1994 larson

[Stewart hanley]

Hello everyone,


I have found a nice 1994 larson 214 lxi with a 5.8 volvo, low hours conditions are near perfect. I will post some pictures but would love everyone's opinion on the vessel and engine. Also does anyone know what a basic speed of the boat would be, and the relative fuel burn of the V8 235 hp might be?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1994 larson

As with any older boat, structural rot will be the thing to look out for . . .

Is that a Ford engine? Sort of looks it with the distributor up front . . . Others will probably have more to say about it, but parts might be an issue down the road. Maybe not show stoppers, but things to be aware of. . .

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1994 larson

A bottom painted smaller bowrider with a Ford engine would not be my first choice. For got out of the marine business not long after this boat was made and parts are harder to find than the comparable Chevy. If you're going to leave it in the water the bottom paint might not be an issue but for me it would be something requiring additional effort to either maintain or remove. Rot is a concern for all fiberglass boats of this age but probably even more of one on a boat that has spent some or all of it's life wet-slipped. Not at all saying this is a bad boat, I just wouldn't pay as much for it as I would a similar boat with a Chevy motor and a clean bottom. And as always, check VERY carefully for rot.

 

[Stewart hanley]

Re: 1994 larson

It's a Volvo 5.8, but back then I believe Volvo and ford were together, so I believe it's just a ford 351 with volvos name on it, as far as the boat goes it has a brand new floor done by professional shop. Interior is called an 8/10 and the exterior 8/10. Older couple owned, maintance records for most of its life and all maintance done by the channel marine in NH.

 

[Stewart hanley]

Re: 1994 larson

The bottom paint is freshly done, was always fresh water never salt. Bottom paint is a potential problem why? Thanks for all that info, I'm lucky to have Volvo parts highly available including the ever ellusive connectors. The dealership advertised the motor as 235 hp but I thought this stopped after 1990 where the engine changes cams etc and upped the hp to 275, anyone have any insight on that thought?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1994 larson

It's a Volvo 5.8, but back then I believe Volvo and ford were together, so I believe it's just a ford 351 with volvos name on it, as far as the boat goes it has a brand new floor done by professional shop. Interior is called an 8/10 and the exterior 8/10. Older couple owned, maintance records for most of its life and all maintance done by the channel marine in NH.

Ayuh,.... Exactly,.... 'n Ford been outa the Marine biz ever since....

I'd keep lookin' for a boat with Chevy power....

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1994 larson

It's a Volvo 5.8, but back then I believe Volvo and ford were together, so I believe it's just a ford 351 with volvos name on it, as far as the boat goes it has a brand new floor done by professional shop. Interior is called an 8/10 and the exterior 8/10. Older couple owned, maintance records for most of its life and all maintance done by the channel marine in NH.

The boat engine companies making Inboard/Outboard engines get their "base engines" from the automotive industry . . . Ford and GM for the most part . . .But as Bond-o mentioned, Ford got out of that in the mid-late 1990's. So, you are better to find something that has a GM engine as the base engine.

The boat looks in decent shape for what you can see. You will have to determine at closer inspection if there are any issues with the stuff that you can't readily see.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 1994 larson

... Thanks for all that info, I'm lucky to have Volvo parts highly available including the ever ellusive connectors...

This tells me that your mind is pretty much already made up. No real need to echo the fact that Ford parts are getting harder to come by. (and more $$$$) Or ask which outdrive is actually on the boat.

Best of luck with your boat.

 

[Stewart hanley]

Re: 1994 larson

Hey all,

I agree a chevy is a great engine, but at 4,300 dollars for a mint condition, older couple owned, brand new floor and professionally maintained by a dealer. I put a deposit on it good for two weeks, I still have a bad taste in my mouth from letting a nice cobalt slip through my fingers. So hopefully when i take it out of winterizing in the next week and fire it up all goes well.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1994 larson

Hey all,

I agree a chevy is a great engine, but at 4,300 dollars for a mint condition, older couple owned, brand new floor and professionally maintained by a dealer. I put a deposit on it good for two weeks, I still have a bad taste in my mouth from letting a nice cobalt slip through my fingers. So hopefully when i take it out of winterizing in the next week and fire it up all goes well.

Ayuh,... A Mint condition boat, don't have a Brand New floor in it...

The Brand New floor is probably hidin' Rotten stringers, 'n transom,... Boats Rot from the bottom Up...

'n, If you ever need any 1 of the many parts on that motor, with the part number, NLA,....
You've got a pile of parts for yer $4300.00....
It ain't like it's an ole Carbed motor, it's 'Puter controlled...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1994 larson

This is exactly why I'd shy away from a bottom painted trailer boat. It was obviously left out to rot at some point if it needed a new deck.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1994 larson

Ayuh,... A Mint condition boat, don't have a Brand New floor in it...

The Brand New floor is probably hidin' Rotten stringers, 'n transom,... Boats Rot from the bottom Up...

'n, If you ever need any 1 of the many parts on that motor, with the part number, NLA,....
You've got a pile of parts for yer $4300.00....
It ain't like it's an ole Carbed motor, it's 'Puter controlled...

I'd have to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th everybody else's concern about getting Ford replacement parts for the motor as they haven't made them in roughly 10 years. I understand letting the Cobalt "slip through your fingers" must still sting, but the market is flooded with good used boats. It would be a shame to have a non replaceable part go on the motor and then have no boat at all... Either way, good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 1994 larson

Cobalt "slip through your fingers"...

A Larson sure isn't a Cobalt!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 1994 larson

I would be upset too if a Cobalt slipped through my fingers . . . unless I was reaching to grasp a Formula.

To the OP's point, now that it is the month of March . . the seasonal "march" is on for boats, particularly in that size range. So, the task is to be 'decisive' and the challenge is to 'make good choices'.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 1994 larson

I dono........If it were a Ford carb motor...that would be different, but all that fancy electronic crap (MPI,TPI) or whatever it is.....id be worried about replacement sensors, gizmos and such.
Hadnt made them in the last 10 years or so? Thats along time nowaday's It aint like the old days when motors were simple runners and parts of all makes were available everywere.

Im thinking that's why they only want $4300 for it. But for the money being spent and the boat you are getting?......it's not like your spending $15,000 or so.

Your Money!

Good luck and Happy boating!

 

[jestor68]

Re: 1994 larson

That's basically the same motor you would find in various like year Ford vehicles(cars, p/u trucks). Any auto parts store would carry most any part you might need for that motor.

Also, various Mustang restoration venders would carry any part(like an idle air control valve) for that motor.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1994 larson

A Larson sure isn't a Cobalt!

Agreed!