I need Help!

[Jenn-n-Nate]

My fiance and I are looking into buying our first boat. We have found a '78 Glastron Sea Rider in excellent condition except this. The motor (Mercruiser 848) starts and runs fine in neutral, then put it in gear and the prop starts to spin, then engine dies. Any idea what it could be? We certainly don't want to buy a boat then have to drop thousands of dollars to get it running. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in Advance...

 

[steelespike]

Re: I need Help!

Problem could be a defective or poorly adjusted shift interuptor switch.
Does it stall in reverse.Are you running it on muffs or in a tub of water?
You will get more help in the I/O section,this is props.

 

[Jenn-n-Nate]

Re: I need Help!

Well I found the boat on Craigslist. I haven't taken it out personally yet. This is just what the seller is telling me. Thanks though. Am reposting in I/O Section too.

 

[rocket1968]

Re: I need Help!

was it started without muffs? If so you now need an impeller, and I would at least go newer, at least within the past 20 years. My boat is from 1976 and, although able to keep it going, without mechinical knowlege, and used parts, an old boat will need work and that means $$$. Transom rot will claim my boat after this year, so even with knowledge to fix it, the $$$ will be too much to keep this running.

 

[John_S]

Re: I need Help!

My fiance and I are looking into buying our first boat. We have found a '78 Glastron Sea Rider in excellent condition except this. The motor (Mercruiser 848) starts and runs fine in neutral, then put it in gear and the prop starts to spin, then engine dies. Any idea what it could be? We certainly don't want to buy a boat then have to drop thousands of dollars to get it running. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in Advance...

In general, I would not recommend a 30+ year old boat for the 1st one. Yes, there might be a gem or two out there of meticulously maintained and upkept, but most will have issues that could easily be hidden from an inexperienced buyer. Most boat issues go from what looks to be minor, to major, in a blink of an eye. Floor, stringer, and transom rot is always a concern on a boat that old. Freeze cracks in engine block and manifolds, might have been repaired, instead of replaced. Try to keep to 15 years or less, and take an experienced friend along, and/or have it surveyed by a proffesional. You don't want to go from a new to you I/O owner, to how to replace and do fiberglass repair, in the restoration forum.

 

[nuboat2me]

Re: I need Help!

Sounds like a nice boat. However I agree with John_S. It may be a great vessel but boats this old and in sea worthy shape are far and few between.

As far as the enginedying while attempting to shift into gear, it may be the lower shift cable. When they go bad, that is a symptom of the problem. It binds the S/I switch and kills the engine.

I had a bad lower shift cable only to find out that the shift interupt switch wire was cut by the PO as well. After reading some posts, it made perfect sense to look at that. Also, if the SI wire is cut or the switch is flaky, the boat is very hard to put into neutral. Search on "Shift Interrupt" and you can find some useful information. You can aslo look into the stickys in the adult section. Yo will need to know the S/N of your drive.

I have replaced the cable. (My first one). You will have to remove the lower unit to do the cable swap. It took about two hours to do it and rewired the interrupt switch wire. I hope to test my fix tonight. (Neutral from FWD)

I hope I didn't confuse you... Being new to I/O creates quite a learning curve.

Good Luck and Happy boating!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: I need Help!

The motor (Mercruiser 848)

Ayuh,... try again, there's No such motor....

 

[steelespike]

Re: I need Help!

I agree as a first boat it may be better to go newer with no apparent problems.
You might consider an outboard.imo the maintenance curve on an I/O is more severe than an outboard equipped boat.You have the gimble bearing,universal bearings exhaust elbows,and bellows,2 water pumps,winterizing,block must be drained if you miss or forget one drain the block will be cracked in the spring.It will be stern heavy creating both low and higher speed handling issues.
Whether you go outboard or I/O figure there will be teething issues.If your going to have to pay someone to fix things you definately want a test ride you may want an expert to check it out as well.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: I need Help!

470-488 type, bondo. The infamous 3.7L

 

[bruceb58]

Re: I need Help!

470-488 type, bondo. The infamous 3.7L

I bet its an 898.