79 century good for project? 24'

[aarons 470]

Hi all. I have an opportunity to get a 79 century 24 foot boat great price.
I really like the style and it's solid. This boat has a 350 Chevy OMc and an 800 omc outdrive. The outdrive needs rebuild. Is this a stringer type setup? The owner isn't sure, and it's 4 hour drive for me.

I have read not to get involved with an OMC stringer type engines, as they cost a fortune to convert and this style omc outdrives are a pain.
It's a few hours from my house if it is the stringer type I'm guessing I should stay away and avoid the trip?

 

[zool]

yes, the 400's and 800's are stringer drives, identified easy by the roundish transom shield....

 

[bigdirty]

define 'great price' first... :lol: My $.02 here... personally, I wouldn't waste time or money on it, unless you really like the boat/layout and intend on rebuilding the transom and updating the power to something more current. (Volvo or mercruiser preferably)

The big rubber boot will likely need replacement every year, or your boat turns into a submarine. And its a big pain in the butt. The drive gear/cog mechanism will likely need replacement with its age, and the shifter cables are a nighmare as well. Basically, they are a poor and outdated design and in most cases only worth their weight in scrap.

I had an 81 chriscraft with an 800 series stringer drive and it caused me all kinds of grief, not to mention all the time spent working on it (or searching for parts) that I could have been out enjoying my weekends with instead...

 

[aarons 470]

Ok, its a mechanical version not electrical. Doesn't sound optimistic either way. If I did it it would be a trade, What I have is worth $500-700. Why are they called stringer drives? Because of the way the engines are mounted with them?
Thanks

 

[aarons 470]

The current owner has been telling me you can get a good used outdrive for 6-800 bucks. From what I'm gathering from you guys and this forum, these OMCs are just money pits. Shame though the boat is nice. I thought I found what I want for minimal money and some work. I really like the style, convertible with a lot of deck (fishing etc with my 4 young boys) , and enough cabin to camp in the San Juans for the weekend. (no kids:lol.

I don't mind " some work" Rewiring, having a buddy help me install a new outboard, engine heads, etc, But I cant do custom conversions, or outdrives that fail after investing money that ends up being more than buying a more modern boat with reliable equipment.

I hear you dirty, on spending an entire summers weekends working on something that isn't worth it.

 

[johnnybgood]

What is the possibility of junking the I/O and going with an outboard .If the boat is solid and it is what you want it is not that had to cut the transom down and fill the outdrive hole: I am in the process of doing that on a Steiger craft. Others on here may be more knowledgeable than I am just athought

 

[GA_Boater]

The current owner has been telling me you can get a good used outdrive for 6-800 bucks. From what I'm gathering from you guys and this forum, these OMCs are just money pits. Shame though the boat is nice. I thought I found what I want for minimal money and some work. I really like the style, convertible with a lot of deck (fishing etc with my 4 young boys) , and enough cabin to camp in the San Juans for the weekend. (no kids:lol.

I don't mind " some work" Rewiring, having a buddy help me install a new outboard, engine heads, etc, But I cant do custom conversions, or outdrives that fail after investing money that ends up being more than buying a more modern boat with reliable equipment.

I hear you dirty, on spending an entire summers weekends working on something that isn't worth it.

What is the possibility of junking the I/O and going with an outboard .If the boat is solid and it is what you want it is not that had to cut the transom down and fill the outdrive hole: I am in the process of doing that on a Steiger craft. Others on here may be more knowledgeable than I am just athought

I would say slim and none unless aarons just loves the Century. And it's not an overnight conversion from IO to OB.

About the boat - It needs an outdrive or a rebuild. What else does it need? The seller wants to sell the boat, so you can believe him! :facepalm: If it's so easy and cheap to fix, why doesn't he do it and make more money on the deal?

 

[bigdirty]

Its called a "stringer drive" because the motor and outdrive leg are bolted together as an assembly, and the motor mounts to the stringers of the boat. Hence there are no forces put on the transom to push the boat through the water, and trimming of the drive while underway is done by an electric/ hydraulic jack screw on the front engine mounts. Also another failure point.. I had to run mine all the way down all the time, or it would 'float' and cause the boat to fall off plane randomly, and was a bit of a handful... Anyway, with the stringer drive a very large hole is required in the transom to accommodate the whole setup, BUT the transom is likely in half decent shape, even after all these years due to not having much flex or pressure put on it, like by a typical outboard drive. In my opinion, it could be worth covering over with a patch and repowering with newer I/O (or even an outboard) but like I said, only IF you really like the rest of the boat, and you are prepared to do a somewhat large job.. and source out another power package.

 

[aarons 470]

Its probably to large of a job for me but I'm still curious. Do you guys know of a thread of someone doing this, not with a bracket, but as Johny mentioned cutting the transom down so outboard would mount like a stock one would?

Boat has engine issues as well. But I have no idea what, probably serious or he'd fix it and sell the boat for more money as GA mentioned.

The stringer drive sounds like it was a good concept in theory.Or at least sounds interesting

 

[zool]

Its probably to large of a job for me but I'm still curious. Do you guys know of a thread of someone doing this, not with a bracket, but as Johny mentioned cutting the transom down so outboard would mount like a stock one would?

Boat has engine issues as well. But I have no idea what, probably serious or he'd fix it and sell the boat for more money as GA mentioned.

The stringer drive sounds like it was a good concept in theory.Or at least sounds interesting

If the seller is stating the drive needs a rebuild, he was probably told by a mechanic it was spent. Fixing it would only be rebuilding yourself into obsolescence. What he may or may not know, but is most likely certain, is the 25+ year old substructure is compromised too, transom, deck, and stringers..

I would consider this boat needed a full restore, and with that, you will have the option to rework the propulsion system as you choose, and budget allows.

Assuming the engine is serviceable, you would still need the hull repairs, a new outdrive, and associated conversion parts, or an operating outboard and controls.

My guess is you would be looking at 5-7k in repairs/upgrades, doing it all yourself.....you can buy an operating boat of that size and newer, for that price.....may still have some structural issues, but a running drivetrain is more than half the battle..imo

 

[bigdirty]

Thought a bit more after I posted, but zool has beat me to it. Basicaly, you could luck out, or (more likely) you could be into a whole teardown and restore of the entire boat. If the seller has done any reaserch on it, AND is telling you there are issues with the drive/motor I would pass.. I have hear many people refer to the old omc drives as "the white anchor" and trust me, it can quickly drain your wallet of cash, and your mind of sanity trying to keep one of these dogs going.. :lol: My opinion is whatever you have for trade worth $6-700 to you will be lost, and you will have a potential nightmare on your hands.

If the drive was in good working condition, its really only worth something to a guy who already HAS one (or two.. ugh), and needs parts or a backup drive. I'm assuming the motor is a small block gm, and if it needs complete teardown and rebuild you're looking at about $1500 to $2000 right there... then if the transom/stringers/ect are bad..... well, For example, I bought my 1992 crownline for $1500. She was rotten, BUT had a running and operable driveline, and was a newer mercruiser setup. I can still buy ANY service parts I need, and it is a much superior power package in all ways to the OMC stringer drives. I ended up spending about $2000 on top of purchase price to get mine in the water... (stringers/bulkheads/etc) and I've since spent another $2000 or so between last year and now, but now its really not a bad boat, for around the $6000 mark.

 

[aarons 470]

Thanks Zool, I'm not curious any more lol.
I'm better off just saving and buying something newer for 6-10k. I know now to stay away from OMC, and esp stringer setups.
Thanks guys