Older crestliner project. Unknown model, help identify!

[MTboatguy]

You are not a dummy, just like the rest of us as some time in the past, you are learning, you might want to take a look through the forum dedicated to engines to figure out what will work best for you.

 

[Mts678]

Thanks! Ok- last dumb question before I venture off engine section of the forum..

If the OMC motor I have is a Chevy, from my readings here on OMC it's the out drive that is the issue in regards to finding parts or somebody to work on it. Well I would be the somebody to work on it, but why can't I mate a different out drive unit to my OMC motor if it's in good shape?

 

[MTboatguy]

You are probably going to be able to find a good set up for less that what it would be to set up a new out drive to your motor and actually, you might be able to sell what you have to cover the cost of what you find, but the Chevy motor has been used for a lot of different sets ups over the years.

 

[Mts678]

10-4. I'm going to spend some time in the motor and out drive sections of the forum and familiarize myself with this stuff. I wish I had some buddies who knew about boats, but I don't! Well I do, but they're not mechanically inclined/ mechanically educated on this stuff like you guys on here. Being in Dallas, there are several lakes around here, which means several boat shops. Not much engine/ outdrive combo's on craigslist, so I'll hit up the boat yards and see what I can find...after I read up and figure out what I'm actually looking for!

 

[Mts678]

maybe for the paint job, I'll just do a retro type paint job..ya know, like the rusty trucks they just throw a few coats of clear over the rusty patina- I'll just clear over the whole boat and name it "the old goat" or "the twisted sister" LOL.

 

[MTboatguy]

If you are mechanically inclined as you have stated, you know the best thing you can do is become familiar with your subject, so reading through the information contained on this website is one of the best things you can do.

 

[Mts678]

Well my dad just surprised me and said I can have his Chevy LS1 motor for the boat! It's got 9,000 miles on it. So I'm going to search for an out drive to mate to the LS1!

 

[veebus52]

Looks like you have quite a project ahead of you. I have bought my first project, a 1963 Red Fish runabout, but have not started to do anything other than clean it up. I have been reading thread after thread gaining information since I have never owned a power boat before. I suggest that you do the same and dig in to some of these restoration threads to educate yourself. There are many very knowlegable members on this forum who will gladly offer their input and help along the way. Good luck on your project!

 

[52FordF2]

I'm going to tag along .

I was given a free boat also.

I have just bedded the stringers, getting ready to tab. In it about a thousand so far :facepalm:.

If you are hunting for the outdrive you may want a newer Alpha or Bravo setup. Some of the older mercruisers are similar, so research the difference. Remember you need Transom Gimbel Assy, Transom plate to mount engine too, and the outdrive. If you like the boat and need parts you may want to check for cheap doner boats.

 

[Mts678]

Thanks for the info fellas! I do have much to learn, I've got to get educated on this new subject to me, I just don't know anything about boats or the associated parts and ect. My father is going to help me along too, so this will be a fun father and son project! Las project we did was about 17 years ago- We did a frame off restoration on a 1986 chevy truck, we put a 1996 corvette LT1 in it with a 4L60E tranny- high stall torque converter and shift kit, 3.42 posi rear end, man that was a fun truck and a fun project! Looking forward to the boat project!

 

[Mts678]

Ok after some serious thought, the crest liner is just gunna a money pit like y'all have said!

I need to start off with something in working condition, and learn more about what I have and how to maintain ect, and start off with that and learn from there. I think thats better, and cheaper, and will keep my wife from sending me to the dog house haha!

I found this 1987 sea ray, freshly rebuilt 1983 mercruiser 470, alpha one out drive, brew starter, fuel pump, and carb, new bimini top and seat, rear seats need some work, but for $2500 I think this boat is a good deal- is it? He already said he's ready to sell it, so you know I can shave some off the $2500 asking price. Is this a fair deal for the price?

 

[Mts678]

Ok, so after some more thinking and talking to my uncle who had the boat. The project is back on! He had the motor running and the outdrive was in good functioning condition/ operational. So tomorrow morning I'll get the trailer over to the shop and start tearing out the seats carpet and all the bad wood.
The boat is a crest liner crusader 885. I'll post more pics after the tear out process starts!

 

[Mts678]

Got the interior mostly gutted, working on tearing out the rotted wood and foam. I've filled 5 trash cans full already! and still have a lot more to remove! I got the gas tank out today as well, its a 24 gallon tank stainless and looks in excellent shape.

 

[Mts678]

The wood is so rotted its just crumbling upon contact, and as y'all know the foam wants to come out in a million pieces! I'll get lucky every other dig with the shovel and get a decent chunk here and there. Anyways, thats todays progress. Hopefully by the end of this week I'll have all the foam, rotted wood, and pieces of the fiberglass that was on the stringers all cut out and cleaned up and start the restore process of the stringers and deck.