1990 inboard NEW to inboards

[dixieboater165]

Hi everyone, I am very famaliar with Mercruiser I/O's, but I am now looking at buying an inboard which I know nothing about. It is a 1990 Ski Supreme with a Mercruiser 350 direct drive system. This however means very little to me. It has less than 500 hrs on it and he says it runs great and has a new interior. $5000 Sounds like a deal to me. I am driving a long ways to see the boat and I want to know what I need to look for. I know to look for vibrations of any kind, but what else and what specific vibrations? Also, has anyone heard of any common problems with this inboard system? Remember I know nothing about inboards so please state even the most obvious. Thanks for any advice.

 

[prockvoan]

Re: 1990 inboard NEW to inboards

The direct drive could be a BW velvet drive or other trannies.If you know about in/out board engines,thats good.As for as a direct drive,check the oil,smell it,color of it.Ask when was the last time it was service(oil change).Other then that,those trannys last a life time if service has been done and the oil cooler doesn't leak!

 

[Buttanic]

Re: 1990 inboard NEW to inboards

As opposed to I/O's there is very little to go bad in staight inboards. The engine can suffer the same problems as it would in an I/O. The clutch on an inboard uses the same operational principal as an automatic transmission in a car except it has no torque converter and only forward and reverse. Better balance with the engine in the center of the hull. No tilt and trim to go bad, no rubber boots to leak, no U joints, no 90 degree gear sets. Down side is limited shallow water capability and less speed than a comparable boat with an I/O. Any vibration would most likely be cause by a bent propeller shaft, engine to shaft mis-alignment or bad propeller. All in all inboards are simpler and more reliable than I/O's.