Freeze plugs

[KNIFEMAN1]

Im looking at an 99 380 sundancer with 7.4 mercs
all but one freeze plug is pushed out on both engines . what are the odds that the engines arent totaled ?
anyone have any experience whith this ?
thanks, NICK

 

[MAKC]

How long has the engine been sitting? If all but one freeze plug has been pushed out of the engines, you know you are going to have issues to deal with. If the engines were never winterized, i would expect the rest of the boat is going to have problems too.

 

[300SR]

Are they going to fix it before you had over the cash? Or are you going to buy it as is? That would make a big difference in the price with me!!

 

[Ididntdoit]

Price it like it needs 2 new engines - it obviously froze, and I would be surprised if the blocks wern't cracked in the lifter valley or elsewhere - while the freeze plugs popping is a "good" thing there are not plugs everywhere water can expand - while you could "get lucky" I wouldn't count on it (my guess would be a 25% chance their good) also, no plugs in the manifolds or heads, they could be cracked too. As someone else posted, what about the rest of the systems?

 

[KNIFEMAN1]

the rest of the boat has a few problems but is in fairly decent shape , the engines arent locked up the will still turn over.
we are talking around 8k for the boat as is .
the owner is in bad financial shape and needs the money so he cant put any money into it .

 

[techmitch]

the rest of the boat has a few problems but is in fairly decent shape , the engines arent locked up the will still turn over.
we are talking around 8k for the boat as is .
the owner is in bad financial shape and needs the money so he cant put any money into it .

8K.........And you are sitting here on your computer because?

 

[Ididntdoit]

Holy **** 8k - if you dont buy it I will - at that price re-power with diesels and have a great cruiser!

 

[Lazy Daze]

So, where is this boat located? Is it sold, yet? I'd just about buy it without even looking at it. Looks like I'm 3rd in line, though.

My guess is, though, that there's something fishy going on here - other than the engines. How did you find out about the boat? Craigslist?

 

[KNIFEMAN1]

it belongs to a friend of mine thats all I can say . its not advertised .
its not perfect by any means , the gps on the dash wont turn on ,
the cabin fridge wont get as cold as it should , minor things but I think its still salvageable ? ive just never dealt with a cruiser before . I have a 21' sea ray BR
but its always been winterized and taken care of . A neglected boat is a new experience for me so thanks for all the help . it will be a fun project

 

[Lazy Daze]

Based on the price you're talking about, I wouldn't give the GPS, Fridge (and other things like that) a second thought. Heck, I wouldn't even worry about a cracked block.

But, it would be advisable to get a full survey done - especially if you're not going to be doing the R&R yourself.

 

[Asureyez]

This is a project boat and while the hull has value, your life does too. Make sure you are getting the boat free and clear of all liens and claims.

Second, definitely repower and trade in the existing engines. Repower to diesel is not a drop in job. nearly everything in the ER will need some element of conversion.

If you can accept a years work its probably an decent opportunity, If you want to just go boating, walk away.

 

[Turtlesboat]

By the time you refit with diesels, that 8k boat is going to be $108k. Plus a new fridge and chartplotter.