New Used Triumph Owner

[Dream Catcher]

I just purchased a 2002 Triumph 170 Bass with a 70 2-stroke Yamaha. I'm looking for any owners of the same boat. Also interested in the weight difference between a 2 stroke and 4 stroke engine of comparable size. I haven't had it in the water yet but will this weekend. Any advice?

[Troll]

Before you put the boat in the water or trailer it any distance, I strongly suggest some preventive maintenance.
1. Remove the two drain plugs at the back of the boat and clean the washers on the plugs so there is no debris. This will also allow any water in the hull to drain. If there is sand on these washers, it will allow water to seep in while the boat is in the water. While the bilge pump will remove some water, it will not remove all of the water so be sure to manually drain it after each use.
2. Check the condition of the starting battery. If it is over 2 years old, replace it as you do not want to be stranded.
3. If you do not know how old the gas is, I suggest that you syphon it out and put in a new gas along with some fuel stabilizer. I assume that your Yamaha is oil injected. Make sure that your oil tank is full of injector oil and have a spare quart on the boat at all times. Make sure that you use the correct injector oil as Yamaha specifies.
4. Change the lower unit grease on the motor and inject marine grade grease on all lubricating zerks on the motor.
5. There are drain plugs at the bottom of each of the two front compartments. Make sure that they are installed correctly and that they do not leak.
6. Make shure that you are compliant with all local laws in that you have sufficient PFD's, throwables, air horns, and fire extinguishers.
7. Connect some ear muffs and with sufficient water running to the engine, start it up and make sure that it starts quickly and runs smoothly. My old boat had a 2 stroke and only a strong starting battery would start it quickly upon launch.
8 Check the tires for cuts wear and heat checks. Also put in the correct air pressure as specified on the side wall of the tires. These tires are 13 inch and a loaded boat will max out their Load Range capability. You might consider having a spare tire.
9. LAST BUT NOT LEAST clean and repack the wheel bearings. When I say clean, I mean thoroughly clean them and repack with a bearing grease for use on a boat trailer. Also use new grease seals. Keep a grease gun handy so you can add grease through the bearing buddies until all of the air in the hubs is disipated. Last year I had a complete bearing failure on my EZ Loader and did so much damage that I had to replace the axel. I also had a bearing failure on a 3 year old utility trailer and even though it was never in the water, the inner bearing was rusted to the race. A bearing failure on the road is diserasterous and can be very dangerous. As a precaution, I always touch the tire and hub before launch to check for excessive heat and before I put the boat away after a day of fishing.

Now you can have a great day of fishing. Don't forget your license.

Richard

[Dream Catcher]

Thanks Richard. A very helpful set of recommendations which I will follow.

Don