need advice on a free boat

[bolo789]

hi guys, iam getting a 1989 searay 220 for free, it has no drive it comes with a v8 5.7L engine, from the look of the engine it has no rust guy said it only has a little carb problem. i am very handy mechanic wise, i know i have to get a drive and probly rebuilt the carb or get a new one.<br /><br />any idea is this a good deal, if yes, what drive do i need??? what gear ratio?? and does any one has a drive icould buy??<br /><br /><br />thanks for any feed back.<br /><br /><br /> just dieing to have my own boat.<br /><br /><br />bolo

 

[tommays]

Re: need advice on a free boat

i think you should see what the boat is worth first here<br /><br /> http://www.nadaguides.com/MarineHom...046&DID=38201&ColorId=&wSec=14&wPr=0&wPg=2004 <br /><br />when the expensive hafe of the boat is missing it is very hard to make a cost effctive rebuild<br /><br />you will be very luckey if the motor has no major problems<br /><br />most times you can find a compleat running boat for less than fixing one with so much missing there are thousands of used boats in are area<br /><br />tommays

 

[deputydawg]

Re: need advice on a free boat

You said the boat is free. If you have a place to work on it, and have knowledge enough to do it, what are you out. If you get into it and find it is too expensive and will cost more thanit is worth, you could part it out on E-bay or other means. Then use the money for another one. From what I have seen of boats and used boat parts, you can clean up on parts or use the boat as trading stock, at least here in my area anyway.All you would have into it is time stripping parts and marketing them.

 

[Don S]

Re: need advice on a free boat

Free boats have another name, they are called Planters.<br />Unless you really know the in's and out's of boat mechanics, forget it.<br />That is like getting a free airplane that doesn't work and half the parts are missing and you have never been around an airplane before.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: need advice on a free boat

For free go for it. Drive 1.5 Is he throwning in the trailer to. Good used drive maybe $400 to $800.

 

[arboatdr]

Re: need advice on a free boat

Qaztwo, where do you get your used drives? I'll buy all you can get.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: need advice on a free boat

ebay, boat yards, project boats given up on, friends. thousands of boats out there with thousands of good parts still on them look around. new $2200, reman $1500, that was just on iboats. If you can't find a used one for less then a reman, then keep looking.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: need advice on a free boat

Bolo, I'd say GO FOR IT. Before you put money into a new or used drive (Alpha 1, 1.5:1) check the hull for any damage, next do a compression check on the engine and change the oil. Look at the oil removed from the engine for any signs of moisture (frothy, milky colored). If the oil looks good and it has good compression on all cylinders then rebuild or replace the carb. After you have the engine idling smooth, running properly with quick throttle response and no sputtering or smoking.....then get a new or used drive. I also strongly suggest that you purchase a good service manual.

 

[tommays]

Re: need advice on a free boat

just do the math first in todays newsday theres over 100 boats in this size most with trailers any ready for a sea trail for a low of 2500 and a high of 5000 dollars<br /><br />tommays

 

[bolo789]

Re: need advice on a free boat

thanks every, one for all the good info.<br /><br />went and take a good look at the boat again in and out,<br /><br />this is what i come up with. <br /><br />1 cabin is in great condition.<br /><br /> 2 hull is even in better condition compare to a lot of boat i see in the marina.<br /><br />3 only the drive is missing from back there, the trim leg and all is there.<br /><br />4 the engine is a 5.7L 350 260 HORSE. and look clean not much rust. <br /><br />fresh water tank, nice toilet room, fridge, ect<br /><br />from what i heard it did have a carb trouble, owner did not want to spend any money on it from what he said the guy was cheap.<br /><br />from what i see so far even if i put a reman enging and drive i would still come out on top. i was looking at some use boats the other day and the price they want for them boat was crazy over four thousand for boat that sits for years. with rusty engine hull look all chalky.<br /><br /><br />thanks for all the input this site is so great. any info on where to get a drives for a good deal??<br /><br /><br />thanks again.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: need advice on a free boat

be prepared for new exhaust manifolds and risers as well as that reman engine. my experience with free boats is expensive. but if its free and the hull and transom are rot free you can put a new volvo or merc package in for 16K or so. good luck and keep posting

 

[deputydawg]

Re: need advice on a free boat

I don't know where everyone here finds their boats but around my area you won't be able to find one like that in "fair" condition for under 4500. I could travel closer to one of the coasts and get one cheaper, but with travel time and expense not too cheap at that.<br />Just make sure that you figure the cost of fixing everything first. Think about this, get it and take it to a good marine mechanic or marina. See if they could give you an idea of everything wrong with it. Then price the repairs or parts. <br />Why would anyone worry about FREE? How can you lsoe on FREE unless you start pouring money to it. If you go smart you will know if it will be worth it or not. Like I said earlier, if it is too much to fix just part it out. For FREE it shouldn't take too long to make your money back. Take a look on E-bay and see what used parts are going for.

 

[tommays]

Re: need advice on a free boat

deputy<br /><br />on long island/brooklyn (its the same place)there are so many boats that you cant give them away many times as in bolos case and a lot of people dont have a yard big enough to store a boat so you pay a boat yard year round or get the hull numbers ground off and dumped all the time<br /><br />bolo it does sound beter now you have a GM motor and it sounds like it had a merc drive the trim system and transom assembly means that you are missing much less<br /><br />tommays

 

[deputydawg]

Re: need advice on a free boat

Tommays....if I had money I would travel and get a bunch of those boats. Here my old boat a 1977 15ft Imperial with 75HP Johnson will go for about $2500. The seats are rotted but the hull is perfect and the engine runs great. The boat Bolo is talking about here, if running and with a drive, will sell for around $4500 low price. Friend of mine just got a 1982 Imperial 140hp 6cy. he paid $5500 and got a good deal for this area. <br />Ship me a few and I will split the profits!

 

[bolo789]

Re: need advice on a free boat

thanks i will surely keep you guys up to date on this<br /><br />thanks again

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: need advice on a free boat

As I said in my previous post, the last thing you should buy is the outdrive. You can diagnose and run the engine without an outdrive attached, I would get it running properly before laying out the bucks for an outdrive. With that said there is a company that is manufacturing replacement outdrives that are pretty decent for about $1,200 new (both upper and lower). You can check them out at www.sterndrive.cc I visited their factory in Florida almost two years ago and was very impressed with their operation. I purchased four of their outdrives (two for my boat and two for a friends boat). We have been using these drives since with no problems whatsoever.

 

[llerrad]

Re: need advice on a free boat

Check the stringers for rot. Free boat take it.

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: need advice on a free boat

I had a 1990 Sea Ray 220DA with the 5.7L.. it had an alphaI drive... I just sold it for $9600.. book value was $9500-$13800 depending on overal condition.. I sold it in September.. so early in the season I feel I would have done better. Go for it.. $1500 for a new drive at worst case if you dont need a gimble assembly.<br /><br />Good luck<br />Paul

 

[Lou C]

Re: need advice on a free boat

Whether or not this makes sense depends on your ability to do a lot of the work yourself. If you can, and the boat does not need new stringers/floor/transom, you may do ok even if you have to install a new drive system. But if the floor and stringers are rotted, I'd look for something more usable and easier to restore. That work is time comsuming, and requires good woodworking skills, plus you have to be able to tolerate working with itchy old fiberglass, and smelly new resin!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: need advice on a free boat

I think Lou hit the nail on the head. If you plan on doing this yourself, then great! It would not only be cost effective, it would be enjoyable, (assuming you enjoy that kind of work ), and give you a project to work on. Plus when you are done you have a boat / engine / drive package that you are very familiar with versus buying a used boat "already running" but have no idea of its real condition.<br /><br />Having said that, if you plan on taking it to a marina and saying "fix it" then... <br />It's amazing how fast those charges can rack up.<br /><br />I notice most are assuming that you need an Alpha Drive - it would certainly be a good idea to make sure before you go out and buy one!