88 Alura

C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
So I have been asking questions in the Inboards section and getting no answers. Since we're already talking to a marina for repower, I guess the restoration section is better anyway. And were definitely doing more so it is a restoration. That is if this will be worth it. My dad is pretty hooked on the boat, but I really don't think this is a good investment. We just need a comfortable, safe boat that can make it out 20 miles at any time. If we did a full out restoration to this boat, what do you guys think it would be worth? I mean painted, upholstery, wiring all that. I've been reading that old luhrs were cored pieces of crap. I know what cored means but don't really know how it affects the boat. I'm just asking will this be worth it in any way.
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

This is it when we bought it but it still pretty much looks the same for those of you who never saw it.
 
zool

zool

Captain
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
3,432
Re: 88 Alura

Boats are never good investments, well, not in a monetary way....you have to decide if the use you get out of it is "worth it"...

Open sportfishermans are a particular favorite of mine....so if I had it, and didnt want to move up or pay for someone elses headache, it would be worth it to me to refit it, and run it.

Looks good ;)
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

The main type of fishing we do is striper,drum fish, blue fish, shark, and stuff like that. I think this boat is a great shark boat. I also saw something very cool done to a 30' alura. They made it into a pilot house. I think taking the tower off would make it so much more seaworthy, and I always LOVED pilot houses. Don't you guys think that would be super easy? I don't know just another thought. So tell me what you guys know about cored boats. And do you think we could take the engines out by ourselves? I mean the new ones are complete so we really can't break anything. I've only taken an engine out of an old jimmy, but my uncle is a mechanic for AAA. I'm pretty familiar with that engine, since I've been down there quite a few times this season fixing small things, and always fiddling with the carb to get them started some days. If we can I'm almost positive I can start around Christmas. Just disconnecting things and checking the glass for any problems.
 
bigdirty

bigdirty

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
652
Re: 88 Alura

zool said:
Boats are never good investments, well, not in a monetary way....you have to decide if the use you get out of it is "worth it"..
Click to expand...

Agree with that for SURE! If your dad likes the boat and is willing to foot the bills(?), you might as well keep 'the devil you know' and fix her up nice.. Even once my 87 bayliner is 'all fixed up' it will MAYBE be 'worth' $5-$8k (although I only have about $2k in it so far, i assume it will be more like $4-5k by the time i'm 'done' with it, NOT counting my personal time/labour) BUT; I will have gained knowledge, skills, enjoyed my time doing it, and hopefully, have something I can take pride in and enjoy. THAT is what makes it 'worth it' to me.. :)
 
zool

zool

Captain
Joined
Aug 19, 2012
Messages
3,432
Re: 88 Alura

That boat makes a fine shark rig, imo.....I run out of little Egg Inlet and most of the sharking I do is in 20-30 fathom range...(20 fathom fingers and 25 fathom hole)...up to 50 miles east of LBI. I never has a problem in a 28'.

The Alura has a downeast type hull, so look at those styles for ideas, alot of Downeasters have pilot houses and the look is timeless. Most folks here will help you figure it all out too!

Cored hulls has been a debate for years, and many major brands liek Sea ray, Black Watch, Luhrs, ect, ect used them.....Heres pascoes take on it all
Cored Hull Bottoms

You can get the engines out by yourself, but may take some rigging and Mcguivering...thats how i got my twins out, in my yard without a trailer....

While its apart, no doubt check the stringers and transom thoroughly.....nows the time.
 
Last edited:
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

Are the effects of a balsa core failure a big deal? Like will the hull cave in or something? Aand how would I thoroughly check the stringers and transom? Just poke around? Were getting her taken out the second we have one day free... That will most likely be when my older brother and I are off of school and we can take her to the marina. So they can lift them out. And finally, how much are cummins qsl9s and cat c7s? I'm just weighing the options. I'm also making a model of what I want because I'm bored
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

alura pilothouse.png This is the 30 footer. I'd paint it he nice dark blue and red though.
 
C

Cptkid570

Ensign
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
967
Re: 88 Alura

Make sure you understand the difference between an auto engine set up and marine engine set up. You want to only use marine parts for the carb, starter, alternator, water pump, distributor... freeze plugs, head gaskets.... I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Anyway, I saw that you said that you had an engine out of an old gmc jimmy. So, I wanted to make sure you knew the differences. The cams are different in a truck engine and marine engine, but not much. There are lots of people on here that are better at knowing the finite details of that.
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

Yeah I'm just wondering about taking them out. The new engines are new complete crusaders so I don't need to worry about that.
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

So how much are cummins qsl9s and cat c7s?I'm guessing like +60k but I'm just wondering
 
C

Cptkid570

Ensign
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
967
Re: 88 Alura

It is interesting that you ask that. Where I live, diesel gas costs more than regular gas now. I think it used to be opposite.
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

It is here too I think most fishing boats at our size are diesels.
 
C

Cptkid570

Ensign
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
967
Re: 88 Alura

I don't know diesel engines very well, but I believe they are supposed to be more efficient and last a lot longer.
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

Yeah I'm gonna abandon the diesel idea. I'm seeing the lowest is 60k and that's a bit much. I'm thinkin my brother and I will get down and bring her to the marina Monday or Tuesday. Anybody have experience with utschs marina? I also saw that the canyon club marina does great repowers but I don't know if they do gas engines. Anything I should be careful of or do before un-connecting everything on the engine?
 
Bondo

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,095
Re: 88 Alura

cpenrose said:
Yeah I'm gonna abandon the diesel idea. I'm seeing the lowest is 60k and that's a bit much. I'm thinkin my brother and I will get down and bring her to the marina Monday or Tuesday. Anybody have experience with utschs marina? I also saw that the canyon club marina does great repowers but I don't know if they do gas engines. Anything I should be careful of or do before un-connecting everything on the engine?
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... What motor,..?? connected to What drive,..??
 
C

cpenrose

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 26, 2012
Messages
261
Re: 88 Alura

Chrysler 360. Can't tell you anything about the driveline besides that it's not a v drive. We never touched the trans besides to put fluid in it. And you don't think the 5.7s will do? Be honest I don't care. But I don't know the price of the 8.1s. I'm guessing around $16,000? I don't know if my dad would be up to that. Or how about the 6.0s?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top