Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

[YaBoi]

I have an opportunity to buy a 1990 Bayliner Capri Bowrider for $400. The trailer and boat are in good shape considering its a 20 yr. old boat, but it doesn't have the engine (120 Force L-Drive)! I've been reading about the "dreaded" Force L-Drive and how its not worth the money/time but it still seems like a steal...no? My questions are this, is it worth it or would i just be throwing $400 away? Potentially what would it cost to put in a new engine (engine+labor) in? Last but not least can I swap the 120 Force for something else?

Thank You All For The In site & Help,

Eddie

 

[JB]

Re: Help Please!

Re: Help Please!

They would have to pay me to tow that junk away.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=250881

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

I would have to agree....for the time and expense to drop a new motor and outdrive in, for less money you could buy the same boat, same vintage with a running mercruiser with an alpha 1.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Run away!!!!!!!

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

$400 will turn into $2400 , 3400, 4400 in short order. It would be different if you had a donor that you wrecked, or a buddy had a rotted out transom with a good engine. But if you just need to obtain the parts, its not a deal.

I got my SRV190 for a song. Needed the lower unit rebuilt that I was not aware of. I thought it needed an impeller. So it was not quite the song I thought it would be. Although I am still happy in the end.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

You would need to do a MASSIVE amount of custom fabrication. Finding an L drive to put in would be tough, and even if you did, you are still stuck with a dog of a boat that will probably last a year or two at best.

By the time you are done, your total cost is going to be SUBSTANTIALLY above what it would cost to buy a nice running boat. I'm guessing you would have to dump at least $4k into this project to get a nice running boat out of it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Yes, please stay away from this rig. They were a unique beast. There's nothing more you can do with it other than try to replace what was there. The parts are rare, and expensive, and it wasn't really any good to begin with.

 

[jkust]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

They should be giving the hull away and thankful someone would take it.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Free is too much money!

 

[kend301]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

RUN FOREST RUN!!!!! Stay away from this money pit !!

 

[pinballdan]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

RUN AWAY AS FAST AS YOU CAN !!!!!!! MONEY PIT , JUNK Even if it was free you would have to pay to get rid of it .

 

[roscoe]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

You CAN NOT drop in another engine or outdrive, none will work. Period.

You likely can not find a working l-drive and motor combo, at any price.

If you buy it, you will have to pay money to have it disposed of.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Geez guys, I must have a miracle boat of the same model, as mine has a merc 140 with an alpha one and it works just dandy. You can drop any engine and outdrive you want in the darn things.. it's a boat, not an ivory statue. People change things all of the time.

Having dispelled that myth, although these hulls are damn pretty to look at, $400 is not worth it. After an engine, outdrive and likely rotten wood replacement costs you will be up there with decent intact boats with existing controls, engines, etc.. Remember, the power package isn't the whole story, controls to match are $300, then the little stuff begins to eat away at your budget. Long story short, you are better off buying something broken than something missing, and spare parts are better than no parts.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Geez guys, I must have a miracle boat of the same model, as mine has a merc 140 with an alpha one and it works just dandy. You can drop any engine and outdrive you want in the darn things.. it's a boat, not an ivory statue. People change things all of the time.

Having dispelled that myth,

Ayuh,... Obviously,.... You've Never seen an L-drive, nor a hull set up for 1....

but it still seems like a steal...no?

No,.... If they Paid you $400..... It would still be a Rip-Off for You...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Lowkey, the hull for the L-drive is a special design. It's custom set up just for that motor and drive. We're talking fiberglass work and everything. If he was talking a normal I/O or outboard hull this would be a whole different discussion.

 

[YaBoi]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Thanks for everyone's help, I really appreciate it. I was on my way to buy it the day I posted this, it was going to be our first boat. Such a shame for a good looking boat like that to go to waste, would it make a difference if it had the outboard, because it has the lower half and everything else, its just missing/needs the engine? What would be a good reasonably priced boat similar in style to a capri, because it just seems like a nice all-around boat except for the engine problem?

Thanks Again Everyone,

Eddie

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

YaBoi, the L Drive is seriously the worst thing you can possibly buy because it's a custom hull that was specially designed and configured for 1 possible powerplant that they made for only a few years. You can't find parts and service for it. If the boat was set up for a regular outboard or I/O we could work with it. Glad you came to us first. We'd be happy to evaluate any boat you're considering. Good luck to you. We have a lot of Craigslist junkies on here. Update your profile with your location and perhaps some of our members can do some scouting for you.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

Wow, just did an image search for bayliner L-drive.. yep, those suckers are quite different in how they come out of the transom. Anything can be converted, but that is just asking for punishment.

YaBoi, unfortunately there aren't many hulls which are similar to the 1990 Capri, which is what made me buy mine. Just keep looking and one will turn up sooner or later. Or just begin your search anew and hope you equally fall in love with something of a different design. There is a lot to love out there. Good luck.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

on an l drive, the driveshaft of the engine is vertical, and exits the hull vertically,



l drive photo

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Buying 1990 Capri W/ No Engine?

would it make a difference if it had the outboard, because it has the lower half and everything else, its just missing/needs the engine?
Eddie

You can't just drop any engine into that. L drives essentially used a converted Force outboard engine. It was in no way common, and was a really crappy engine to begin with. You won't easily find another engine to put in there, and as the L drives didn't really sell many and only lasted a very short time, there aren't alot of spares anymore.

As nice as the boat looks, it very likely will never see water again.

When shopping, outboards certainly have an advantage. You can easily swap a different outboard if the one you have fails. In the price range you are looking, inboard/outboards will generally have a longer life, and can be cheaper to repower with a new motor. (you can put a new v8 into a boat for $3000 or less, try that with an outboard!)

one more thing to avoid, if it says 'OMC' anywhere on it, run!