Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
#1
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350
chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! |
#2
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 is an old unit built in the 70s that uses a Mercruiser type 1 drive which is the predecessor to the MR and Alpha 1. The innards are different but the uppers and lowers of the different types will bolt together. Jim |
#3
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
Thanks Jim. I wasn't sure about the 888. I take it that the parts (if
needed) are still available, and also if necessary, a person could interchange it with an Alpha 1? This boat is a 1975. its well kept . Jim wrote: wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 is an old unit built in the 70s that uses a Mercruiser type 1 drive which is the predecessor to the MR and Alpha 1. The innards are different but the uppers and lowers of the different types will bolt together. Jim |
#5
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
Understood. I've thought about hat. the hull doesn't have any nicks, or
blisters. and the floor is solid as a rock. I haen't found anything of wood rot yet. PLUS, it's cheap enough, if there was some sort of damage to the hull etc, it's no great pocket loss. same way with the outdrive. But I have a spare alph1 leg, and was hoping they'd interchange. without great amounts of modifying . that is if they'd interchange at all. Thanks! jamesgangnc wrote: Of course anything could happen but you will be a lot better off with that i/o than one of the other old brands of i/o's. The biggest problem in older fiberglass boat is wood rot. wrote: Thanks Jim. I wasn't sure about the 888. I take it that the parts (if needed) are still available, and also if necessary, a person could interchange it with an Alpha 1? This boat is a 1975. its well kept . Jim wrote: wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 is an old unit built in the 70s that uses a Mercruiser type 1 drive which is the predecessor to the MR and Alpha 1. The innards are different but the uppers and lowers of the different types will bolt together. Jim |
#6
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
jamesgangnc wrote:
Of course anything could happen but you will be a lot better off with that i/o than one of the other old brands of i/o's. The biggest problem in older fiberglass boat is wood rot. wrote: Thanks Jim. I wasn't sure about the 888. I take it that the parts (if needed) are still available, and also if necessary, a person could interchange it with an Alpha 1? This boat is a 1975. its well kept . Jim wrote: wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 is an old unit built in the 70s that uses a Mercruiser type 1 drive which is the predecessor to the MR and Alpha 1. The innards are different but the uppers and lowers of the different types will bolt together. Jim I would be surprised if a 35 yr old boat wouldn't need a lot of work to have a safe and reliable boat. Even if it is a well maintained boat, it is still 35 yrs old, wood rot, fiberglass blisters, transom rot, engine and outdrive problems etc. are all expensive, or for the DYI'er very time consuming problems. My first boat was a well maintained 20 yr old runabout, I paid $1000 for the boat, and in the first 3 yrs. spent 3 times as much on repairs. Before I sold the boat, I had numerous repairs on the OB engine (which can be very expensive), replace the seats and all upholster due to UV degradation, do some electrical work, and had to replace sections of the stringers and a section of the floor due to wood rot, and install new carpeting. After all this work, I was able to sell the boat for $1500. Even if you have it surveyed, it is safe to assume you will encounter some unexpected problems with a 35 yr old boat. |
#7
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
Reggie, I'm not expecting it to be trouble free. I agree with the idea
that after 35 years, it can have it's share of goofs. But this is just a 20 foot runabout, and It's for sale in the 1200.00 range. To me that's no great financial strain. If the boat does manifest serious structure problems, then I'd strip it and save the drive and engine and variously related parts for future projects. BTW, my Chris Craft 169 Scorpion, is an '83 model. I've had it for two years, and with exception of maintenance, and replacing the lower end because i hit a stump (wasn't the boats fault) I have been very well pleased with it. it was and still is a good boat, that I bought cheap. Reginald P. Smithers III wrote: jamesgangnc wrote: Of course anything could happen but you will be a lot better off with that i/o than one of the other old brands of i/o's. The biggest problem in older fiberglass boat is wood rot. wrote: Thanks Jim. I wasn't sure about the 888. I take it that the parts (if needed) are still available, and also if necessary, a person could interchange it with an Alpha 1? This boat is a 1975. its well kept . Jim wrote: wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 is an old unit built in the 70s that uses a Mercruiser type 1 drive which is the predecessor to the MR and Alpha 1. The innards are different but the uppers and lowers of the different types will bolt together. Jim I would be surprised if a 35 yr old boat wouldn't need a lot of work to have a safe and reliable boat. Even if it is a well maintained boat, it is still 35 yrs old, wood rot, fiberglass blisters, transom rot, engine and outdrive problems etc. are all expensive, or for the DYI'er very time consuming problems. My first boat was a well maintained 20 yr old runabout, I paid $1000 for the boat, and in the first 3 yrs. spent 3 times as much on repairs. Before I sold the boat, I had numerous repairs on the OB engine (which can be very expensive), replace the seats and all upholster due to UV degradation, do some electrical work, and had to replace sections of the stringers and a section of the floor due to wood rot, and install new carpeting. After all this work, I was able to sell the boat for $1500. Even if you have it surveyed, it is safe to assume you will encounter some unexpected problems with a 35 yr old boat. |
#8
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 should be a Ford 302 engine, a common installation in that vintage SeaRay. Check up on what/when mods/changes were done to get a 350 & 888. Rob |
#9
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
My alpha1 bellhousing has so many bolt holes I'm thinking it must fit a
whole variety of engine blocks. Does anyone know if the early mercs that way too? trainfan1 wrote: wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 should be a Ford 302 engine, a common installation in that vintage SeaRay. Check up on what/when mods/changes were done to get a 350 & 888. Rob |
#10
posted to rec.boats
|
|||
|
|||
investigating a different boat with Mercruiser 888
So, Jim, are you saying you can put an alpha 1 lower end on an MR or R
upper, with no problem? or vice verse? The reason I'm asking is I didn't go for that model SeaRay, but now do have a 22' Marqui cuddy, with an MR drive. and this would be good to know for future reference. Thanks! Jim wrote: wrote in message oups.com... I'm looking at the possibility of buying a Sea Ray 21 footer. with 350 chevy. and "888" outdrive. OK, I'm familiar with the Alpha 1 with is so popular, but I don't know about the 888 can some one tell me the difference[s] between the two? and can the parts interchange? Thanks! The 888 is an old unit built in the 70s that uses a Mercruiser type 1 drive which is the predecessor to the MR and Alpha 1. The innards are different but the uppers and lowers of the different types will bolt together. Jim |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
ramp launching stories (These are funny!) | General | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General | |||
rec.boats.paddle sea kayaking FAQ | General |