There's one of these for free by me. Just a bare hull. It looked a lot bigger in the photos now that I see you in it, it's like a scale model of a yacht haha. If I had a trailer for it I'd go snag it right now.
I carry paddles with me on my 14ft tri hull. Had to paddle back twice! But that was when I first got the boat. It has a 1985 Johnson 30hp. I worked out the kinks and now it has been super reliable for the last 3 years.
On the prop shaft where it exits the hual there is a packing gland you tighten on each side, there is no mechanical seal there it looks to be shaft packing rings (probably grafite impregnated) layered rings (roap like) tightened around the shaft via the packing gland I mention. Do not over tighten it to make it totally dry run, that buids heat and shaft fretting (wear) this sealing system is ages old, been in use forever. Slight drip is normal and cools and lubicates the packing.
Get you a set of wheel ramps, leave it hooked up, back wheels of the vehicle on the ramps. If you STILL have water in the boat , easier to pull the plug, find a hill, or ditch, has a good angle to drain, rather than jacking up.
Why not just put a couple bricks under the wheel of the trailer for draining the water? 1% grade is all water needs to move. Don't forget to put something behind the axle wheels to keep it from rolling off on ya. That is a cool looking boat, lucky bastard, nice find!
The deep part of the hull is deeper than the drain plug even lifted up, I'd have to park on a steep hill to get it to drain naturally. I ended up putting another bilge pump in the deep spot and plumbing it out.
I would avoid putting premium gas in your boat. All that extra ethanol in the premium is just going to gum up your fuel system sooner or later when it bonds water to your gasoline via hydrogen bonding. Plus premium is less power dense so you'll get worse power and efficiency. They sell ethanol free gas for boats at most marinas, but any ethanol free gas will do.
1:20 Can't see how the engine has two PCV valves but no fresh air intake. Cars have a valve in one cover and a breather in the other. I do realize you have to keep fumes out of the bilge area. I would look into securing that gas line to the engine and make a proper flame arrestor extension. 4:48 Does the boat have a sea strainer also ?
No idea on the PCV stuff, I'll have to look that up. Re fumes there's a blower for when the motor is covered. It does not currently have a raw water strainer, that would be a good idea for keeping the mud / sand / weeds out of the cooling system :-P
Regarding the bilge system; check where the water accumulates when the boat is in water. It will float different than when on a trailer. Still, the suction of the pump should be against the hull, not up in the air. Hopefully you shouldn't need to put an additional bilge pump in the front of the boat.
There are still a surprising number of these Dorset boats scattered around. First time I have seen a jet version. Most I have seen are outboards. The transom is a standard size drain hole for boats. Your bilge on that one looks to be filled with dirt and other crud. A good clean and tidy up in the bilge would help out nicely. My recommendation is to always to store the boat on the trailer bow high. Do not mount a bilge pump in the bow. Fix the engine compartment bilge pump and it’s pickup instead. That boat should flat out fly when you get it running and trimmed out properly. Somewhere in the 40’s would be my best guess.
I have two Dorsetts, one 1960 Lexington Sport with original Merc700DR in pretty good condition, and a 1962 Catalina like this one. Except mine was outboard. I bought it with a blown up 90 hp force on it. She needs all the wood replaced and total restoration. I just so happen to have a Mercrusier 888 (ford 302) laying around and found this video wondering if she could hold a v8 safely. I think this answers my question. lol I never knew dorsett put jet drives in these older models.
That boat is so cool. I hope you enjoy it for a long time. Love the design
There's one of these for free by me. Just a bare hull. It looked a lot bigger in the photos now that I see you in it, it's like a scale model of a yacht haha. If I had a trailer for it I'd go snag it right now.
Love the sound of that Chevy tree fiddy engine!
I carry paddles with me on my 14ft tri hull. Had to paddle back twice! But that was when I first got the boat. It has a 1985 Johnson 30hp. I worked out the kinks and now it has been super reliable for the last 3 years.
Mercy yamha. Honda besst
I carry a trolling motor lol
On the prop shaft where it exits the hual there is a packing gland you tighten on each side, there is no mechanical seal there it looks to be shaft packing rings (probably grafite impregnated) layered rings (roap like) tightened around the shaft via the packing gland I mention. Do not over tighten it to make it totally dry run, that buids heat and shaft fretting (wear) this sealing system is ages old, been in use forever. Slight drip is normal and cools and lubicates the packing.
Is that the stuff they call Oakum?
No it is a specail pump shaft packing that used to have asspests in it but now it's other fibers like kevlar, carbon fibers and such.
Love that sound
Get you a set of wheel ramps, leave it hooked up, back wheels of the vehicle on the ramps. If you STILL have water in the boat , easier to pull the plug, find a hill, or ditch, has a good angle to drain, rather than jacking up.
Add an inverter and you can run your wet/dry vac while underway.
That boat is so cool - love that 60's flare!
That a cool boat
I bet you took that cover off for some uninterrupted V8 sounds ;)
I don't know jack-all about boats but with the design style of that thing you really have to get a good Captain's Hat.
Thanks👍
Wow that thing looks so cool!
Very vintage yet sleek!
That’s a pretty cool and unique little boat.
Why not just put a couple bricks under the wheel of the trailer for draining the water? 1% grade is all water needs to move. Don't forget to put something behind the axle wheels to keep it from rolling off on ya. That is a cool looking boat, lucky bastard, nice find!
The deep part of the hull is deeper than the drain plug even lifted up, I'd have to park on a steep hill to get it to drain naturally. I ended up putting another bilge pump in the deep spot and plumbing it out.
You found a good drain, it’s the boat, it drains your money!
They say the two best days of a boat owner's life are the day he buys and day he sells it. B.O.A.T = Bust Out Another Thousand.
I would avoid putting premium gas in your boat. All that extra ethanol in the premium is just going to gum up your fuel system sooner or later when it bonds water to your gasoline via hydrogen bonding. Plus premium is less power dense so you'll get worse power and efficiency.
They sell ethanol free gas for boats at most marinas, but any ethanol free gas will do.
Definition of a "Free Boat" "I'm tired of throwing money into a hole in the water, it's your turn now".
Nice shake down run to figure out what repairs are crucial first. Like that shaft leak!
1:20 Can't see how the engine has two PCV valves but no fresh air intake. Cars have a valve in one cover and a breather in the other. I do realize you have to keep fumes out of the bilge area.
I would look into securing that gas line to the engine and make a proper flame arrestor extension.
4:48 Does the boat have a sea strainer also ?
No idea on the PCV stuff, I'll have to look that up. Re fumes there's a blower for when the motor is covered. It does not currently have a raw water strainer, that would be a good idea for keeping the mud / sand / weeds out of the cooling system :-P
@@saveitforparts It keeps it out of the jet drive.
Regarding the bilge system; check where the water accumulates when the boat is in water. It will float different than when on a trailer. Still, the suction of the pump should be against the hull, not up in the air. Hopefully you shouldn't need to put an additional bilge pump in the front of the boat.
That engine sounds sweet. I think u have a keeper ✌️
Save it for parts!
There are still a surprising number of these Dorset boats scattered around. First time I have seen a jet version. Most I have seen are outboards. The transom is a standard size drain hole for boats. Your bilge on that one looks to be filled with dirt and other crud. A good clean and tidy up in the bilge would help out nicely. My recommendation is to always to store the boat on the trailer bow high. Do not mount a bilge pump in the bow. Fix the engine compartment bilge pump and it’s pickup instead. That boat should flat out fly when you get it running and trimmed out properly. Somewhere in the 40’s would be my best guess.
I have two Dorsetts, one 1960 Lexington Sport with original Merc700DR in pretty good condition, and a 1962 Catalina like this one. Except mine was outboard. I bought it with a blown up 90 hp force on it. She needs all the wood replaced and total restoration. I just so happen to have a Mercrusier 888 (ford 302) laying around and found this video wondering if she could hold a v8 safely. I think this answers my question. lol I never knew dorsett put jet drives in these older models.
needs more speed holes, for ballast.
Valerie says you need SCUBA gear for such a quality submersible.
I say build a beautiful wooden engine cover with a couple glass porthole windows
Keep close watch on the gas tank if it is metal.They tend to leak sooner or later.CHEERS from Canada!
Wow that’s a really nice boat. Where did you find it?
Found it on Facebook Marketplace (which seems to be taking over from Craigslist lately).
It’s awesome. I showed it to my wife and now we’re looking for one similar
I was so disappointed that you didn't bring it up to hydrofoil speed in this video.
How can you determine if it's real bilge or not?
Dont nrref the n
Secon mini cabin cruser with jet drive hawwian day cruse has 3 time more virews
Cool video been watching you channel for some time now I love them keep them coming
Growing up my family had a 73 SeaRay with a Chrysler jet drive. Sea weed was always a problem.
Never mew Searcy had jetboats 1973. Know the gad searadier mercy spir jets very ful efent lkbg rabge
Searay had n mercy jert drive not fgrusterl. Zero iseds relief. False infatikn😅
I believe it’s called Cutless bearing on that drive ! Any place that sells parts for a jet ski should carry them !
SHES NOT A BAD BOAT JUST A LITTLE TLC BRO !
3:26 that your girl? 👍