77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

artoisss

Recruit
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
4
Hy all
I'm new to the forum, and pretty much new to boats.
I have a chance to get a 77 Arabian which looks pretty good from the pics I've seen but I'd like a few opinions first.
From what I've seen in the pics the boat has a dial that marks the hours of usage.
This specific boat has 26 hours marked on it. How's that even possible? I have the feeling that someone has fiddled with it and possibly turned it down. Either that or the boat has not been driven at all.
Also they guy says the engine is a Mercruiser but he listed it for 170 HP and says the engine is a 4 cylinder one. I couldn't find on the internet any specs on the engine that's supposed to be oem on this particular model so I'm asking maybe someone knows what king of engine should this model have.
Also, does this engine have particular issues and failures I should be aware of? What's the fuel consumption for cruising and skiing on a lake?
The guy is asking 4000 euros for the boat and trailer.
Here is the link with the boat ad:
http://www.probarca.ro/anunt/12965/...ntury-Arabian-cu-motor-170-CP-si-peridoc.htm#
Thanks!
 

mr 88

Commander
Joined
Nov 3, 2010
Messages
2,115
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

Hour meter has been disconnected,wire loose,corrision or fuse blown.Someone does not paint the" blue flames"without the intention of using boat.The main things to check would be the compression and condition of bellows along with the outdrive being pressured tested.The Mercruiser engine is a good one and I believe if you post in the Mercruiser section they can give you a heads up, I believe it is a model 470.Fuel consumption is dependant on load,water conditions and speed. I would guess that with 3-4 people and cruising at 3,000 rpm's in mild water conditions you would be getting 3-4 mpg assumming the prop is pitched correctly and motor is tuned up.Skiing will eat up a bit more as you are running a bit faster more so in constant take off mode pulling them out of the water and repeating as they fall.Not sure what 4,000 Euros are or what the market is for boats wherever you live.Prices fluctuate in regions and time of the year in the USA along with the finanicial status of owner and what they originally paid for the setup,good luck!
 

superbenk

Commander
Joined
Oct 27, 2008
Messages
2,022
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

I believe the 470 is the black sheep of Mercruiser engines as it's prone to overheating and warping. It's also a bit of an odd-ball engine from what I've read here. Might want to search for that engine in the Mercruiser engine repair section here & read what others have to say about it before buying so you know what you're getting into.
 

lakegeorge

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
660
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

Looking at the pictures I can tell you that the boat has a lot more hours than that.
 

artoisss

Recruit
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
4
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

launch


Thanks for the info guys.
From what I've researched online I did find out that the 470 Merc does not have all that good of a quota.
This kinda' let me down a little bit because I wouldn't want to have to deal with trying to find parts for the engine here in Europe.
I'll go and see the boat though because the guy says he can run it outside of the water and I'll judge myself the way the engine sounds and hopefully get a real first hand opinion.
4000 euros is around 5400 Usd.
Is the 170 HP enough for wakeboarding?

http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/ya/dow...ef=&YY=1308055781787&newid=1&clean=0&inline=1

http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/ya/dow...f=&YY=1308055781788& newid=1&clean=0&inline=1

http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/ya/dow...ef=&YY=1308055781787&newid=1&clean=0&inline=1

http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/ya/dow...ef=&YY=1308055781787&newid=1&clean=0&inline=1

http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/ya/dow...ef=&YY=1308055781788&newid=1&clean=0&inline=1

http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/ya/dow...ef=&YY=1308055781788&newid=1&clean=0&inline=1

http://us.mg2.mail.yahoo.com/ya/dow...ef=&YY=1308055781788&newid=1&clean=0&inline=1


Tried to post some links with better pics.
Don't know if it works...
 

Bamaman1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
1,895
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

I had a 470 Mercruiser in a 17' deep v hull bowrider boat. It was like all the other 4 cylinders coming off idle--not very strong. When planed off, it had plenty of power and speed @ 50 mph. I was getting 6.5 mph in normal use--very efficient on fuel. Mine dropped a thrust bearing bolt into the oil pan, and I never reassembled the engine after 12 years use. I had already switched to a pontoon boat with Yamaha 115 hp 2 stroke.

Everyone's right that the 470 was a bastard engine--with four Ford 460 engine pistons, connecting rods and bearings and one Ford V8 head. The Mercruiser 4.3 six cylinder engine replacement for this engine is just so good.

U.S. boaters don't have any knowledge of the European boat market. I would say that 4000 euros is too much for this boat with this engine, however.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

You can't link to pictures that are in your email.......
 

artoisss

Recruit
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
4
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

View attachment 98107


Goodie gum drops!! :) I've managed to post some pics
Looking at Wolfe's Arabian, I can tell, beeing green as I am, that that's in a MUCH better condition than the boat I'm looking at..
 

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artoisss

Recruit
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
4
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

This is a pic of the engine.
 

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arabianrestore

Recruit
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
3
Re: 77 Century Arabian... is it worth it?

I have been restoring an Arabian myself for about 15 months. Complete restore including stringers, interior, repainting, seats, and engine rebuild/rebore (351w V8). I bought the boat for $800. (1250 euro). I maybe have $4000 (5760 euro) in parts, paint, etc. into the project. Current exchange rate is $1 to 1.44 euro. I think that price is too high for a 4cyl boat that looks that rough. I live in Pennsylvania though so I cannot speak for European market values.
 
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