new boater w/some questions for old salts

[kcolney]

future boat owner here...looking at a 1989 celebrity sport 268 with dual 3.7lx engines, original, 700 hrs on both engines. all work done on engines by owner( he talks the talk and says the right things so...i consider him pretty knowledgable)

boat is in very good shape, well kept interior and exterior is decent. Boat company not around anymore neither is the engine...this concerns me as for parts etc.

Planning to have this boat surveyed. But looking for any info that i can get before spending that cash. I would like opinions, facts, general discussion, and or warnings before i step into a $400 survey.

I know nothing about these engines (merc 3.7 xl) and would like to have the skinny on their quality or any info one has. I have researched the Celebrity line and know of its history and quality from articles nothing from direct owners. LOOKING FOR ALL INFO basically.

this would be a day boat maybe weekender in fresh water never far from shore. Price is at or lower than NADA, boat has a ton of extras and If engines are quality would be a nice entry boat for newbie.

thanks in advance i welcome all comments.

 

[arks]

Re: new boater w/some questions for old salts

That's a lot of boat for those small engines. I guarantee you'd be happier with V8's in a 26 foot boat. Celebrity had quality problems- I think that's why they went out of business. I'm sure they have cored decks, and maybe cored hulls- a potential problem if they get wet.
Bottom line- buyer beware. A good survey- even if you don't end up buying it- can save you thousands, not to mention a LOT of headaches. I know from experience!

 

[John_S]

Re: new boater w/some questions for old salts

Search around for more info on those engines. I think they are the large 4-cyl ones, that do not have a good rep.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: new boater w/some questions for old salts

i ask the mercruiser Guru to look at this.

 

[ziggy]

Re: new boater w/some questions for old salts

I think they are the large 4-cyl ones, that do not have a good rep.

thats what they sound like to me too..... td has a good suggestion..... find out from the mercruiser gurus..... if they is the 470 version engine, i'd move on to another boat.... least i did when i was boat hunting....

 

[Don S]

Re: new boater w/some questions for old salts

Those are basically the 470 engine. It's a strictly Mercruiser built Aluminum block with a Ford 460 head.
The alternator is actually the vibration dampner pulley with magnets, a stator like an outboard, and a water cooled regulator. Some parts in this setup are NLA, the others are just every expensive. You can convert to a regular alternator with a $400 kit.
They also have a problem with the cam seal in the circulation pump leaking antifreeze into the oil. Really poor setup.
They have a lot of torque for a 4 cylinder, but personally, I would walk away from a boat that had those in it. Especially if it had twins. Talk about double trouble !!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: new boater w/some questions for old salts

you got it from the merc man, thanks, Don S

 

[oops!]

Re: new boater w/some questions for old salts

hey k.......welcome to i boats.......

as far as the motors go......youve just heard from someone that

IS the walk ...and INVENTED the talk....

also ...what kind of drives..?...if is says omc.....don't.

and twins are not usually a first boat.

as far as the boat is concerned....(hull)....there is a lot of things to check.

the transom.....the floor....stringers.....foam...(if any on that size) heck ...the glass it self......

hit search...and youll find lots of ways to check these things....
read lots of posts......one moderator calls this forum...boat university.....

your with friends here....

cheers
oops