Any Mercruiser (4.3) experts out there? EFI to carb
Discussion
Right, I am looking at a 2001 Searay 190 Bowrider which apparently had quite a bit of work done to the engine:
4.3 Mercruiser: New carburetor, exhaust manifolds etc converted from fuel injected.
Just been overhauled with £'000 spent including new throttle and cables (sic), stern pump (presumably Trim pump?), you name it, it’s had no expense spared (Sic). All invoices present to prove work done.
It concerns me that it has been converted from fuel injection to carburetor as this seems to be a retrograde step and would require a full conversion not just a new manifold and carb. A quick search on Google failed to identify anyone doing the conversion this way round. Any Mercruiser experts care to offer an opinion?
The vendor knows very little about the boat and are auctioneers who have been tasked to liquidate assets from a failed business. It seems unlikely that they will be able to facilitate an on water test; but I may be wrong. I will be having a look at the boat on Friday.
The asking price is £11,500 which is too much, however it clearly has a value and one which I would suggest would be much lower bearing in mind the risk this purchase in these circumstances poses. Similar boats seem to be marketed closer to £7,000 e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Searay-190-signature-bo... and are attracted 0 bids
I am looking for a detailed pre-purchase survey of this boat and a review of the history to assist me in deciding whether or not to purchase this boat and the appropriate price.
Can anyone recommend a suitable marine surveyor in the Buckinghamshire / Hertfordshire area? Plenty of canal boat surveyors but perhaps not surprisingly very few with experience of this type of boat.
4.3 Mercruiser: New carburetor, exhaust manifolds etc converted from fuel injected.
Just been overhauled with £'000 spent including new throttle and cables (sic), stern pump (presumably Trim pump?), you name it, it’s had no expense spared (Sic). All invoices present to prove work done.
It concerns me that it has been converted from fuel injection to carburetor as this seems to be a retrograde step and would require a full conversion not just a new manifold and carb. A quick search on Google failed to identify anyone doing the conversion this way round. Any Mercruiser experts care to offer an opinion?
The vendor knows very little about the boat and are auctioneers who have been tasked to liquidate assets from a failed business. It seems unlikely that they will be able to facilitate an on water test; but I may be wrong. I will be having a look at the boat on Friday.
The asking price is £11,500 which is too much, however it clearly has a value and one which I would suggest would be much lower bearing in mind the risk this purchase in these circumstances poses. Similar boats seem to be marketed closer to £7,000 e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Searay-190-signature-bo... and are attracted 0 bids
I am looking for a detailed pre-purchase survey of this boat and a review of the history to assist me in deciding whether or not to purchase this boat and the appropriate price.
Can anyone recommend a suitable marine surveyor in the Buckinghamshire / Hertfordshire area? Plenty of canal boat surveyors but perhaps not surprisingly very few with experience of this type of boat.
Edited by Green George on Tuesday 2nd April 19:01
Edited by Green George on Tuesday 2nd April 19:02
I would run away, far easier options out there with potentially much less hassle.
The 4.3 is a sweet spot for a 19' boat but don't discount a 3.0. A little cheaper to maintain and still capable of doing what the boat is intended for.
I sold my 2006 Larson 18' last Spring properly presented and serviced with a decent trailer for less than £9k and would expect to get something similar today with the same budget.
Whatever you buy, expect it'll need something spent on it just for your own peace of mind if nothing else. A full engine/drive service, perhaps a new battery and ALWAYS assume the trailer bearings/tyres are shot!
The 4.3 is a sweet spot for a 19' boat but don't discount a 3.0. A little cheaper to maintain and still capable of doing what the boat is intended for.
I sold my 2006 Larson 18' last Spring properly presented and serviced with a decent trailer for less than £9k and would expect to get something similar today with the same budget.
Whatever you buy, expect it'll need something spent on it just for your own peace of mind if nothing else. A full engine/drive service, perhaps a new battery and ALWAYS assume the trailer bearings/tyres are shot!
Not a bad boat if it's all good.
Check the history on the bravo leg. Needs a service every two years, gimbal bearing, bellows etc.. (every year if you're pedantic).
Compression check motor. Carb is a downgrade. If it's had new Risers then they should be good for five to ten years (depending on salt vs fresh water use). Water Pump every five years. All easy jobs to do.
Check gel coat on hull, see if it's chalky. Should be okay as UK has low UV. Check all guages working.
Ask auction if you can throw some muffs (headphone looking things that plug onto the leg and pump water through it) on it and get it running.
I've seen a 22ft Maxum with water ingress inbetween hull and bottom of boat (it's a clamshell design where top part is moulded to bottom). This caused the wood stringers to rot on the engine mounts. Bit of a pain to fix. Also hard to spot if you don't know what you're looking for. Unlikely this Sea Ray has the same problem though.
Be prepared though, boats need plenty of cash or decent skills to maintain and a lot of service issues are corrosion related due to lack of use.
Check the history on the bravo leg. Needs a service every two years, gimbal bearing, bellows etc.. (every year if you're pedantic).
Compression check motor. Carb is a downgrade. If it's had new Risers then they should be good for five to ten years (depending on salt vs fresh water use). Water Pump every five years. All easy jobs to do.
Check gel coat on hull, see if it's chalky. Should be okay as UK has low UV. Check all guages working.
Ask auction if you can throw some muffs (headphone looking things that plug onto the leg and pump water through it) on it and get it running.
I've seen a 22ft Maxum with water ingress inbetween hull and bottom of boat (it's a clamshell design where top part is moulded to bottom). This caused the wood stringers to rot on the engine mounts. Bit of a pain to fix. Also hard to spot if you don't know what you're looking for. Unlikely this Sea Ray has the same problem though.
Be prepared though, boats need plenty of cash or decent skills to maintain and a lot of service issues are corrosion related due to lack of use.
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