New boat project need help gm 4.3l omc

[apwithdajaybee]

Hello I just bought a 1989 jay bee 17' 680 hornet. When I bought it the guy said he got shafted on it he said the previous owner hooked it up to muffs and a water hose and showed him it worked then when he dropped it in the water he realized he was taking on water from a crack in the block. Now that I have it I am wandering if this thing is even worth repairing I bought it kind of sight unseen since it was so cheap ($350) but now looking into this GM 4.3 they are like $2,700 for a rebuilt bottom end. Im wandering if there is a cheaper alternative to get this thing on the water. I just want it river worthy for as cheap as possible. So Im wandering if maybe there is a cheaper motor or something I can just pull this one and swap it. I have done motor swaps on hondas but I dont know jack about boats. Any help/suggestions would help, even if its "you'd be better off getting a new boat". thank you! I have also watched some youtube videos on people pulling the motor cleaning up the crack dremeling it and then using jb weld or some epoxy and sealing the crack up has anyone done this with success?

 

[alldodge]

JB Weld has fixed some blocks but depends where the crack is and how well it was cleaned and made ready. Might be able to get a Truck 4.3 out of the junk yard

 

[garbageguy]

suggest you make sure you have paperwork you need in your area, and the hull is sound ( more $$?) before deciding if engine and other mechanicals are worth it, for you, to put $$ into