Thinking about upgrading - you thoughts please

[Andy_KZ]

Hey everyone,
I have a '78 Glastron V162 Futura 16' fiberglass with a '78 Evi 85 V4 and I have to say it's been a great boat the 2.5 years I've had it.

This year when I drained the gear oil it was white with water and had lots of metal filings. I assume that's from the oil being ruined by the water. The lower unit has obviously been removed from the leg at some time as the bolts are missing washers and some fool used WHITE CAULKING (yes, caulking) along the outside of the joint to "seal" them together. I'm not sure I want to tackle this repair myself, and I am pretty sure I don't want to pay my Marina a fortune to fix it as I only spent $2000 on the boat/motor/trailer package. What kind of difficulty am I looking at in making my LU watertight again?

The real reason I ask is there is an '86 Cooper Prowler 5.1 bowrider with mercruiser 120 for sale locally that has reportedly barely been used. I like the idea of a bowrider and the extra power would be welcome for a skiier. I can't find any info on this boat on the net! Anyone have experience with them? What kind of fuel consumption can I expect out of the 2.5 mercruiser? One thing I love about the 'Tron is that $25 in fuel gets me pretty far.

Another one I am considering is a 70's starcraft 16 foot bowrider (aluminum) with an older mercury 80. Any word on these? Aluminum would be nice.

thanks for any and all advice, sorry for tacking a motor question in the non-repair forum
Cheers
andy

 

[Andy_KZ]

Re: Thinking about upgrading - you thoughts please

My thoughts, you ran the boat 2.5 years with missing bolts in the drive and caulking holding it together?!?! A case of pay me (a little) now for maintenace or pay me (a bunch) later.

Do you have anything to say about Cooper prowler 5.1's, 120 mercruiser 2.5L fuel consumption, or '78 evinrude 85 lower end repairs ?

I haven't had any water intrusion until this year and now I am trying to take care of it. The motor was not missing any BOLTs, please read the original post. Thanks for any HELP from the helpful.

Cheers

 

[JoLin]

Re: Thinking about upgrading - you thoughts please

2+ years ago you spent only $2K on an old boat, motor and trailer... and in that time you've experienced one moderately expensive issue, a bad lower unit. IMO you were pretty damned lucky.

Instead of fixing it, you now want to buy another cheap old boat and (apparently) hope that it won't have any issues.

You said you love the Glastron. So, fix it. Buy a used motor, replace the lower unit on the one you have... there are options that'll cost you much less than sorting out another boat will.

My .02

 

[Reg312]

Re: Thinking about upgrading - you thoughts please

I posted a fiberglass / Aluminum question earlier. I was looking at an identical 16' Aluminum boat but if tubing or pulling skiiers it probably isn't the best choice.

If you really liked the Glastron and mechanically inclined check craigslist and buy the parts needed or a parts boat and fix it.

If not, buy a boat that will fit your needs for the next 5 years. NEVER take a sellers word on condition of boat. They lie and its hard to check a boat out if its not in the water. If you have concerns, see if they'll let you get it checked out. May cost you a couple hundred to do though. When i sold my first boat I let the buyer take it to check it out, but I had nothing to hide.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Thinking about upgrading - you thoughts please

Another one I am considering is a 70's starcraft 16 foot bowrider (aluminum) with an older mercury 80. Any word on these? Aluminum would be nice.

Pretty tough to go wrong with that combo!

 

[Andy_KZ]

Re: Thinking about upgrading - you thoughts please

I posted a fiberglass / Aluminum question earlier. I was looking at an identical 16' Aluminum boat but if tubing or pulling skiiers it probably isn't the best choice.

If you really liked the Glastron and mechanically inclined check craigslist and buy the parts needed or a parts boat and fix it.

Thanks for the advice on the the aluminum not being great for skiers, I didn't know that. Is it too light or is it just tough to mount the ski equipment.

 

[jeffw0038]

Re: Thinking about upgrading - you thoughts please

Aluminum is light and from what i hear they tend to slide across the water when turning(just from what i have heard) I know from bad experience if you are considering another boat check it out good!! Always test drive!!! If you like the boat you have now try to fix it if you can because you already know what you have with this boat.