Looking at a Tsunami

[FishStretcher]

A 1974 23 foot cuddy. The ad says Tsunami. I thought they were Sceptres.

Anyways it has a 1997 5.7 Mercruiser and a 2000 Bravo One. Not sure why they are different years, there might be a story there.

Also, Mercruiser rates some 5.7s differently from 350s?? Even though they are both 350s?

Is there anything I should look for? In particular, I have never owned or operated an I/O. I am mechanically/electrically handy, but apparently I can't ID a crap transom by sound.

But my real concern is, what to look for on a 15 year old I/O. Probably low hours, but parked near the salt water. That's just a guess, though.

Also, I have a 20 footer, but how trailerable is this? I do have a big tow rig- a 96 Supercab Ford F250 PowerStroke 4x2 with 8 foot bed. It is longer than my Master Angler, but I want to get a reality check. I can't put in in a slip for a year, I bet.

I think this might be better than me closing in the transom on my Master Angler. Plus, I need some shade.

[cdavisdb]

Good package if its in good shape. Sceptre-Tsunami, same thing.

How many hours on each? If the seller can't tell you, assume a lot.
Is the bravo 1 the old style or new style. New is better built.

If you are buying an expensive boat, its worth investing in a good moisture meter if you can't access one otherwise.

15 years is getting long in the tooth in Florida and the transom is likely soft, unless you have very good reason to know otherwise. Make sure the boat has stayed north.

[Dilligaf]

no issues at all with truck towing it

[saugeye]

If it is a 350 mpi it is 300 hp. If it is a 350 carberated it is 260 hp. When in doubt find a good marine surveyer in the area where the boat is located. Price will be right around 300$, money well spent if it ends up being a rotted out boat. Also, If you are lacking mechanical know how, and the surveyers report says it is a sound boat, hire a marine mechanic to go through the engine/outdrive.

[McGillicuddy]

I'd jump on it. Very rare find out west. Tsunami/Sceptre are same boat, name changed around '75 due to a trademark dispute w Tsunami Boats.

'96 GM introduced the Vortex heads making for a more powerful and fuel efficient 350, er 5.7L. Same small block,but by most counts, better aluminum heads. Don't know if that's good for saltwater but maybe Mr Pelican or someone else that has one can tell you more. In a closed system it's a nice improvement.

Old F250 Powerstroke will pull it like a champ. As Connor suggested check the transom and the floors. Both very fixable. You will love that boat. Football field to fish from and shelter from the storm. Love my cuddys!

[bigeasy1]

I have a 1974 Tsunami with a 350 Mercruiser and an Alpha out drive.As mentioned Tsunami/Sceptre are the same thing.I love this boat and the way it handles.
The Bravo Drive is a heavy duty drive and is usually used in applications over 300 horsepower.
I wouldn't worry about a 15 year old drive unless it looks like it was neglected.My Alpha drive is over 20 years old and it works very well.
You do have to take care of them properly however if you want longevity.Is it a fresh or raw water cooled system?
If you're boating in the salt then a fresh water cooled system is the way to go.It keeps the corrosive effect of salt from taking a toll on the engines internal passages.
I would check it over very carefully,starting with the exhaust manifolds and risers look for any signs of rust stains leading away from the gasket surfaces.
I assume that you'll be able to run it,so check out the shift and throttle functions,both should be very smooth.The Bravos use cone clutches which shift vey nicely.

Things that need regular inspection and replacement on an I/O drive are
*bellows
*exhaust manifolds and risers
*gimball bearings
*u-joints.
*shift cables

Maintenace on a saltwater used outdrive is extremely important,if you see any areas that seem suspicious,you may want to have a marine mechanic check it out.I picked up a used Alpha Drive that had been used in saltwater,and it looked perfect on the outside,but when we tore it apart to install new parts,we found water jackets that had been completely rotted through.
I ended up buying another unit.

For me,I prefer an outdrive over outboards,as I boat only fresh water(Great Lakes)I like the big high transom,nice in a following sea,and easy to net fish over,and lots of area to mount downriggers and rod holders.

The regular stuff applies to the boat as you already know like rotted transoms.hatches,decks,corroded electricals etc.

As for towing I tow mine occassionally in the fall 400 miles one way to home and back another 400 miles in the spring.I pull it with my Ford F150 with the 5.4 engine.IT tows it fine,but I wouldn't do it without good working brakes on the trailer.

If it checks out good,you won't be sorry,they are an awesome boat and also a pretty dry ride in the slop.Good Luck.