Older Mercruiser info needed

[dem45133]

I am considering converting a older "water Winnebago" ('87 27ft Bayliner Buccaneer Sail, OB powered) into a "poor man?s motor sailor". The stern is relatively vertical and with minor modifications will lend itself to an small I/O installation.

I do not intend to plane at all, but would like to get hull speed just off idle and the extra available reverse thrust would be real handy for a 6000 lb boat in tight marina situations.

It currently has a 12hp outboard and it takes a while to stop it. I also am tired of listening to a screaming OB to achieve hull speed. In addition, an over powered semi plane might be handy for getting out of bad weathers way too sometime.

Just seems like a win/win idea. The boat is fully depreciated but in good working condition. It cost me more to fabricate its triple axle trailer than it did to buy the boat.

Money (in marine terms) is essentially non-existent, but I'm real handy and am looking for a Mercruiser 120, or the 224 ci ford based system, or whatever to install. I can refresh or rebuild any engine as long as the block, head and crank are good... after that, it gets expensive.

Since this may entail buying the engine and I/O units separately, I need to know what went or can go with what.

Can anyone shed light on the 70s and 80s 4 cyl Mercruiser and their out-drives? Thanks.

Dave

 

[tommays]

Re: Older Mercruiser info needed

I can NOT really see putting and I/O in there they get pretty packed when there holding a small Diesel or old Gas Atomic 4 with a tiny tranny with shaft drive

Gas fumes are a never ending problem on sailboats which is why they have been 100% diesel for a long time



Tommays

 

[DJ]

Re: Older Mercruiser info needed

I can't speak to your hulls layout.

However, "take out" 2.5L or 3.0L MerCruisers are fairly common. Just look at ebay. The "package" size is the same. The 3.0L would be a first choice as they are newer.

You won't find a Ford 2.3L with a MerC. They were only in front of OMC's which I would stay away from.

The engine is probably the least of your worries. They can be rebuilt (if the block is OK-not cracked) relatively inexpensively. The outdrives can be rebuilt resonably too. It's the "hang ons" that get expensive: manifolds, carbs. and electical systems that can get pricey.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Older Mercruiser info needed

Why not put a bracket on the transom and hang a 50-70HP 4 cycle outboard? You could bolt on a manual jackplate for $150 to hold the motor easily. A used motor could be found easily as well.

I do not think you can make the conversion to a I/O package easily, since the X dimension needs to be correct, and this will lead to some significant carpentry when you need to build the correct height stringers, and find room and install all the wiring fuel tank steering gear etc.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Older Mercruiser info needed

I'm with chris, go with a 4 cycle outboard instead. The honda's are plenty quiet.