Looking at 1990 Baja 216 DVX

[PennYanGuy]

Hello all, looking for advice on possibly purchasing a '90 Baja 216 DVX. It has a recently rebuilt 350 and apparently looks very nice. There is one problem though, the seller tells me that he put it in the water and the driveshaft broke. He said he doesn't know much about boats but said that after it broke it took out the gimbal "something". So I figured I would come and ask you guys if you had any insight on what that may be, and any feedback on whether or not I should pursue this any longer.

 

[pckeen]

The really short answer is.....no. A fiberglass boat with a non running motor has very little value - only a few hundred dollars, recently rebuilt or not. If you buy this, you should buy this for the hull only, you should figure on potentially having to replace the motor.

 

[NYBo]

Sounds like gimbal bearing and maybe universal joint. Could be anything from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand to fix, depending on what's actually wrong. Proceed with caution! I would get an inspection by a marine mechanic.

 

[PennYanGuy]

Thanks. He did say it was an expensive fix. He is only asking $2200 for it with a trailer, so it may be too good to be true. He also said someone told him something about maybe there might be a way to save part of the outdrive, and said it may hook up to a different kind. Im guessing maybe a mercruiser, but have no idea myself.

 

[jc55]

I just sold the only other 1990 Baja DVX216 in the entire world. You're not in ohio are you?

 

[PennYanGuy]

Close! It is located in PA. Was it red?

 

[PennYanGuy]

Also, any opinions on this boat? I would like to get any info on this boat that I can. Im not entirely sure what he could have damaged after breaking the driveshaft, but Im also guessing it isnt pretty.

 

[tpenfield]

I don't think this boat is worth pursuing . . . older boat that needs mechanical work. Unless you know what you are doing, which it sounds like you are not familiar with the engine & outdrive, then it will not be a positive experience for you.

$2,200 may have attracted you to the boat, but it is merely a down payment on the total cost to get the boat operational. Also of consideration is the structural condition of the boat itself, which is perhaps unknown.

 

[jc55]

There must be two, lol. That is a nice hull. Did 53mph. This boat will blister if left in a slip, check the hull. Looked years ahead of it's time in the water depending on the graphics. Black windshield could use updating. Mine was pristine and stored indoors most of it's life, so dime a dozen Alpha 1 work would have made it worth it. I sold mine in 24 hours for more than I paid for it, $6800 a couple of months ago. Alpha1 parts are literally a dime a dozen on Craigslist but dry boats are not.

You can remove the decking over the gas tank and get a good look underneath. Faded red? I wouldn't be scared of mechanicals, price everything out and offer him $1500.

 

[PennYanGuy]

Thank you everyone. This boat has the Duo prop system, so yes, it has taken me a while to familiarize myself with it. And thanks jc55, If I buy it, I would use it on the St. Lawrence.

I obviously own a Penn Yan, which is swee

 

[PennYanGuy]

Thank you everyone. This boat has the Duo prop system, so yes, it has taken me a while to familiarize myself with it. And thanks jc55, If I buy it, I would use it on the St. Lawrence.

I obviously own a Penn Yan, which is sweet, but figured I better broaden my horizons. no pun intended.

 

[PennYanGuy]

and yes, faded red, apparently. I will sneak some pics on my phone for you guys, before i do anything.

 

[Maclin]

If it is a Volvo DuoProp then there is no gimbal in that vintage. These are usually a white outdrive with labeling like DP CD Trim, or similar.. The primary driveshaft is inside an extended bell housing with at least one bearing, maybe two, all inside the boat. The outdrive ujoint shaft splines into the end of the primary driveshaft. If the primary driveshaft went and broke that housing then the engine has to come out, and a new housing located and installed. It is not easy to convert a boat from this Volvo setup to a Mercruiser regarding the drives. The 350 V8 is GM based with Volvo peripherals.

 

[PennYanGuy]

That makes total sense, with all of my research I couldnt find any gimbal, so he may have gotten some bad advice on how to fix this. He did say it was a driveshaft that comes from the engine, so that must be it. Within his ramblings about that, he mentioned a gimbal, and how something affected the steering? Sorry, its very difficult to diagnose something I havent seen yet. We obviously know that it has no gimbal, but what could have caused the primary driveshaft to break? Also, any ideas what else it could have done damage-wise? And last but not least, if I were to pull the motor with a cherry picker, or some other hoist, would I have to pull the outdrive as well?

 

[Maclin]

The bearings inside the PDS (primary drive shaft) housing probably gave out, most likely due to water intrusion from an aging drive bellows. When the bearing gets too sloppy the spinning driveshaft hops around and the housing breaks.

 

[Maclin]

That's one scenario anyway, I suppose just the shaft could have sheared, maybe the drive locked up and the shaft went. You can tell if the housing broke very easily by looking behind the engine inside the boat. The PDS housing is a cast piece that starts at the engine as a bell housing then goes down to a tube that bolts to the transom shield.

 

[PennYanGuy]

So it without a doubt would need the engine pulled Im assuming, to replace those bearings and shaft. I kind of wonder if he hit something, because he said it has new props on it. With that duoprop, if you hit something with those counter rotating blades, wouldnt they just lock onto said shoal, and make something break or shear inside ?

 

[jc55]

Volvo, Oooh that does change things. Would like to see pics of the Penn Yan.

 

[PennYanGuy]

Ask and you shall receive! It is a 1971 Imperial 19 footer. My baby.

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/464x276q90/538/ehFViC.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/464x276q90/910/ucl9NQ.jpg

https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/464x276q90/536/CdWS0r.jpg

Its a 3.8 Buick, with the old stringer drive. (WAY better than the tunnel drive IMO). Wish it was a mercruiser tho.

 

[jc55]

Love it! That windshield is the hot set up.:encouragement: Of course, I have a disease that has become terminal when it comes to neat boats.