1985 sundancer need help!!!

[superduty]

had a mechanice look at it starboard motor prolly needs a carb or fuel pump no bigge, then he said the shifter silonoid is not engaugeing right, they need new fuel hoes some one cut them he said, he wants to rpalce them so if something happens not his fault 50 bucks each no big deal, the he said there is something worng with the port drive like a bearing going out, what do you yall think i should do, fix it or just sell it and get out of the headache????

thanks for any sugguestions

 

[SCORPIO]

Get an estimate on the drive repair, then compare it to the cost of a Stern Drive Engineering SE106 drive. They are good units and have a three year warrenty. I just rebuilt both my drives this winter and now wish I had just replaced them with SE 106s as I think I paid about as much and have no warrenties. Maybe you only need a gimbal bearing, thats a relatively cheap fix.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Evaluate how much you like the boat and if you plan on keeping it.
You will hate putting money into a boat you really don't like.

Putting money into a boat that you really like and it suites your purpose.
Only you can decide.

Avoiding the 100.00 an hr mechanics labor rate can buy a lot of new parts for the Do it yourselfer

Like SCORPIO said,
After all the labor cost of a rebuild.
You could buy new or a remanufactured complete unit for very near the same price.
Much less labor hrs involved with new complete bolt on parts.

 

[superduty]

thanks guys, im gonna see what his best guess and worse case on the outdrive if its over 2gs ill just sell as is

 

[berth control]

Are you new to the boat? I have a similar boat, and with these older boats the purchase price is much less, but the repairs are much higher. As bad as this sounds, your repairs sound pretty normal/nominal, and I would expect to need to put that much money into the boat every couple years. I plan on between 1,000 and 1,500 a year in repairs on my boat. Maybe that's high, but from my experience, not really if you include all the small repairs you need.

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

had a mechanice look at it starboard motor prolly needs a carb or fuel pump no bigge, then he said the shifter silonoid is not engaugeing right, they need new fuel hoes some one cut them he said, he wants to rpalce them so if something happens not his fault 50 bucks each no big deal, the he said there is something worng with the port drive like a bearing going out, what do you yall think i should do, fix it or just sell it and get out of the headache????

thanks for any sugguestions

Brand new edelbrock marine carb 300.00
Brand new marine mechanical fuel pump 100.00
1100.00 ? brand new SE outdrive.
150.00? New bellows and gimbal bearing.

Whats risky having a mechanic rebuild stuff is....
They may not change out all the worn parts.
He replaces your drive bearing.
Then seals go bad. Replaces seals, then because of water getting into drive. gears go bad.

I got srewed 5 yrs ago. I needed new drive seals. 900.00 best price. (me pulling drive)
Mechanic told me of bad upper gear. I said change the gear and whatever else is needed.
This boat must be reliable. 50 hrs later. broke the gear.
After that, I bought a new Merc drive.
I'm going problem free on my 5th season now with the new Merc drive.

IMHO. Replace complete assembly's and be done with it.
Get the warranty, Easier to change out a bad drive.
Then it is to keep tearing into a bad one.

What sucks is being in a slip.
Talk to your mechanic if he is comfortable with a companys complete drive, etc youre thinking of buying. Then what the haulout and labor rate is for the install.

 

[Sundancer]

I'm NOT a boat mechanic, but I think something is wrong with the mechanics evaluation. If the hoses were cut, they would be leaking and you would have fuel all over your bilge. You shouldn't be operating it if that is the case. However, I doubt someone would jump in and cut the hoses and leave it that way. I'd have him point out those cuts! Regarding the shift solenoid, if these are MR or Alpha drives, I'm not aware of any electronic shifting! It may need adjustments or a new cable, but there is NO solenoid. Someone else back me up here!

I'd have a SECOND mechanic look at it and have him give you an estimate. The hoses would be easy to replace, a rebuilt carb and fuel pump aren't too bad either depending on your comfort level. My comfort level would be better if you found another mechanic!

With the advice given above, you have a 300 footer that needs some work. I doubt you will find another one that either costs less or needs less work. You have a known quantity with a known costs to fix it. In this market you will take a bath on the selling price! I'd rather have a boat I know with problems than take a chance on another unknown! I'm odd that way though.....

 

[Tail Chaser 661]

Sundancer,
The 1985 Alpha's are all mechanical.
Little weird adjusting the shift cables.

10mm nut for adjusting the neutral cutoff switch.
Cuts the power for easier gear engagement.

Too many....
Maybe, Might be, Could be, with superdutys mechanic.
I could see his boat sitting at the mechanics shop for weeks,
While the mechanics making a killing changing out parts.

 

[superduty]

thanks for all the info, umm not real sure what i wanna do just yet, i think i might just sell it and stick to jetski's lol

on another note i may get someone else out there to look at it, the great thing about if it does have to come out of the water is i have a trailer, and were my slip is they have a crane if the water is too low if the water is right i can get it on the trailer at the boat ramp