1986 Stoker

[CSmith]

Got a new to me float. Super excited about this boat as it will be a total game changer compared to what my family and I are used to. Grew up coming to Havasu my whole life. Got rid of our Eliminator Fundeck and are now downsizing way down to this bad boy. Now that I live in Havasu full time we are week day boaters instead of the weekend warriors.

I am by no means a baller so this boat will get very suttle changes over a long period of time but I do enjoy personalizing everything I own. This is already a very very clean stoker, however I can't leave anything alone. I enjoy these restoration threads so I hope you guys will enjoy the content. If you see us on the water, feel free to say hello! Here is when my wife and I picked it up.


1986 Stoker with a Merc 280.

 

[CSmith]

First night we got it home and into the garage. The kids stayed back home with Grandma while we made the road trip to pick it up, but at first look I think my daughter approves.

 

[CSmith]

More boat pics! Stay tuned..

 

[Riverbound]

Nice find. That’s a clean stoker. Im Very familiar with them so if you have any questions. Let me know.

 

[CSmith]

Nice find. That’s a clean stoker. Im Very familiar with them so if you have any questions. Let me know.

I really appreciate it. This is also my first outboard. I will be taking it easy for a while, while I am learning the boat.

 

[mash on it]

Left hand drive,
Foot throttle,
Blue,

Very nice.
Perfect for the kiddos.

Dan'l

 

[jeepdog]

Very nice

 

[MARCYTECH]

I’m friends with the previous owner, You got a good one forsure! Congrats

 

[Backlash]

Man what a beautiful boat! It looks pristine!!

I'm not sure about that trailer though.......

@cj222

I tell people who are looking to purchase a used boat, to pay special attention to the trailer. It's a good way to tell whether or not the boat owner "Takes care of things." In your case, I'd say "You're Golden!"

Congrats that's a helluva nice ride! All kidding aside, Nick killed it with that new trailer too. Classy!

 

[NeedlesRat]

Boat looks great. I owned it before Brooks. I did the interior and gauges, and then he took it to another level with the trailer and other details. That boat is a blast, you're going to get stopped every where you go about it. The owner before me had Alan Stoker do the entire engine rigging so you know it was done right.

 

[CSmith]

Boat looks great. I owned it before Brooks. I did the interior and gauges, and then he took it to another level with the trailer and other details. That boat is a blast, you're going to get stopped every where you go about it. The owner before me had Alan Stoker do the entire engine rigging so you know it was done right.

I am beyond happy so far with everything. It honestly could be left alone but I'm just going to do very suttle changes. It's in great shape.

 

[RitcheyRch]

Nice find and enjoy it.

 

[NeedlesRat]

I am beyond happy so far with everything. It honestly could be left alone but I'm just going to do very suttle changes. It's in great shape.

Happy for you man. That boat gave my wife and I great memories. It was originally my uncles boat probably 20+ years ago. It had a black max 200 on it, then he sold it to a guy in Sacramento who then re-powered it with the 280. I always wanted to redo the trailer, and see about putting a 15" mid section on it over the 20" but never got to it as it ran great as it was. Enjoy! Let me know if you have any questions about it

 

[CSmith]

Well, the weather was great today and the family and I were able to take the boat for the maiden voyage. Everything ran flawlessly. Compared to what we are used to, this boat is a total game changer.

 

[CSmith]

For most of the day I took it very easy. With my wife and kids on board we were definitely not doing any speed runs. Having the jack plate and trim to mess with is totally new to me.

To get on plane I usually put the motor down most of the way on trim and jack plate. It is so quick and pops right out of the water. As far as setting it once on plane where should the jack plate be as well as the trim? On my old boat you can obviously feel it when the trim was in its "happy spot" but beings this has both jack plate and trim is there one you should set first?

The x dimension is close to level if not higher than the bottom of the boat if jacked all the way up. Today I was running around with it way lower than that to get used to it. Should it be up near level or even higher on these hulls?
I didn't want to be shooting a rooster tail all the way to the sky either. I have so many questions I am over stimulated .

Final question for this post, the water pressure when running around is near 5 psi, is that normal? I will be doing the impellar and annual maintenance before the next trip out but I couldn't wait to run the boat any longer.

Cheers

 

[GregG]

Is that a stock 280 20" Offshore?

 

[CSmith]

Boating content.

 

[CSmith]

Is that a stock 280 20" Offshore?

Yes

 

[GregG]

I am not sure what the year/background is on that 280 but those are very desirable motors. Not really a good fit for a pleasure situation, you might want to consider selling it and putting a 225X SS on the back. Boat looks really clean.

 

[NeedlesRat]

That motor package is perfect for the boat. I would never consider downgrading to a lesser HP motor. If it wasn’t right for the boat, Alan stoker wouldn’t have put it on. Trust me, if you follow the stoker page on FB he is all over it slamming people for putting motors on his boats that weren’t designed/rated for what he built. That being said, typically the motor was jacked up almost all the way, and trim was almost level or just above level. In the pic above, the motor looks over trimmed and under jacked. That boats sweet spot was jacked up almost all the way, then backed down a little (you could feel it in the steering like it’d get stiff then jack down just a scoche and it’d loosen back up) then the trim was almost neutral plus a little. Remember that is a 20” mid, so to get the prop shaft even or just above center, you have to jack it up quite a bit and that’s where Alan liked them, and the boat likes it. I can’t remember for the life of me how many, but I always jacked it up to a number of holes as soon as it planed. It was either 3 or 4 but I can’t remember it’s been too long. On the water pressure that was normal psi and there was always a constant stream out both tell tales on the motor

 

[CSmith]

That motor package is perfect for the boat. I would never consider downgrading to a lesser HP motor. If it wasn’t right for the boat, Alan stoker wouldn’t have put it on. Trust me, if you follow the stoker page on FB he is all over it slamming people for putting motors on his boats that weren’t designed/rated for what he built. That being said, typically the motor was jacked up almost all the way, and trim was almost level or just above level. In the pic above, the motor looks over trimmed and under jacked. That boats sweet spot was jacked up almost all the way, then backed down a little (you could feel it in the steering like it’d get stiff then jack down just a scoche and it’d loosen back up) then the trim was almost neutral plus a little. Remember that is a 20” mid, so to get the prop shaft even or just above center, you have to jack it up quite a bit and that’s where Alan liked them, and the boat likes it. I can’t remember for the life of me how many, but I always jacked it up to a number of holes as soon as it planed. It was either 3 or 4 but I can’t remember it’s been too long. On the water pressure that was normal psi and there was always a constant stream out both tell tales on the motor

That's good info! I don't have a guage to determine trim or jack plate so it's all off feel for now. I totally forgot to look at the x dimension prior to going on the water and then when I got back home with the boat in the garage I leveled out the motor and saw just how much I needed to keep jacking it up. What you're describing is exactly how it was and I can see that now after looking when I got home. Next time out I will continue to mess with it.

Thank you.

 

[Todd Mohr]

Sweet ride, congrats

 

[CSmith]

Did a couple high dollar upgrades this week
Thanks @02HoWaRd26 for my Lanyard. Never used Barrett before but have heard good things so I purchased a wrist band and key fob floaty to match the boat a little better than what was there before. More updates coming!

 

[GregG]

That motor package is perfect for the boat. I would never consider downgrading to a lesser HP motor. If it wasn’t right for the boat, Alan stoker wouldn’t have put it on. Trust me, if you follow the stoker page on FB he is all over it slamming people for putting motors on his boats that weren’t designed/rated for what he built. That being said, typically the motor was jacked up almost all the way, and trim was almost level or just above level. In the pic above, the motor looks over trimmed and under jacked. That boats sweet spot was jacked up almost all the way, then backed down a little (you could feel it in the steering like it’d get stiff then jack down just a scoche and it’d loosen back up) then the trim was almost neutral plus a little. Remember that is a 20” mid, so to get the prop shaft even or just above center, you have to jack it up quite a bit and that’s where Alan liked them, and the boat likes it. I can’t remember for the life of me how many, but I always jacked it up to a number of holes as soon as it planed. It was either 3 or 4 but I can’t remember it’s been too long. On the water pressure that was normal psi and there was always a constant stream out both tell tales on the motor

I get all that but a 280 is a Nic motor and requires good local knowledge to maintain, that is all I meant. They make exactly 280 hp on the dyno stock and the 225X makes 249-251 hp

 

[CSmith]

Did a little maintenance today. Tried to make it on the water but since it's new to me I wanted to take my time doing the service. New impellar, and serviced the lower unit. Cleaned the motor under the cowling a little bit. Had my helper keep an eye on me. Gonna take her for a spin tomorrow afternoon. If you see us on the water say hello!

 

[CSmith]

Moving along in small increments. The old Hull ID #'s were just black and the font was very different than the stoker logo that's on the boat. It didn't match so I had some made that are a little closer and a dark blue that matches the blue of the "stoker". Looks a little better.

 

[stoker2001]

I get all that but a 280 is a Nic motor and requires good local knowledge to maintain, that is all I meant. They make exactly 280 hp on the dyno stock and the 225X makes 249-251 hp

You are spot on greg...!the 280 is a fantastic Hotrod hand built from Mercury racing which is HIGH maintenance!the Gold nitrate titanium coated piston rings are ONLY good for 150 to maybe 200 hours,then they will eat up the nic bores and cost you small fortune to have replated..Mercury hasnt produced the 280 since 2005 and parts are NLA for most part...the 225X is steel bore and will last four times longer and is better option for first timer..just my $.02

 

[HST4ME]

The driveshaft is going to be needing a fix soon at the sealing surface under the pump base.

 

[CSmith]

View attachment 1495358

The driveshaft is going to be needing a fix soon at the sealing surface under the pump base.

What are you looking at or seeing so I know what to look for? On the driveshaft itself?

 

[Rayson1971]

The dark rusty part of the shaft where the impeller sits.

 

[GregG]

That motor package is perfect for the boat. I would never consider downgrading to a lesser HP motor. If it wasn’t right for the boat, Alan stoker wouldn’t have put it on. Trust me, if you follow the stoker page on FB he is all over it slamming people for putting motors on his boats that weren’t designed/rated for what he built.

You failed to mention that Al is one of the best engine men in the country and when his shop was open with his Dad before retirement people from far away would bring race motors to him to maintain. If the current owner has an option similar to Al to maintain a 280 and that shop knows a guy named Nic, then all is good. As was stated earlier, 280 EFI's get a bit expensive for a first time OB owner. Be sure to use 94 octane non-ethanol gas and have fun.

 

[Fastdadtsmith]

View attachment 1495358

needing a fix soon

Great info! Could you elaborate on options? New shaft? Sleeve? Machining? What is the right way to do it? TIA!

 

[CSmith]

Progress has been very slow but we are moving forward. First and foremost shout out to my wife and kids for allowing me to spend all day working on the boat when it's my only day off. And @Fastdadtsmith for the helping hands.

As clean as the rest of the boat is I knew the wiring was not up to par. The more I dug into it the more hidden gems I was finding that were not to my standards so I decided we are redoing everything. Progress has been slow as I'm waiting for parts and time to squeeze in little sessions to work on the boat as well as keep my wife and kids happy.

The boat only had 1 battery before which made me nervous if we listened to the stereo I could risk killing it. So it's not some high dollar mount but we made a little tray to house another battery and wrapped it in carpet. Cleaned out the bilge area for the most part and also found that my trim pump resivoir was cracked and leaking so had to order/wait for that to come in. Here are some before shots once I removed the interior at what kinda rats nest was uncovered on the single battery. I moved my 4 channel amp to the center and also purchased some buss bars to run all the accessories to so my battery terminals will be free and easy for battery swaps. I also ordered a new fuel pump and the filter that @ChrisV purchased for his 2.5's. Along with those items, I will be redoing the fuel lines but thats after the wiring is complete. Once that is done I will be powder coating all the hardware. It is anodized but has been faded over the years. Also switching out all the philips screws for through bolt allen heads with nylocks on the inside. Here are the before shots and some after shots of the progress that has been made so far. Still a lot left to do but I'm bringing everyone along for the ride. Hope you guys enjoy it. If not at least I do.

Cheers to some boating content. Hopefully you depressed old farts don't drop the ban hammer on me!

Here's the old..

 

[CSmith]

I know it doesn't look like much but it's getting there! Wiring is very meticulous.. more to come over the next couple weeks.

 

[HNL2LHC]

I know it doesn't look like much but it's getting there! Wiring is very meticulous.. more to come over the next couple weeks.

Nice progress.

 

[NicPaus]

Clean work!

 

[ChrisV]

Not sure if you got the bow eye fixed. Plates are cut and I should have it welded up and sent next week. Water jet guy was bussyyyy

 

[CSmith]

Not sure if you got the bow eye fixed. Plates are cut and I should have it welded up and sent next week. Water jet guy was bussyyyy

View attachment 1504199

Not yet, I was waiting patiently. I know you are busy too. Much appreciated!

 

[CSmith]

Well this escalated quickly... I was able to get a lot done yesterday after work and today. Here is the old. All the loose wires and lines that were hanging down behind all the panels. I didn't snap any progress pics as I was just too deep in getting it all buttoned up for the most part.

 

[CSmith]

Here is the finished product. Just waiting for my buss bar covers to come in. The boat didn't have a battery switch so I added one of those in while I was in redoing all the wiring. In the end I am super happy with how clean the bilge area is now. I know its no show DCB, but for me doing it, it gives me that piece of mind while I'm out on the water that everything is operating as it should. Fuel system is next. All my fittings and fuel line are in the mail. Should be able to work on it again over the next week or so. Then it will be all about using it!

 

[CSmith]

More boating content..

 

[CSmith]

Out with the old faded, multiple shades of anodizing and decided to polish these parts up. Excited to get these back on the boat. Getting closer and closer to having the boat all back together.

 

[Rivrat]

Out with the old faded, multiple shades of anodizing and decided to polish these parts up. Excited to get these back on the boat. Getting closer and closer to having the boat all back together.

Glad to see someone is caring for this boat and not using it just for Instagram clout.

 

[Fastdadtsmith]

Glad to see someone is caring for this boat and not using it just for Instagram clout.

Did this just turn into a call out thread?


Nice work Cody! Looks great.

 

[CSmith]

I left the base of the fuel fills since they are black. Tried to get it to match my guages so I figured leave it black and then polish the actual cap. Grab handle back on as well. That's it for tonight. Family time.

 

[CSmith]

Just a couple things left to button up but then it will be time to put some hours on it. Hopefully trouble free. New fuel system from top to bottom, with braided line and fittings. New fuel pump and filter that ChrisV put on his Mach 22. All polished parts are in with stainless hardware. Just waiting on parts to get the lower unit back together and we will be boating.

Cheers to a few more pics. Hope you guys enjoy. Sorry if it's boring content.

 

[Fastdadtsmith]

I know the blue fitting is there and still can't see it. Looks great Cody. Nice work.

 

[CSmith]

All back together. That's it for a little while. Time to go boating bitches!

 

[ChrisV]

Bow eye for you.

I’ll ship it tomorrow or Monday.

 

[J.P.]

Just needs a little polishing..