260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

[JAZZedBW]

I am looking at a 26 Carver Santa Cruz. its got a 260 mercruiser in it. Engine looks to be in absolute mint condition. Oil and tranny fluid is clean. But its been sitting out of the water for 2+ years. Its got an I/O in it. Now, what can I do to make sure that its in good condition before making an offer on the boat? Please help!!<br /><br />(is there any way I can drop the outdrive down to see what comes out of it?)<br /><br />JAZZ

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

Jazz - <br />I would suggest you have a certified surveyor check out the boat (stringers, transom, deck) for evidence of rot or structural problems. Water in the hull is bad - as is severe blistering of the gel coat. <br /><br />Assuming that batteries can crank the engine, a compression check would be informative. I would hesitate to start the engine, as it probably has very old fuel that must be drained and disposed of properly.<br /><br />I recently purchased a boat and had a surveyor look at the boat for me. It cost about $400, but was well worth it. He took the time to look at the stern drive (leg) fluid. Just pull the lower plug and drain out a small amount of fluid. Is it water, oil with metal particles, or it clean oil? An inspection should reveal quite a bit about the boat condition.<br /><br />Lots of Luck . . .

 

[JAZZedBW]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

I'm sorry I forgot to state that I did check out the stringers, they are solid, no blisters or anything. the boat is a 1986, I could probably get it really cheap. the guy is asking 8,900. <br />oh and 1 more thing, it may have some deck rot because its been sitting at Venitian for years.<br />Thank you<br /><br />JAZZ

 

[JAZZedBW]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

is that an alpha or bravo drive in it?<br /><br />JAZZ

 

[Blue Thunder]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

The boat you are looking at pre dates bravo drives, so it is not that. Make sure your offer is contingent on a sea trial and that you can back out (deposit returned) if anything doesn't suit you. I had my last boat surveyed, but only because the loan required I do so. A good survey will include a sea trial that you should attend. <br /><br />Lotsa white elephants out there so buyer beware!!<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />BT

 

[JAZZedBW]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

I could get the boat for probably 3-4 grand when the book says its worth 16-19. I would do a sea-trial run. absolutely. Thank you for reminding me of that!<br /><br />JAZZ

 

[Mufasa]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

Jazz,<br /><br /> That 26' fiberglass Carver is very heavy. The 260 Hp Merc will have quite a work out. This boat is going to be a slug. What do you plan on doing with the boat? Does it have a trailer and will you be able to haul it?

 

[JAZZedBW]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

using it like a regular boat, running it. I talked to a person that had one nd said that it runs fine and jumps up on plane. Thanks<br /><br />JAZZ

 

[MrBill]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

I love a deal....and when it's a good one I'm willing to take a leap of faith checking it out myself if the price tag is $5000 or less. How badly can you get burned? A decent Alpha One out-drive fetches $1000 or more....so start it up, engage the drive, etc., check out the owner...honest guy? Buy it cheap $4-5000, you'll be able to unload it honestly for the same price if it's a dog.....or part it out and make $3000.

 

[JAZZedBW]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

Mr Bill,<br /> I like your thinkin'! Get it, put TLC in it, dump it, make money. Boat is worth anywhere from 17-19 grand. Thats a steal getting it for 3!<br /><br />JAZZ

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

I work with a guy that has the same boat. Great solid boat but can only do about 17-19 knots WOT…..If your not in to speed then this would be a great boat, but if you are then look elsewhere because with that hull design even a bigger motor would not help much.

 

[magster65]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

Yep, the inlaws 1977 26 Carver (w/bridge) does about 16 WOT with a 351 merc./ alpha. They're not speed boats but they cruise nice at 10. Sounds like a good deal, better do it. <br />It's not a Whaler though Jazz!?

 

[rila2]

Re: 260 Mercruiser thats been unran for years

Sounds similar to my situation. I put an offer on a 1988 mainship 35' sedan. The boat had been sitting in the water unsed. Total hours were quoted at 150 hrs for this 1988 boat with twin crusader 454's. I had a survey done and paid $650 with sea trial. <br />At survey, we had problems starting the engine. Both batteries were burnt out, well was dry. The broker ran to the marine shop and returned with new ones.Still it took a while to get the engines started and initally idling was rough and around 600 rpm. After we got going,I noticed the rpm on the port engine was erratic, hovering between 1500 and 2700. The starboard engine seemed to be running a bit smoother but soon died as we passed the harbor entrance. We turned around immediately and came home with a sputtering port engine. Just as we got halfway back in the harbor, we were able to restart the port engine. She flunked the sea trial!Other problems included <br />corrosion on intake manifold attributed to a leak ( I understaned this is common to 454 crusaders.) Both exhaust manifolds seemed to get excesively hot, est temp near 200 degrees.The engine itself remained at about 170 degrees on the temp gauges although we only ran to boat about 15 min before the engine died. I did not yet have the compression checked and at this time waiting for the surveyors report. The surveyor thinks the carburators need to be "replaced." the mainfold changed and both exhaust manifolds replaced. I wonder what other hidden surprises may occur later even if these things were corrected, given the poor maintenance record for this unused boat.I have not yet had the compression checked. The inital hull inspection appeared OK at the time.<br /> I'v been a single outboard engine boater and this is all new to me. I decided to move up to a bigger boat with twins inboards for the safety of offshore fishing in Hawaii. Appreciate your advice on this deal. Would all of these defeciencies be the likely sequalae in an unused boat or should I walk away, having alreay dropped for the survey? What would you guys do? My surveyor says "GO DIESEL." I could have the owner correct the deficiencies and have it re-inspected by a marine mechanic or proceed with the deal and negotiate a price cut for the mechanical problems(20k OFF 57k) and undertake the repair myself.