1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

[Mr. Ross]

I have not owned a large outboard for a couple of decades. The last one I had was a 150 Johnson on a fishing boat and I did have intermittent problems with it quitting stalling or just plain shutting off while cruising.<br /><br />A friend of mine is looking at a 26' Coastal with twin Yamaha outboards that has been used in fresh water only. The rig is very clean. We did notice that there is no additional reinforcement on the transom and it will flex a bit if you push hard on the engines while out of the water. The twin Merc setup sitting next to it has a serious bracket which encompasses the entire transom on a Fountain. Not sure if this is a Yamaha VS Merc issue or a dealer's choice.<br /><br />Couple of questions;<br /><br />Is the twin engine Yamaha setup typical, no transom reinforcement?<br /><br />Are these engines reasonably trouble free as compared to some older model outboards? <br /><br />Thanks in advance for any information you can share.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

the engines were good ones, if the transom flex's hire a marine surveyor to inspect it before purchase. best money you will spend. the hulls have absolutly noting to do with engine manufacture.

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

Thanks, the engines are my concern for my friend, he is worried about repair history of them (in general). <br /><br />I was just wondering if some sort of reinforcement is prudent with so much weight on the transom and if that is an engine manufacturer's choice or boat builder's choice. I have seen it both ways now.

 

[bernieb]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

I would ask for a maintenence record if you can get it.Also get a compression reading on both engines and how many hours on the set, if possible.

 

[maj75]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

There should not be any "flex" in the transom. If the transom is soft, there is most likely water inside. RUN AWAY, unless they are selling the boat for the value of the engines only. Transom repair is very expensive, if you are paying for it. It can be done by the DIY crowd, but you must remove the engines and all transom fittings first. Because the transom has so much stress, this type repair should only be attempted by the experienced DIY individual.

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

Oh no, the transom is not soft at all. Actually the flex is the entire unit (transom) due the weight of the motors when you really push on the power heads from the stern; boat on blocks.<br /><br />I did not see any rot in the boat stringers but that and the transom need to be checked yet. I suggested to my friend that he remove one of the motor well scuppers and the drain plug flange with the marina's permission to get a high/low access point to the transom for inspection. Stringers will be fairly easy to inspect around limber holes and fasteners. <br /><br />I would not base anything on a moisture meter. I found a mush filled balsa core one missed last month on another boat he was looking at. I have heard they are a bit fickle but then I have never used one either.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

then buy them and be happy.<br /> yamaha has nothing to do with hull strength and there is no warrenty on it anyway.<br /> however its not engine weight causing the flex.<br /> if its flexing its not solid. ya cannot have it both ways.<br /> hire a surveyor, if a surveyor miss's it and reports its sound and you buy it and find out its not sound you have legal recourse. otherwise its buyer beware.

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

Thanks for the tip rodbolt. I am feeling my way through this outboard thing for my buddy, I have twin inboards myself and am not familiar with current installation practices. I thought perhaps a reinforcing bracket should have been used as I saw on a Fountain with twin 250 Mercs, appeared to be a Merc part. I know the Yamahas are not the problem. But thanks again for all of your advise, prior to him purchasing I have advised him to hire a surveyor. But to date, I have found structural issues that have prevented him from going that far on several boats.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

and on older hulls you will go through a lot before finding a solid one.<br /> I work on mostly twins above 150 HP . I see more twins above 150 HP than single engine rigs above the 150 HP range. I dont think the bracket fountain uses is a brunswick marine part. most are made by Gil.<br /><br /> some of the twins are on integrated brackts,some on standoff brackets and others are mounted directly to the transom.<br /> but if the transom moves with just your muscle power just think of the pressures of two 200's at 45+MPH hopping waves.<br /> the engine manufactures and the hull dealers usually dont have much say in the process. its up to the hull manufacturer, unless of course both share a parent company.

 

[bowhuntrrl]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

There are known hull and transom problems with Wellcrafts manufactured in that era. Believe me, the flex is not from the weight of the engines. Pay a surveyor, it will save your friend money and heart ache !!!

 

[Mr. Ross]

Re: 1993 200 HP Yamaha on Wellcraft Coastal

I think we will pass on this boat. I had read about the possibility of stringers being rotten due to unsealed limber holes but most boat builders don't seem to bother to do that it seems. Was going to check the stringers.<br /><br />Transom problems on these, now that I had not heard. I did a search on BUS and found nothing. Thanks for the information.