Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

[NMShooter]

I like to browse craigslist I/O oats. So many of these boats look to be well maintained (very clean upholstery, clean hulls, appear to be stored inside, etc) are advertised as "just rebuilt" or some such advertising.

I have multiple 10+yr old cars, and the engines in those are just fine. What is it that is different with boats that seems that the engines wear out so much faster?

Lack of winterization? Poor air filters? The fact that boat engines tend to be at either zero or full throttle?

Should I be more concerned about "recently rebuilt" boat engines?

What the heck?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

My 2 cents on the subject of "rebuilt" and now for sale. . .

It is a combination of things that are cause for a rebuild, but usually it has to do with some sort of engine failure (lack of winterization, valve issues, etc).

Boat engines operate closer to their maximum power as compared to car engines. So, things do wear out and or break.

The significant thing is that if a boat has a rebuilt engine and is now quickly up for sale there are a couple of possibilities that come to mind . . .

- rebuild was for the purpose of selling it - yet it is really un-tested

- rebuild went badly and the owner is giving up, but trying to position the rebuild as a 'plus' when it is actually a 'minus'.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

Well, the term "rebuilt" is sort of a broad description. Some boats have "rebuilt" engines/drives due to freeze damage or improper care. Some have "rebuilt" interiors because they sat outside uncovered, or had water/sun damage. Keep in mind, that the engines in your 10+ year old cars don't work nearly as hard as the ones in a marine environment. The marine engines generally run cooler cylinder temps due to raw water cooling, are operated under high load most of the time, and are generally only used 20 days out of the year (for most inland lake - weekend boats). These factors all come into play, as well as the lack of knowledge/care many boat owners put into what amounts to a "toy". Nothing wrong with something being rebuilt, as long as it was done correctly.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

Some times when reading ads with the "rebuilt" term and a description of what the rebuild entailed, I've concluded that often a "rebuild" is nothing more than routine maintenance. For example an I/O boat is called rebuilt when the impeller and bellows are changed and the Lower unit oil is replaced. Normal for a boat, but as related to a car removing a major portion of the drive train for maintenance means rebuilt to to the uninformed. Just my take on it.

 

[NMShooter]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

Thanks.... there was a boat that I was recently looking at that is a 1995 that is on its third engine. They said that two cracked because of lack of winterization. The third time, they installed a 350 instead of the 305 block. Made me wonder if outdrives are up to that sort of upgrade too.

I'm a nervous used boat buyer, and will always pay the $150 to $250 to have it professionally appraised.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

You will also find many "salty" boats with re-built engines. Again, a maintenance issue. Not flushing them regularly, not inspecting riser's etc.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

The third time, they installed a 350 instead of the 305 block. Made me wonder if outdrives are up to that sort of upgrade too.......will always pay the $150 to $250 to have it professionally appraised.

1995 model should have an Apla1-gen 2 which is good up to at least 300 horsepower so assuming the 350 engine is pretty stock, that should be fine.

A smart decision to pay a little money for a pro to have it checked. I did that on my 270 Sea Ray before purchase and a compression test then later leak-down test found 1 exhaust valve needed attention so we got the current owner to give us a $1500 allowance for a valve job on both heads and now the compression is around 180 for all cylinders.

Mark

 

[jsimms724]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

When comparing marine and automobile engines the best analogy Ive heard is that the stress a marine engine is under would be like a car being driven uphill 100% of the time without the benefit of a transmission.

 

[acarter92]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

As said above, rebuilt is a very generic term. Some call a lower unit with new seals "completely rebuilt"....

I personally would stay away from recently rebuilt engines, I mean the type that the owner had it rebuilt and "only has 2 hours on it"... That's a bad sign.


If properly maintained a boat engine can last a LONG time, but most don't see the attention they need and the best thing for a motor is to get used... and most boats don't.

Just my 2 cents,
Austin

 

[Lowe170]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

There are going to be a lot of "rebuilts" out there with the aftermath of Ms. Sandy's visit...

 

[jkust]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

I don't know that I'd stay away from a rebuilt engine...I just don't think I'd pay more for the boat. A lot of times when I see a fresh rebuild, the seller is trying to recoup some of that expense with a higher-than-otherwise price.

 

[acarter92]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

I don't know that I'd stay away from a rebuilt engine...I just don't think I'd pay more for the boat. A lot of times when I see a fresh rebuild, the seller is trying to recoup some of that expense with a higher-than-otherwise price.

Very true....

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

Agree with all the above.....My boat is a 1986 with the same origanial motor. I don't have an hour meter...so who knows how many hours is on it...but it still starts and runs like a dream. We are the 2nd owner and when we bought it...it was very clear that they had taken care of the boat. I try and maintain everything i can to keep it that way.

People buy boats thinking it's a boat and it get's wet... no big deal so i dont need to cover it or winterize it! Like someone said it's just a toy. It's like when i drive down the road and see a boat i look..it's all coverd up...but they have it sitting level (Bow pointing down) and i know if it rains it is filling up with water and not draining out. That's gona be a water loged boat. Need to see the bow much higher than the stern so water will drain out the plug hole.

Condition is everything no matter what year or brand.........If someone has put 3 motors in a boat....than they didn't take care of things! Use it and abuse it till it's dead.

Seeing the boat first hand will tell the story!

Good Luck!

 

[jkust]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

. Need to see the bow much higher than the stern so water will drain out the plug hole.
QUOTE]

Yes and if the trailer is stored on uneven ground, the boat will still hold a decent amount of water since gravity wont let water drain properly.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

. Need to see the bow much higher than the stern so water will drain out the plug hole.
QUOTE]

Yes and if the trailer is stored on uneven ground, the boat will still hold a decent amount of water since gravity wont let water drain properly.

Unless the boat has a proper cover on it that keeps rain out. Then "storage angle" makes no difference.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

Yes Proper cover! Boat angle would not make a difference.

It just kills me to see nice boats sit and rot away...When the owner should know better.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

I agree, it even kills me to see a boat on a covered lift and not have the cockpit/bow or boat cover on all summer. Sure it's fairly well
protected under the lift cover, but not completely. Birds.Spiders can dump one inside the boat at anty time too, let alone rain blowing
in from the side.

 

[jkust]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

Unless the boat has a proper cover on it that keeps rain out. Then "storage angle" makes no difference.

Ha we're just assuming it's stored under the trees without a cover.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

boats get rebuilt from neglect, its that simple.

 

[Vankaye]

Re: Why are so many used boats "rebuilt"?

I didn't see anybody mention it but overheating seems to be a big problem for guys that don't "really" know how to maintain their boat.
Head gaskets are often called a rebuild because these guys really believe their engine was rebuilt based on the $2-4,000 repair bill when in actuality they got new head gaskets and maybe some head/valve work.

To me, a rebuilt engine has new crank bearings, a freshly machined crank, new seals/gaskets everywhere, pistons and rings and re-machined heads with fresh seats and springs. And, as a personal preference I want new lifters, lifter rods and a fresh intake and fuel delivery system.

A rebuilt engine should have a very distinct odor when it runs. It should smell like warm RTV for good while with NO hint of rancid oil.