Newbie - Name my boat

[darren_v8]

Hi all, I'm new here and to boating. I literally took my first boat out for its first voyage this past Friday. Everything went well with only a small issue to address so I am looking forward to getting her wet again soon.

However, one of the questions I have is what is she? (0 points for the people who say a speed boat ) There is no ID plaque on her at all, I've searched on google images for ages looking for something similar with no joy, so was wondering if anyone here may have owned one in the past or known of them so could shed some light on what she actually is. She's 14' long, made of fibreglass, and was either built in the late 70's or early 80's as the engine is an 1981 Johnson 70.

Here are a couple of pics, hopefully someone will be able to help me out

Many thanks

Darren

 

[moonraker 36]

hmm. http://youtu.be/8gPkRWYIr9U dateline...?

 

[Vern]

Well done on getting her out, fun days!

 

[epervier]

Driver 440, from the eighties.

 

[Tremlett 15]

Driver 440, from the eighties.

+1

 

[epervier]

Here's a scanned and badly cropped pic from 1980 out of my photo album

 

[darren_v8]

Many thanks for that. After a bit of research it seems like a very good choice for a 1st boat and sounds like it'll be a lot of fun when I get it out of the harbours 8knot speed limit.

 

[Lakesailor]

I had a boat with that motor on. It's a great motor. If you get any low speed running issues it's worth considering removing the VRO pump (well, disconnecting it) and using pre-mix 2 stroke fuel. Lots of US users do it as a matter of course.
The i-boats web site in the US has a great forum for all outboard information.

 

[darren_v8]

Thanks for the tip, but my motor is purely pre-mix, there's no pump or oil reservoir. It seems to be running really well, I think I just need to up the idle speed a touch as it occasionally stalls when putting it in gear.

 

[Lakesailor]

Ah Yes. Yours looks to have different decals. You're better off with a straight pre-mix.

 

[MapisM]

I think I just need to up the idle speed a touch as it occasionally stalls when putting it in gear.

Just a thought, did you check the oil in the lower unit?
You wouldn't want the stall to be actually due to improper gearbox lubrication (oil low and/or old, mixed with water, etc.).

Well done and welcome to the madhouse, anyway.
I wish my first boat were as nice as yours!

 

[darren_v8]

Thanks for the tip. I must admit I haven't changed the gear case oil yet mainly due to not being able to find the right stuff. The book says to use OMC HI-VIS gear oil, but I can't find it anywhere or know of an equal alternative. I'll leave my next launch til after I've changed that.

 

[MapisM]

the right stuff

Even if I have no specific experience with OMC stuff, I bet that the 100% synthetic Mobil SHC 75W-90 would be just perfect.
I use it in a Bravo I XR which handles 450hp, even if the original Mercury green stuff is easily available, because it's actually better.
Someone might try to sell you the idea that in original oils there are additives to keep their properties even when the oil gets milky due to water contamination. I don't buy that.
Besides, in case of any water ingress, the reason for that must be found and cured promptly, no matter how good the oil is.

 

[darren_v8]

Thanks for the advise, I'll head to the chandlery tomorrow and get some.