Last November, I found a 2002 Larson 210 Senza (set up for an outboard) in upstate NY (I live in SC)without an engine for what I thought was an unbelievable price on ebay of $850 considering it has the VEC hull and I had previously always owned early-mid 70s tri-hulls that eventually experienced weak transoms. Prior to this project, I had never owner newed than a 1978 boat, so to me a 2002 is practically new! Following the long haul to NY and back, I then looked around for an engine, and found a 1986 Mercury XR-2 150 HP also on ebay in Northern Alabama. I picked it up for $1600 last December 27, and even got to stop in Talladega to see the speedway on the way home, LOL.
I then went to work on rigging the boat and miscellaneous repairs and wiring during the spring. I installed a 5' manual jackplate, and then also had to sink $900 into a Sterndrive Engineering Lower Unit as the one with the engine was worn out. Also had to replace the power trim unit. Compression is good in the powerhead. But, eventually I got the kinks worked out and now the boat will run 43 MPH at 5800 RPM with a 17P prop, and cruises at 28-30 MPH at 4000 RPM. I've been having a total blast with it this summer and making hay while the sun shines so to speak. I've boated for 19 years, and have loved all of my earlier 5 project boats, but I finally feel like I've got something that I will use and enjoy for a long time and have grown into with all of the previous experiences good and bad. I can't believe how well it turned out and can't say enough about the Black Max engine. People kind of do a double take seeing an older engine on a later model boat, so to me it's pretty unique. As with all boat projects, I spent more than I originally thought I would up front, but I have to say that I feel like I've come out ahead with this deal, and will finally be able to impose a moratorium on new boat projects for a while!
Here's a video of the boat from last month taken by a close friend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49944878@N02/5944277390/in/set-72157627085369005
I then went to work on rigging the boat and miscellaneous repairs and wiring during the spring. I installed a 5' manual jackplate, and then also had to sink $900 into a Sterndrive Engineering Lower Unit as the one with the engine was worn out. Also had to replace the power trim unit. Compression is good in the powerhead. But, eventually I got the kinks worked out and now the boat will run 43 MPH at 5800 RPM with a 17P prop, and cruises at 28-30 MPH at 4000 RPM. I've been having a total blast with it this summer and making hay while the sun shines so to speak. I've boated for 19 years, and have loved all of my earlier 5 project boats, but I finally feel like I've got something that I will use and enjoy for a long time and have grown into with all of the previous experiences good and bad. I can't believe how well it turned out and can't say enough about the Black Max engine. People kind of do a double take seeing an older engine on a later model boat, so to me it's pretty unique. As with all boat projects, I spent more than I originally thought I would up front, but I have to say that I feel like I've come out ahead with this deal, and will finally be able to impose a moratorium on new boat projects for a while!
Here's a video of the boat from last month taken by a close friend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49944878@N02/5944277390/in/set-72157627085369005
