Thoughts/Advice on a Mercruiser 488
 

My wife & I are looking at a 1983 18' Mach 1 boat with a Mercruiser
488. Owner is asking $2000 for it, having paid $2500 a year ago. I'm
thinking this is a a pretty good price. He does not now have anything
to tow the boat with, and no time to go out. They did run the boat
last summer a few times. I've read there are some problems areas with
these motors that can be aggarvated with poor maintenance. (charging
system, voltage regulator), but if they are properly maintained they
are good, reliable motors.

I looked at the boat yesterday and he ran the engine for me, it started
right up, and ran well. I plan on going back in a few days for another
look. What areas around the engine should I pay special attention to
when I go back to look, to minimize the chance of buying big expensive
problems? This boat has more than likely spent it's entire life in
fresh water and never seen salt water. It does not appear to have been
kept in the water for long periods of time, but been covered/garaged
when out of the water.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am rather mechanically
inclined, but don't know a whole lot about marine engines/outdrives.

Thanks,

Jon Davidson
clkmn1 at@ hotmail.com

Thoughts/Advice on a Mercruiser 488
 

Not that I would dismiss the engine but I would first check carefully
for signs of wood rot in the transom, floor, and stringers. Fiberglass
boats contain a surprising amount of wood and a lot of it has rotted in
many of the older ones.

Sounds like you have done some research on the engine. It would not be
my first choice but is not all bad either. Next time before he starts
the engine put your hand on it and see if it is cold or not. A common
tactic is to get an engine started shortly before the arrival of the
prospective buyer so that it will still be warm and start easily when
demoed.

Any boat in that price range and that old is going to have potential
problems. You may or may not find them. If you are willing to work on
it yourself maybe that is not so bad. You should be aware that just
about everything that involves the actual disassembly of the outdrive
requires a lot of specialized tools.

If you can find a local boater friend that does his own maintenance you
might take him along. It would be difficult to justify a real survey
for a boat in that price range.

wrote:
My wife & I are looking at a 1983 18' Mach 1 boat with a Mercruiser
488. Owner is asking $2000 for it, having paid $2500 a year ago. I'm
thinking this is a a pretty good price. He does not now have anything
to tow the boat with, and no time to go out. They did run the boat
last summer a few times. I've read there are some problems areas with
these motors that can be aggarvated with poor maintenance. (charging
system, voltage regulator), but if they are properly maintained they
are good, reliable motors.

I looked at the boat yesterday and he ran the engine for me, it started
right up, and ran well. I plan on going back in a few days for another
look. What areas around the engine should I pay special attention to
when I go back to look, to minimize the chance of buying big expensive
problems? This boat has more than likely spent it's entire life in
fresh water and never seen salt water. It does not appear to have been
kept in the water for long periods of time, but been covered/garaged
when out of the water.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am rather mechanically
inclined, but don't know a whole lot about marine engines/outdrives.

Thanks,

Jon Davidson
clkmn1 at@ hotmail.com

Thoughts/Advice on a Mercruiser 488
 

Offa him 5 hunna dolla ifa you gotta wae to haula. Confusius say it hard to
find a graveyard for a fiberglass boat neva mind getting someone to pay to
take it there.
Jim
wrote in message
oups.com...
My wife & I are looking at a 1983 18' Mach 1 boat with a Mercruiser
488. Owner is asking $2000 for it, having paid $2500 a year ago. I'm
thinking this is a a pretty good price. He does not now have anything
to tow the boat with, and no time to go out. They did run the boat
last summer a few times. I've read there are some problems areas with
these motors that can be aggarvated with poor maintenance. (charging
system, voltage regulator), but if they are properly maintained they
are good, reliable motors.

I looked at the boat yesterday and he ran the engine for me, it started
right up, and ran well. I plan on going back in a few days for another
look. What areas around the engine should I pay special attention to
when I go back to look, to minimize the chance of buying big expensive
problems? This boat has more than likely spent it's entire life in
fresh water and never seen salt water. It does not appear to have been
kept in the water for long periods of time, but been covered/garaged
when out of the water.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am rather mechanically
inclined, but don't know a whole lot about marine engines/outdrives.

Thanks,

Jon Davidson
clkmn1 at@ hotmail.com