Mysterious baffles

[Erieboatgirl]

Need a little advice on the purchase of a 1988 Reinell boat. This would be my first boat (starter boat). I know nothing about them but want to know everything.

This boat is in very good condition but has some serious engine problems. The boat had a brand new Chevy 350 install approx 3 years ago. From what I understand the baffles were bad and the engine compartment was submerged underwater. The boat was removed from the water before the first freeze and has not been run.

First question: From what I understand an engine cannot seize unless it is run. Is that correct? I have been advised to put kerosene in the engine, sit for approx a week, and then hand crank. Is this the best way to determine if the engine is seized?

Second question: Please check me if I am wrong on this. To have this boat up and running I have to first determine if the engine is seized, then determine if the engine block or heads are cracked, third fix the baffle. Worst case scenario is that I have to replace the inboard engine. My biggest concern is the baffle. I can not find any information on baffles. Is it part of the outdrive? How much are they? Are they part of the engine compartment?

I am in a situation that I can purchase this boat for the amount that the tandem trailer that it sits on is worth. The owners do not have time for dealing with it and I am thinking of working on it during the off season. Can anyone give me any advice about these mysterious baffles.

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Mysterious baffles

I own a 1978 reinell 26fter, and I will scratch my head at baffels???
I think what might have been said or meant to be said was bellows, thats the rub boot thats on the between the motor and outdrive, what kind of motor is it?? and which outdrive??

 

[Erieboatgirl]

Re: Mysterious baffles

Thanks for responding. I am scratching my head also. I do not know which outdrive but I do know that it has a Chevy 350 engine that was converted to Marine. I can get this boat and trailer for approx $1,500. Worst case scenario I am thinking that the engine (if blown) will run me another $3,000. I am just not sure about the ?baffles?. Let?s assume he is talking about the bellows. Is that something I can purchase separate or is it part of the outdrive. Also are they difficult to replace? Can you provide any insight?

 

[aerwin]

Re: Mysterious baffles

it sure sounds like a good deal but it will realisticly cost 6 to 7 thousand, engine is probly shot and most of it components will probably have to be replaced. the outdrive should be gone thru completly and depending on the brand it might have to be replaced $$$$ the baffles they are talking about could be the exhaust manifolds that have cracked and allowed water to get in the cylinders. I would run from this project. a first boat that isn't running can really turn you off to boats

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Mysterious baffles

yes it is somthing seperate, more then likely you will have a omc or volvo outdrive, look at the back of the boat, there should be a large rubber seal around the outdrive, thats more the likely what leaked water into the engine commpartment, which is called the bilge, but before you can order any parts, you need to find out what you have. there should be numbers on the outdrive, just post them on here and someone will help you out, and welcome to the boating world

p.s. a new motor wont cost you that much, look up rapiomarine.com

 

[firehog6305]

Re: Mysterious baffles

and yes that is a little high for that boat, it would be a good deal if it ran, I just bought a 26ft reinell for a project, its very clean with two chev motors that run for 3400

 

[aerwin]

Re: Mysterious baffles

being an 88 it could be a cobra, the stringers were disc in 86 but ended up on some 87 boats.

 

[87 bayliner]

Re: Mysterious baffles

i get from your post that the engine wasnt totally submerged or left in the water too long. An engine shouldnt seize from being in the water unless it was running at the time and managed to ingest the water(bad). The seals that keep the oil in the engine also are pretty good at keeping water out.(perhaps if the motor sat submerged long enough and the water seeped into the crank case you could have rusted some internal components to the point of damage) keep in mind all a blown head gasket can dump copious amounts of water into the engine and usually these engines can be repaired fairly easily.) i would drain the oil and pull the spark plugs and crank the motor over to be sure there is no water trapped in the cylinders. do a compression test while you are at it. if you have good compression then try to get it to run after you get it cleaned up. its hard to describe all you need to do with a single post but at least try the things i mentioned. you could save a ton of $$$ and you could have a bargain beginners boat.

j

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Mysterious baffles

If you want something to tinker arond with this winter to keep buisy that might be nice but I personaly think there is to many unknowns about htis boat and I would RUN. I am getting that you are willling to put a few grand into this boat to get it going so what I would do is get a boat that you can hear run,test run etc. You can get a nice late 80's turnkey boat for $3,000-$3500.00 maybee less, they are everywhere, and you can still have some winter time tinkering. I just think you will regret buiying a non working boat as your fist boat. This is my opinion.

 

[mkpj1]

Re: Mysterious baffles

I don't know, personally I like projects but I think you need to know what you are getting into. I mean you could get a turn key that blows on you in a year or two due to age anyway too. At least this would have a new motor and maybe a new drive? Like a car you really need to know what to look for. Maybe the boat LOOKS in good condition but could have rotten stringers, floor or transom. You really need to get someone who knows what to look for and knows where to look prior to purchasing. You could be getting a deal or giving 1500 for scrap. A rule of thumb for me is to never give more than I could get if I parted it out.

Good Luck

 

[Erieboatgirl]

Re: Mysterious baffles

Thank you for responding. I have been looking at boats for about a year now and having a hard time finding exactly what I want. Everyone seems to have opinions about boats yet have never owned them. With this boat, I have a feeling that the engine is not seized, I am going to try to hand crank it before I purchase it (if I purchase it). If it hand cranks then I need to determine if the engine block or heads are cracked. I really think that depends on if the owner drained the engine after it was submerged. It seems preposterous to me that someone would not drain the engine after a submersion, but not everyone is me. If the engine was drained before the first freeze then the engine should not have cracked, correct? What kills me is that this engine is only four years old and (exterior) looks incredible (no rust, oil, pristine paint). It is such a shame. I guess in the long run my options are (a) it could be a bargain or (b) could be $7,000 away from the lake.

You talked about some other areas (rotten stringers, floor or transom). Can any of you provide me some insight on how to determine the condition of these areas, pictures of what to look for, ect? Even a web site that has information would be helpful. One of the reasons this boat was interesting to me was it seemed inexpensive and I could learn as I went along. Any information would be great.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mysterious baffles

Can any of you provide me some insight on how to determine the condition of these areas,

Grab an Ice Pick,+ start Stabbing.......

You're looking for Rotten Wood...............

 

[gamarines2]

Re: Mysterious baffles

The Baffles that are being referred to by the previous owner are likely the u-joint bellows, an accordian like rubber boot that fits over your transom assembly and bellhousing, designed to keep water out of this necessary hole between motor and outdrive. A leaking bellows is more likely to sink a boat than any other thing mentioned on this thread, so that would be your first troubleshooting task of your project boat.

A submerged engine, if properly and promptly attended to, will not likely have permanent damage to any internal component. But from what I read here, I don't know that it was attended to other than draining the water. Explaining what should have been done is a moot point now, but I would caution you that this engine needs far more than a soaking of kerosene and a hand turn......but I suppose it's as good a start as anywhere.

Good luck if you choose this project. I have been working on one that I was hoping to get in the water by father's day.......instead of being on-line, I need to be out there putting that out-drive back together.......off I go......

 

[wire2]

Re: Mysterious baffles

An submerged engine can seize without running. If it has water in it for even a few hours, it displaces the oil from the crank bearings and the cylinder walls. That will cause rust in a few days, effectively seizing the engine.
How long was there water in it? If not too long, you may be able to salvage it.