New boat owner:1st boat : 1983 170- have questions

[Blue Goose]

Just bought a 83 170 with a dark blue hull.  
*  Would like to know the if the hull color is an orginal 170 color?
*   boat seems to sit low in the water..i.e.. transom plug sits below water line?  Is that normal?
*  There is a place for another light or something to be screwed in on the bow?  
*  What is the dry weight for trailoring?
*  Dings and nicks?  Epoxy resin or gelcoat repair kit?[
*  how do I test to see if the deck is in need of repair?  

Look forward to hearing from you all.

[Marcq]

Welcome aboard Blue Goose  
* Would like to know the if the hull color is an orginal 170 color?
NO

* boat seems to sit low in the water..i.e.. transom plug sits below water line? Is that normal?
 Pretty much the norm, what size engine do you have on her?

* There is a place for another light or something to be screwed in on the bow?
  not sure about that question

* What is the dry weight for trailoring?
1100lb without motor

* Dings and nicks? Epoxy resin or gelcoat repair kit?
I prefer gelcoat but its hard to match the color

* how do I test to see if the deck is in need of repair?
Just walk all over the deck, feel any soft spot? Any cracks

And show us some pics

Marc..

[Blue Goose]

Does that mean I need to keep the plug in at all times.  I have 90hp.

Can you define soft?  There are couple of screw holes which look like they may have come from a water ski pole. And right behind the center console it seems to have a little flex.

[LilRichard]

You mean the drain plug?  Or the scuppers?

[Blue Goose]

the plug below the engine, not the one in the stern

[love2fish]

the one at the very bottom of the transom?
like in this picture at the very bottom of the V?

[Blue Goose]

The one at teh bottom I keep in all the time.  The other one I also keep in.

[Blue Goose]

How do I post pics?

[love2fish]

theres a link on here.. someone will post it in a few.
open a photo bucket account.
upload your photos to it. make sure to resize them to 640X480 (or something smaller like that)
on menu's below the photos, therse an like to "img" just click that and i'll save the link.
start your post on here
where you want the picture, paste the link
done

[Marcq]

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2847
Marc..

[striper 17]

welcome Blue Goose I have an 87 170 to try and help you with a few of your questions you should have three holes in the back on your transom two up towards the middle height on the outside edges these are your scuppers and will most likely be underwater sitting still, you can keep them plugged or buy some scupper covers they have a outercasing with a little ball in them that looks like a ping pong ball thats what I use and they work great they let a little water in but not much  mine are constantly under water with a 125 merc The third hole in the center bottom needs to be plugged all the time when your in the water or you will flood your boat and probally sink. Now on to the soft spot behind the cc my floor is soft there too that is the lid that covers your fuel tank pending on how soft or how concerned you are about it it should be ok. just a heads up to have you checked your fuel tank mine was bad pitted and leaking just an idea. Good luck you will enjoy this boat

[Blue Goose]

How would I go about checking the fuel tank.  I can lift the lid to see the gauge, which doesn't work and the tank is more or less just plain nasty from that view point.

I do not get great gas mileage. So I also wondered if I had a leak in the tank.
Thanks

[striper 17]

To check your tank good you would have to remove your counsil and take the tank out so you can see the bottom, look for pitting on the top of your tank if there is some chances are there will be some on the bottom.This is where most of all the pitting on my tank was and leaking. When you lift the lid do you smeel a strong odor of fuel or any smell of fuel in your bilge?