Engine Hours How Much is too much?

[Searay87]

I'm considering the purchase of a 1998 Sea Ray 210 with a 5.0L Mercruiser 220 HP with an Alpha series outdrive used in fresh water only. The listing says 485 hours on the engine. My question is this: is this considered a lot of hours? What is the typical life expectancy of this type of engine? I currently own a 1987 Sea Ray 17BR with a 3.0L Mercruiser with an Alpha 1 drive. It does not have an hour meter. I'm the second owner and don't know much about its history other than I would say it had normal use (less than 50 hrs/season). It runs great and I've not had any probelms over the past 3 seasons. Thank you.

Bob

 

[boat1010]

Re: Engine Hours How Much is too much?

Hours on a boat are no different than miles on a car. It really depends on the maintenance of the vehicle. I would rather have a boat with 400 hours on it with good love and care than one with 100 that they didn't take care of. Just look at the boat for starters, if it is neat and clean and well taken care of then more than likely they took care of the motor. Take it to a mechanic and have him check it out for you.

 

[achris]

Re: Engine Hours How Much is too much?

My old engine had over 1000 hours when I sold it. But in those 1000 hours it was never overloaded and had the oil and filter changed every 50 hours. I expect that it will have over 2000 hours on it before it even looks like needing an overhaul. I still look after it for the friend who bought it from me. As the previous poster said, 400 nice hours are better than 100 caned hours.
HTH,
Chris............

 

[singlesupra]

Re: Engine Hours How Much is too much?

Imo a boat is like an automobile, crank it up and drive it hard once or twice a year and see how much it costs you just to keep running. Same reason a lot of boats have tons of issues. Or watch a house go to crap in a few years with noone living inside. Mine has 1200 hrs and runs great

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Hours How Much is too much?

My old engine had over 1000 hours when I sold it. But in those 1000 hours it was never overloaded and had the oil and filter changed every 50 hours. I expect that it will have over 2000 hours on it before it even looks like needing an overhaul. I still look after it for the friend who bought it from me. As the previous poster said, 400 nice hours are better than 100 caned hours.
HTH,
Chris............

Ayuh,.... A Well cared for Chevy should easily run 2500/ 3000hrs. before a rebuild is considered Necessary,...

Many boat motors die from abuse, or freezin' by 500hrs or so...