Should I be afraid of a repowered boat

F

FiremistSLK

Active Member
Sep 10, 2020
106
Central Florida USA
Boat Info
2007 Chaparral Sunesta 214 Mercruiser 5.0L MPI Alpha 1
Engines
5.0L MPI 260hp w/Alpha I
I've been looking to get back out on the water since I moved to Rhode Island. I am retired and will be using the boat to explore around Narragansett Bay. I have been boating for many years and have always owned a SeaRay. So, I have been looking at a 215EC. Some of the older boats (1998 - 2000) are in excellent shape and are priced right, but have been "repowered". Does an engine replacement (repower) do more harm than good to the boat? Is it an indication that the boat has been abused or neglected? Bottom line..... Is a repowered 20 year old 215EC ok to purchase or should I stay away?? Thanks. JOHN
 
Survey says what?
 
WOW.. You people are FAST with your helpful replies! It makes me feel better to know that people in the know are not afraid of a repower. Since I am looking at boats in the 15 to 20 year old range it goes without saying that a survey is a MUST before I make the purchase. Thanks again to all who responded! JOHN
 
I would be concerned about a boat that size on the open water. I am in Buzzards Bay, not familiar with Narragansett, but as you know, the ocean can bite you hard and if your not prepared/wrong size boat it could get ugly. I see "Lake" boats out in the open often and am worried for those folks.
As far as repower, I agree with all the above. An engine is an engine. Installation, labor is the variable.
 
I’ve been doing some shopping for a different boat and I’m surprised how many low hour boats have had engines replaced. I don’t understand why. My current boat has almost 800 hours and the engine is still in great shape.
 
As long as the new engine is sufficient in size and power for the size of the boat, no issue at all (provided that the new engine was either new, or rebuilt properly by a reputable shop).

In a boat, the engine is just another part. They come out and go back in relatively easy.
 
You should get information about what was meant by “repowered”. That could mean they bought a new complete engine, bought a new short block (main block, crank and pistons), long block (block and cylinder heads), or bought a rebuilt used engine, or bought a used marine engine, or installed a used automotive engine. My opinion would be very different depending on what was done when they “repowered”.
 
Maggieiscrazy said:
I’ve been doing some shopping for a different boat and I’m surprised how many low hour boats have had engines replaced. I don’t understand why. My current boat has almost 800 hours and the engine is still in great shape.
Click to expand...
I purchased a mint condition 1998 Cobalt 220 BR last spring with 175 original hours on a carbed 5.7L mag. You could have eaten off the engine and engine room it was so clean. I live in Michigan and the boat was from Tennessee and upon inspection and sea trial the boat ran flawless. Fast forward 1 month of getting boat home, go to take the boat out and while running down the lake I see that the bilge pump is on. At this point I stopped and opened the engine hatch to find the block was split near a water jacket and was spraying water into the bilge. I immediately shut down the engine to check the oil and luckily it was still perfectly clear with no moisture detected. Ran the boat to the hoist for further inspection and found that someone tried to repair the block with JB weld presumably from freezing. Whoever made the repair did a really nice job and even painted the area as I did not see this upon the pre purchase inspection. Being there wasn't internal damage to the engine I attempted to grind the JB weld out, expose the crack and try repairing again which of course failed almost immediately. My next call was to Michigan Motorz to order a drop-in ready 300hp 5.7L Vortec at the tune of $6,500.00. So now one year later we have put 75 hours, 74 of which are pulling the kids on a tube and the boat has been turn key with zero issues. If I were to list it for sale it would now read boat has 250 total hours with 75 hours on new engine making someone scratch their head as to why a new engine already.
 
Maggieiscrazy said:
I’ve been doing some shopping for a different boat and I’m surprised how many low hour boats have had engines replaced. I don’t understand why. My current boat has almost 800 hours and the engine is still in great shape.
Click to expand...

My opinion is that boat engines require more care than automotive engines. People get the mindset that they can run their boat the same as the family car (1-2 years between oil changes, “lifetime” spark plugs etc.) and sooner or later the corners being cut add up and something catastrophic happens.
 
There is a big difference between a 20 year old saltwater boat and one that has only been used in fresh water. Long odds to get to 20 years with a saltwater cooled engine if you don't flush the engine(s) after every use.
 
Maggieiscrazy said:
I’ve been doing some shopping for a different boat and I’m surprised how many low hour boats have had engines replaced. I don’t understand why. My current boat has almost 800 hours and the engine is still in great shape.
Click to expand...
I'm thinking poor winterization...
 
Thanks again everyone for the good advice and opinions. .... capecodcruiser, thanks for that info but usually Narragansett Bay only sees swells of 1-2 feet. The 215 has a lot of freeboard to handle the bay, but I don't think I would attempt the open water 10 mile run out to Block Island with it! After reading all the replies on this subject, I've decided to shop only for a low hour, original engine boat that spent it's life in fresh water or on the trailer. They are priced a bit more but they are out there..... usually away from the coast near a lake (Ohio, Western Penn, Tenn. etc.).
 
Avenger said:
I purchased a mint condition 1998 Cobalt 220 BR last spring with 175 original hours on a carbed 5.7L mag. You could have eaten off the engine and engine room it was so clean. I live in Michigan and the boat was from Tennessee and upon inspection and sea trial the boat ran flawless. Fast forward 1 month of getting boat home, go to take the boat out and while running down the lake I see that the bilge pump is on. At this point I stopped and opened the engine hatch to find the block was split near a water jacket and was spraying water into the bilge. I immediately shut down the engine to check the oil and luckily it was still perfectly clear with no moisture detected. Ran the boat to the hoist for further inspection and found that someone tried to repair the block with JB weld presumably from freezing. Whoever made the repair did a really nice job and even painted the area as I did not see this upon the pre purchase inspection. Being there wasn't internal damage to the engine I attempted to grind the JB weld out, expose the crack and try repairing again which of course failed almost immediately. My next call was to Michigan Motorz to order a drop-in ready 300hp 5.7L Vortec at the tune of $6,500.00. So now one year later we have put 75 hours, 74 of which are pulling the kids on a tube and the boat has been turn key with zero issues. If I were to list it for sale it would now read boat has 250 total hours with 75 hours on new engine making someone scratch their head as to why a new engine already.
Click to expand...
The same exact thing happened to a buddy of mine. And he bought the boat from a so called friend.
 
SteveRuss said:
There is a big difference between a 20 year old saltwater boat and one that has only been used in fresh water. Long odds to get to 20 years with a saltwater cooled engine if you don't flush the engine(s) after every use.
Click to expand...

Gee Steve our 18 year old 280 was doing just fine when we sold it. The only place it had ever been used was in the Atlantic. Do you have actual saltwater boating/repair experience to corroborate your statement?
 
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