What is it? (pics)

[Jefford]

Hey guys, as you can see I'm new here...I just had a boat given to me and I know very little about it. What I do know is that it's a '74, 17' (was told the length, I never measured) with a V hull.

What I'd like to know is what motor I have, I believe it's a 4 cyl. Merc. The outdrive is Mercruiser. No #s or any info on the motor anywhere I could see. The intake man. said Mercury Marine on it though. What power level/size did these come with. I've been googling my brains out the last couple days and the only place I can find any decent info on these Reinells is here on this BB.

Hopefully one of you guys will be able to give me a hint.

Is this a good boat? I haven't seen many like this throughout the web. Is it rare or something? Most I've seen are the tri-hulls.

What should I keep an eye out for? Any issues I may need to keep in mind? It needs work I know, whole new interior and the block has a crack. If I can fix it, is it worth it? Or should I look into doing a swap?

Lotta ?'s huh?:facepalm:

Thanks!
Jeff

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: What is it? (pics)

First three letters on the Hull I'D Ren comes back Rendova Marine from Ft Lauderdale....engine looks like a 120 or 140 Hp Merc....someone in here will know for sure. I looked up the manufacturer at the coast guard web site. The first 3 letters in a hull ID are called the MIC mfg information code and the Coast guard has a database you can search. Hull I'd supports the 1974 year. Can't give you a model.

Ive never heard of Rendova personally.

 

[Jefford]

Re: What is it? (pics)

It is a Reinell, I know that for sure. It's badged all over the place. I looked up the HIN and came back with Rendova Marine also, but it isn't.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: What is it? (pics)

That might be the model, the mfg is Rendova.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: What is it? (pics)

It is a Reinell, I know that for sure. It's badged all over the place. I looked up the HIN and came back with Rendova Marine also, but it isn't.

Interesting....Rendova is out of business....Thought maybe Reinell was part of Rendova...but Reinell is another company...odd indeed.

I found a link that says Reinell went out of business and sold it's assets in 1980: http://www.acbs.org/rudder/oldrudder/Rudder/Winter2001/Reinell.htm

The Reinell name is still in existence though:http://www.reinell.com/boat-models.html

Looks like you've got a project on your hands....any soft spots in the floor?

There should be a serial number tag on the motor that would help identify it.

Edit: Edit: I found this on iboats:http://www.iboats.com/Reinell__176__1974/bp/64b71205r0

The last part of your Hull ID # is 176...this appears to be the model of the boat. The link at iboats says that it was an 120 hp I/O which is what I thought of when I first saw the picture of the engine. You'll need to confirm it with the serial number.

I have a 68 Starcraft that had that same 120 hp engine, and although it ran fine it was a bit underpowered. It's a 16' runabout which is similar in size to your boat, and may weigh a little less than yours. I'm guessing you'll find that it is a little slow to get up on plane with 4 people. We put a 140 hp 3.0 in the Starcraft and it makes a huge difference.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What is it? (pics)

Is this a good boat?

Not anymore it isn't

I haven't seen many like this throughout the web. Is it rare or something? Most I've seen are the tri-hulls.

Most boats are pretty low-production (especially if you compare them to cars). This one isn't really any more or less rare than anything else.

What should I keep an eye out for? Any issues I may need to keep in mind? It needs work I know, whole new interior and the block has a crack. If I can fix it, is it worth it? Or should I look into doing a swap?

In my opinion, a worthwhile project boat needs to have at least SOMETHING going for it. A good motor, a good drive, a nice or at least serviceable interior, maybe even a nice trailer. You have none of that. I'd part out what I could and scrap the rest. Hate to come off like a jerk but that's a BIG money pit. There are better projects out there. I spent $1000 on mine and it had a good hull, running motor and a decent trailer. We were actually able to take it out for a run the week after I dragged it home (granted we were sitting on camp chairs )

 

[Jefford]

Re: What is it? (pics)

Thanks 1980Coronado! Good info, I appreciate it.

In my opinion, a worthwhile project boat needs to have at least SOMETHING going for it. A good motor, a good drive, a nice or at least serviceable interior, maybe even a nice trailer. You have none of that. I'd part out what I could and scrap the rest. Hate to come off like a jerk but that's a BIG money pit. There are better projects out there. I spent $1000 on mine and it had a good hull, running motor and a decent trailer. We were actually able to take it out for a run the week after I dragged it home (granted we were sitting on camp chairs )

None of that? What's wrong with the drive? What's wrong with the trailer? Sure it has some surface rust but nothing structural. I work at an RV/Marine dealership and I can get anything I need at cost. Even if the interior WAS all there, I would have wanted to redo it anyway, I don't like the orange. This way I can choose the exact seats/colors and layout that I like.

From what I could see, the hull is fine. No soft spots on the floor, I know it rots from the bottom up, but the plywood is SOLID solid. Not what you would expect from a nearly 40 yr old floor. I've read multiple times that these were built very well back then, hopefully the stringers/transom are still good...we'll see.

I have a line on a '95 Vortec TBI 4.3L (190hp) that would bolt onto the outdrive (SBC pattern), $400 ECU included. I built my Toyota and put a TPI 305 into it, made all my own mounts etc. I'm quite confident that I can install this 4.3L.

If I put that $1000 you mentioned into this boat (you'd be disgusted at how much marine stuff is marked up), I think I'll have a solid boat that'll be whipping around the lake this summer. Thanks for the opinion, you didn't come across as a jerk...just someone that has experience. I think I can pour a bit of money into this one...it's free and has potential.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: What is it? (pics)

You're welcome

I'm not an expert in engine and drive configurations, but I would be surprised if the 4.3 is compatible with the out-drive. Like I said above, if it is a 120 hp 4 cylinder, I know that a 140 hp will drop in on the same mounts and connect to the drive. It's only 20hp, but it makes a huge difference in performance. I'm sure with enough research and planning you could install the 4.3, but I'm almost sure that you'd have to change the out-drive and maybe the mount as well. Hopefully one of the old salts will weigh in here. I'm just not up on all of the compatibilities between engines and drives etc...

Good luck with the project.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What is it? (pics)

Jefford, when you have any non-Reinell specific questions (which will be pretty much all of them from this point I'd think) make sure you post them in the appropriate more general sections of the forum. Not much traffic down here.

Like Mark said above, I think the 4 cyl and 6 cyl outdrive gear ratios are different. Probably not an insurmountable problem though.

 

[Jefford]

Re: What is it? (pics)

Alrighty, thanx guys....now, time to read and read, then read some more. Expect to see a new thread pop up "up there" soon, haha.