290 Amberjack with Twin V's General Maintenance Question

[RjVA]

All, I have been looking at a new 290 Amberjack powered with twin 350 Horizon inboards. My big concern is the lack of space in the engine room. If any of you have a similar setup, could you please share your thoughts and experience on the lack of space and how mechanics have been able to perform not only routine maintenance, but repairs. With the engines backwards and the generator directly behind them, I don't see how a mechanic could work on these things? How would they handle a water pump replacement or a serpentine belt replacement for example?

You thoughts/comments are greatly appreciated.

Thx

 

[skolbe]

I have a 320 with the same power and generator. It is difficult and expensive if you hire it out. You have to remove the exhaust system on a 320 to change the impeller. I suspect a 290 Amberjack is similar. My Dad owns a 290 Amberjack with outdrives and no generator and you can take a nap in his bilge it is so roomy.

 

[mramos@honolulucity.net]

I have a 2006 amberjack with the same motors. Would you know where to find the sacrificial anode location for the cooling system in the engine compartment?

 

[Sparkey600]

I have a 2005 29' Amberjack with 5.7 and inbaords. When I do sea pumps or something else I remove the exhaust on the port engine and sit in there, can work on both engines. Not as bad as it looks

 

[mramos@honolulucity.net]

Is there a sacrificial anode by the pumps? Or somewhere in there? Or is the anodes only on the props?

 

[Northshore60]

As Sparkey600 said, remove the exhaust hoses and you have some room to work. I have changed a belt and did impellers by this.

 

[purplehayes]

I have an '02 Amberjack 290 with the inboards. The generator in my boat is off to the side though so not totally the same. Simply said, most guys find it quite hard to get in there to do anything.

I was just down there for most of today though dewinterizing and I am finding that with time on the boat and with the different mechanics working on it I am seeing more ideas of how to do it.

1) like previously mentioned remove the header exhaust hoses.

2) or as of late I and others have mostly been lying on the deck or over the engines and essentially working on it upside down, working on it from above.

Regardless, I own my boat for pleasure and feel fortunate that if it looks too difficult for me to do it I just hire it out. It is not the most economical but neither is boating. Most of the pro mechanics that I have had in there find a way to get it done. I used to apologize when something became difficult but then reprogrammed my mind into realizing that it is what they do and they generally do it well and efficiently.

As well this is my first boat and my first Searay... And I love it, the handling and reliability are way more important than the issues that you will face having someone working on it.


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