Need some advice on a possible boat purchase..

sevillity

Cadet
Joined
Aug 4, 2011
Messages
13
OK. I learned the HARD way that the mercruiser 470 is an unforgiving beast. Bought it with a rebuilt engine and thought all was well....Too bad the rebuild was required because of a bad exhaust manifold(which wasn't replaced) soooo you guessed it, I need another rebuild after unknowingly leaking water into the engine. She's hydrolocked, the piston is shot, as is a valve, add to that the exhaust manifold and elbow, bellows that needed replacing anyway, and I am looking at well over 3,000 in work for a boat worth much less. Needless to say I am not going to do the work.

I am hooked on boating, and so is the misses so we are contemplating a replacement.
Enter the new boat: A local dealer is selling an '89 Dynasty Elan with the Merc 5.7. AS IS
They are asking 4,995. I can offer 3,500 MAX. Kind of a take it or leave it deal. NADA calls it 2700-3100

Over all the boat is in great shape, and they say it's all gone through. They are willing to bring it down to the lake for a testdrive too. I will NEVER consider another 470 again, but am hoping to avoid any future woes by doing my homework.

What does everybody think about this engine/boat?

Are there any particular issues I should know about?

Things I should look for?

Horror stories worth sharing?

ANY info would be extremely appreciated.

Thank you!
 
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