Well enough is enough of chasing issue after issue, I think I'm calling it quits for the season to fix this heap. I'm not starting this thread to bash the previous owner even if I should more to keep track of everything I do to straighten it all out.
I started out finding one drive reservoir leaking even though it was full when I picked the boat up 3 hours earlier, the props were on backwards, the power steering was leaking, oil was changed but not the filters, the wood block backing the bow eye was rotted, both gimble bearings were bad, and yesterday as I left Newport the port motor developed a rod knock, not really a big deal had I not been told these motors had 8 hours on them when I picked up the boay Some of these issues were oversights on my behalf, and I should have demanded a sea trial but it was a fairly good deal I thought for a boat with 2 "fresh" motors oh well, pulling the motor either tonight or tomorrow after work, if it needs a crank i'm gonna build two very mild 540s, 480-500 hp that run on any fuel octane anf last 600 hrs. Anyone wanna buy a 2002 gsxr 1000 with 6000 miles? Lol

Sorry to hear your troubles.........no survey or sea trial on a 22 year old boat was a huge mistake. Guess you've figured that out now. Take the winter and get it all sorted out, still a great boat, this one just needs a little more work than you expected.

Yeah it was a mistake but, it's what i could afford and knew i'd have to work out a few bugs, this was just more than i expected.

Sometimes the best deals are the worst money we ever saved. I remember hearing someone say they couldn't afford to buy anything but new boats (for this type of reason).......BTW: I'm not that person either and nearly all of my boats needed something done when I got them.

Check your stringers and transom while you have the motors out.As old as the boat is it could have some issues.A lot easier to fix now than take the engines out again.

benn there, done that 6 years ago... but now the boat was perfect, I sold it today !

You cant put the props on backwards....but you can switch them left to right. He may have been turning them "in" to get more speed....which now that I think about it, may answer your rod knock problem. He may have run the snot outta the boat. Good luck sir.

i understand the props can run in or out but a little heads up that the shifters were not set for spinning in would have been helpful quite interesting tring to back off the trailer the first time..... and the motors supposedly had 8 hours on them, have to be run pretty hard to develop a knock now 18 hours in but whatever i'll just go through everything, i have beat round on the stringers quite a bit and the transom no soft or hollow spots i could find so far, and not even one crack in the gel on the outside

congrats on the sale!

that sucks lil red,at least you no mike ss im sure he will help you out , good luck