Used cruiser advice appreciated

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Are the carbs as bad as I remember? I rebuilt mine (when I was younger ) and don't look forward to it. Do you still have to adjust for weather/temp?

That's funny, I'd just thought about the cramped engine bay because I was looking at generators and AC. But, hopefully I'll find a boat with them already installed (in my dreams).

So you agree with JoLin and think the 5.7 on a 26/27 (like the Rinker) would pull couple of tubers with 5-6 on board? JoLin, I hope I didn't misquote you.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

So you agree with JoLin and think the 5.7 on a 26/27 (like the Rinker) would pull couple of tubers with 5-6 on board? JoLin, I hope I didn't misquote you.

NP - I wrote that I thought my 24' with 5.7 F.I. would've had a tough time doing water sports with a half dozen passengers aboard. That was just my opinion as I don't do that kind of activity. Thinking about it, though, tubers don't need to be pulled out of the water the way skiers do, and you don't haul them around at 40 mph, right? Maybe it doesn't matter. We could use an opinion from somebody who actually does it in an express cruiser.

Haulnazz is right about most boats of the 1990's being carbed. If you're dead set on F.I. you need to look to Volvo Penta (be careful that the engine block isn't a Ford- you want GM)... they were doing it on the v-6's and small block v-8's several years before Mercruiser offered it, but you're still talking 1995-ish or newer.

As for the Carver top speed, 28 knots = 32 mph. There might be room for improvement with a different prop, but that sounds about right to me. A 5.7 in a 25-26' Rinker type (8' beam) should do 40 mph with a light load.

I doubt you'll find a twin-engine setup in a boat with an 8' 6" beam anyway. There might be one or 2 out there (twin 4-cylinders, maybe?), but it'd defintely be an oddball. If I did find some manufacturer that crammed a pair of v engines into one, I'd walk away. They're kinda cramped in my boat (9' 4" beam).

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

In my only small cruiser experience, a 24' Stingray (known to be light, quick boats) with a 5.0 had enough to pull tubers with 4-5 people aboard.

I've also seen a handful of 8'6" beam twin engine boats (owned one) and can confirm they are very tight in the engine room! Getting between the motors is a nightmare and even to the outboard side was tough. Of course all boats vary so that may not be true for all, but I would imagine its more the norm than not.

If you like the Rinkers layout, then I would avoid looking at the 9+ beam boats, as trailering them starts to become more of a hassle.

Also I've never owned a FI boat, only carbs, and never adjusted them for weather.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

I doubt you'll find a twin-engine setup in a boat with an 8' 6" beam anyway. There might be one or 2 out there (twin 4-cylinders, maybe?), but it'd defintely be an oddball. If I did find some manufacturer that crammed a pair of v engines into one, I'd walk away. They're kinda cramped in my boat (9' 4" beam).

I've seen twin 4.3L's shoved into the sub-9' beam on several 26-27' cruisers. The exhaust manifolds usually have less than 2" between the port and starboard engines, lol. Definitely not an item that I'd want to be servicing. You might be able to do the tubing with a light load on the Rinker w/7.4L, but having 6 people plus gear aboard is going to make that boat a dog to get on plane. Any sharp turns while trying to provide a fun ride for the tubers might throw you off plane and make it all a tedious chore.

As for the carbs, it's pretty much a set it and forget it affair. Sure, they will need periodic tune-ups, but not usually more than every 3-4 years as long as you are running decent fuel and changing out filters/etc.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Wow, thanks for all the info folks.

Just to clarify, the Rinker FV 265 is the 5.7, the Carver 280EC has the 7.4. The Carver is 9' 6" beam and the Rinker is 8' 6". I don't know the Carver's top speed, but he does have a fuel efficient prop on it. The Rinker's top speed is 41 - not sure if it's MPH or KPH but either is good enough, right?

Thanks for the reminder on the avoiding the Ford block, I keep finding boats with Fords or OMC engines and I don't want to buy something I know will eventually cause me headaches. Same thing with the power plant worries, I don't know that we'd ever have 6 people on the boat and 2 in the water, I'm just trying to avoid worst case scenarios.

I do like the Rinker's layout, but would prefer the wider beam and separate table the Carver has. The Carver didn't seem as "clean" to me.

So no one changes carburetor jets? Wow. We use to change them a lot, but that was a lot easier on an engine that I could access from any angle.

With a big pile of maintenance records would folks skip the engine inspection on a 93 or newer Mercruiser from up North? I'm still looking into the surveyor.


The early bird gets the worm - so sleep late!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Carburetor jetting is only changed if you are making major elevation changes. Also, on many carburetors, changing out the metering jets is a simple affair and easily accessible since the carb is on top of the engine, not tucked inside like on many dirtbikes. It's nothing to be concerned of. EFI is great, but don't let a carb engine be much of a deciding factor unless you have two boats that are equal in all other respects.

Regarding the Ford/OMC stuff, you can write a lot of it off, but the later OMC stuff is identical to the Volvo setup and much of it is interchangable. I want to say post-'93 OMC may be the same as the Volvo SX. Just something to be aware of. I've seen many 1994/95 OMC Cobra outdrive setups with the 302 or 351w that would be just as reliable as their GM counterparts. The only downside is the availability of a few parts down the road, but again, it's likely Volvo compliant.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Regarding the Ford/OMC stuff, you can write a lot of it off, but the later OMC stuff is identical to the Volvo setup and much of it is interchangable. I want to say post-'93 OMC may be the same as the Volvo SX. Just something to be aware of. .

You're talking about a 'Cobra SX' and I think you're right- it's essentially the same as V-P 'SX' drive. But again, that's only COBRA SX. I'd shy away from anything else OMC.

Owning a boat that was built during the Volvo-OMC joint venture, I find all kinds of cross-pollenation. Example- I needed a new low pressure fuel pump. Called a local V-P specialist parts house, who looked it up, then told me, 'Funny, I have an OMC listing for the same part at $10. cheaper. I'll pull that one for you.' When he did, it was in a Volvo-Penta package. LOL!

My outdrives are clearly tagged as Volvo-Penta SX. My shift/throttle controla are OMC, and when I stuck my head down into the engine room, I found stickers on the valve covers that say 'OMC Cobra'

Keeps life interesting.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Thanks for the OMC/Volvo education. I think I've locked in on a boat, but if things change I'll keep it in mind.

I sure am excited to get back into boating.

Oh, I checked out a few ramps today. One was on a narrow road that's lined with trailers on the weekend and the other was a double ramp that had a very steep incline. I should go back and actually measure the incline, but does anyone have a guess as to what the maximum incline a 06 Nissan Armada 4x4 should be able to handle with a 26-28' boat and a double axle bunk trailer? I'm guessing LOW gear will be required along with new parking brake pads. I'll check out the narrow (less inclined ramp this weekend too. I must have missed a turn around.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

It'll be a stretch even with an Armada, but possibly doable, check the owners manual. You'll definitely need a trailer brake controller. The steeper ramps may be better to launch, but a bit tougher to pull out on retrieval.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Looks like a 9100 lb row rating. A 25-26' 8.5' beam boat should be close to that, a 27-28' with a 9.5-10' beam I think will be above that tow rating. With that said, the truck should do it, but whether you would be comfortable doing so is another thing.

 

[emoney]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Your Armada is tough, but keep in mind these things are heavy. Are you planning to always trailer the boat? Steep is good for getting the boat off the trailer, but it's a whole different ball-game getting it out of the water. Definitely make sure you have functioning brakes because pulling it is one thing, and stopping it another.

Make sure you do a sea trial and check out every system on the boat. It's tough, I know, when you're "close" to slow down because it is an exciting time especially when you've been away from the water for a bit. But, you'll get really disenchanted quickly if on your first weekend out, she lays down in the middle of the bay. Also, look into on-the-water towing insurance. I promise you it will pay for itself if in nothing else, but piece-of-mind. Good luck and we'll expect LOTS of pics if you make the plunge.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Looks like a 9100 lb row rating. A 25-26' 8.5' beam boat should be close to that, a 27-28' with a 9.5-10' beam I think will be above that tow rating. With that said, the truck should do it, but whether you would be comfortable doing so is another thing.

Yeah, I was using a 3/4 ton Dodge Ram (similar capacity) to tow my 24' Chris*Craft, which weighed in at about 8000 lbs. on the trailer. It was doable, but not fun. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to haul that rig around every weekend. I used the trailer to haul it a few times a season to get the boat to and from its wet slip, where it stayed the rest of the time.

OP, be very concious of weight as you're shopping. As 25thmustang says, a 25-26'er is gonna put you right at (or above) the limit.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

I'm always overly cautious, I was actually asking about the steepness of the ramp and it's abrupt transfer back to level. In retrospect I see this was a stupid question since none of you folks are around here so you can't see what I'm talking about. I guess I'll try to get to the ramp bright and early so I can observe.

An update, I passed on the next boat, and I'm continuing my search. I hesitated on a Chris Craft with OMC (non-SX) and someone else bought it - not sure how I feel about that, but whatever.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Watched a '97 FW 278 EC launch off the steeper, double ramp today. They've pulled the 278 up that ramp a few times with their 4x4. They said the FW 278 was 3K pounds over their trucks rating - so I guess I shouldn't have too much trouble crawling out with my truck.

The FW 278 is a nice boat, no doubt about it. I'm still not able to look past the OMC drives though and can't find any SX Four Winns that I like. That extra 1' would be nice though.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

The FW 278 is a nice boat, no doubt about it. I'm still not able to look past the OMC drives though and can't find any SX Four Winns that I like. That extra 1' would be nice though.

Make me an offer I can't refuse

That's a LOT of boat to tow. With an appropriate trailer, mine would weigh in somewhere around 11,000 lbs. I'm not surprised they were so far over their limit. Sure glad I don't drive the same roads they do. IMO, they're dangerous idiots.

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

LOL, I'll offer you what they paid for theirs They did very well. Very nice folks. I didn't get the impression that they drove very far, they may live only 2-3 miles from the ramp and he said they had no highway plans.

Oh, how much is a manifold & how much would labor be - or is it a simple $200 repair?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

LOL, I'll offer you what they paid for theirs Oh, how much is a manifold & how much would labor be - or is it a simple $200 repair?

Stand by- I had this done a year ago but the invoice is in my nightstand and Linda is still asleep.

Unfortunately, it sure as heck isn't a $200. job regardless of whether it's V-P or Merc. Also, V-P parts generally cost more than Merc, and as a curiosity (as in, 'WTF!') the Volvo V-6 parts cost more than the Volvo 5.0/5.7 V-8 parts. I don't know if it's the same for Merc.

Remember, it's 2 manifolds on a v-engine, and if the manifold(s) are shot you'll want to replace the risers, too

(***EDIT: Okay, the manis for a V-P V-6 cost me $375. each, risers were $245. each. I won't comment on labor 'cause it varies so much depending on where you live ***)

 

[JoLin]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

Something else just occurred to me, and I should have thought of it sooner. It might be older than you want, but have you ever seen a Larson 25' Hampton/San Marino boat from the late '80's up to 1993? A friend has one and it really is a 'camper on the water.' Forward v-berth, break down dinette/berth, and a small mid-cabin, too. It's the only express cruiser of that size I've ever seen that had so much sleeping room, a stand-up head, 2-burner alky stove, etc. Power is a single Merc 5.7.

It's pretty impressive, and Larson's later Cabrio models don't compare. Unfortunately, Larson did away with their archives pages last year, but here's a lnk to a bunch of their old factory catalogues...

http://web.archive.org/web/20060614181742/http://larsonboats.com/extras/archives.asp

 

[Quit It]

Re: Used cruiser advice appreciated

I was told that it was only the starboard (IIRC) manifold (single engine) that needed to be replaced. I guess the other was replaced a few years ago and now this one is going.

Thanks for the tip on the Larson, but I don't think I want to go that old. I haven't seen a newer Larson in person yet. Do you think they're bad boats or just that the boat is more cramped now? How about the Chaparral Signatures and Chris Craft Crown?

Thanks

 

[Quit It]

Questions on adding things

Questions on adding things

Questions on adding things:
A generator - first, does it have to be a marine generator? Can you mount a portable generator in the engine compartment with venting?

A windlass - how easily can you run the wires in a boat? Do you have to remove the headliner or something?

Thanks