Should I be afraid of a repowered boat

Henry Boyd said:
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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yours was a closed cooled engine, he's talking raw salt water.
 
John Del Grosso said:
Even if it was used only in fresh water with say 475 hours?
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Like everything, it depends. As a general rule if I was looking at a 20 year old boat (and we looked at a couple before we bought our current), the specifics would be critical. A gas engine used for 475 hours even in freshwater can be a disaster for many reasons (like poor winterizing), just as "repowered" can mean many things. Would I take a boat that had just received a new Merc reman engine with warranty over a boat with low hours? You betcha. Would I take a boat with low hours over one with a repower with a junkyard chevy engine? Also definitely.
 
Henry.... Makes good sense! I will definately do my due diligence before purchase! AND have a survey performed!!
 
Creekwood said:
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”.
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Agreed.

I would also find out if the work was it done by a mechanic in a reputable shop who knew what they were doing, or someone like me! ;)

Jim
 
I am anal about maintenance. I follow the book and maybe a little more. My last boat was 35 years old and I can honestly say the engine was like new with about 1500 hours on the clock and all original except for plugs, dist. cap, wires, etc.
(all fresh water....)

IMHO if an engine needs to be replaced, the owner wasn't as good as me. In that case, what else didn't he take care of.

I only buy new, but if I did want a second hand boat, an engine replacement would be a deal breaker...

Just my silly opinion after being a boater for 65 years...
 
so you're retired and going to take a 215 EC out on Narragansett Bay. well, pay no mind to the Forbes articles about how much money you need to have to retire, cause you wont live that long. Get at least a 25' Sundancer minimum. 27 - 28 better.
 
Our first boat was a 1986 250DA we bought from the original owner. It had about 600 hours on the 350 Merc and ran like a top. For 3 years that boat started and ran like new. The engine was 100% original even down to the manifolds and risers (fresh water boat). Boat was used on Lake Erie the first 25 or so years of it's like. When we talked about selling it our dock neighbor, who is very familiar with boats, said we were crazy for selling a perfect running boat.
 
The 215 EC is a capable boat. Just watch the weather. I’ve gone 50 miles from Miami to Bimini in a 17ft. It’s not uncommon.

Regarding the repower, I see it as an additional value so long as boat didn’t sink and it’s not a 20 year old salt use.

As long as you have it checked out thoroughly you’ll be fine.

Enjoy.
 
Thanks again to all that replied. Awesome forum! I will take all comments and advise into consideration when I purchase. JOHN
 
Henry Boyd said:
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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Yeah Henry. I've been boating in the Atlantic and repairing my own boats for 30 years. The boat in my profile is a 20 year old raw water cooled boat that has been flushed every time it's been started.
 
You are not buying the boat that was, you are buying the boat that is. Make your judgement based on the current condition.
 
I once placed a deposit on a 260 Sundancer that had the engine replaced (long block replacement). During the survey the cool fuel module failed. With a long block replacement the "engine" may be new but all of the parts on it are still old.

The surveyor also determined that the transom assembly needed to be replaced. With a stern drive boat a new engine doesn't address the old transom assembly and outdrive.

In my mind, a brand new outboard on an old boat increases my desire to buy the boat (everything is new). A new engine in a stern drive boat makes me less likely to purchase the boat since if the engine was abused and needed to be replaced then the transom assembly and outdrive were also abused. Unless the transom assembly and outdrive were also replaced the boat will most likely not be reliable.
 
My thoughts exactly! That is why I asked the question. What I learned here is this..... a repowered boat is okay as long as the new engine is a complete OEM replacement (no Chevy car motor), transom assembly and outdrive has been replaced as well or surveyed to confirm they are in good condition.
 
Repower can mean a couple of things.
Is the "repower" a long block slapped in a greazy bilge with 20 year old hoses, wiring, and nothing done to the support systems?
Or is the repower a complete retrofit of the power train and refit of the support systems ensuring an as-new lifecycle?

The latter supports good reason and confidence in purchase of the boat.
 
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