jamesgangnc wrote:

If I remember correctly there are not any 5.7's with 2 barrels. I
think the 2 barrel carb was only on the 5.0, 305 v8.

There may be more then you think. I know my boss's is a 2bbl, but forget
the hp. I think 220 might be right but I am not sure. One would have to
look at 1997 mercursier stuff to know for sure

A quick google show this guys sells rebuilt 2bbl carbs for 1996-97
mercrusier 5.7 L's
http://mercruiserparts.stemtostern.c...arburetors.asp

It runs pretty strong, but my 280 hp efi is a bit faster :-)

Cheers:
Capt Jack R..

Jack Redington wrote:

Jay wrote:

I am new to boating and just got a lake house on Lake Hartwell, GA. I
am interested in a used boat, possibly a deck boat that would be good
for pulling a skier, but also comfortable enough for about 8-10 people,
and would require low maintenance. I need a primer on what features,
brands to look for. I have been advised to get something with 200
hours or less use. I was thinking of spending no more than about $23K
but would prefer less if that is attainable. Thanks for any advice.
Jay



Where on lake Hartwell are you located Jay ?
just wondering as we have a place on Gumlog creek. That is near Tugaloo
State park.

This is the best time to buy a boat since most folks that are selling
now do not want to be looking at it in the spring. Engine hours are
somthing to use as a gauge. But overall condition (did it have proper
care are feeding) is very important. We purchased a Crownline bowrider
last year from Hartwell marine that I thought was a good deal. It was a
consigment boat and they were ok to work with. Best to just look around
and if you find somthing that looks good for your needs and at least
appears to have been taken care of have it check out by a independent
shop if you have any doubts about the engine. We took ours out for a run
and it ran fine.

I also would avoid anything that just looks unkept. I have seen too many
boats that were only a few years old look pretty rought. It just makes
you wonder if they do care how the boat looks, did they really care
about the really important stuff like maintaince.

If you are not familiar on how to poke around looking for rot (soft
floors, bad transum etc. Have a pro check out the structure for any
problewm areas if in doubt. I personally use a icepick to prob around,
but I am not a professional. But have been around boats since 1970.

That being said...

The sales folks had sold the boat new in 2000 at Hartwell marina. And it
had been a resident in their rack boat storage and maintained there
since new. I did not have it checked and the boat has been fine. So much
depends on how familiar you are with boats and how much you trust the
people you are dealing with.

I did have all the fluids changed there since it did not come with a
trailer, and now the boat lives on a lift at our dock. They seemed a
little on the high side to me for this work as compaired to what I was
use to with our former boat. A Crownline 2100 cuddy that we kept on the
trailer when not in use. But they were not two far out of line.

I was speaking with my boss yesterday and he has decided to sell his
Ebtide deck boat. It does not have a windshield and he has decided he
wants one. I was with him last year when he purchased it and it may be
fit the bill. He keeps it on Lake Knottley near Blairsville. Here is
what I recall about it.

It's a 1997 w a 5.7L mercursier (350 chevy with two bbl carb. 22 foot,
has full covers and a trailer. I would guess he will be asking under
15k. (I can't speak for him of course) He pulled it last weekend and
will be winterizing it this weekend I beleive..

Anyway if you think you might be interested let me know and i will have
him send you some picks. Just put "BOAT INQUIRY" in the subject, as use
spam filters to keep the noise down in my mailbox.

Anyway happy hunting! I am sure you can find a good craft to suit your
needs for under 23k

Cheers.

Capt Jack R..

I picked up a 30 year old 19 foot eight seater skiboat with 900 hours
on the boat.
mercruiser 165hp alpha one.
i paid 1,000.00 for it.
granted it takes ten seconds longer to plain out but i didnt spend 20k.
the kids laughed just as much getting up on ski's slow than getting
their arms pulled out of their sockets.
i am very happy and the boat is solid enough to invest in.

sonofadocker

Jay wrote:
I am new to boating and just got a lake house on Lake Hartwell, GA. I
am interested in a used boat, possibly a deck boat that would be good
for pulling a skier, but also comfortable enough for about 8-10 people,
and would require low maintenance. I need a primer on what features,
brands to look for. I have been advised to get something with 200
hours or less use. I was thinking of spending no more than about $23K
but would prefer less if that is attainable. Thanks for any advice.
Jay

sonofadocker wrote:
I picked up a 30 year old 19 foot eight seater skiboat with 900 hours
on the boat.
mercruiser 165hp alpha one.
i paid 1,000.00 for it.
granted it takes ten seconds longer to plain out but i didnt spend 20k.
the kids laughed just as much getting up on ski's slow than getting
their arms pulled out of their sockets.
i am very happy and the boat is solid enough to invest in.

sonofadocker

Man whatever floats your boat as they say :-) It all depends on what
one want and what one can afford.

That being said the first boat that I remember was a 1970 Beachcraft
trihull with a chevy 250 inline six, 165 hp engine. It was a 18 footer
if memory servers. We called it the aquatractor as it had so much
pulling power out first V8 was a big let-down. My Pop had five ringbolts
on the transum so we could pull six people water skiing. It was one
hell of a boat.

On the down side the prop torq could get onew tired at some speeds.
Seems like the drive was balanced at 25mph pretty well. But faster or it
would pull to the right pretty strong. I can still remenber hanging on
the left side of the wheel to go straight over thirty.

I have to say the newer v8's with power steering are more enjoyable to
run. But I will always have fond memories of that Merc 165 :-)

Capt Jack R..

Jay wrote:

I am new to boating and just got a lake house on Lake Hartwell, GA. I
am interested in a used boat, possibly a deck boat that would be good
for pulling a skier, but also comfortable enough for about 8-10 people,
and would require low maintenance. I need a primer on what features,
brands to look for. I have been advised to get something with 200
hours or less use. I was thinking of spending no more than about $23K
but would prefer less if that is attainable. Thanks for any advice.
Jay

"sonofadocker" wrote
30 year old 19 foot eight seater skiboat
mercruiser 165hp alpha one.

That's exactly what Jay needs. As a matter of fact, I just happen to have
one that I'd sell him for half what he's looking to spend.
http://www.formulaboats.com/202.aspx