01/22/2011 10:08:28 AM
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Djwade
Member
Posts: 36
Joined: 12/25/2006
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Mr. Frantic,
I am looking into those engines right now and I think they would do the trick for me. I also am looking for something similar in diesel. Remanufacured.
If I can find something reasonably affordable compared to the gas I might be tempted to go that route. I've got some inquiries out now to some local dealers.
By the way, Does anyone have experience with Michigan Motorz.com?
They have Turn Key MPI Mercruiser 3.0L for $5865 plus shipping.
Thanks for the help. I definitely have a much better idea of what to put in the boat now.
Wado
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Wado the Maineiac 1983 43' C Yacht http://www.musbenice.com/ http://blog.musbenice.com/"Find something you like to do and do it as much as you can."
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01/23/2011 11:08:45 AM
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Pirate
Admin - super moderator group
Posts: 1346
Joined: 10/08/2002
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The boat market is really bad right now and you can buy a boat with good 350 engines for $5000 to $10,000 and save a lot of cash. just search the net
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The pirate
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01/25/2011 10:19:06 AM
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CaptMark
Member
Posts: 174
Joined: 07/23/2007
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Wow Mr Frantic, That's a LOT........ of money to be throwing into a 28 year old boat.
I agree with the Pirate:
I have seen at least a half a dozen boats newer than that, with twin engines, with flybridges, in great condition for sale for the price of one of those engines you quoted.
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Mark
1979 Crest
Brookville Lake, IN
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01/25/2011 10:21:57 AM
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CaptMark
Member
Posts: 174
Joined: 07/23/2007
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Example:
43' Delta Clipper Flybridge houseboat. 351 mercs with vdrives(run great), 7.5 kohler generator, fresh water system with hot water, marine air and heat(no stupid roof top unit), full size fridge, microwave, electric stove/oven, full head and shower, full bed in back cabin, sleeps more down below.....ect. $13,500
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/boa/2175879622.html
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Mark 1979 Crest Brookville Lake, IN
Edited: 01/25/2011 at 10:47:43 AM by CaptMark
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01/25/2011 10:42:55 AM
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Djwade
Member
Posts: 36
Joined: 12/25/2006
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Capt Mark & Pirate,
I know there are a lot of decent boats out there for sale but with all the work I've put into restoring this one I want a new or remanufactured powerplant. I've spent all of my working life making do with used cars and boats and for this project I want to go bright sparkly new (or new remanufactured with warranty).
Call me crazy (and a lot of people probably do), but it's been a lifelong dream to rebuild a boat like this and part of that dream was a new engine.
With that being said I am shocked at the prices I am getting and still have a lot of work to do to find the solution that suits my wallet the best.
Wado
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Wado the Maineiac 1983 43' C Yacht http://www.musbenice.com/ http://blog.musbenice.com/"Find something you like to do and do it as much as you can."
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01/25/2011 01:56:28 PM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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I have watched you since you towed your project home a couple of years ago. With the dreams that are coming true, and still exist, install twin engines, PERIOD!!
If you want to know why, ask my wife, as she stated:
"If we are going to get a houseboat, it has to have twin screws. I will not drive a single screw, as it takes too much energy to track straight with a single engine".
We have gone on many trips for several days. In doing so, I need the wife to take the wheel from time to time. In a single screw vessel, you will have to counter steer to maintain a stright line. This is where she HATES operations of a single screw. More than once she over steered so much, a complete 360 degree turn was suffered. I have no problems always counter steering, almost like flying a Cessina.
To know what I speak of better, go rent a single screw. It will be worth the money for the education.
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Banana Tom
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01/25/2011 02:00:49 PM
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BananaTom
Admiral
Posts: 968
Joined: 12/05/2006
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Take a serious look a twin 350 Crusaders. I believe that $10,000.00 can get you a nice set, brand new set.
You can purchase allot of fuel with $20,000.00.
With twins, you will be able to spin that puppy on a dime. It is not hard to look like a pro, with twins, when operating in tight quarters, under high wind, with rain falling sideways. I have done it many times, and always someone will come up to me after and say "Awersome Job" in such nasty conditions. I just smile knowing that i could only do it with a set of twins.
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Banana Tom
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01/25/2011 04:44:47 PM
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EastTNBoater
Admiral
Posts: 226
Joined: 11/27/2002
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Go with twins. I dealt with single outboard barge type houseboats for 19 years - a 12x52 and a 14x72. Just moved to a 18x80 with twin Mercruiser 5.0s with Bravo II outdrives. Am I a much better boat handler with my two decades of single engine practice? Absolutely. I would have had twins if I could have afforded them.
Boating on bodies of water with currents, you will be much better off with twins. Big screws/rudders are more important than absolute horsepower.
Twins, twins, twins.
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01/26/2011 06:35:29 AM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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While I run a single I have no argument that twins are more maneuverable than anything else, and twin inboards more so than I/0's.
However everything is a compromise and it seems that cost is a major part of that compromise. A nice pair of diesels might simply be out of the question (it was for me). It can be hard to justify spending more on the engines than on the rest of the rig.
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Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
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01/26/2011 07:06:48 AM
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Djwade
Member
Posts: 36
Joined: 12/25/2006
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Tom,
I have read a lot of your posts and I know that you know your stuff. My experience is with single screw deep keel style lobster boats and I am getting the message that with these hulls the way to go is twin.
Thank you so much for taking the time to add your advice to my question.
I will take a look at Crusader. I don't know if we have any dealers around here in Maine so I'll do some digging and see.
Wado
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Wado the Maineiac 1983 43' C Yacht http://www.musbenice.com/ http://blog.musbenice.com/"Find something you like to do and do it as much as you can."
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01/26/2011 07:09:06 AM
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Djwade
Member
Posts: 36
Joined: 12/25/2006
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EastTN,
I am getting the message loud and clear. Thanks so much for helping me out.
wado
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Wado the Maineiac 1983 43' C Yacht http://www.musbenice.com/ http://blog.musbenice.com/"Find something you like to do and do it as much as you can."
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01/26/2011 07:13:03 AM
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Djwade
Member
Posts: 36
Joined: 12/25/2006
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Willie,
Your input has been invaluable to my decision. Thanks for sharing your experience with the single. It is all about compromise and doing the best you can with what you can afford.
Love your slideshow!
Wado
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Wado the Maineiac 1983 43' C Yacht http://www.musbenice.com/ http://blog.musbenice.com/"Find something you like to do and do it as much as you can."
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01/26/2011 07:44:03 AM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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Glad to be of help Wado.
Tom and EastTN are correct... with their wide, flat hull and big superstructure, houseboats are floating kites and the wind will blow them all over the place. If you decide to go with a single, learn how to use your mooring lines and even your anchor (you'll need 'em). The ability to drop the hook on a couple seconds' notice has gotten me out of trouble more than once.
There is a big difference in technique with a single and a twin. With a twin you can sometimes bull your way through the wind. With a single you simply can't and you have to learn to USE the wind and whatever else is available. It takes planning, foresight and most of all, practice, Practice, PRACTICE! But it can be done.
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Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
Edited: 01/26/2011 at 07:47:52 AM by stmbtwle
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01/26/2011 07:55:18 AM
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
Super moderator
Posts: 1520
Joined: 10/18/2002
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In a houseboat twin vee drives can't be beat. For handling and more importantly ease of maintenance. If you install new or rebuilt units you will basically have NO maintenance other than oil and filter changes for 5 years.
Crusaiders are the most mainterance free units out there.
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OLD HOUSEBOATER
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01/26/2011 04:38:54 PM
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FranticallyRelaxing
Admiral
Posts: 370
Joined: 09/10/2006
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Originally posted by: CaptMark
Wow Mr Frantic, That's a LOT........ of money to be throwing into a 28 year old boat.
I agree with the Pirate:
I have seen at least a half a dozen boats newer than that, with twin engines, with flybridges, in great condition for sale for the price of one of those engines you quoted.
Umm, I don't recall quoting any prices...? 
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 1988 SkipperLiner 53x14 1995 Tracker Party Cruiser 32 *for sale* 2003 Chaparral 260 SSI 2000 Allegro Bus 40' DP
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01/27/2011 07:54:36 AM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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No Frantic, you didn't. Wado did. No doubt Pirate and Mark are right, there are running boats out there for less than it would cost him to repower the one he has.
Problem is he ALREADY HAS the boat, and probably doesn't want two of them. We don't know how much he's spent on it already and whether or not he's in love with it. The BEST option might be sell it to some handyman for whatever he can get and then buy a whole "new" rig with good engines.
However it's not my call.
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Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
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01/27/2011 12:52:50 PM
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Bamby
Admiral
Posts: 226
Joined: 07/30/2008
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The OP has already put a significant amount of both work and money into his project. I took the time to look at his blog and their is a video in this blog post that maybe many of you would enjoy viewing http://blog.musbenice.com/2010...e-september-issue.aspx. It appears to me that he hasn't skimped on materials throughout the project. I'm seeing a well rebuilt houseboat that would seem worthy of a decent motor(s), and I've also read Crusaiders may be the best motor(s) available out there.
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Respect Our Outdoor Recreational Resources Leaving Only "Footprints in the Sand" 2003 5.3 Chevy P/U 1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat 2007 90 hp. Yamaha
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01/27/2011 02:54:19 PM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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I can understand how he feels then. Once you've invested a certain amount of love and sweat into a project, there's no turning back.
Been there!!!!
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Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
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01/27/2011 07:09:27 PM
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Dan
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: 07/10/2008
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I haven't been around a while, but had to jump into this one. I've seen the video.....this is going to be a fantastic HB. No question worthy of first class power times two. Twins all the way!
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Dan
Lake Monroe
Bloomington, IN
1986 Gibson 50'
Twin 454's
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01/27/2011 08:15:54 PM
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stmbtwle
Admiral
Posts: 2142
Joined: 04/22/2003
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There's a lot of handling difference between outdrives and inboards with rudders (including V-drives). If you only have ONE engine the outdrive probably has the advantage. If twins I'd go for the inboards. As to the difference between a 45' and a 59'.... waterline length means a lot.
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Willie She's a tired old barge but she's paid for! http://s71.photobucket.com/alb...p;current=ef324993.pbw
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