ray306
New Member
We own a 1990 350DA and live in the Ft. Lauderdale area. We purchased it over the summer, had it surveyed and we're quite happy with the boat. We use it a fair amount here in the land of year round boating.
Last week I heard a funny sound coming from the starboard engine, called the mechanic, he says low compression and water in 5 and less than optimum compression in 6. These are carburated gas engines(454's) and have approx. 750 hours on them so it is clear that these engines are probably in the last 1/3 of their lifespan. Since the engines are raw water cooled that is salt water in the cylinder. My quandry is: What to do now.
I'm looking for some insight and/or advice.
Here are the options, as I see them, from lowest cost to highest cost. 1) Have a mechanic do a quick rebuid on only the bad engine ( approx. $4000). 2) Found a used set of 454 engines that supposedly has 200 hours on them.....??but the engines are 1988's??Though they do have fresh water cooling. Mechanic has already started them and checked them out(approx $7000 to do both).3)Have a complete and thorough rebuid; new long block..everything back to factory specs...1 year warranty(approx. $15,000 to do both engines)4) Replace both gas engines with 2 new EFI gas engines(approx $13,000 per engine..should probably do both so $26,000)and finally 5)replace gas engines with a pair of diesels(approx almost $40,000 which does not even take into account the brand new gas genset on the boat)
Now, I am not so much concerned about resale as I tend to keep boats for a long period of time but it is an issue to consider. Our use of the boat is in the intracoastal near Ft. Lauderdale, the Florida keys, runs to the Bahamas, etc.Considerations may be increased speed, range, and fuel efficiency with diesels though maintenance is more expensive. Finally, how much is too much to spend on a 17 year old boat that both the Admiral and I love.
Thanks for your input/advice
Ray
Last week I heard a funny sound coming from the starboard engine, called the mechanic, he says low compression and water in 5 and less than optimum compression in 6. These are carburated gas engines(454's) and have approx. 750 hours on them so it is clear that these engines are probably in the last 1/3 of their lifespan. Since the engines are raw water cooled that is salt water in the cylinder. My quandry is: What to do now.
I'm looking for some insight and/or advice.
Here are the options, as I see them, from lowest cost to highest cost. 1) Have a mechanic do a quick rebuid on only the bad engine ( approx. $4000). 2) Found a used set of 454 engines that supposedly has 200 hours on them.....??but the engines are 1988's??Though they do have fresh water cooling. Mechanic has already started them and checked them out(approx $7000 to do both).3)Have a complete and thorough rebuid; new long block..everything back to factory specs...1 year warranty(approx. $15,000 to do both engines)4) Replace both gas engines with 2 new EFI gas engines(approx $13,000 per engine..should probably do both so $26,000)and finally 5)replace gas engines with a pair of diesels(approx almost $40,000 which does not even take into account the brand new gas genset on the boat)
Now, I am not so much concerned about resale as I tend to keep boats for a long period of time but it is an issue to consider. Our use of the boat is in the intracoastal near Ft. Lauderdale, the Florida keys, runs to the Bahamas, etc.Considerations may be increased speed, range, and fuel efficiency with diesels though maintenance is more expensive. Finally, how much is too much to spend on a 17 year old boat that both the Admiral and I love.
Thanks for your input/advice
Ray