Greetings.....

[garbageguy]

Yes, I believe parts availability is a big issue - more of an issue to some than others. I think the condition of the rest of it, and your own desire to dig-in, will determine if you put a different engine and drive in it. There are a lot of great people on this forum to help you out anyway you go. Sounds like an interesting venture for sure

 

[Watermann]

Yeap that pic is of a WLOD, the white leg of doom, death and despair. Nothing about the OMC set up is desirable, parts, performance or even how the ugly thing looks.

Anything is possible, they can be converted to Mercruiser as said it just takes tools, a skill set and determination. It's been done to an Islander but most guys anymore would choose to go with an outboard pod to just do away with the IO setup, cover the gaping hole and reclaim a ton of interior room.

 

[oscarvan]

Yeap that pic is of a WLOD, the white leg of doom, death and despair. Nothing about the OMC set up is desirable, parts, performance or even how the ugly thing looks.

Anything is possible, they can be converted to Mercruiser as said it just takes tools, a skill set and determination. It's been done to an Islander but most guys anymore would choose to go with an outboard pod to just do away with the IO setup, cover the gaping hole and reclaim a ton of interior room.

Yeah, that thought has crossed my mind too..... Rip it all out and hang a nice quiet 150 Vtec on the back..... Then again, there IS something really cool about the aesthetics of these boats and a (modern) outboard would burst that bubble real bad.

Out of curiosity, has anyone (successfully) built a well for an outboard? It would be the best of both worlds. But, I've only done that on 6 knot sailboats which is not quite the same as a planing hull.......lol

 

[Watermann]

Many have reworked the size and a few have built new splashwells but with a pod even that space gobbler is gone.

 

[oscarvan]

A pod..... hmmm that sounds $$$

 

[redneck joe]

nope. mostly time.

 

[oscarvan]

OK, are we talking the same pod? I'm thinking Volvo ISP or Zeus pod... would be really cool but those puppies are 5 digits just for a used drive.....

 

[redneck joe]

Pod or outdrive? different things I think

 

[GA_Boater]

Pod is another name for an outboard bracket to set back and a motor;

One of many and they all require support inside the hull;

 

[oscarvan]

OK, THAT's what you meant..... Yes, that's cheap(er). A Zeus pod would be pretty snazzy though..... lol