Re: rebuild or buy a new engine
Alright! I've been waiting for a question like this!!<br /><br />You might want to consider the whole boat package before spending some serious $$ repowering. Ask yourself, "Is this boat worth puting that kind of money into?"<br />Now...you gotta understand, you are talking to a guy who just dumped 6k into his 1980 18 ft. Beachcraft runabout. ("He must be bloody mad!", you say) I'd have to agree...but let me explain:<br /><br />I did the reverse...I thought my engine/outdrive was good but knew my boat interior was trash. After considering my options, I went ahead and spent a considerable amount repairing the boat ( new floor, transom, stringers, upholstery) only to later realize my 305 ci engine was trash too. I discovered the port exhaust manifold had cracked internally and allowed water and coolant to leak into the #2 cylinder. Because of the dry-rot, I hadn't run my engine in the five years since I last winterized it. Well, because I had already spent so much time and money on the interior, I simply said, "Hey, what's another two grand?? My kids don't need to go to college THAT badly..." so I decided to replace my 305 with a new 350... But I gotta say I've been very lucky in that I've received A LOT of good advice, free hands on help, and discounted parts from a marine tech. buddy of mine. I've managed to completely rebuild the entire boat for a bunch less than a new or even used comparible boat would cost. And, I'm happy to say she turned out pretty nice. Although to be completely truthful, if you knew how much time and money I've spent on therapy from being without my boat all this time, you'd say I really haven't gained a thing! ha, ha, ha... (wait, that's not funny)<br /><br />Anyway, like I said, my advice is to consider the condition of your whole package and then determine if it's worthwhile re-investing a lot of money into it.<br /><br />Good luck! Walt<br /><br />P.S. Uh, if you do decide to re-power...might I interest you in a 1974 Merc 4 hp model 40 with a slight attitude problem? You might not be able to ski with it...but if you could ever get it running again, she'd make a great kicker!
