lower unit question

[dutch135]

I am looking at buying an older boat, a 1987 Dynasty with a mercruiser outdrive. If i put the shifter in forward, and spin the prop, it will turn freely by hand in one direction, and lock in the other direction, which i think is normal. If i shift into reverse, the prop will spin in one direction free, but when i try to spin it the otehr direction so it locks, it tries to lock, but with enough pressure it spins around more, and then it will get to a point where i get more resistance and it feels like it would stop , but it doesn't if i spin it with any force. does this sound normal? am i explaining myself correctly? <br />other than a ripped bellows covering the shifter lever, the boat is in good condition and if it checks out ok and runs ok in the water i will buy it...

 

[dutch135]

Re: lower unit question

just another note,,<br />when i looked at the boat yesterday, it was without a battery and the lower unit was in the raised position, i wasn't able to try this in the lowered normal operating position, does that matter????<br /><br />

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: lower unit question

It could be something as simple as a shift cable adjustment.Being the outdrive was in the raised position it is likley that the cable was stretched just past the point that allowed it to engage in reverse.This is not uncommon.If you are to replace a bellows you may as well replace the shiftcable while it is apart.Try it again in the down position and it may be better. Charlie

 

[MrBill]

Re: lower unit question

Dutch:<br /><br />One of my current boats is an 89 Regency Dynasty. If the one you're looking at is the Regency model with good hull condition, you've got a great solid boat, worth considering. The prop rotation you described sounds right...in forward gear prop should rotate reasonably freely in one direction and lock up in the other, opposite situation if put in reverse gear. If replacing any bellows that requires removal of drive, replace other bellows unless absolutely sure they are new...does sound like this is the case or you'd have a new shift cable bellow right now. Also replace impeller in lower unit at same time and your out drive should be ready for a couple seasons. Best of luck...and by the way, check this for pricing of used boats...<br /><br />http://www2.nadaguides.com/SectionHome/Marine.asp?UserID=530726028CE8 1&DID=37780&ColorId=&wSec=4&wPg=1172

 

[dutch135]

Re: lower unit question

Sunday we went for a short demo/test drive with this boat and it's owner. after launching, as we were backing out of the launch, the motor stalled, so it needed a restart. as it was restarted, i lifted the motor compartment cover to check for any leaks around the plug or wherever. what did i see? but, chocolate milk running out of the motor in a few places, and out of a breather hose going into the carb from the valve cover. we shut down, and got back on the trailer. obviously water had gotten in the engine oil and was making a mess out of everything. the boat owner said that the marina that winterized it would be responsible (this was supposedly the first launch of the boat this season in the lake) so back to the marina the boat went as we await the repairs. i know we hardly got the boat above idle, while it was running it sounded good.. (very loud with the thru-hull exhaust). and the lower unit seemed fine. what should i be concerned about after this repair? they are a mercruiser dealer, so I would assume they would do it right. and i do know the name of the place and i am thinking about calling them to see what they think of the boat. they told the owner of the boat they thought it was a manifold or head. and between them somebody is fixing it. i have just a deposit on the boat until i can see if it is worth buying, which means a good test run in a lake for a while. and with some summer weather coming, i would like to get something soon for my kids to wakeboard and ski behind. <br />any thoughts?<br />

 

[MrBill]

Re: lower unit question

If I were selling a boat, I would make darn sure everything was operable before taking a potential buyer for a test run, or at very least, know what problems exist so that I could advise the buyer in advance. At best, this boat (depending on Dynasty model) in good condition is worth less than $3500. Find another boat to buy...there are literally tens of thousands of used boats out there. You don't need to buy one that has been cared for by a marine dealer who can't properly winterize and a seller who doesn't start, check and verify proper running condition before a first-of-the-season launch. Don't boaters check all fluids, start engine on muffs, lube friction points, verify operating condition, etc, etc, after several months storage???

 

[sea wolf]

Re: lower unit question

run, don't walk away from this one. do a search on this forum for water in oil & see what u might be up against. not only that, but thru hull exhaust will cost u more $$$$$ when u go to insure it. also, never put a deposit on a boat until you've done a test run or had it checked by a mechanic of YOU'RE choosing.

 

[dutch135]

Re: lower unit question

OK, <br />time to come back down to earth and become a little more practical. scratch the big gas hog old boat.. here's the latest in my quest. 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170, with a 90 HP Johnson OB. The boat is in excellant condition, an older couple owns it, and hasn't had much use in the past 2 or 3 years. It is very roomy for it's size, it surprised me. I have been given an offer I can't hardly refuse, I told her she was crazy, and she agreed somewhat. She wants to see the boat get used and knows they won't use it anymore. Sunday we try it in my home lake here, and my son will get to try wakeboarding to see how it pulls. If it seems to work out good, I'll probably buy it and if I find it's too underpowered, maybe look into upgrading the motor to 120 hp or so. (the placard says max engine of 130 hp) The boat is clean, the trailer is only 3 years old, and it has been winterized and stored by a reputable marina the past 3 years. <br />Any thoughts? What's the reputation of Sunbird? I don't worry too much about Johnson, although it does have an oil injection system. <br /><br />and more rain <br /><br />