Can this swap be done?

[fstalfire]

Hi all.....I currently have an '89 four winns 21ft with a 5.7lt.....i like it but would like to larger, just found a 26ft bayliner on craigs list cheap..but it has no motor or outdrive. Can i swap engne and outdrive relatively easily?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can this swap be done?

Ayuh,... It depends on what was in the bayliner originally...
And of course, whatever it is ya have now....

other than it's a 350, ya haven't said...

 

[fstalfire]

Re: Can this swap be done?

Gonna try and look at the Bayliner tomorrow.......my Four Winns Sundowner has am OMC 5.7 with Cobra outdrive now

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Can this swap be done?

Gonna try and look at the Bayliner tomorrow.......my Four Winns Sundowner has am OMC 5.7 with Cobra outdrive now

Putting an obsolete outdrive into a cheap Bayliner is just about the worst thing you could do. But hey, it's just your time and money.

 

[John_S]

Re: Can this swap be done?

Even if the Bayliner is in pristine shape (very unlikely) and used the same drive, I wouldn't consider such a swap, unless your 4winns hull is toast, and your engine/drive is in excellent condition. Sell the 4winns and look for a complete package.

PS: It is highly likely the Bayliner hull/floor/transom/stringer are toast, if this is of the vintage that would have used your drive. The seller either reused the engine/drive package or parted it out, and is looking at a low cost option instead od hauling to landfill. Be very careful with your inspection.

 

[fstalfire]

Re: Can this swap be done?

Darn.....not the reply I was hoping for .....so, I'm new to boating and the four winn is my first and recent. Is the outdrive not a good one? someone mentioned it being obsolete, is it just old?

 

[superbenk]

Re: Can this swap be done?

Darn.....not the reply I was hoping for .....so, I'm new to boating and the four winn is my first and recent. Is the outdrive not a good one? someone mentioned it being obsolete, is it just old?

No, OMC has been out of business for over 12 yrs now. It literally is obsolete. There are conversion kits for the Cobra drives to put SEI or Merc drives on instead if you need to, though.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Can this swap be done?

you're also likely to be sorely disappointed with the performance if you do go through the major ordeal of the swap. a 26 foot boat is a lot of boat to push with a single older 350... enjoy your four winns for a while... btw, I also agree completely with the other replies.