repowering

[vtboater]

i would like opinions on this matter,i have a 1988 larson dc contempra 300,freshwater boat.Its powered by 3.7 liter 165 hp merccruisers with 630 hrs on motors ,with alpha 1 sterndrives . Boat is in A-1 shape,and plan on keeping boat another5 years or more,except not happy with reliability of motors, i,m considering repowering with 4.3 mpi mercs withe new alpha 1s, am i nuts??

 

[Don S]

Re: repowering

If you REALLY like the boat and realize you will NEVER be able to sell an 88 boat with new engines and drives for anywhere near the cost of installing the new engines/drives, then go for it. Personally I would avoid the Alpha drives. Either go with one of the Bravo drives (I or II, avoid the Bravo III drives ) or even go Volvo with the DP-S drives and have the best power and reliability and fuel economy.
For the price, stick with Merc, but go Bravo, not Alpha

 

[MelLandry]

Re: repowering

If you have alpha 1s, why would you replace them with new alpha 1s?

You're talking somewhere over $20,000 before labor.

 

[Don S]

Re: repowering

Different gear ratio for one thing, plus a completely different exhaust system (Y pipe on transom shield) needed for the new Dry Joint exhaust used on the MPI engines.