Rebuild or sell

[TOM123]

I have a decision to make and hoping to weigh the odds with the experience of this group. Thanks in advance.

My 1972 23’ transmission is starting to slip when going on plane. It is still turnkey and after I’m on plane no issues but consistently slips going on plane. Located in San Diego and I can’t take any chances with this when running offshore, Mexico, etc.

It’s time to decide if it’s time to replace, rebuild, or sell as is.

Option 1: Getting a quote for ~5k for new borg Warner 71C transmission and 1 yr warranty which gets me back on the water for the summer and helps resell value for when I inevitably have to sell. Con for new Trans is sinking more money into a boat with older floors, Floors are still solid but will will need replaced within the next 5-10years.

Option 2: rebuild the transmission. less costly to do but With my job I don’t have time to perform the work and send it off for a rebuild. having a shop rebuild would take a few months burning up any fishing season for the year.

Option 3: Sell the boat as is. Con here is obviously going to have to resell for less. I will be heading back to east coast soon and plan on selling this rig within the next year.

Last question for the group is what is the suggested resell value for with a slipping transmission and and a new transmission?

If there is anyone in the group interested in the rig please feel free to contact me 757-774-3315. Located in San Diego.

Boat info: 1972 Seacraft 23’ SF
2008 Mercury Mag MPI 350 with 2008 Borg Warner transmission. *pictures below*

[TOM123]

72’ sf

[fishingproblem]

Hi Tom,

I vote for a new transmission!

My inboard Seacraft is due in San Diego at the end of June and I would love to gain some experience in advance. Feel free to PM me or text/call

David

[deepsushi]

Why not rebuild? The BW 71c are a simple transmission that can be rebuilt to as good as new by any decent rebuilder. I was quoted $1200 to do mine by the top notch rebuilder in my area with about a week turnaround.

Can you even get a new 71C? I believe they discontinued this model years ago and replaced it with the 72c. The 72C is about 2 inches longer so you may have to redo your mounts to accomodate the longer transmision length.

Does the $5000 quote for a new tranmission include installation?

[TOM123]

Thanks all, yes the 5k quote was for pulling the old and replacing, most of the labor comes from getting access and the rear hatch has to come up.

[Xcomunic8d]

Rebuild… I’ll never sell my boat…ever. Even in my will to my kids I’m going to setup a trust that makes sure it will be maintained and not sold….just saying.

[Beaver]

Sounds like your floors are still good... Man I'd rebuild. What do they say about "the devil you dont know". You've got a killer boat that needs a little love. I know how hard it is to find a Seacraft in San Diego. If you found a "new" Seacraft in Florida you could ship it over for about what the transmission would cost you in your current boat and I can promise you it gonna need something.

Good luck and if you ever see an 18' Seacraft at the Coronados with a couple guys spearfishing Pukie Point, please swing by and say hello. Let me take a look at that ol' girl.