First boat - '99 Bryant 232

[barrrf]

Hey all, we've been shopping for a boat for a long time. This '99 Bryant 232 popped up through a friend of mine and with a little inspecting and a test drive I bought it. This is my first boat (other than a smaller sea nymph with a Merc Classic 50) because I was always hesitant to pick up something that has such a negative stigma as far as cost is concerned. So I have a few questions. First the boat is equipped with the 7.4LMPI coupled to a Bravo 1. Sorry for all of the questions but here it goes -

1. Supposed has a new drive with new bearings and seals. What should I be looking at or monitoring (besides leakage) while owning this boat?
2. I love me a Gen 4 GM big block. Im not concerned about engine longevity. I am a little concerned about the ignition system. Should I be?
3. Boat doesnt have a bimini top. I may have found one online but are they easily retrofittable?
4. Are extended swim platforms a thing to add on? Or am I just making that up?

If you have ANY further insight, throw a noob a bone.

Thanks!

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

As to your questions:

1) Probably a rebuilt drive. Get the maintenance/service manual for the Bravo outdrives. Keep an eye out for corrosion and any oil leakage. Keep the outdrive full of the high performance gear oil (Mercury/Quicksilver) Check the bellows every year for signs of dryness, cracking, etc. The outdrive should come off annually for greasing of the u-joints.

2) The 'Gen 4' is actually the Mark 4. A 1999 engine should be a Gen 6. Don't be concerned about the ignition system. The GM 454 is pretty much bullet proof.

3. Yes, make sure to have good measurements of your cockpit and the mounting surfaces for the bimini.

4. Yes, aftermarket swim platforms are a nice addition. there are a bunch of companies with websites that you can browse. Some may have a particular model/size for your Bryant. Some may have a generic platform that will fit.

Extra credit:

The MPI engines work great until they don't. I have 2 of those in my 33 foot Formula. When things go wrong with them, you need the computer program to effectively diagnose the problem. Lots of folks try to fix things the old fashion way on the MPI engines, and it usually ends up being a lengthy and expensive process, much greater than the cost of the software. Often the Mercury dealers are no better at fixing them either . . . We are here for you though

 

[barrrf]

Thanks! Elaborate on "computer program". Does the engine harness have an obd2 port? I have hptuners.

Thanks for the correction on the mark 6 thing. I'm more educated on LS platforms. I built one of those and threw it in my chevelle. I'm not particularly scared of working on anything. I just like to have direction rather than wingin it

 

[tpenfield]

Rinda Diacom is the program. The boat engines use a different style connector than the OBD2 . . . I sure wish they used the same, as it would be a whole lot easier and less expensive to run some diagnostics on the engines.

I like to use the software, rather than using a code reader to merely check for error codes. Often when the engine(s) start acting up, they won't produce an error code.

A case in point is a few years ago my starboard engine started revving up on its own, even though the throttle was at idle. I hooked the software up and ran the engine. The voltage on the TPS (throttle position sensor) was supposed to be 0.7 volts at idle . . . well I could see that the voltage was jumping around between 0.7 volts and about 1.2 volts as the engine was revving on its own.

No error code, because anything between about 0.5 and 4.8 volts is viewed as 'good', and being within the range expected by the engine controller. However, the fact that the voltage was jumping around told be that the TPS was going bad. I replaced it . . . problem solved

The 'hunt and peck' method, probably would have involved replacing the IAC valve, the ignition coil, the distributor cap, etc. all to no avail.

 

[barrrf]

This boat has a snap on boat and cockpit covers. Are these a factory item or an aftermarket part? I want to replace them as theyre old and moldy, etc. Wondering if the best option is to just find a canvas shop and have them made?

The risk of buying a low production boat is the lack of information and aftermarket parts that are available by googling without much research. I would think that replacement dock light buckets/fixtures are standard because they all look alike but I dont know for sure.

 

[wahlejim]

For the cover your best bet is to find a local shop to fit one up for you. With all of the makes and models out there, it is nearly impossible or any company to sell aftermarket covers that fit perfectly. If you still have the old cover, your cost will be less than a fresh fabrication because they have a template to go off of.

My neighbor just got a new snap on cover for his pontoon. He took the old one to the shop, they made one up, brought it out to the boat and installed the snaps onsite as they were fitting the cover. I was talking to him as I am looking to replace the cover on my Sea Ray and he said that he can get all of the specs and installation guidelines etc but nothing beats an onsite install. There are a lot of snaps to put in and if one is off by even 1/8" the cover just wont fit right.

Low production or high production doesn't make a difference. There is no such thing as 'standard' when it comes to boats. The manufacturers just buy the cheapest ones they can find for the model and install them. It varies by model and even year sometimes. Even if there was a production of 20,000 ABC company 19 foot bowriders, there are so many variables and options on the boat that even finding a couple of identical ones would be difficult. There are engine options, lighting options, accessory options, color options, seating layout, etc that make standardization nearly impossible.

My advice would be to become as familiar as you can with the boat you have. Make it yours, there is no other one like it. It sounds like you have engine knowledge and repair on your side, with that I would imagine you have a basic knowledge of a 12v DC system (you won't find a wiring diagram for your boat, only your engine) and that will go a long way in diagnosing gauge, lighting and switch questions. The rest is just measuring and retrofitting accessories.

The last bit of advice I would give is if you are planing on installing a bimini, do so BEFORE having the cover made as they will need to cut the cover accordingly around the mounts.