Purchase " box seats "

[abl1111]

Romance ? Yes. Definitely. But, it also comes down to dollars and " sense " too.

How else can I obtain a very good boat within my financial means ? As we all know, these boats have a great pedigree. They are classic because like old corvettes and Rita Hayworth, they have stood the test of time - and come out on top. They are worth the effort.

How many websites are there for " Classic Bayliner ", or so many other poorly designed, poorly manufactured boats out there. I say brothers and sister's; can I get an " Amen " ?

I have a hell of a lot of work to do. I'll do it and I'll bitch and moan about it. If I had the $, I would buy one done already, or have someone do it for me. So, I'm sticking to 'Plan B' - do it myself. Unless of course you guys want to do the 'Amish thing ', and collectively help me build 'my barn' ?

Goot Day...

- Alan

[Billybob]

Prediction - When you guys are done, you're gonna really enjoy running that boat, more than if you just bought it.And, you're gonna really enjoy the compliments you receive, more than if you just bought it.
The weird thing is that all these hours of dust in your eyes, itchin all over, working on a boat while everyone else is fishing will fade into an overall pleasant memory that part of you will actually miss.It's very weird - or maybe just I am.
I guess we'll see.....
Bill

[Finster]

I agree with you guys. It's diffinatly worth while in the end.
I got the transom ground out today, thanks to a friends help, and that is not an easy job, rotten or not!
Of coarse were not friends anymore, but what the hell, another task another friend. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
(he's still bitch'n about his itchy arms [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] )

[bobfish21]

Alan,good to hear things are starting to happen with your project.Do yourself a favor though-forget the bravo 2.Its not the right power train for this boat,as itwas designed for very heavy family cruiser type boats.Stay with the bravo 1-its bullet proof and race tested,or if money permits,consider the bravo 3 duoprop-know aguy in montauk with this drive and the 5 litre efi,he's happy with it(a little on the slow side,however).A good guy to talk to is Gene at burnetts in bayshore(repair yard,not the marina).He's repowered Eric Ramsey's(real estate broker on li)23 cc i/o several times.He's currently running a bravo 3 with a 350 mag mpi,and it seems to be the best set up he's tried.If you want to save some $ you can go my route(260hp efi w/alfa gen2) Ishould be in the water in a week or to and i'd be glad to give you a test ride.good luck'
bobfish21

[abl1111]

Bob,

Hi, Yeah, things are progressing slowly but surely. I need to sell/get rid of my current (2) i/o's so I can get into the transom area and start removing it. Once that is moving forward, I will feel like I am getting somewhere.

As for Gene @ Burnett's. I know of him. From what I hear, he is a good mechanic at top dollar. I've been trying for (2) months to get him to drive 1 mile to my boat to check out the engines ( via a friend, he mentioned that he might want them for a few $ ). Because of his 'flakiness', I am shying away from him a bit - i.e he knows that I will be looking for a full mercruiser package $$$ - I think it would be a good investment on his behalf ( a 20 minute investment ) for him to check out my motors. We'll see.

As for Eric Ramsey, I know of him too and his yellow 23 CC. Beautiful boat. I believe he currently has the 300 HP, 5.7 w/ Bravo 3.

As for a ride on your boat - any time !! I'd love to check it out. Thanks. Give me call anytime/day, my cell is (516) 458-0043. I'd like to see all the work you did and to get ideas as to how I will proceed w/ my project.

Beleive it or not, I still wrestle w/ the engine conversion; (1) i/o vs (1 or 2) o/b's. I have not actually firmly priced out either option. My gut tells me that the (2) o/b's w/ a bracket will be a lot of $$$ - although this is the option I prefer.

Oh, and w/ re: to the Bravo 1 vs. 2: I know the BR 1 is a good drive and more for speed, but I have also heard that the 2 is just as good & spins a bigger wheel w/ more torque. I am not a speed demon, and torque is more important to me. Any negatives w/ the Bravo 2 ?

Thx. - Alan