life of a Mercruiser

[backsmith]

Hi Everybody, I'm new to the iboats forum. I'm from Canada and I'm in the market to buy a cabincruiser with a single engine. What is the average life expectancy in terms of hours of a mercruiser if properly maintained over the years. It seems there are many rebuilt engines on the market. I'm not opposed to buying rebuilt but am I wrong in thinking these engines should last well over 1000 hrs? Also what is the average cost to rebuild? Btw I've read enough to stay away from the OMC king cobras. Is there any other engines that I should steer clear of?

Thanks in advance

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Hi Everybody, I'm new to the iboats forum. I'm from Canada and I'm in the market to buy a cabincruiser with a single engine. What is the average life expectancy in terms of hours of a mercruiser if properly maintained over the years. It seems there are many rebuilt engines on the market. I'm not opposed to buying rebuilt but am I wrong in thinking these engines should last well over 1000 hrs? Also what is the average cost to rebuild? Btw I've read enough to stay away from the OMC king cobras. Is there any other engines that I should steer clear of?

Thanks in advance

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

Any engine will easily last 1000 hrs and more if well taken care of. (a car driven 60 mph for 1000 hours is only 60,000 miles)

Stay away from ANY boat with the letters OMC associated with it (except a boat with an outboard)

If Mercruiser, stay away from any 4 cyl engine if it's got an aluminium (or aluminum) block and any Mercruiser or Volvo with a Ford engine.

Basically, if you must have a stern drive boat, look for a Mercruiser or Volvo powered boat from about 1996 or so and newer.

If you plan to do all of your own work, you might find more used parts availability with a Mercruiser.
(The Volvo guys claim Volvos don't break as often!!)

If you're going to buy new, there's not much difference since you'll have a warranty. Pick something with a dealer close by.


Regards,


Rick

 

[JimS123]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Mercruiser 3.0 1984 - 28 seasons of use and 1350+ hours running time with preventative maintenance per the book and nothing ever done beyond a normal tune up. The boat is garage kept and the engine looks and runs like new. Not even any oil seepage!

 

[backsmith]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Thanks for moving my post to the proper thread and thanks for the info!
Any idea on cost to rebuild/replace say a 5.7 or 7.4 mercruiser or the outdrive? I just want to know what I could be in for if I buy a boat with such a motor. Is there an estimated hours of use before a rebuild is necessary?

 

[Bondo]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Thanks for moving my post to the proper thread and thanks for the info!
Any idea on cost to rebuild/replace say a 5.7 or 7.4 mercruiser or the outdrive? I just want to know what I could be in for if I buy a boat with such a motor. Is there an estimated hours of use before a rebuild is necessary?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... 'tween 500 hours, 'n 5000 hours,... depends on it's use, 'n abuse....

I dare say 99% of the Dead motors we talk 'bout here, were Killed....

 

[backsmith]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

I'm seriously starting to think about kyboshing the whole cabin cruiser plans...the more I look into it the more I am faced with the reality of having to dump some serious cash into this whole thing! I was looking to spend aprox 10-15k and have the engine last an easy 10 plus years or so. A little naive I suppose. I guess buying used is just a gamble no matter which way you cut it.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Backsmith:

On a fresh water boat, the engine in an I/O will last many years. Many of the replacement engines are the result of engines freezing before they were winterized or not being properly drained of water. Most of the nagging problems are bellows and outdrive problems after the first few years. I've had two bad engines in I/O's, but my Yamaha 115 hp 2 stroke has gone 26 years without any problems.

That said, you will find boat salvage yards full of I/O hulls that were not worth repowering. I see vintage Chris Craft inboard boats on our lake from the early 1950's with the original flathead Gray Marine/Chrysler motors. Inboards seem to just last so long if properly maintained. And they're easy to diagnose the engine's condition with a vacuum and compression gauges.

If you're going to purchase an older boat, you'll need a baseline mechanic's knowledge. You cannot afford to have one and pay $110 per labor hour at a dealership. They just take a special owner.

 

[backsmith]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Backsmith:

If you're going to purchase an older boat, you'll need a baseline mechanic's knowledge. You cannot afford to have one and pay $110 per labor hour at a dealership. They just take a special owner.

I am a hands on person, electrician by trade and I currently have a 82' 70HP merc that I have done extensive work on and I plan on doing most of my own maintenance and repairs on an inboard if I get one.

Thanks for the info guys, the experience on these forums is priceless!

I would be using the boat in freshwater here in Manitoba,Ontario, Canada, and I doubt I would put more than 60-80 hrs on it for the season. I would be a trailerable cruiser, I would be pulling it out of the water after each use, a little cruising but mostly hanging out and ejoying different spots on the lake.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

I am a hands on person, electrician by trade and I currently have a 82' 70HP merc that I have done extensive work on and I plan on doing most of my own maintenance and repairs on an inboard if I get one.

Thanks for the info guys, the experience on these forums is priceless!

I would be using the boat in freshwater here in Manitoba,Ontario, Canada, and I doubt I would put more than 60-80 hrs on it for the season. I would be a trailerable cruiser, I would be pulling it out of the water after each use, a little cruising but mostly hanging out and ejoying different spots on the lake.

My last boat was a MarkTwain 18' runabout that Dad bought new in 1966!!

When I sold it in 2005, the hr meter had failed (in the mid 80's) at around 1500 hours.

While the engine was pretty weak on compression (after only 39 years) It still ran good and would pull skiers with 2 or 3 people in the boat!!
AND the head had never been off the engine. (150hp 6cyl Mercruiser)

If you're not feeling comfortable inspecting a boat of your choice, don't hesitate to pay someone to do it for you. A few hundred bucks paid for a good inspection will come back later even if you plan to educate yourself on maintenance.

 

[possum2082]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

I'm seriously starting to think about kyboshing the whole cabin cruiser plans...the more I look into it the more I am faced with the reality of having to dump some serious cash into this whole thing! I was looking to spend aprox 10-15k and have the engine last an easy 10 plus years or so. A little naive I suppose. I guess buying used is just a gamble no matter which way you cut it.

no, no! don't give up on it yet. we scoot around cave run lake in our little cabin cruiser and love it. we payed 2600 for it and trailer for the 100 mile round trip.

it sounds like you are a handy guy. i knew nothing about boats before i bought ours (i did have a bit of previous car mechanic knowledge though). if you can turn a wrench and think through problems, this forum and the manual will get you through anything.

i had a tear in my u joint bellows and water got in my outdrive. the estimate from the marina was 1500+ to pressure test, and put in new seals, bellows, etc. i was intimidated at first, but i found the leak myself with the help of a harbor freight compression tester. i took the upper part of the outdrive off and replaced the seals. i ended up putting about 5 hours of labor and 75 dollars into it. YOU CAN DO IT!

the things you need to check (and it seems you already have a good grasp of a few things):

make sure your block is gm and your outdrive is volvo or merc (i'm partial to volvo)
compression test on the engine
sea trial (make sure the outdrive oil is not milky after that)
i did not do this but i will do this in future purchases...have someone test the transom and stringers for you for water intrusion

start studying and plan on winterizing and summer commisioning yourself.

my next dream boat is a 28' i/o cabin cruiser.

do it.

 

[backsmith]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Thanks for the words of encouragement possum, I think I will still buy one. I am looking for a 25'-28', I really like the layout of the Bayliner 2855. What do you guys think about this one, its a 1988 Bayliner 2655 for $13000. has 7.4 merc and bravo2 out drive. http://www.boatsalesatmisscroix.com/Inventory.html I need a trailer . I called the guy and he said it had 680hrs on the new engine. Its 8 hrs from my location. I asked him to send me more detailed info on the boat. Its been for sale since last fall. I'm not saying I'm going to pull the trigger on this one but what would guys offer for it?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

where are you located? I know where there is an '88 Carver Montego 2557 for $8500. has about 250 hours on it. (it was a barn find that sat for 7 years in storage)

 

[backsmith]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

where are you located? I know where there is an '88 Carver Montego 2557 for $8500. has about 250 hours on it. (it was a barn find that sat for 7 years in storage)

I''m located in Winnipeg MB, I'm willing to travel about 10hrs if its really a good deal or the boat I want. Is sitting for that long really a good thing?

 

[possum2082]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Thanks for the words of encouragement possum, I think I will still buy one. I am looking for a 25'-28', I really like the layout of the Bayliner 2855. What do you guys think about this one, its a 1988 Bayliner 2655 for $13000. has 7.4 merc and bravo2 out drive. http://www.boatsalesatmisscroix.com/Inventory.html I need a trailer . I called the guy and he said it had 680hrs on the new engine. Its 8 hrs from my location. I asked him to send me more detailed info on the boat. Its been for sale since last fall. I'm not saying I'm going to pull the trigger on this one but what would guys offer for it?

i, too, love that set up...dinette, aft, full head, and permanent v birth. sleeps 5/6. love it. that's my next boat design.

the sea ray sundancer 268 (88-89) has that set up as does the wellcraft 265 antigua (87-90) and wellcraft 260 aft (mid 80's) those years may be off.

i'm partial to the wellcraft 265 b/c it has a built in swim platform. also, a rare find would be the larson san marino 250.

either way, most of those boats can be had w a trailer for 13k or less with a trailer.

just be careful about the transom and stringers!

 

[backsmith]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

Thanks possum, I wasn't aware of all the other similar models

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

I''m located in Winnipeg MB, I'm willing to travel about 10hrs if its really a good deal or the boat I want. Is sitting for that long really a good thing?

It was sitting, owned by an elderly couple. the gent passed. My friends nephew bought it, and has used it for the past two years. PM me if you want details. the Boat is currently in Sturgeon Bay. Boat is in excellent shape. Newer canvas, etc.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: life of a Mercruiser

just be careful about the transom and stringers!

Yeah.....rotten wood ........ Also, look closely at other "time" related stuff on older boats......... manifolds, risers, interior accoutrements etc.

I am also interested in a cruiser type of boat. I will look for the biggest one I can still tow.

I like the Searay 270/280/290 too. Most of them will have either a single 7.4L V-8 + Bravo II or Bravo III.

Some will have twin V-6's (4.3L) or V-8's (5.7L)

Twin V-6's will have similar fuel consumption with a single 7.4L BBC but you have 2 of everything to worry about.

If you're not sure what to check when you find the one you like, it's absolutely worth it to pay someone to do the inspection for you.