My First Boat - 1988 Martinique B/R

Hey All,

Just wanted to introduce myself and my new boat. Just picked up a 1988 Martinique B/R with a PCM 351 yesterday here in SE Michigan. I used quite a few of the threads here when gathering info for my inspection of the boat, and I know more questions will come, so it was time to join.

It’s not perfect, definitely needs a little work here and there, but I think she should be cleaned up and lake worthy in no time!

Pics will be in post below

Excellent choice in boats. ;)  Hard to beat the old Martinique beasts for hauling the family around a busy lake.  We used our '87 Martinique on Fathers Day in SE WI and had 8 people on it.  It was tight, but handled it well, and it made for a smooth, and (somewhat) dry ride.   What all do you need to do to yours?   

To be water worthy, i just need to get it registered and do general tuneup on the engine. Oil and filter change, new plugs, and checking the carb tuning some, as the PO put a new carb on and I just want to confirm the tuning is on. After that's done we'll do the maiden voyage and see if that list grows at all.

On the carb, I would get a vacuum gauge and use that to put the tune on.  Also, make sure you have a flame arrester air cleaner on the boat.  That is the wire/metal mesh type "air cleaner".  I put a little nipple on the back of the intake manifold.  Make sure it has a plastic cover on it when not using it for checking vacuum.  Let us know if need more help on that.  

On the vacuum port, I think there was a plug in my intake manifold, and I bought a nipple w/ plastic cap to replace it.  

Sweet find. I have an 87 riviera in the same corner scheme. For trailering I use a long single boat strap over the gunwales hooked to the trailer frame

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Few questions.

1. Is the best way to run it on a hose one of the suction cup looking things that wedge against the ground? Or do people attach a hose up inside the boat?

2. From what I understand 88 new enough that it is gel coat not painted stripes, is there a way to get matching paint to touch up scratches? Or is the best bet just to buff out what’s there?

Darederek wrote: Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. Few questions. 1. Is the best way to run it on a hose one of the suction cup looking things that wedge against the ground? Or do people attach a hose up inside the boat? 2. From what I understand 88 new enough that it is gel coat not painted stripes, is there a way to get matching paint to touch up scratches? Or is the best bet just to buff out what’s there?

What does B/R mean. I’m clueless

67 ski nat wrote: What does B/R mean. I’m clueless

What Gary said. The boat could also be built with a closed-bow top deck.

Maiden voyage was more or less a success!

The winch on the trailer will be a must have, especially with how high it sits above the ground. Currently has a big ratchet strap and we struggled to get the boat properly positioned on the trailer.

Otherwise a slow drip on the propellor seal, didn’t even fill enough to activate the bilge once in two hours or so. Seemed to handle really well, just some remaining little carb tuning issues.

At the beginning it ran pretty well, except for a bog near 3/4 throttle. If I pushed past it to WOT it was okay and same if I ran closer to 1/2.

Later in the day after some longer idling, it seemed like it was loaded up, didn’t want to rev or get up on plane. If I put it in neutral and revved to 3k or so a few times, then put it back in gear, it mostly cleared up. Thinking idle mixture is too rich so it loaded up and just needed cleared out?

Sorry if these are kind of obvious. My previous experience is either with dirt bike/atv carbs or EFI car engines.

Darederek wrote: Maiden voyage was more or less a success! The winch on the trailer will be a must have, especially with how high it sits above the ground. Currently has a big ratchet strap and we struggled to get the boat properly positioned on the trailer. Otherwise a slow drip on the propellor seal, didn’t even fill enough to activate the bilge once in two hours or so. Seemed to handle really well, just some remaining little carb tuning issues. At the beginning it ran pretty well, except for a bog near 3/4 throttle. If I pushed past it to WOT it was okay and same if I ran closer to 1/2. Later in the day after some longer idling, it seemed like it was loaded up, didn’t want to rev or get up on plane. If I put it in neutral and revved to 3k or so a few times, then put it back in gear, it mostly cleared up. Thinking idle mixture is too rich so it loaded up and just needed cleared out? Sorry if these are kind of obvious. My previous experience is either with dirt bike/atv carbs or EFI car engines.

Well, if it’s a CC trailer, you can likely make it work. Might be set up for a much smaller and lighter SN, looking at it dimensionally.

I’ll likely take a look at weights and capacities. A fully loaded up Martinique BR is a beast.

Well, you're on the right track for sure. Don't forget to add in the weight of the trailer