Searay 170 with 4.3l Merc Alpha one

[Damdan]

Gents and ladies,
I'm looking to buy the above boat and urgently need information on the combination.
Its a 1991 model with 230 hours and in good condition but the price is too high to just jump into the deal.
Things to look out for, things to check, what to stay away from, what to test, how to test, horsepower, fuel consumption, etc etc.
I need the info asap please and will appreciate any input.
Thanks
D

 

[mano]

Re: Searay 170 with 4.3l Merc Alpha one

My last 2 boats have had this motor, and i can tell you on a 17' it will be a rocket ship. They have an excellent reputation, both SeaRay & the 4.3 mercruiser. The only problem I had with the motor on mine was the starter cellenoid needed replacing, on both boats.

I had a 1700 Glastron open bow with the 4.3 Merc and it was fast fast fast. Fuel consupmtion varies greatly on how you use it, but it will suck gas for sure if you are skiing, etc. Pretty easy to burn up a tank of gas in a day. I found that I rarely ran this boat wide open it was so fast.

The best thing to do would be to take it to a boat shop and have them look it over, not only the motor but the lower unit and other componants...the last one i bought only had 100 hours on a 1989, but because it had been stored with some water in the lower unit froma leaky lower seal, I spent $1,000 replacing bearings and shafts that were pitted, so there can be a lot more than just the motor. A warranty is always a good thing.

Probably for $100-200 you could have a boat shop look it over and give you an assessment. They could check the engines compression, change the lower unit lube and see what it looks like, etc., and give you an idea what it might need.

Good luck.

 

[yam350yfm]

Re: Searay 170 with 4.3l Merc Alpha one

The 4.3 Merc is a great setup and Searay is a great boat. In my area you can have a shop or an independent inspection done on the boat and the price will be anywhere from 150 to 400, depending on what all you have checked.

Things you want checked on the motor / lower unit are:
1. compression test to see that the compression is good in all cylinders
2. check the exhaust manifolds, intake manifold, and carb
3. check the throttle and shift cable / linkages
4. check the bellows
5. check the lower unit oil for water, rust, or metal shavings
6. check how the lower unit shifts in/out of gear
7. check to make sure the starter, alternator, etc are boat parts and have not been replaced with lower cost automotive parts (fire hazard)
8. check the blower and hoses

The '91 Mariah that we run with the 4.3 Merc has nearly 500 hours and has had no failures or problems. We winterize it every fall, tune it up every spring, and use seafoam in the fuel.

For the hull I would have them check the overall condition of the hull, transom, and floor. Also test the circuit panel, battery (make sure there is a battery box), etc.

With the low hours it should be in good condition, but I would get a 3rd party opinion, or at least check those things out yourself.

 

[Damdan]

Re: Searay 170 with 4.3l Merc Alpha one

Thanks a million.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Searay 170 with 4.3l Merc Alpha one

also if you clik on your name, every post you ever posted will show.
http://forums.iboats.com/search.php?searchid=1138935

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.