Any bets? I say he is doomed

[DaveM]

A friend just confessed that he did not pull his boat out of the higher elevations last season until after freezing temps took over. Now he wants me to help evaluate whether there is damage and to what extent.

Any suggestions on what I should look for?

My guess is that he is doomed. I expect to see oil spewing once we fire up the engine, provided it starts. IF it appears to run OK (a big if) I'll check for water in the oil.

This looks to be a sad end to a 1971 vintage Bayliner tri-hull that is (was) in show room condition. The chocolate brown color and interior is so retro that it is actually kind of appealing. BTW - this a stern drive Volvo Penta inline 6. I have only seen the boat once, so I don't have many details.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

Motor is probably doomed, but if the boat is in that good of shape, why not just re-power?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

If this is the Chevy based I-6,.......

You can expect to find Cracks in the Exhaust Manifold,....
And along the Block, up in under the manifold, at the Top of the Block,.....
And,... Along the lower area of the Block, on the same side, along just forward of the Block Drain Plug........
And,... Lastly,...... In this Same Area,... INSIDE the Block........

I Agree with DF,.......
Those Chevy 250 I-6s are Common,+ Replacing it Isn't that Big of a Deal........

 

[Don S]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

Hate to tell ya this, but it's a Volvo, not a Chevy, and any parts are VERY expensive.
I would guess it's the Volvo AQ165 or AQ170.

Here is what they look like.
http://www.volvo.com/NR/rdonlyres/0E48B0D1-D758-4EBF-B87E-5AD338DD5520/0/AQ165A_250C_1968_en.pdf

OR
http://www.volvo.com/NR/rdonlyres/35D1CACB-39F4-4F27-835D-FBD95BF44EC7/0/AQ170B_280C_1973_en.pdf

 

[MrBill]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

I would say the engine will start just fine when you start it on the muffs...then the bilge will fill with water that spews out of the cracks in the block...just like my neighbors boat did this spring. The marina failed to winterize the boat before wrapping and it spent a cold winter in New Hampshire without any protection from freezing. The marina promply replaced the 3-year old 5.7L engine.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

The AQ170 picture provided by DonS looks to be what we are dealing with. Repower would be an option, but probably not for this guy. He has owned the boat for 2 years that I know of and has yet to launch it. Just not into boating, if you can believe that. They did enjoy being out on my boat, however. Some people...

I'll let everyone know the results of this pending disaster. I may not be able to uncover my eyes.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

If he can't/doesn't want to re-power it and it is a nice looking old boat, it sounds like a good time to hit him with an offer to "take it off his hands"!!!

8)

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

and just think, i just threw away the block he will need!!!!

 

[thunderroad]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

He might get lucky. Does the oil appear to have water in it now? No way to tell how serious the damage is until you get it running. Maybe any cracks are external and can be patched. I know a lot of people cringe at the thought of patching cracked blocks but I'd be willing to bet that if you removed all boats from the water that have been patched, there would be a WHOLE lot more open sea. We've patched blocks in the ag equipment business for years and have had pretty good luck. Obviously...the stakes are a little higher on the water but he might get some life out of it. It doesn't sound like he uses it much.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

He has owned the boat for 2 years that I know of and has yet to launch it.

He shouldn't worry about a new engine. The one that he has will suit his use just fine!

 

[Mystic Dragon]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

Touche' bjcsc!!!!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

He has owned the boat for 2 years that I know of and has yet to launch it. Just not into boating, if you can believe that. They did enjoy being out on my boat, however. Some people....

Kicker Bracket and a 10hp, sell the drive, seal the hole, pull the head on the motor and use the cylinders as Cup Holders 8)

 

[KRS]

Re: Any bets? I say he is doomed

He has owned the boat for 2 years that I know of and has yet to launch it. Just not into boating, if you can believe that. They did enjoy being out on my boat, however. Some people....

Kicker Bracket and a 10hp, sell the drive, seal the hole, pull the head on the motor and use the cylinders as Cup Holders 8)

You're such a hillbilly

I love the idea 8)