Need help/advise!

[Roye44]

I own a 260DA and want to upgrade to a 2005 280.
Found One in great shape overall, but I am twisted about the amount of hours (840), I know that averages to about 80 a year!

it comes from a well known dealer and will run a thorough inspection on it!
what else should I be looking for/worried about?
How many Hours can a mercruiser (twin 4.3 MPI) last
with proper care?

thanks

 

[Boater420]

Welcome to CSR!

840 hours isn't really a lot if that's what you're worried about. There are marine engines out there with 2000 hours and they're still running well.

I'm just now hitting 810 hours with mine and it's a 97 which averages out to @ 40 hours a year. My compression is fine, runs strong, still able to reach WOT and and should be able to get another 1000 hours or so I've been told by other mechanics. I've read that 100 boat hours is equal to 15,000 miles on a car so your's should be somewhere at 120,000 miles.

You also need to consider how the previous owner used the boat. Some people run WOT which will definitely shorten the lifespan of any marine engine. The key thing when running WOT is to stick to the maintenance schedule. Mercruiser recommends a 100 hr maintenance schedule. If followed to the letter should prevent early breakdown, but the hours are still going to be less than someone who doesn't run WOT all the time.

Personally I run my engines sparingly. Partly because of the cost of fuel, partly because of their age. Where we boat there isn't really a need to go fast but when I do, I usually maintain 3200 RPM because it's right at the sweet spot for fuel consumption.

Even if the marina promises a thorough inspection, I would have a surveyor do his inspection and a mechanic do a compression test or better yet an oil analysis on the engines just to make sure the marina isn't jerking you around.

 

[Brite Idea]

I disagree with 840 hours equals 120,000 miles. If you go by your maintenance schedule of oil changes every 50 hours. 50 hours equals 3000 miles then 840 hours equals 50400 miles by my estimate. I say have the boat surveyed and be sure to ask that it include a mechanical evaluation. If you are happy with everything buy the boat. I would also want the manifolds and risers to be new or recently changed.

 

[Bob & Sue]

I disagree with 840 hours equals 120,000 miles. If you go by your maintenance schedule of oil changes every 50 hours. 50 hours equals 3000 miles then 840 hours equals 50400 miles by my estimate. I say have the boat surveyed and be sure to ask that it include a mechanical evaluation. If you are happy with everything buy the boat. I would also want the manifolds and risers to be new or recently changed.

I disagree with your schedule of oil changes every 50 hours, what service manual number did you find this info in? I have 5 different mercruiser service manuals all of them state when engine is new change oil at 20 hours after the break in period change oil every 100 hours or annually whichever comes first.

As far as calculating hours to miles driven it can't be done marine engine hours have to many variables, what rpm's, incoming tide, following wind, drag on dirty hull or clean hull etc. I've been caught in 25-30 kt head winds with 4-6 wind waves from bow to starboard side used 10 gallons of fuel & it took 2 hours, in calm seas no wind the same run home I use 3-4 gallons of fuel at lower rpms & same speed in 45 minutes. In this scenario how could you calculate the hours to miles along with the stresses put on the engine and outdrive?

Get a mechanical & engine survey along with oil analysis. I have 1490 hours on a 5.7L just performed a compression check & oil analysis both checked out within specs.

There are folks with 3000 hours on these engines that have been maintained then you have boats with 300 hours never maintained that are ready for a rebuild. I see boats that haven't been run in months the owner jumps in tries to start it batteries dead gets a jump start 2 minutes later their on plane. Which boat would you buy?

 

[Brite Idea]

Listen all posts are truly trying to help someone make a good decision buying a boat. If you drive 60 mph for 50 hours you get 3000 miles. I agree it's not an accurate way to judge a boat but you have to start somewhere. If you like to change oil at 100 hours that's fine, I prefer every 50 hours but that's a season for me. I hope your boat turns out to be what you hope for.

 

[tony1b2000]

I owned a 03, 280 for 6 years and absolutely loved the boat and you cant beat the MPG with twins! Sold it with 1100 hrs and it was still running great. The major problem I had was not changing the manifolds and risers in time. I believe they have a 5 year life span (others, correct me please). Ultimately one engine had to be pulled and rebuilt. But it was worth it!

 

[Henry Boyd]

I'd agree any marine engines life is more a function care than simply hours. One thing you can do is get a tech to hook up a PC with the Merc diagnostic software. One of displays shows the engine hours laid out by rpm band. That way you can see how many of the total are at idle/no wake speed, or wot, etc.

Henry


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[dwna1a]

Mine have over 1800 hours on them and I have only had a few issues with them. I too have only run them in the area of 3400rpms.

with the proper maintenance and care I hope to get 2500hrs. I change the oil every six months, keep the spark arrestors clean, and flush my cooling system yearly. More than likely I over baby my systems but her next owner, if I ever do sell her, will be getting a great boat.

Welcome to CSR and good luck with the boat. Have her looked at closely by someone that will advise you as to the soundness of the boat.

 

[magstang1]

It's all about maintenance and a little luck. If it's used gently and cared for diligently it should last quite a while. If it's been neglected, you can probably count on more problems.

Sometimes things just happen though. I bought my boat with 750 hours on the clock and blew a 350 on day one.

Do your due diligence and don't be afraid of a boat with 800 hours. I would rather own one that's been responsibly used than sat rotting with no hours.