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wrote:
Greetings,

I am looking to purchase a my parents boat as they don't have much of a
use for it anymore. It is a 1995 Bayliner with a 120HP Force. One
thing I know that needs to be done is the power head needs to be
replaced. I can get the power head for $1600. I don't think that is a
bad deal. The part I am most concerned about is the replacement of the
power head. I have one quote from someone who tells me it could be 40+
hours of work. Granted, this quote comes from a hobbyist and the price
per hour is ~$40/hour. I am not sure what the labor for replacement
might normally cost from a marina. Naturally if the price was the same
I'd probably be more inclined to take it to a marina. I am just
curious if anyone has had any particular experience with this. In
particular if you live in or near Minneapolis, MN.

I am looking for some suggestions or advice based on past experiences
or personal knowledge.

Thanks much!

-C

Chad, I really recommend that you look into getting a good used, or
professionally (i.e. a company that does them as a business) rebuilt
(AKA remanufactured) engine of a respected brand (Merc, Yam, Suz,
John/Rude, etc) and sell the Force for what you can (prob. not much).

As an inexperienced boater, to have fun boating, you need an engine you
have confidence in from the lower unit to the powerheads, carbs,
ignition, and everything in between. It's more than just slapping a
new powerhead on the old Force. An experienced mechanic might be
comfortable doing that, but you really don't know what all the other
stuff is like, do you? With a professional reman. product you ofen get
a warranty that you can actually use for at least 60 days (which will
be a good portion of a season). If you're looking at $1600 - $3200
rough ball park, I'd bet you could get into a professionally
remanufactured engine for close to that.

Speaking as someone who is barely experienced, but has bought two
professionally rebuilt engines for pretty darn cheap in the past, I
strongly recommend that course of action. Good luck and have fun.

Camilo