-55 and was turning 4850 rpm. Let me know anyways though, and thanks!

Any ideas how the windshield comes off? HA! I agree about the bow rails, I think it would update the look if they were either gone completely or maybe just cut down so they are about 2" above the bow and then die back into it in the front. guess I have all winter to think about it. Not too sure about the one down the center, I know it will interfere with my hatch though.

Anyone have any experience with those portable garages during the winter? i've been thinking about one of those to put in the side yard and throw a heater in it when I want to work on the boat. Not sure if they are worth it or not.

Well, if you are set on not using the windshield, a sledge hammer would do the job. The portable garages are not bad, and it should heat up pretty quick it you get a descent construction heater for it. Much better then having to work on it outside or shrink wrapping it. good luck on the updates

HA! I've thought about a sledge, but I think I would want to keep it around (just in case) I suppose. I own my own construction business so I do have a couple heaters just laying around. I do get quite a bit of snow where I am, so I was just curious as to how well they hold up. Cleaning it off on a regular basis would help I'm sure. Thanks!

Congrats! Cool boat. Let me know if you need any parts at all and I'll get you an awesome price. Now have fun with it!


Brian
:drink:

My recommendation is: don't do any mods to it! Just run it the first year and get familier with it. You'll have plenty of time down the road to change stuff. Sounds like you spent your whole budget to purchase it so start saving money over the winter for next summer's operating costs. You will have gas, oil, drive fluid, beer, food, etc.

If you start messing with it now you run the risk of not getting it back together for next season (or ever). Just ask how many (experienced) guys here have torn a boat apart and then taken years to get them back together. Run the boat, then put your mods list together for the next winter season.

Oh, and the boat looks nice like it is!

Oh yeah, one more thing before you get more $ and time into it: 3 foot itis!

congrats!

Actually... Do you have any single engine 2 lever controls with the trim switch to replace the original? What would I need to do about hooking up cables, not sure what's in it now, is there a way to tell? Thanks!

Jay

Thanks! And I know how it goes with boats. I've been boating for years with friends and the past 4 with my own boats. I've been pretty lucky with having to put money into them. This is my 3rd boat. I really don't want to make many mods, just the windshield, DEF. paint in the spring, maybe getting rid of the teak next year and building an aluminum swim platform. As for blowing my budget, well, I wasn't really in the market for another boat, but this seemed like a deal I couldn't pass up. So right now I have 2 boats sitting in the back 40 and the old boat will be sold to a friend in the spring. Deposit already taken and tucked away just in case... He's a friend, and things may happen... I do like the 2 lever controls, so maybe that as well. Other than that, no engine mods, want to keep it stock, it runs TOO good to mess with it. I'll run it next year and get used to it, but it doesn't have trim tabs and I'm use to a boat with them, so that may be on the list too. So if anyone has a used set let me know or a used 2 lever control with a trim switch let me know also. As for an aluminum swim platform, I can make one ALOT cheaper than a new one and I think cheaper than a used as well, but if you have one, let me know also. Thanks everyone!!

Jay

On the bow rails- how about lowering them? Cut down the vertical support tubes so the rail ends up about an inch off the deck. That would clean up the look, you wouldn't have to fill all of those holes through the deck, and you would have an almost invisible/still functional rail. Someday you might slip off the deck or need something to throw a rope around and you'll wish the rails were still there.

I agree 100% with both posts. Those bow rails come in handy when you're pulling up anchor in rough water. :ernaehrung004:

I agree also with the bow rails, I think I'll just cut them down. That should give it a better look than 4 feet in the air like they are now, haha. Thanks everyone for your input and feel free to give any suggestion, I'm open to any and all.

Congrats man good luck with it!