What have people in the forum experienced when faced with these choices?
I have a 1976, 17-foot Imperial open bow runabout with a fishing deck conversion powered by an AQ170 Volvo Penta and 270 Volvo outdrive. We’re the second owner of the boat and have had it since 1989. I just blew the rings in number six cylinder and am faced with the choice of rebuilding, repowering, or replacing the boat.
The engine was completely rebuilt (including a brand-new cam, new lifters, head rebuild, and block re-sleeving) in 2015 and it took several months for me to find the necessary parts and gaskets before doing that job. I know parts are harder to find and it will likely cost a minimum of $5000 to remove, rebuild, and then reinstall the engine (assuming I can find the parts).
Is there an alternative engine that will meet or beat the $5000 required to rebuild my current engine, mate up to my 270 outdrive, be readily available with replacement parts in stock for future work as a replacement for the AQ170?
If such an animal doesn’t exist, what’s the best way to get this boat into the hands of somebody that can use it? The engine parts (I have an extra water circulation pump and camshaft, three Solex PAI carburetor rebuild kits, new replacement raw water impeller and such) are desirable. I know there’s lots of value in the parts for the engine but I don’t have the time or space to part it out myself.
The boat is sound, the hull is watertight, and the upholstery and boat cover are in excellent shape (I store the boat inside my garage), the instrument panel was replaced in 2015 as well, and I replaced the steering cable last season. The trailer is sound, has a good axle and spindles, fresh tires and a spare.
My bass fishing addiction is kicking in and I need to get on the water.
I have a 1976, 17-foot Imperial open bow runabout with a fishing deck conversion powered by an AQ170 Volvo Penta and 270 Volvo outdrive. We’re the second owner of the boat and have had it since 1989. I just blew the rings in number six cylinder and am faced with the choice of rebuilding, repowering, or replacing the boat.
The engine was completely rebuilt (including a brand-new cam, new lifters, head rebuild, and block re-sleeving) in 2015 and it took several months for me to find the necessary parts and gaskets before doing that job. I know parts are harder to find and it will likely cost a minimum of $5000 to remove, rebuild, and then reinstall the engine (assuming I can find the parts).
Is there an alternative engine that will meet or beat the $5000 required to rebuild my current engine, mate up to my 270 outdrive, be readily available with replacement parts in stock for future work as a replacement for the AQ170?
If such an animal doesn’t exist, what’s the best way to get this boat into the hands of somebody that can use it? The engine parts (I have an extra water circulation pump and camshaft, three Solex PAI carburetor rebuild kits, new replacement raw water impeller and such) are desirable. I know there’s lots of value in the parts for the engine but I don’t have the time or space to part it out myself.
The boat is sound, the hull is watertight, and the upholstery and boat cover are in excellent shape (I store the boat inside my garage), the instrument panel was replaced in 2015 as well, and I replaced the steering cable last season. The trailer is sound, has a good axle and spindles, fresh tires and a spare.
My bass fishing addiction is kicking in and I need to get on the water.
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