Need Advice on what to do with my 1984 Amberjack 255

Randy Martin

New Member
Jul 18, 2018
6
1967 Route 74, Cornwall Vt 05753
Boat Info
1984 Amberjack 255
Engines
Twin 4 cylinder 170 hp merc cruiser
I have this dilemma on what I should be doing with my boat, 1984 Amberjack 255 with 10' beam. It has been in storage for over 13 years (Wow, can't believe it;s been that long), but anyway, my local mechanic is advising me that it's just not worth trying to get it back in the water. Too old, may not be able to get parts, etc, etc. It ran fine when I put it away.
So what's a man to do? Sits on a trailer I bought new in 2005 that has less than 50 miles on it. Not sure of the value at this point. I am the second owner. bought it used from the original owner in 1988. Had many wonderful years of enjoyment. If I thought it would make economic sense, I would put it back in the water, but at this point I want to do something. Sell it, donate to a non profit, something. ANY recommendations would be appreciated. TIA
Randy
 
I guess that decision depends on how much work it needs vs its value. I found a 1985 with a 2010 motor online for around 6k but I don't think it has a trailer. I think if it were me, I'd prolly look into donating it to CarsForKids or some such. At least you can get a possible tax write-off and some warm fuzzies.
 
I guess that decision depends on how much work it needs vs its value. I found a 1985 with a 2010 motor online for around 6k but I don't think it has a trailer. I think if it were me, I'd prolly look into donating it to CarsForKids or some such. At least you can get a possible tax write-off and some warm fuzzies.
Thank you, we have a Maritime Museum close by that may consider a donation.
 
We have a 1980’s SeaRay at our dock that runs just fine. Was it stored properly all those years ago? I guess the big question is do you want to keep it? How handy are you that you could do some of the work yourself? If it was stored inside and you have no infestation then the Gelcoat should still be good. If the engine is in good shape you would only need new seals in the outdrive (if it was stored properly). We just need more info, like pictures and more history.
 
Not a mechanic but based some old large generators our company had that sat 15 years your engines should be good. Put a wrench on the pully on the end of the crank shaft and see if the engine turns over if it dose change the oil, squirt some oil in the cylinders, if it is stern drive change that oil also, take the starter off and take it apart and clean it then put the starter back in. It probably will start. Make sure you have new gas in the tank or pull the line off the tank and put it in a 2 gallon can of gas off the boat.
 
We have a 1980’s SeaRay at our dock that runs just fine. Was it stored properly all those years ago? I guess the big question is do you want to keep it? How handy are you that you could do some of the work yourself? If it was stored inside and you have no infestation then the Gelcoat should still be good. If the engine is in good shape you would only need new seals in the outdrive (if it was stored properly). We just need more info, like pictures and more history.
I believe it was stored properly, I was planning on using it the next year and then gas prices took a dramatic hike and I decided not to put it in. Not sure what happened with the remaining years, just got away from me. I can do minor work, but anything mechanical will need to be done by my mechanic, who up until this point is less than excited to work on it. Do I want to keep it? You're a boat owner, you probably know the answer to that question, but I do not want to keep it in my barn. I will pull it out shortly and post some pics.
 
Was it stored indoors or out? If it's not rotted out, I would change the oil, impeller, drain fuel and put fresh in. Get a charged up battery and see if she starts, just to say it did.
Stored inside, Good advise. I am probably mechanically inclined enough to do that
 
Do you like your boat?
25 foot boats with 10 foot beam are not common,
A brand new one cost over $150000. And depresiates like a diving bomber.
Buying a used one comes with unknown problems, at least you know what yours need.
I would Fix it.
 
Do you like your boat?
25 foot boats with 10 foot beam are not common,
A brand new one cost over $150000. And depresiates like a diving bomber.
Buying a used one comes with unknown problems, at least you know what yours need.
I would Fix it.
I have a friend who is much more mechanically inclined than me coming over to see if we can fired it up. I'm going to start there. Wish me luck.
 
Might be a good idea to try starting it with fuel coming out of a portable tank and not try to use any of the fuel that is in the boat’s tank.
 
Hi there, my name is Kevin, I saw your old post about your Amberjack. Do you still have it by chance? We just inherited my wife’s uncles 1983 255 Amberjack that I’m restoring. I’m in Massachusetts, if you still have it are you interested in parting it out, or just getting rid of it? The uncle was a mechanic and put in a new motor and rebuilt the drive so mechanically it’s fine, but the interior needs work. Thanks
 
I have this dilemma on what I should be doing with my boat, 1984 Amberjack 255 with 10' beam. It has been in storage for over 13 years (Wow, can't believe it;s been that long), but anyway, my local mechanic is advising me that it's just not worth trying to get it back in the water. Too old, may not be able to get parts, etc, etc. It ran fine when I put it away.
So what's a man to do? Sits on a trailer I bought new in 2005 that has less than 50 miles on it. Not sure of the value at this point. I am the second owner. bought it used from the original owner in 1988. Had many wonderful years of enjoyment. If I thought it would make economic sense, I would put it back in the water, but at this point I want to do something. Sell it, donate to a non profit, something. ANY recommendations would be appreciated. TIA
Randy
I just purchased a 84 255 Amberjack last year and knew it needed work, motor and drive are solid but interior, wiring were garbage, gutted the boat started over, paid 6k with an EZ load trailer, put another 3k into and just about done. i would say keep it and fix it up, but would definitely try to fire up the motor before making a decision, depending on which motor and drive you have would be looking at around 7k to replace them with new.
 
Randy
I picked one up a few yes ago
Love it
Would like to know what kind of speed do you get with it
I have a 260 mercruiser if anyone knows what gear ratio I should have that would be nice to know. Currently have a 1.3 ratio and I know that is wrong
1982 255 amberjack srv
 
Randy, I have the same boat and engine you have.
I just got one of those Garmin chart plotters for the lakes and it has a speed read out on it and I've been playing around with it lately.
With my 260HP Merc I need to be at almost 4000 to quickly get up to plane (now when I say "quickly" I mean quickly for a fat, underpowered boat, LOL)
If I leave it at 4000RPM the boat will get up to 26MPH on the flat lake, at 3800 is 23MPH and the the minimum to maintain a good plane is 3500RPM and the speed drops to 18MPH. Mind you, this is on a flat lake Keowee at 9AM.
I found that the "sweet spot" seems to be 3700RPM at about 20MPH, the boat easily maintains plane but doesn't seem to be laboring to much and the engine sounds smooth but not screaming.
I brought it up to 4400RPM once, which seemed to be about all it had but it didn't really increase the speed any.
Being an old boat I didn't want to push it too hard so 4000 is as far as I think I'll be running it. I brought this boat back from the dead and she's doing great so I don't want to push my luck.
Good luck
 
Yes, it is, I'm up in the hills at the end of a one lane road on 5 acres........nice and peaceful and quiet, lol. As a bonus, only 2 minutes to the boat ramp on Lake Keowee.
Exactly what I was looking for when I left Massachusetts.
GO tigers.
 

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