A DEAL.... or RUN

[Redhorse]

I have come across an early 90's EBBTIDE Campione 204. It has a 350/V8 with a Yamaha I/O drive. I havent put the boat in the water yet but how difficult would it be to convert it to a mercruiser setup? Bolt pattern, transom hole cutout, etc... To the best of knowlede the drive system works well. The boat needs a little TLC but the kicker is they will sell me the boat with trailer for $1000 OBO. They are not wrenchhead's like myself. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

Worst case is you end up parting it out if motor and drive operate smoothly, is the hull scrap , you know rotten floors stringer transom, if not then it could have a future.

 

[Catchem]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

Why change out the motor if it runs.For a 1000.oo bucks with a trailer and running motor just use it.No holes and it is sea worthy , right?

 

[Redhorse]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

Yeah the boat is seaworthy and supposedly the boat runs. The owner said he tried to start it the other day and it just made a click which to me sounds like the solenoid has probably corroded. What i am concerned about is the yamaha outdrive system. If it breaks I have read horror stories that say I need to run away. I am looking for a relatively easy swap to a bravo or alpha setup...or is there one?

 

[POINTER94]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

For a thousand bucks, heck roll the bones. I would like to see the thing run b4 I put the money down but the trailer alone is worth at least 600 and the components might fetch the difference if you have to part out.<br /><br />Parts for the outdrive are available according to my mechanic (in March).<br /><br />I cannot answer whether the merc will direct replace the yammie, but as yamaha has been a reputable company over the years why not contact your local dealer, find out his comfort with the unit and go from there. If memory serves me, (don't quote me) I believe there was a design flaw with the outdrive they fixed in the second year. There was a repair available for the introductory models.

 

[pangris]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

I'm looking at the boat with the same Yamaha outdrive. I was thinking about taking the WORKING system off and selling it - IF there is indeed a market for the parts, and it would help raise money for and MC Alpha set up. I've done some lookng and the swap would be 2-3K. If I could get $1500 (or more - eBay?) for my Yamaha system, I would be inclined to sell it.<br /><br />Is there a market, or are they so rare that a buyer would be hard to find?<br /><br />Seems like the value of the boat will be increased a lot as well with a MC Alpha set up - but I could be wrong, you folks tell me. I haven't owned a boat before...

 

[JasonJ]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

Sounds to me like a whole bunch of work for no real reason. If it works, run it. There are parts out there. Those of us who choose to run 35+ year old outboards have more trouble finding parts than you will. If the outdrive works right now, and you treat it right, it will last as long as you need it to. If you abuse it, it will blow, just like any other system. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. If you hate the thought of having that drive, look for another boat. After all the fuss and money, you will have been able to get a boat with the drive that you want for the same or less. Good luck...

 

[Redhorse]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

I have searched and there dont seem to be anyone who wants to admit that they work on those. Everyone in town says to call the other guys and they say to call everyone else. Can't win for losing. I am not scared of a winter project. I also found out that the boat is a '93 if that helps with determining the quality of drive. The supposed closet dealer is 273 miles away which is a fun trip to get something fixed.

 

[Redhorse]

Re: A DEAL.... or RUN

Well I went ahead and made an offer on the boat. I figured since he said $1000 that I would throw a number and see if he would bite. Well I told him $700 cash and he said that his brother in-law offered him $1200 for it if I didnt buy it. His brother in-law to the best of my knowledge is a rich idiot. He will probably take it to a dealership and realize that there isnt anyone closer than Capt Ken to work on it. BTW Ken thanks for your advice and I am sure pretty soon they will succumb and sell me the boat at which I will offer $500. Gotta love people with more money than sense.