Started 18th Season with AR230 today

[scokill]

Obligatory beginning of year post. Woke her up from storage this week. Cleaned up, change oil and plugs, went out today and all was well. Ran a slight wind aided 48.7 mph GPS at 10,200 RPMS. Not for very long though, don't like running WOT. I haven't check the hours in a while, but I would imagine somewhere in the 7-800 hour range. Added just a little grease to the intermediate bearing to plump up the hose. Surprised all original impellers and bearings. Haven't even removed to inspect. I thought about it a few years ago. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Have some annoying things I need to take care of...like the gas pistons that hold up the engine hatch. I have to prop it up with the cover pole to keep it from falling on me.

 

[cwoav8r]

I'm right there with you, best decision I ever made as far as a boat purchase... although my story is a little different after neglecting mine for two years. I will be finishing up my overhaul this weekend and I will have detaled post about my adventure. If you need any info to source parts let me know... I have figured out where to get stuff for our boats at a significant savings

 

[scokill]

I'm right there with you, best decision I ever made as far as a boat purchase... although my story is a little different after neglecting mine for two years. I will be finishing up my overhaul this weekend and I will have detaled post about my adventure. If you need any info to source parts let me know... I have figured out where to get stuff for our boats at a significant savings

I've neglected some things over 17 years, but not anything mechanical. I've had upholstery replaced in all areas at least once. My graphics are almost faded white. I've wetsanded and polished one year and it looked great for a couple of seasons. It's just rough when it stays outside 24x7x365 in the TX sun. I've got Marine Mat all through out and an above average stereo setup. Nothing crazy. Ironically I posted the same thing a couple of years ago. Boat still pretty much looks like this. It is also now sitting in the same slip at our harbour area. I guess this is my week every year. The two curved back pieces need redone. I could get by with one, but the other really bothers me. I've got a guy who does great work.

 

[Hot2Go]

We are possibly selling our AR230 this weekend, I will be sad to see it go with how truly reliable and the ease of maintenance was!

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I've neglected some things over 17 years, but not anything mechanical. I've had upholstery replaced in all areas at least once. My graphics are almost faded white. I've wetsanded and polished one year and it looked great for a couple of seasons. It's just rough when it stays outside 24x7x365 in the TX sun. I've got Marine Mat all through out and an above average stereo setup. Nothing crazy. Ironically I posted the same thing a couple of years ago. Boat still pretty much looks like this. It is also now sitting in the same slip at our harbour area. I guess this is my week every year. The two curved back pieces need redone. I could get by with one, but the other really bothers me. I've got a guy who does great work.

Jesus H Christ dude! That thing looks like brand new!!!

 

[scokill]

Jesus H Christ dude! That thing looks like brand new!!!

Little bit of smoke and mirrors. Kinda like the Millennium Falcon, good where it counts. It has its nicks and dings. We have well got our moneys worth out of it though. I think we paid $36K new.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Little bit of smoke and mirrors. Kinda like the Millennium Falcon, good where it counts. It has its nicks and dings. We have well got our moneys worth out of it though. I think we paid $36K new.

Nice analogy! Nicks and dings are nothing.. the 7-800 hours and how the boat looks tell the tale. Love seeing that many hours on the boat.

 

[Fastrat]

I'm right there with you, best decision I ever made as far as a boat purchase... although my story is a little different after neglecting mine for two years. I will be finishing up my overhaul this weekend and I will have detaled post about my adventure. If you need any info to source parts let me know... I have figured out where to get stuff for our boats at a significant savings

I'd like to know that parts source if you don't mind...bought an 07 AR230 in January and been getting it ready after a few years of previous owner's neglect. Worst job so far was pulling the floor to fix the broken drain fitting that goes back to the scupper, things kept going wrong and creating more work....lol. Hoping to get the life out of it that @scokill has, and to get it looking as nice.

 

[scokill]

I'd like to know that parts source if you don't mind...bought an 07 AR230 in January and been getting it ready after a few years of previous owner's neglect. Worst job so far was pulling the floor to fix the broken drain fitting that goes back to the scupper, things kept going wrong and creating more work....lol. Hoping to get the life out of it that @scokill has, and to get it looking as nice.

The two worst things for me, like you: pulling the floor hatch over the gas tank, and replacing the plastic scupper. I ran heavy duty cable from the battery compartment to the helm compartment for my two audio amps. Broken, stripped, seized....you name it on the bolts. I had to cut, drill, grind, tap threads, etc. etc. I've never done so much cussing in my life. Scupper wasn't as bad, but just annoying with all you have to do to get to it, then messy when you seal it, tighten the retaining nut, etc.

 

[Fastrat]

The two worst things for me, like you: pulling the floor hatch over the gas tank, and replacing the plastic scupper. I ran heavy duty cable from the battery compartment to the helm compartment for my two audio amps. Broken, stripped, seized....you name it on the bolts. I had to cut, drill, grind, tap threads, etc. etc. I've never done so much cussing in my life. Scupper wasn't as bad, but just annoying with all you have to do to get to it, then messy when you seal it, tighten the retaining nut, etc.

That's about where I am with the floor, four bolts snapped: two I was able to get out with a stud extractor, and two I could not get out...ended up drilling a lot out around the stuck ones, filling with marineweld and will be drilling/tapping to make new threads (couldn't cleanly drill out the two old bolts). Also, while using the stud extractor, one broke and slid down the side directly under the gas tank, which then created the issue where I had to drain and lift the tank enough to fish the pieces/items out with a magnet....not fun! Whoever designed that opening an inch too small to be able to completely lift the tank out needs a kick in the junk!

 

[cwoav8r]

@Fastrat I'm in the same boat (huh... pun not intended). I still have seven to get out. I'm replacing with these, to hell with the original bolts!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFPMMX9F

 

[Fastrat]

@Fastrat I'm in the same boat (huh... pun not intended). I still have seven to get out. I'm replacing with these, to hell with the original bolts!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFPMMX9F

I actually ordered similar hardware to replace them, but when they arrived I didn’t like the size of the heads. They were much smaller in diameter and I decided I wanted the larger size of the originals, so I just ordered 4 new OEM ones and sent those back.

Be super careful not to drop anything under the fuel tank…I messed up there and that has been a large part of my pain.