1986 21BR Cookie Monster - winter project

[JAA]

Back in business

cook.jpg

[JAA]

Leave it apart all the way!

Well - my thought now to send it along to the place where I got the new/used unit from and get the $300 core back. Then use that money towards these manifolds that apparently need replacing on cookies magnificent motor

As a kid growing up in Chautauqua NY there was a boat at the main dock at chq institution with the name the Cookie Monster? Back in the 80s we loved the name of the boat. I actually think it might have belonged to our camp counselor. Any chance this boat came from Chautauqua?

I think the boat was originally from NH, I would need to double check though.

[Big Block Power]

Nice congrats. Fill us in what you did.

[Lockey14s]

excellent! hopefully wasnt too much trouble

[JAA]

What did I do? What I did was easy.

$$$$

I decided that instead of considering a new(used) boat, I wanted to keep the cookie afloat. I love the hull, the engine, excellent build quality and the wood. If the boat stays reliable, it will be worth it. However I did just sync a good chunk of change into an new(used) outdrive. It drives great, but now I need to get back to the maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance ... what's next? Is it the manifolds? The boat has ~900 hours. I haven't done any major maintenance other than oil changes in the past 5 years. Where do I start?

[skno]

I everything is functional................ wet sand, buff and run it!

[JAA]

Today I come bearing gifts. Gifts of pictures and video of my "Christmas in June".

** Remember, this is my brand new(used) out-drive. Third run of the season. **

The first gift is the end of the story. After getting caught up in spreading tons of holiday cheer, I completely lost track of of my bearings (as did my buoy spotter) and hit ground twice, just seconds apart. I of course failed to notice the 8,342,072 white pin buoys. I saw the first buoy, hard left, thinking I was just coming up to the shallows, I hit ground the first time. Apparently I was in the middle of the shallows already. Trimming up and into neutral as the second hit. It sounded like the prop trying to grind down the rocks at the bottom of the lake and the lake was winning. I didn't hear any hull bumps, so I was optimistic on that front. Finished trimming up and looked at the prop. It was reasonably mangled. Not super mangled, but not mangled enough to where I would think I could hammer it back into place. To give a sense of the shallows where we hit, Santa let go of the rope and he stood on the ground with the water not much over his knees. TBH - that would have been the worst outcome, him falling and truly hurting himself. In my jesting here, please understand I due truly value the mistake I made. Also, while it cant be seen in the video he is wearing a life jacket under the suit.

I slowly vibrated back to camp, maybe 300 yards of distance. What I didn't notice in the water, that I did notice when the boat was put into in the lift was a mangled skeg. My new and beautiful, pristine 30+ year old OMC Cobra outdrive skeg was deflowered. Not knowing what a skeg was yesterday, the internet explained it all to me as I cried quietly to myself. I was so flummoxed and embarrassed I didnt even take any pictures of the damage. Ill be sure to take some next time Im up at the lakehouse with the other prop, file, grinder, etc. FWIW - looking at other skeg damage examples on the innerwebs mine isnt the worst. It isnt cursory damage though either, definitely a calamity.

Before I show the pics/videos I feel the need to share that at the point of the running aground I was completely sober. I had cracked a beer which I hadnt even finished. So my message to all you good folks is yes, alcohol can inhibit your senses on the water, but SO CAN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT, so boaters beware!!

Here are the opening pics:

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7HDJmGtjQISqCotpFhVMqw.jpeg

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And the video:

[AsLan7]

.
Oh JAA those are great vids….Christmas in June!!…….and heartbreaking at the same time. Yes thankfully no one was hurt.
Great share my friend. Let’s get you fixed!

.

[JAA]

What is the "go to" prop for this 5.7 21BR? Both the props I have are 3 blade. If I had to choose hole shot vs cruising speed I would choose the 4 blade for cruising speed. Is there a basic standard here for props? Ill start searching the forum but figure I would ask in this thread first.

[capn272]

Sorry to hear about your unintentional grounding. I had the same thing happen to me last month. Banged up my prop, busted my skeg, twisted and bent my propshaft.. totaled the outdrive lower unit.. 'twas a costly ordeal! Atleast you had hazard buoys!

Glad to hear no one was hurt. Make sure your prop-shaft isn't bent, then get a new prop, and get going!

[JAA]

Sorry to hear about your unintentional grounding. I had the same thing happen to me last month. Banged up my prop, busted my skeg, twisted and bent my propshaft.. totaled the outdrive lower unit.. 'twas a costly ordeal! Atleast you had hazard buoys!

Glad to hear no one was hurt. Make sure your prop-shaft isn't bent, then get a new prop, and get going!

Which prop should I buy?

[Krob1114]

Sorry to hear about your unintentional grounding. I had the same thing happen to me last month. Banged up my prop, busted my skeg, twisted and bent my propshaft.. totaled the outdrive lower unit.. 'twas a costly ordeal! Atleast you had hazard buoys!

Glad to hear no one was hurt. Make sure your prop-shaft isn't bent, then get a new prop, and get going!

Which prop should I buy?

Age old question.

[JAA]

Maybe everyone here can pretend that I know nothing about props? Pretend I know nothing about manufacturers, tradeoffs, preferences, etc.

The 1986 user manual shows this:

propChart.png

I believe I have a 260 OMC V8 (5.7l) which puts me at 15x17c. Is that right? I believe I want a good quality aluminum prop. Does it matter which one I buy and from whom?

Thank you

[Krob1114]

260 or 230?

[JAA]

260 or 230?

I thought I read somewhere 260. How can I be sure?