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When you replaced your rollers, hope you went with the yellow/ orange colored ones and not the black rubber ones. I switched years ago and was a great move, they also roll much better and never had to replace one. Rubber never lasted me more than two years.

Small bodies would make sense, but on large bodies....surprised it isn't blamed on global warming...oh...wait...it already is.

Been a boat owner for over 60 years...your take on previous owners is pretty close !! I have to admit, I have slipped a few no no's in myself, over the years. To be honest, I have had greater sucess with wire nuts than I have with crimp connectors, but I do seal them with goop !! Most electricians are probably gritting there teeth about now....but never had one fail...but numerous crimp failures!! Looking forward to your resto and thanks for the pics !! Good luck !!

If toward the rear of the motor, probably the hole to adjust the trim tab....see if there is a bolt head down in there !! Running on a hose does not test the water pump !! The hose pressure will force some water thru the system but will cause overheat issues at high rpm. The water pump needs replaced or ruin your motor....that simple !!!

Gotta start some where...some folks prefer already made, not a problem, but beware they are more costly! Nice used boats are out there but be prepared to shop hard and long ! Spent almost 4 months shipping for mine last summer, had to drive 200 miles each way with cash in hand....but it is in like new condition, a garage queen from original owner and a 1992 to boot! Do lots of shopping and looking, after a while you will figure out what you really want/ need and will know it when you see it !! But...be prepared to look at lots of junk in the mean time !! Never be afraid to walk away!!

Replace the water pump before you try running it again !!!!! Check to see if any vanes have broke off the impellor, if so they could be blocking the cooling system and need to be removed/ flushed out !!! I woukd also run a compression check to see if the motor is good !! Boat motors are no place to cut corners in repairs and get your self a " factory" service manual, found mine on Ebay !!

Any glass boat over 20/25 years is a crapshoot for wood rot so I stay away from them. Most aluminum boats have very little wood in the structure and is easy to replace if rotted. Aluminum boats hold resale value better. What are you going to do with the boat ?? Makes a big difference on what style. With smaller boats an outboard works best, and easy to maintain. I have been a boater for over 60 years, owned one fiberglass boat, never again, aluminum all the way.

All depends on what your gonna do with it ?? A general vover to keep dust and dirt out then most any cheap cover will work. Where covers earn there keep is trailering !! Takes a well made and fitted cover to last when being towed ! Owned numerous cover in my 60 yrs of boating, if your gonna tow, spring for a custom fitted cover, if just a non towed cover, any decent cover will suffice. Keeping them taught is what keeps the water out, most covers leak where they sag.

The flywheel turns easy, does the starter turn over ? Does the bendix engage on the starter ? Did you check battery coltage...should ve 12.7 volts or above !! Remove starter and check function and clean connections !! Until you do these things, we are only guessing !!

There should be a taper on the teeth of the starter pinion gear to help it engage the flywheel. Is it on upside down ??

I always unolug even with led lights !! The only led I have ever had to replace ( 12 years of using them) was when I forgot to unplug...learned my lesson !! However, I learned that the maintenence on regular bulbs was way to much trouble, once I switched to led, no more light issues !! You don't need expensive ones, I have had Harbor Freight leds for 6 years without issues, complete with new wiring harness for under 40 bucks.

Fuel conditioner should be a must for any sitting fuel over 30 days. Non ethenol fuel also degrades, just look at the bottom of the fuel bowl after sitting, see thar brown crap...we called that gasoline varnish, was about the same color as varnish !

Moves the weight further back away from the transom , will make it harder to get the bow down, and make the transom run deeper when getting up on plane. Take the weight of your motor and move it back 10-12 inches and see what it does !! Your weight is now further back than the boat transom and the motor weight gains an advantage..not a good one !!

A 10" setback is asking for trouble on a 16' boat !!

Either rebuild the hubs or buy new, your choice !! If the bearings are not pitted or rusted then I would rebuild !! Bearing buddies are good but still require regular maintenence and an ocassional repack of the bearings !! As far as the lights go, get an LED light kit and replace them, much better in the long run !!

With power OFF....try turning by hand, on the flywheel there is a place for a start rope in case of emergency, try to turn that engine over.. Even remove the plugs and it shoukd turn by hand with ease...if not, your engine might be tied up. If the engine turns freely then look at all the electrical connections stsrting at the battery and into the motor as a corroded connection can cause a non start issue. Gitta see if the engine us free first !!

I have used " goop" on those kinds of repairs with great sucess ...

All of the BassPros I have been to have a pond on premesis, you can try your boat before you buy it ... Does yours ?? You might not like the stability of those little plastic bathtubs, I know I didn't....much prefer my 12' alum jon boat....but...if they have a pond...you can try before you buy !!!

That is why we switched from a trailer to a small motorhome !! Now we can take the toys !!

The most important part...." It is yours".... Hope you have all your paperwork, looks like a fun project !!

Why not use the roof of your camper? In 1980 we had a Skamper popup with a 500 lb roof capacity, was easy to put our aluminum jon boat up there. Was never a fan of those little bass hunter type bath tubs. Much prefered my aluminum jon boats !!

Why ??

No way to know without thorough testing for a rotted transom or stringers. If they are rotted, you will almost double your price getting it fixed. If properly stored, they might be fine, but the only way to know for sure is to drill some small holes from the inside into the wood and see if it is wet or dry. Anything else is a guess !!! Learned my lesson many many years back, after that, nothing but aluminum hulls, they could have some wood in the transom, but way easier/ cheaper to replace !! Glass boatscride nice but as they get old, that rotted wood is a real deal breaker !!!

Take tour volt meter and see if you have power or where it starts and stops.

My replacement led trailer light assemblies have backup lights built into the unit, just connect an extra wire for the backup light part......if you don't have a set of led lights....get some, they are awesome, far brighter with less amp draw....and they come with builtin backup lights !!