Gonna go look at a possible new project this weekend.

[JasonJ]

So my never-ending quest for an aluminum boat may come to fruition this weekend. I have a line on a 1968 18 foot Crestliner welded/riveted boat. It has a Mercruiser I/O with a Chevy inline 6. From what I understand, this boat has a normal outdrive with trim/tilt, but the engine is connected through some sort of three speed transmission. The current owner bought it a number of years ago and did not want to mess with this transmission, so it has sat ever since.

Worts comes to worst, and outboard conversion would take place, but if I could get this system to work, it seems like I could do some serious trolling with the main engine. We'll see. Has anyone ever even seem one of these drive systems, let alone does anyone have any practical experience with Crestliner boats of this vintage?

 

[DJ]

Re: Gonna go look at a possible new project this weekend.

I can't imagine that engine/drive package is remotely original. I'm real curious to know what you find.

The conversion to O/B is not that hard.

Look in all the nooks and crannies for evidence of electrolysis.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Gonna go look at a possible new project this weekend.

Based on your past projects and your experiance I know you are aware of what you are looking at.

DWJ is right look for corrosion.

I would imagine the tranny would help with trolling (or driving up big steep hills ) if hooked up properly.

Crestliner has been around for a long time. Based on the year and what you described I would hope the price is near FREE.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Gonna go look at a possible new project this weekend.

if nothing else take the camera, love to see the set up and lnow more about the 3 speed tranny. i had never had am Aluminum boat, now have 2. i find them easier to work on, and much easier to tow. people use to saw they are noisey, but a clunk is a clunk. (Dad use to say. be quiet the fish won't bite. now i play the stereo, and they still bite.)

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Gonna go look at a possible new project this weekend.

Unfortunately Bob, he is asking $500. I can try to talk him down, but in my area, you are lucky to get a festering tin hulk for three times the asking price. Tinnies command a high premium in my neck of the woods, and I assure you, $500 locally is far cheaper than $200 three states away and paying $400 in gas. I am envious of the east coasterners who get boats for free or dirt cheap. Here, $500 is dirt cheap.

As it turns out, I have a co-worker who might come with me, he had a mercruiser setup that was identical a million years ago. Apparantly the shifting goes on in this little transmission verses the lower unit. I'll have to research this of course. He said it worked well and he never had problems. I am basically more interested in the hull, if the drivetrain actually works, thats a bonus. I'd pay $500 for a sound hull with trailer. Like I said, we'll see.

The odds of me getting it are fairly high, as long as the hull meets my criteria of being able to handle rough water, which the owner assured me it does. I have tried to find pics of late 60s Crestliners and can't find any anywhere, so I will be blind until Saturday morning. Should be fun...

 

[i386]

Re: Gonna go look at a possible new project this weekend.

Can't wait to see it. I love those old Crestliner boats. Can't say I've ever seen an old aluminum I/O. That will be interesting.