1st time boater needs advice

[No EFI]

Going to be getting a boat soon. We will be using it in Lake Erie. We found a very clean 1998 Wellcraft Excel 21SL. Any opinions on this boat? We are just looking to use it for entertainment on weekend/evenings, maybe going to the islands or Flats on occasion. The dealer said it's a 350 2 barrel, I was told by a friend that a 350 was never offered in a 2 barrel only 4 barrel. Thanks

 

[johnkc]

Re: 1st time boater needs advice

in 1997 and some 1998 boats you will find 350 with 2bbl carbs . these are 210 hp at the prop. these engines took the place of the 305 for a year because gm didn't have a 305 for merc in 1997. this was pre vortec

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: 1st time boater needs advice

Wellcraft to me makes a decent boat. Haven't heard any major complaints about them. I know there are many around the great lakes region. The size and power ratio sounds like it would be a good Lake Erie boat. There should not be any problem of installing a manifold to accomodate a 4 barrel carb. I think personally that it would help boost your power on take off. Just remember to adhere to the small craft advisories. Also check out the website www.boatus.com it has alot of info for new boaters. Especially for the Lakes, they are unforgiving and not a place to make mistakes. Good Luck and enjoy boating

 

[No EFI]

Re: 1st time boater needs advice

Thanks for the replies. I'm taking the wife to see it tomorrow and if all goes well trying to close the deal. I guess a down payment- good faith deposit to hold it 'til the weather breaks. Anything I should pay special attention to or me asking? Thanks. SS Mayfloat- service tech? auto?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: 1st time boater needs advice

EFI, Don't just jump in and buy it. First you should make sure that it runs and that the outdrive is quiet. Test drive before you buy. Just from experience, just because it is sitting on the trailer, using muffs to hear the motor run and the outdrive doesn't mean its okay. Also go to www.nada.com and see what the blue book is to make sure that your getting a bargain. <br />I'm a service technician on commercial kitchen equipment, Heating/Cooling, and have been into cycle and auto racing. Plus my dad had his own mechanics shop that I grew up in. I've been called MacGywver, Edison, and Gizmo for all the crazy things I've built. Good Luck, but do some more checking. There alot of posts that have some good reading about buying boats.

 

[No EFI]

Re: 1st time boater needs advice

We bought it. I'm as excited as a kid at Chirstmas. The wife gave the ok, but was still smooth about it in front of the salesman. As soon as the weather breaks we're taking it for a test ride and then bringing it home, Amen. Thanks for all the advice<br />