Newbie with some questions

[khuman]

Ok, so I have run across what I think is a really good deal. BUT I do not know boats very well, so I thought I would come to those that do and get some feedback.

I found a 1986 Glasstream Ski Boat. The trailer is in great condition with brand new tires. The boat, as appearance goes looks great inside and out. There is some wear, but not bad for the age of the boat. The owner says that the boat needs a "coupler" and it is good to go.

Question 1: What is a coupler and how much $ (in general since I don't have a large amount of specifics yet).

Question 2: He is asking $1400.00, is this as good a price as I think it is?

NOTE - I have contacted him to get more info, so should know something more soon...I hope.

Thanks in advance for the help.
Kevin

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie with some questions

We definitely need to know what motor/drive this boat has before we can render an opinion.

 

[khuman]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Kind of thought that may be the case. I will post that info just as soon as I get it. Thanks for the quick response.

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Newbie with some questions

The owner says that the boat needs a "coupler" and it is good to go.

If the boat has a Mercruiser outdrive.

The coupler mounts to the engines flywheel and transfers power from the engine to the outdrive drive shaft. The part is probably $250 or so but to replace it you must pull the outdrive and then the engine.

Find out what engine and outdrive is installed in the boat then call local dealers and find out what they will charge for the repair. Be prepared though, the boat may also need a gimble bearing, u-joints, belows and lower unit seals.

If the boat has an OMC or Yamaha outdrive, then find another boat. Most would also discourage buying it if there is a Mercruiser 470 installed.

 

[khuman]

Re: Newbie with some questions

I can see I definitely came to the right place for information. Hope to have more info soon.

 

[khuman]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Ok so I don't know if I have the exact specifics that are needed, but here is what I have so far:

The motor is a Mercruser 4 cyl. (supposed to be around 120-130HP). Is this the Mercruser 470 listed above or do I still need more info to determine that?

Thanks again for bearing with a Newb on this stuff.

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Is this the Mercruser 470 listed above or do I still need more info to determine that?

If it is a 3.7L 4cly motor then yes its a Merc 470. I think all the 470's were at least 140hp though.

You really should be having someone who knows boats look at this one with you. There are many things that can be wrong with an I/O that old, like a cracked engine block if it wasn't winterized properly.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newbie with some questions

No I don't think that's a 470. I think you're good. That model should be one of best ones you can get from that era as far as parts support goes. They are good motors but catching up on deferred maintenance on an I/O can get pretty expensive (bellows, drive servicing, etc) so allow some room in your budget got that kind of thing unless the owner has receipts for recent work. A on-water test drive would be ideal.

 

[khuman]

Re: Newbie with some questions

That is good news. I think I am going to go up tomorrow evening and look at this thing first hand. Are there specific #'s on the engine I can look for (is it just like #'s on car motor?) Also, are there any other items I can take pics of or look for so that I can get a better handlel of where I am on this boat and motor?

Thanks again for all your help.

Kevin

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Take pictures of everything you can including the trailer and post them here also jot down serial #s off the block, side of outdrive. Find out how the owner knows it needs a coupler and anything else you can as far as what he has (or hasn't) done to it in his time of ownership. Recipts shop records etc would all be a plus. If you could lake test it that would be by far the best. I may take flack on here for this but sometimes on a 1000 to 1500 dollar rig people aren't as willing to go to the lake for every guy that comes to look. If you are interested let him know you would gladly pay for gas etc. as a nice gesture and to let him know you are serious. If a lake test is out of the question you need to at least run it in the driveway on muffs for 15-20 min. so it can warm up and be up to operating temp. Then poke around as much as you can listen to everything check fluids, raise the drive, check all electronics etc. inspect trailer ask a million questions he should know all the answers.

 

[khuman]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Good part is that it is @ the water already...not in water, but on trailer @ the lake. I will take your advise and get as many pics and as much maintenance info as I can. I'm going to check it out tomorrow evening so I'll try to get pics up by Sat. morning.

Thanks again.

 

[khuman]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Ok went and looked at the boat. I have some pictures that I am going to try and load on here. The trailer is in excellent condition with no rust and brand new tires. The engine, according to owner, was tuned beginning of last season. It has new distributor & cap (see pic). The wiring on the boat is new (forgot to get pic, but did look at it). Seats will be two years old as of August. Looks like the engine is a 2.3 Mercruiser. I have pic of engine tag.

Soooo....for $1400.00 am I in or out? It was explained to me that the "coupler" (apparently the part that connects the inboard to outboard drive is the only problem.

Thanks for input!

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Newbie with some questions

That prop definitely needs some love in a hurry, But that as far as I can see ain't no Mercruiser with OMC written all over it. Don't know about the OMC drive setup, I'm sure others do. Looking at that prop, it's obviously hit something in its day, looks like a minor ding, maybe nothing major. But it will affect how it runs out and will vibrate. Can't see from your pics anything else, but look at the skeg. Usually when a prop takes a hit like that something else gets tweaked.

 

[Rinker97]

Re: Newbie with some questions

I would say don't get it. You have pictures of the motor and you don't know what motor it is? That probably means your gonna have to take it to a shop and have them fix it which will be costly. i would wait and buy something that runs, you don't want somebody elses problem.

 

[Lrider]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Might be nice to see the whole boat with the drive in center, also stand back a little so we can orient where the motor is

Sounds nice though- but I am a newbie what do I know

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Well OMC is out of production and has been for quite some time, thus parts AND good mechanics are getting tougher to find. Call around and see if anyone in your area even works on older OMC stuff. The coupler repair could cost as much as what you are paying for the boat. Engine has to come out as does the drive, while its out you would be smart (for reliability reasons) to have a bunch of other work done while its out. So now you are well over 2k and still don't know just how strong the engine really is, might be fine or might be worn and tired. Guess it kind or depends on what risk you are willing to take. Personally I don't think its a very good deal or even one I would pursue much further. But if the guy drops the bottom out on his price and you can find someone who knows what they are doing to work on it AND find all the needed parts (ebay, ex omc shops) might be worth it.

 

[GXL205 Deke]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Run.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Newbie with some questions

OMC...

like someone else mentioned, call around to see if anyone will even touch that. You might end up in a situation where you buy it, and not a single mechanic will even want to look at it, knowing they can't get parts, or have to deal with used parts that might break 2 seconds after starting it up.

Sometimes its hard for people to put what looks like a perfectly good boat out to pasture, so to speak. If it was in good running order, I'd say $1400 might be worth it if you are prepared to walk away from it when something does happen. Right now I suspect the current owner knows he is sitting on a money pit and is trying to get rid of it.

 

[Rscardina]

Re: Newbie with some questions

I agree with the rest on this. OMC is OUT so it will be extremely dificult.

On one point I disgree is the Mercruiser comments..I owned one for a long time and found it was the easiest thing to work on. at least in my case and in my boat..so to each his own..

1,400 now and maybe 3,500 later is what you are talking about... i would put the would be repair money into a better boat...

just my 2 cents..

 

[jonesg]

Re: Newbie with some questions

Look for a boat with an outboard, much cheaper and easier to work on.