new boater, needs help

[nitro5993]

OK...so my father in law gave me a 1988 Ebbtide Riviera 180 XLS the other day. Its been sitting for a few years. The stern drive is not on it and all he could remember is that it needed a new bearing. Well it needs the transom bearing. But it Aldo needs a new transom. I was looking at it today and someone took a hammer and chisel to it because it looks like it screws in. Upon closer examination tho it does not. They tore up the bearing housing. So my question is, is there anywhere to get a new transom? I can't find one online anywhere. I'm not real sure I'll be able to fix it. I've never worked on a boat. I'm great with cars, everything from mechanical to body and paint. Just never had a boat before. Thanks for any help.

 

[achris]

Re: new boater, needs help

Hello nitro and welcome to iBoats.

Before we can help you with anything, we need to know about the engine, transom assy and the drive.

Probably best you start here -> Please Read This Before Posting A Question...-> How to Ask a Question....

Chris...

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

OK well I'm not familiar with most of that. I know it has a GM 4.3 V6. I dont know the year but I know its a newer motor than the boat. It has a mercruiser stern drive and transom. I dont have a serial number because the person that messed up the transom also messed up the serial number. Idk if its an alpha or bravo either. I dont know the difference in the 2.

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

OK I was wrong...I found some stickers yesterday and took pics... transom assembly serial # 0c431932
Drive unit serial # 0c476322

 

[achris]

Re: new boater, needs help

OK I was wrong...I found some stickers yesterday and took pics... transom assembly serial # 0c431932
Drive unit serial # 0c476322

Nice... Those serial numbers belong to a 1988 Alpha One stern drive transom assembly and drive.

How about an engine serial number?

Know where to look?

Chris.....

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

Well the engine sticker is on the valve cover but the serial number is worn off...is there anywhere else it could be?

 

[achris]

Re: new boater, needs help

On a metal tag down by the starter motor...

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

C330882 ...thank you!!!

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

Back to my question. Is there anywhere I can buy a new transom because someone has torn mine all to shreds. If I knew how to post a pic I would show you

 

[achris]

Re: new boater, needs help

That also comes back as 1988 (a 2 bbl, 4.3L)... When you ask questions now, please include the serial numbers in the first post. It's what we are always asking for and helps us identify what we are all talking about right from the get-go....

Some of us put that information in a signature file, so whenever we post, there's the information... It can be just a couple of lines of text, or lots of BS, like mine...

Chris........

 

[achris]

Re: new boater, needs help

Back to my question. Is there anywhere I can buy a new transom because someone has torn mine all to shreds. If I knew how to post a pic I would show you

I'd look on ebay, or some of the marine dealers. Even buy a 'donor boat'. As long as the transom assembly is good, and of the right era, you don't really care about the rest.... And here's the kicker... ALL transom assemblies, from 1983 to 1990 are the same, regardless of the engine or drive ratio. You don't have to look just for a V6, any engine in-line 4, V6, V8... all the same....

How to Post Pictures - The Basics

Chris.........

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

Well since I JUST joined and JUST got my first boat I'm not very familiar with wither this site or boat specifics. I am learning as I go so a little leway would be nice.

Now if someone can please answer my question since all relative info has been provided. I can't find a place to buy a transom anywhere online.

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

I'd look on ebay, or some of the marine dealers. Even buy a 'donor boat'. As long as the transom assembly is good, and of the right era, you don't really care about the rest.... And here's the kicker... ALL transom assemblies, from 1983 to 1990 are the same, regardless of the engine or drive ratio. You don't have to look just for a V6, any engine in-line 4, V6, V8... all the same....

How to Post Pictures - The Basics

Chris.........

AWESOME...this is good to know. But I can't afford to buy another boat...lol. I didn't buy this one. It was give to me by my father in law. I'm just trying to find out how to get the parts so I can get them once I've saved the money.

 

[LiquidC]

Re: new boater, needs help

Needing a new Merc transom assembly is one thing, but the other will be the transom structure itself. You'll need to make sure the wood on the transom is solid before you proceed to install a Merc transom assembly. Best bet is to drill a few small holes from inside the boat, from top to bottom of the transom wood, and see what you've got. Don't go all the way through, & fill with Epoxy Resin afterwards. The wood needs to be dry. If you see mushy & flaky wood shavings come out, then it's time to cut out the transom & replace.

There's lot of videos on YouTube, FriscoBoater is probably the most popular, especially on iBoats when it comes to DIY videos. Here's one I found:

Inspecting the Transom in My Sea Ray - YouTube

I see a lot of hulls for free on Craigslist, with no motor or a bad motor. I'd checkout CL to find a transom assembly from a donor boat.

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

The boat itself SEEMS solid but I will check that out once I finally get it all apart. The only reason it needs a transom is because someone destroyed the , I'm gonna call it a mating flange, where the shaft goes thru the transom to the motor. Has like interlo king teethe on it. Well someone destroyed that piece. My fone won't let me add a pic.

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

Interlocking**

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

In case I am confusing anyone, the part I need is that piece that the gimbal sits IN. Its bolted to the backside of the boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: new boater, needs help

In case I am confusing anyone, the part I need is that piece that the gimbal sits IN. Its bolted to the backside of the boat.

Ayuh,... The Transom Assembly,.... oughta be 'bout $250. / $300. used, freshwater,...

 

[nitro5993]

Re: new boater, needs help

Ayuh,... The Transom Assembly,.... oughta be 'bout $250. / $300. used, freshwater,...

Yeah. I called mercury marina and asked them directly. The actual piece that I need is the bellhousing . New its 1200$. But I also dont know if all the pieces to put it back together are with the boat. I'm not finding much. I can get an entire transom assembly brand new for 2300$. Has new trim arms and everything already put together. I'm thinking about going that route. Just have to wait on a settlement check ..lol.

 

[LiquidC]

Re: new boater, needs help

For $2,300 you can get a good used boat, probably even with a trailer. Maybe something that requires no work

And remember, the wood that is in that transom is 25 years old. If it's ever seen moisture it'll be in rough shape.