Repower Question

[CoralReefer]

I've decided to repower this off-season due to tired engine with high hours and problems. My question is should I just go back with a newly rebuilt 5.7 or upgrade to 7.4? I've also considered a 383. However, I've been told that an Alpha I can't hold the torque of the 383 or big block. In my dream world I'd like to go 7.4 with a Bravo III but with all the parts and labor I'd be spending much more than I paid for the vessel.

Should I stick to basic repower or upgrade? If so, does anyone have any links other than eBay to find complete repower packages?

My last option is to sell boat as is and just buy another with upgraded engine package. Thoughts?

 

[rondds]

Coral
That's a tough question. It depends on how emotionally attached to your boat you are, how comfortable you are in her and how much money you have to spend on a new (to you) boat. Is your boat running adequately to pass on to a buyer? Does a buyer exist for your boat powered by an old tired motor? If not, is donation for a tax deduction a possibility? Also, if you were to buy a used boat thats even 15 years newer than yours, it'll still be pretty darn old and what types of baggage will THAT boat bring to the table?

My boat will be 20 years old in August and I've thought about this issue. I do not need a repower at this point but someday I might and when faced with the same question, I'm not sure what I'd do either.

I'm guessing that you love the boat and would have not thought about selling if you didnt have engine issues. Dropping in a new powerplant and drive would cost more that the boat is worth, but less than replacing the boat, so repowering is probably what i'd do if I were you.

As for which package, if the performance was adequate with what you currently have and your drive is in good condition, stick with the same engine. You may be able to sell or trade in your engine for something towards the new one also. Here's a few links that I see advertised in the back of the Salty Dog and Boat Shopper around here - may be of help. If not these, pick up a Boat Shopper-type booklet in a marine store or supermarket near where you boat, there are plenty of places listed in the back who'd be happy to help you out and answer questions.

http://www.jasperengines.com/marine-engines.htm

http://www.ebasicpower.com/

http://www.dougrussell.com/

these are places around me in NJ...
http://www.bayshorepowermarine.com/

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

I've decided to repower this off-season due to tired engine with high hours and problems. My question is should I just go back with a newly rebuilt 5.7 or upgrade to 7.4? I've also considered a 383. However, I've been told that an Alpha I can't hold the torque of the 383 or big block. In my dream world I'd like to go 7.4 with a Bravo III but with all the parts and labor I'd be spending much more than I paid for the vessel.

Should I stick to basic repower or upgrade? If so, does anyone have any links other than eBay to find complete repower packages?

My last option is to sell boat as is and just buy another with upgraded engine package. Thoughts?

You are correct about the Alpha one not taking the torque with a bigger engine. You'd be forced to get a BII or Alpha gen 2... Then if you are going to upgrade, go with the 5.7 BIII or a 6.2 with a BIII. That would be the ultimate package. Also either the 5.7 or 6.2 will be more fuel efficient then the 7.4 or 383...

I upgraded my 5.7 carb to the 6.2 HO MPI and love the extra power. I am running a BII on the back end however and could get even better performance and economy with a BIII.

 

[dpmulvey]

BINGO...we have a winner!!!! Go with a 6.0 Crusader (3275hp) or a 6.2 Horizon. SEI has a drive that will mate to them at far less than a merc outdrive.

 

[CoralReefer]

Ron,

You're absolutely right...I love this boat and I couldn't even come close to buying a newer boat this size without dropping a good bit more $$$.

I spent a lot of time and money at the start of last season on the hull and wood and she's absolutely gorgeous to the eye. (I got a ton of kudos at the dock this year).

My gut is to go with the stock 5.7 to get back on the water faster and cheaper. Thanks for the links.

Coral

 

[rondds]

If it's really true love, than you must...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sJPUTTfNbg[/youtube]

 

[CoralReefer]

Nice!! That brought a tear to my eye!:lol:

 

[rondds]

I knew it would

 

[keokie]

Your boat will run extremely well with a big block and Bravo. The hull is 23 degrees constant deadrise along the running surface. It is very similar to the shape of offshore performance boats and reacts very well to additional power. Also, it truly will not use more fuel. I have verified this by running a fuel flow meter.

 

[SCORPIO]

What about these 5.7s that are advertized to have 300HP? Can an Alpha I handle that? I've thought about this topic alot also. This past winter, I had to repower my 1982 SRV 260SXL in order to sell her to a friend. I went with a Jasper reman, stock 260 hp. since I had an OMC stringer drive and I didn't want to spend any more money upgrading the engine/drive than necessary. My current boat is a '89 300 DA with twin 5.7s and Alpha Is. If I ever need to repower her, I would be interested in the 300-330 HP 5.7s provided I don't have to go to BII as well.

 

[keokie]

I have not seen problems with the 350 mag/alpha combo. You'll get a slight advantage in power, but not tremendous as the torque curves are similar to the old standard merc 350. However, the fuel injection is a nice perk.

 

[84 SR268]

i have read somewhere in the past the alpha's are rated up to 300hp,.i also have an 84 dancer 5.7,,260 i love the boat,, but lacks power,, need alot of RPM to get a decent cruise speed, i would love a bblock,,and a bravo,,but its an investment, i thought about taking a wash on mine ,, since prices are so low, on older boats,, i have seen some great deals on some 29 sundancer im my area , in the mid teens

 

[84 SR268]

would anyone know if the alpha 1 gen 11 is stronger than a basic alpha 1 ??? i do know the have a larger water pump impeller,if so A Gen-2 might be the way to go, staying in budget

 

[Vince_nj1]

I think there is someone else on this board with a 26 foot Searay with 7.4l and an alpha drive. I seem to remember that Searay offered that combination for few years, but the alpha drives wouldn’t hold up with a heavy boat. I don't know what your boat weighs, but I think my 79 sundancer was around 6500 lbs dry. Add 100 gallons of fuel, 40 gallons of water, gear and friends and it was over 8000.

In the 3 years that owned that boat I lost 2 engines. I lost the original engine due to pinging (blew a hole in the piston). I bought a rebuilt engine from a marine mechanic in Point Pleasant that specialized in re-powering. Within the first 10 hours the engine lost all of its oil and spun a bearing. I had to get towed in from NY harbor. The mechanic accused me of changing the oil and not tightng the oil filter We argued over who's fault it was. He said it was mine for not checking the oil and I argued that the engine failed because he didnt build it right.

We agreed that he would install a new engine that I purchased at no cost.

At the time I was working for Volvo (corp. headquarters) The Penta division had purchased a boat with a complete Merc 260 package for testing. They tested the boat, and then swapped the package with a Penta duo-prop. I was able to purchase the complete Mercruiser package for about 1/2 what it would cost new.

The mechanic ran into problems with the boats plug (1979) not matching the wiring harnesses for the new engine (1990) and something else with the power steering/transom. In the end he got it installed and billed me $1800 for his extra work . Then to top everything else off, even with a complete rebuild, I still had over heating issues. I sold the boat that summer.

I think your cheapest option is to just change the engine and hope your outdrive and transom plate are still in good shape.