Newbie!!!

[oldschoolsupra]

Hello all, picked up a really nice 1989 Saltare over the July 4th weekend- runs great, low hours, and just couldn't top the boat for the price. had a few questions and wanted to know best places to go!! Cover- it came with the original Supra cover but it def needs to be replaced- where do I purchase a good cover (will only be used to travel with- boat stays inside a temp controlled bldg otherwise. what are the best mods for the old 454 motor- she is a bear to start cold- any ignition changes or other insight?? cleaning- inside and out- tips for the seats and carpet, and for the hull (it has some stains that I would like to get off so she looks good going in and coming out) and lastly- I have one small soft spot next to the little step plate on the port side (probably where last owner got in and out at the dock) but the rest of the floor and motor mounts are beautiful. should I pull the carpet up and fix or just wait til I need to redo the stringers (the will eventually fail)?

[wotan2525]

Beautiful boat!

Cover- it came with the original Supra cover but it def needs to be replaced- where do I purchase a good cover (will only be used to travel with- boat stays inside a temp controlled bldg otherwise.

Skiboatcovers.com sells a very nice storage cover but I wouldn't use it to trailer. I wouldn't use any cover to trailer -- just asking for things to blow apart.

what are the best mods for the old 454 motor- she is a bear to start cold- any ignition changes or other insight??

I'd start with rebuilding/refreshing the carb. The kits are cheap and if you have half a brain you can do it. I was scared to do it for years and it only took me about 2 hours to take it apart and put it back together with fresh parts. Lots of help available on this forum if you decide to do it. I'd also make sure all your fluids/filters are clean, battery/starter cables are flexible and not-corroded, and I'd replace the points with a modern electronic distributor (your preference.) Do things slowly, 1 at a time so you can trouble-shoot any problems instead of changing everything out at once.


cleaning- inside and out- tips for the seats and carpet, and for the hull (it has some stains that I would like to get off so she looks good going in and coming out)

The sun will bleach your seats. I'm a fan of the dollar-store totally awesome cleaner for the seats. You can powerwash the carpet (leave it outside to dry out well in the sun after doing so.) Stains on the hull can be addressed with hull cleaner (muriatic acid.) That will remove just about anything below the water line. For stains above the water-line use some polishing compound on a rag or a Mr. Clean magic eraser. Be sure to wax afterwards.

and lastly- I have one small soft spot next to the little step plate on the port side (probably where last owner got in and out at the dock) but the rest of the floor and motor mounts are beautiful. should I pull the carpet up and fix or just wait til I need to redo the stringers (the will eventually fail)?

Knock on wood and hope your stringers stay solid. Depending on how soft it is, I'd probably address the floor during the off season. It is only going to get worse.

[Cusefan78]

Agree with everything above. I love that color. Great looking boat. Enjoy.

[oldschoolsupra]

wotan- thanks for all that!! color wasn't my fav- but that's why it was ultimately a steal!! I am ok with it and to all the haters that make comments- I ask where there boat is???? as far as the cover- will try that- but like yesterday I had to haul it home in the rain and roan grime and it was a mess!! I wouldn't trailer with a cover like you said but sure wish I had one yesterday!! muratic acid- what mix ratio?? I was planning on a new ignition and was going to have my buddy who owns a hot rod/performance shop do the carb. battery cables are perfect. soft spot is very small, you just notice (well I do, kids and mother don't) it. Again thanks for the advice!! love the boat and the kids love it too!!! who knew boating could be fun- I always thought it was just a hole in the water you threw $$ into!! HA!!!!

[Wulphie]

Hull cleaner is not Muriatic acid, it is actually Oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is a organic compound and muriatic is Hydrochloric acid and even at a 10% solution is very caustic. Oxalic is often called "wood bleach" and can be bought in a powder form or there are some deck cleaners that contain it but not sure the percentage.

[SUPRA_ALLEGRO_LANE]

Great looking Saltare! Welcome to the forum.

[chris young]

Ok, if you're gonna tell us it's a steal you gotta fess up on what you paid

Looks like a very well cared for boat. Enjoy, and welcome to the forum.

[SquamInboards]

who knew boating could be fun- I always thought it was just a hole in the water you threw $$ into!! HA!!!!

Can I just hold this quote right here until you DO need to put money into it? Hahaha. It's BOTH! Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to be negative; I think you got a great boat that you will be happy with for years, if you take good care of it. But I had the best case scenario where I worked at a marina and paid zero dollars for labor, dealer cost for all my parts, and still put $500 - $1000 into the boat every year, in accessories, repairs, and maintenance.

But back to the fun stuff, I'm psyched for you and I think you'll find all the supra-specific help you need right here. If you have a close friend who has a performance engine shop, you'll be good with any engine issues you might have. These aren't difficult engines to work on, and there are lots of parts available so that's nice too.

For hull cleaning, there is a commercial product that may actually be what these guys are referring to - it's called Slimy Grimy and it's very acidic, and very effective. Whatever Slimy Grimy doesn't take care of, On & Off will. That's a product by MaryKate, commonly sold in marine stores and probably amazon. Don't get ANY of these things on your skin, and don't use them much above the waterline. Nasty stuff, but effective.

Best of luck with the boat and welcome to the forum!

[Blackntan90]

Welcome to the forum! That is a nice big boat! I second the Dollar General 'Totally Awesome' cleaner, and for the distributor you don't need to replace the entire unit if it is not worn out- I replaced my points with a Pertronix ignitor- what a difference in performance and no maintenence! Best of luck and post more pic's!

[TitanTn]

I have a quick comment on the cover discussion. Anytime I tow longer than to just my local lake, I use a cover. I've had the cover for years and properly strapped, I don't see towing causing any issues and it certainly protects the boat from road grime, weather, etc. Here is a pic with the cover on: