First things first

[Indiana]

Hi,

As a newbie to boating and having just brought a 1992 290 Sundancer with twin 170hp engines, I am looking for help & advice on what needs to be done to make sure it is safe to leave on the water.

The boat has been left on the water (Salt) for 'over two years' so I am about to have it lifted and inspected by a local marine engineering company.

There's the obvious work that will need to be done such as jet washing, anti-fouling, replacing anodes and cleaning/reproofing the canopy, but I would like help from others here as to what other jobs may need doing.

There are certain valves/seals such as those linked to the 'Head' which may need to be replaced, and I will need to get the water tank flushed/sterilised, the holding tank flushed and stale petrol drained (Hope this makes sense!)

A list of things to look at would be nice which I can then attempt to price up.

*** Guesstimates on prices gratefully received as are recommendations on local specialists to do the jobs. ***

Boat is currently moored at Brighton Marina

Please try not to be to technical in your replies, and please be nice as we were all newbies once

Many thanks,
Indy

 

[Last Dollar]

A boat left in salt water for two years is going to raise red flags to me! Hopefully you did not pay much for this boat. You are about to embark on a very costly project!! The outdrives are probably toast and the heat exchanger may be also. The Mercruiser 170 hp was only in production for a very short period. It was a design by Mercruiser to manufacture their own engines without involving automobile companies. It was a cast aluminum 4 cylinder block using a cast iron cylinder head from Ford's 460 cu in engine. They used a closed cooling system with a heat exchanger and used their own voltage regulator, water cooled by the way. All of this contributed to the problem with the short lived design. I know of very few of these engines still running. I know all of these issues because it was my first boat utilizing an inboard engine. A total costly mistake for me and after 5 seasons I gave up and bought a boat with a different engine. It was two years old when I bought it and a total fresh water boat. Still had massive problems with that voltage regulator design, a massively expensive unit to replace. Also had blown head gasket issues. Cast iron cyclinder head on an aluminum block is a problem in the making. If you have two of these engines to maintain you will have twice the opportunity for trouble. This boat is 26 years old!! Good luck and just be aware you are entering a very costly period of time. Don't let these Mercruiser 470's sour you on boating.

 

[Indiana]

Hi Last Dollar,

Thanks for your reply.

Lets just say 'IF' the out-drives are toast and need replacing , would you have any idea on the cost of new or second-hand replacements.
I am not looking to race the boat so they do not need to be overly powerful.

And yes luckily I did not spend much on the boat purchase.

 

[Stee6043]

Have any photos? I think you'll learn a lot about your future with the inspection of the drives. If you end up in a position of having to replace both drives along with some work on the engines you may want to consider not fixing this boat. Drives get pricey and it's never "just the drives" in my experience. Lots of money...

 

[Siboatguy]

The boat I'm in now... Was sitting in Florida water 2-3 years not being used.... Had to do a total over haul..... It had stuck valve on 1 side and the other side had blow by but ran... So I did a complete re power... New Motors, New manifolds and rises, water pumps, shaft seals, and the list goes on... Most of the thing that took the beating is the gel coat... From the Florida sun... If i had to do it again... I think i would.. Just make sure your getting the boat for a good price...

 

[Last Dollar]

Hi Last Dollar,

Thanks for your reply.

Lets just say 'IF' the out-drives are toast and need replacing , would you have any idea on the cost of new or second-hand replacements.
I am not looking to race the boat so they do not need to be overly powerful.

And yes luckily I did not spend much on the boat purchase.

Outdrives this old may be hard to find. I suggest a google search and you will find many sources for information. It can also be more than just the outdrives. The gimbel and other related parts that bolt onto the transom are probably also very corroded and weak. This is why outboards or inboards (no outdrive just a propellar on the bottom of the hull) have become the favorite of most boat owners who boat saltwater. When the salty sea claims the life of an outboard, you just pull it off, place it in the dumpster and repower with a new outboard. Sorry that I cannot supply you with more exact information but with a few hours on the Internet you can learn lots of things. Some pictures of the boat out of the water would possibly give the forum members a chance to voice a better opinion of your boats condition. An old saying is that " a boat is a dry hole in the water into which one pours money!!" There is a reason for this statement. Talk to anyone who has owned boats for many years and they will back me up, it gets profane what we spend on our passion. The name of my boat is "La$t Dollar" and there is a reason for this. I realized one day while pumping $5 gas that I will probably spend my last dollar on this thing .

 

[Indiana]

Have any photos? I think you'll learn a lot about your future with the inspection of the drives. If you end up in a position of having to replace both drives along with some work on the engines you may want to consider not fixing this boat. Drives get pricey and it's never "just the drives" in my experience. Lots of money...

Hi, Not yet taken the boat out of the water, I am looking for information on what may need to be done to the underside of the boat before I lift it. General bit of info, not based on any visual inspection. Hopefully giving me a guide to more research.

Soooooooo any and all info you have on things the 'MIGHT' need to be done below the waterline to keep the boat afloat and functioning, and yes I know this could be costly...