Marada boats and 5.8L vp fl

[timharper89]

I have come across a listing for a 1994 marada 2100mvb with a 5.8L VP FL motor asking price is $7k. Post says transom, floors, stringer, and carpet were replaced last year as well as the carb rebuilt, "boots and bearing and seal and bellows", gas tank out and cleaned and various other things done. Should all this work being done before selling be a red flag? I searched on the motor and the boat, but there is very little that comes up. Is this also an issue? I do all repair and maintenance I can on my own. The boat looks great, and the motor and drive look very clean with no corrosion on the drive. Posting is in Michigan, so I assume it is fresh water use. Any thoughts or questions? Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

its a 28 year old boat. that kind of work is common on fiberglass boats that use wood as the core material.

I would skip it because of the ford motor as you can not get parts for it.

 

[timharper89]

its a 28 year old boat. that kind of work is common on fiberglass boats that use wood as the core material.

I would skip it because of the ford motor as you can not get parts for it.

I was wondering about the motor. Bummer because I'd love to have a v8.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I was wondering about the motor. Bummer because I'd love to have a v8.

nothing wrong with a V8. Just avoid Ford power because they are not supported (and havent been since 1996) and dont buy OMC

 

[QBhoy]

That’s the Ford based engine. Likely not such an issue in the states…but here in Europe, it’s avoided like the plague. For fear of lack of parts for them.

 

[Bondo]

That’s the Ford based engine. Likely not such an issue in the states…but here in Europe, it’s avoided like the plague. For fear of lack of parts for them.

Ayuh,..... Here too,.....

Ya Gotta run Chevy power,.....

 

[QBhoy]

Ayuh,..... Here too,.....

Ya Gotta run Chevy power,.....

Agree bondo.

 

[Lou C]

I would agree if its an efi Ford. However if its a Holley 4bbl Ford, then the main thing is manifolds/elbows which are still available. Ford power was also used a lot in Shamrock boats so the manifolds/elbows are still out there. This is a carb motor, so I'd not be so concerned about the Ford part, but by the structural work done. You would need to see pix, reciepts, etc.

 

[timharper89]

Ayuh,..... Here too,.....

Ya Gotta run Chevy power,.....

Below someone mentioned the carbureted model wouldn't be bad. What are your thoughts on that? This is a carbed motor

 

[Lou C]

Well here's what I think:
total up the parts you might have to replace in your ownership time, example:
exhaust manifolds
exhaust elbows
front circulation pump
fuel pump
carb rebuild kit
distributor cap, rotor and module if electronic
can you source these parts? If so then I don't think its a bad risk, if you can't then it is a bad risk.
I have kept an '88 OMC Cobra going for a long time I have a stock of spare parts in my garage, some of which I will probably never use, that will get put up on ebay when I sell the boat, whenever that is.

 

[Bondo]

Well here's what I think:
total up the parts you might have to replace in your ownership time, example:
exhaust manifolds
exhaust elbows
front circulation pump
fuel pump
carb rebuild kit
distributor cap, rotor and module if electronic
can you source these parts? If so then I don't think its a bad risk, if you can't then it is a bad risk.
I have kept an '88 OMC Cobra going for a long time I have a stock of spare parts in my garage, some of which I will probably never use, that will get put up on ebay when I sell the boat, whenever that is.

Ayuh,..... Agreed,..... 'n all those parts will cost more, because it's a Ford,......

 

[Lou C]

and any of the outdrive parts will cost more because its a VP!
however, the bigger issue is the structural work done to the boat to restore it. I'd be looking very carefully at that, before anything else.
one day after this boat is sold, I think I'll have my own ebay store, lightly used OMC parts lol. either that, or include the parts to make the deal better for the right person.