boat hours

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,363
Re: boat hours

I just pulled apart my motor with 700 hours on it to put a new cam and upgrade to vortec heads. not a bit of wear on the bearings or the rings, it was the cleanest engine I have ever taken apart. it comes down to maintenance.
 

ricohman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
1,631
Re: boat hours

I had the opportunity to look at a 4.3 merc that had nearly 3000 hours and ran perfectly fine. It had a new starter and alternator but everything else looked original, even the carb.
I never bought the boat but there was nothing there to make me think this motor was on its last legs.
And as a GM mechanic I have seem a multitude of 4.3's.
Since that experience, and if the boat is well maintained, I don't think 800 hours is all that much.
 

Philster

Captain
Joined
Sep 15, 2009
Messages
3,344
Re: boat hours

More stress requires diligent maintenance. It's really not fair to boats how such a disproportionate number of them go neglected.

Regular use and regular maintenance are sometimes the exception -- sadly.
 
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