Salvage advice needed

[rcosta]

I own a 1996 Sunbird with a dead engine. I have an offer for a bit over $1,000 for it and purchase a newer used boat. Or I can put about $6K for used (2011) engine and get a bit more use out of it.

The body of the boat is in great shape. The boat is new to me so I don't have any sense of the condition of what is hidden (e.g. cables, gas tank, etc).

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[roffey]

No chance of a used motor?

I had a truck that the transmission went. I was told 4k for a replacement. I had just put new wheel bearings and hubs in the front. I was told no guarantee on the rest of the truck. I had rust on the cab corners, the motor was blowing a little smoke on startup... there comes a time to cut your losses and move on to something newer. Keep in mind I can't see your boat and have no idea what condition the rest of the moving parts are, outdrive, steering, throttle.....

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... If you don't turn yer own wrenches,....

Take the grand, 'n go buy another boat,....

 

[wahlejim]

As others have mentioned, if you can do the work yourself, you can replace the engine for 2-3k and be good to go. I would never sink $6k into a 33 year old boat just for an 8 year old engine. I can spend 6k on a newer boat.

If it were me, I would take the $1000 and cut my losses. That boat is well beyond its design life.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you dont say what you have, however based on your other post, this is an outboard

here is the thread on the outboard. https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...vinrude-outboards/10785430-1996-johnson-88-hp

buy a new to you used outboard for $1000 and hang it on the boat and go boating

as other stated, learn to turn your own wrenches.

in future posts, make sure to include all information. BTW, for $6k you can build a 500hp I/O and restore a boat. or buy about 6 used outboards to blow up.