New to forums...looking for feedback

[keith2k455]

Keith here, new to the forum and boating. I have some Jetskis and am looking to get a boat now too. I'm looking at getting a Rinker 180. It has an Alpha 1 drive and a 4.3. It looks like it was repowered to a 4.3 from the 3.0 because the outdrive still says AlphaOne LX on it. Just curious about a few things.

Are there any issues with the outdrive from the 3.0 being driven the 4.3? Is this common to happen in a repower (using the same outdrive)

Will the 180 with a 4.3 be good to pull a wakeboard/skier?

Oh yeah, MY is 1995. Boat's in great shape. My first thought is this should all be fine, but want to ask to get some better opinions and experience to help me out.

Thanks

 

[keith2k455]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

It looks like it was repowered to a 4.3 from the 3.0 because the outdrive still says AlphaOne LX on it. Just curious about a few things.

Sorry... I meant to say the drive says it's a 3.0 liter LX AlphaOne

 

[Maclin]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

It could have come stock as 4.3 but the drive broke and the owner at the time replaced it with a drive from a 3.0.

In any event, the drive ratio, if it is for a 3.0, will not be correct, and the engine would be prone to overrevving and it will necessitate runnng a higher than normal (for a 4.3 in that boat) pitched prop to make up he difference. They may have changed out the gearset but who knows now. If you do buy it I would check the ratio first thing by turning the engine manually and counting prop rotations for every 2 full rotations.

It will pull skiers fine, just have to watch the tach, and not pull their arms off when taking off.

 

[Maclin]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Shucks, showing my (bad) manners again.... Welcome Aboard!

 

[keith2k455]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Thanks for the kind words Maclin.

I have been thinking about this boat a little more (obviously...I'm obsessed) and although the boat seems perfectly fine right now, I think it may not be what I want.

If I have a service manual, I can do just about any work to the boat, but my assumption is that since something is not stock I won't be able to get by with a service manual and may need to have more knowledge. I have the manual for my jetskis, and don't have any issue working on them.

I do, however, like the idea of getting an 18' bowrider and having it powered by the 4.3. I plan to ski/wakeboard and want the power (I have the turbo engine in my car and 1100 cc jetskis, power is nice!). My family is young and at most I can see is 6 adults on the craft with 4 adults and 4 kids most likely

Question is, if you were in my situation would you opt for the boat that you can just buy a service manual for, or go with this one. This boat is a 1995, but the interior is about perfect, it's stored inside year round, has covers and is only $5K. It also helps I know the seller, but they've only owned it for 2-3 years. I don't think I'll be able to find a boat in better condition, but I don't know what to think about the drive/motor .

Thanks again...

 

[Maclin]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

If the drive has the correct ratio gearset in it then I would not worry about the badging. It kind of depends on how much "clean" info can you get from the seller. Even then, if you are really interested in the boat then I would push them a little and see if it is possible for you to verify the gearset by the manual rotation method. I would not buy without knowing the actual ratio so you can make an informed decision about a big part that makes that kind of diference in how the boat works. Kind of hard to believe, but not all (any?) sellers are truthful.

The 4.3 in an 18-19 foot bowrider is a really good combo for what you want.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty sure my buddy will let me spin the engine over and verify the gearset.

Am I figuring this out correctly...basically the lower unit is the same, just gearing difference between the engine types. That said, it appears service manuals for boats are one specific for boat, then another manual specific to engine/trans. If the gear ratio is correct, buy a 4.3 service manual and I should be good.

btw...do you know about what it might cost to change the gears if they are wrong, or would you just walk away at this point because of hidden issues with over-rev, etc?

 

[spdracr39]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Worst case scenario is to buy the correct ratio upper SEI drive for about 800.00 and swap it out. The lower will be interchangeable. If everything else on the boat checks out it sounds like a good deal. I will say however that is going to be a little cramped with 6 adults and downright crowded with 4 adults and 4 kids. As far as the manuals go the manual is for the engine only and outdrive only. It doesn't matter what boat it is in. As long as you have the s/n you can get accurate manuals. Also I believe the SEI drives are identical to the mercruiser so the manual will work with those also.

 

[series60]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty sure my buddy will let me spin the engine over and verify the gearset.

Am I figuring this out correctly...basically the lower unit is the same, just gearing difference between the engine types. That said, it appears service manuals for boats are one specific for boat, then another manual specific to engine/trans. If the gear ratio is correct, buy a 4.3 service manual and I should be good.

btw...do you know about what it might cost to change the gears if they are wrong, or would you just walk away at this point because of hidden issues with over-rev, etc?

First boat and you like speed/power huh? You know the ole' saying 'there's no substitute for horsepower'. I say keep looking. You should be able to find a late 90's vintage bow-rider with a sbc 350/alpha1 for the same coin. Probably won't go much faster than a good 4.3 but out of hole is a different story.

As you peruse your quest for a boat keep in mind a 20 year old boat will have issues. Not just the motor which is one of the easier items to maintain, but the outdrive and the wood transom/stringers will rot if they are wet. Be sure to poke around on the inside of the transom and check for a soft floor. These are indicators as to what you are getting into.

If you aren't looking for another 'project'

 

[Maclin]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty sure my buddy will let me spin the engine over and verify the gearset.

Am I figuring this out correctly...basically the lower unit is the same, just gearing difference between the engine types. That said, it appears service manuals for boats are one specific for boat, then another manual specific to engine/trans. If the gear ratio is correct, buy a 4.3 service manual and I should be good.

btw...do you know about what it might cost to change the gears if they are wrong, or would you just walk away at this point because of hidden issues with over-rev, etc?

I just meant to find out if the drive ratio is an issue before buying, not walk away unless there are a multitude of problems all adding together. If the boat is solid, runs out nice then it is still a good purchase and can be run as is. You just want to know about any gear ratio anomalies before and not after so you can plan ahead.

On Mercs I am not sure if the ratio is determined by the top gearset or the lower unit gearset, it is a "net" ratio at the propshaft after the two "bends".

 

[keith2k455]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Although this is answering a lot of questions, it circles back to what might be the first question...do I want an 18' or a 20'. As long as the transom checks out on this boat, I'm not afraid of sinking another $800 in it if needed...but we're back to space. I've been spending about 1 week every year for the last few years on a friends 21' bayliner...same seating setup as this 18' rinker, which is back to back and we're always comfortable on that.

Is 3' really that much? Would looking for a boat with a 'lounge' style bench seat (the 'L' shape that goes around the back) give more room?

I'm back to questioning size again. Everything given, I am also fine with having to move up to a bigger boat in 5 or so years when the kids get bigger.

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

welcome to iBoats

yes, 3' is that much.

my suggestion is a 19' boat (splits your 18' vs 20'), 4.3 liter minimum, 5.0 or 5.7 preferably. if I had a choice of Bayliner, Rinker, Maxim, SeaRay, Crownline etc. I would skip the rinkers and bayliners for more of a premium brand because they were most likely taken care of better and garage kept. it comes down to how the boat was treated in the past 10-20 years.

not sure what your looking to spend, however it wont be much more than the '95 Rinker your looking at.

regarding seating, I have had boats with back-to-back and the captains chairs with large rear bench seat. I personally dont like the back to back seating - the lack of comfort and adjustment do not make up for any benefits.

 

[KFS]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Is 3' really that much? Would looking for a boat with a 'lounge' style bench seat (the 'L' shape that goes around the back) give more room?

I'm back to questioning size again. Everything given, I am also fine with having to move up to a bigger boat in 5 or so years when the kids get bigger.

Thanks

Hon 2' is that much.

We are two years into boating and already felt we wanted to upgrade from a 17' to a 19.' It's not so much about 2' as it is about capacity. Family friendly boat means family and friends for us. Our 17' Bayliner was a wee thing with a small weight limit. She could basically haul 5 people comfortably. For my family of four that means ONE friend for one of my kids.

With "only" 2' extra we have an 8 passenger/much higher poundage capacity. THAT'S what 2' got us. It's not about floor space so much for me. We aren't ballroom dancing in there, we just need to be able to move from from to back and sit comfortably. In a perfect world much of the fun is happening OFF the boat - swimming, water sports. We just want to be able to safely and speedily haul more people.

I took the advice of many herein and looked for "Sport Seating" (that big seat across the back). We've only been out once so far but I'm already so glad we did. That said our previous boat has back-to-back (standard?) seating and it wasn't a deal breaker.

Keep in mind that if you plan on any tow water sports (skiing, tubing) you will essentially give up two seats anyway depending on how tall your spotter is. I'm 5'7" so not a short woman but I *must* be able to see the kids on the tube at all times. This means that in either boat I ride facing backwards looking out the back of the boat. So my seat (rear facing standard or Captain's turned around) is taken by me, obviously. The seat across from me will also be taken by being left open (or sat in by someone very short). They cannot block my sight line to what we are pulling. In any boat you look at actually GET IN THE BOAT. Move around. Walk around. Have your family sit in it. Are they comfortable? Does it make sense? (Ie if you have little ones that need to be held close to an adult when underway can that be done comfortably in the seating arrangement you are looking at?)

With Sport Seating my husband and I can finally sit NEXT To each other. In the previous arrangement he was driving, I was diagonally behind him in the rear facing seat spotting the kids, and either one of us had to turn our heads to shout to the other (outboard motor so basically we didn't talk at all while towing anyone. With side-by-side Captain's chairs I can simply turn the chair rear facing and still be riding next to my husband. So romantic

 

[series60]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

On Mercs I am not sure if the ratio is determined by the top gearset or the lower unit gearset, it is a "net" ratio at the propshaft after the two "bends".

Gear ratio is determined by the top gear set and it takes special tools to set them up.

 

[Maclin]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Thanks series60.....good stuff, I will try to lock it in...

 

[briangcc]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Just a suggestion....sea trial the boat with everyone you would normally plan on taking out. That will tell you in a heart beat if the boat has enough space and power for your needs. Will also tell you if the boat is propped/geared properly at WOT. **Should really do this with any boat before you sign on the dotted line.

And yes going from a 17'6" to a 19'6" made a huge difference in floor space. The beams of the two boats made the 2' change that much more appealing. I have sunsport seating so (2) captains chairs, large rear bench (which seats 4 comfortably across) and a large sunpad.

 

[jkust]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

The other thing to think about is your storage space. We'd have the biggest practical trailer boat if it fit in our storage. My sig boat is the absolute longest trailer/boat combo that will fit within a centimeter in our winter storage. I even need the two inches of space between the 2x4's. As for your 4.3 question, it will pull a boarder without any issue since the board is so wide as compared to a deep water salalom ski start where you notice the difference between a 19" and a 21" prop much more. There's lots of options out there and I'd be hesitant to deal with what sounds like a frankenstein when another is right around the corner. Also If I understand correctly the boat is a 1995?? I'd want to at the least ensure the replacement 4.3 has the newer generation vortec heads that came into play right around 1996 model year. Vortec 4.3 was a nice boost in power over the old style. Welcome to the crew.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

I think I'm seeing some good points that maybe I overlooked because I saw a nice looking boat that is very cheap and I got hooked on it because I know the owner.

There are some good points...thanks for your view on the sport seating...sitting next to each other would be good for visibilty...it's our boat, why have to kneel on the back, etc to see the people in the water better. Safety is important and I wouldn't tow without being able to watch the whole time

I also appreciate the feedback on the boat itself. I think that I may want to opt for a 19' - 20' with a V8 and sport seating. The money between the two isn't that big of a difference maker, I just have a hard time passing up a good deal. I think this may be the wrong deal for me, I'll let someone else have it. Space isn't an issue either because I'm in the middle of getting an additional stall that will measire 16w x 36l...should be enough room for the jetskis and a boat of around 22' .

In the spring I'll start my search for the right boat. I'm not in a huge hurry right now because I can still take out the jetskis whenever I want.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

for what its worth, last year I sold my 2002 SeaRay 190 with a 5.0 for $13k. had only 275 hours on it.

your best time to buy a boat is in the fall, when most people get winter fever and dont want the hassle of winterizing and storing. the same boat come springtime will be 15% higher.

 

[keith2k455]

Re: New to forums...looking for feedback

Scott...thanks for the info on timing. I will definitely keep looking as the year goes by and just wait for the right one to come by (or at lesat try to wait)