1979 Excalibur 31 OS
 

I have a chance to pick up a 1979 Excalibur 31 OS with 454's and TRS 330's. The boat is in average to good shape. Newer vynal on the seats in the cabin and cock pit, engine sounded strong on trailer, transmissions when in and out of gear in both directions. Finish on hull still shines, howeve it was painted at some point in the early 80's. Hull and all stringers sound very solid when hitting them with my knuckles. The boat comes with a mid '90's tri-axle trailer.

What are some things to look for that I may have missed, the boat appears to be turn key with some minor things, like the only thing noted were the two hatches in the cabin were leaking.

What would be a good or fair price to pay for this boat?

Thank You

Patrick

Check right side gunwals cockpit area outside I have two and both have fine cracks in this area. Check fore deck for low spots, not structural just asthetic. Price is really contigent on engine shape, trans shape and drive condition. Velvet drive trans are better than merc's.

I think it is the merc transmissions. The powertrains are the original ones that came with the boat. The owner is the second one he bought the boat in 1987 from the original owner that never used it. The hour meters shows 467 hours and he swears it is correct. The boat has not been used since 2002. I was on it in the guys driveway yesterday. He had put new fuel in the tank on friday and started the engines. When I started them yesterday they were stone cold started right up, no smoke either.

Is $10,000 a good price for this boat?

My 1984 Excalibur 31 had the merc trannys but that was because my boat originally came with small blocks. The merc tranny do OK with the low horse engines and they are easy to rebuild (ford clutch packs).
If everything works, and there is no rot, then $10k is a good price.
My transom needed replacement (rotted) look for stress cracks in the glass where the transom assemblies bolt up.

1979 is a straight V bottom with no pad and no notched transom. With the 330s you are looking at 62-63 mph
You might shoot a call to Tony before you buy that one.
He’s got an 81 with the notched transom, and pad bottom. The pad and notch make the boat a little speedier.
Tony’s is for sale in the classified boat section under “Excalibur”. I’ve never seen his boat, I think he’s near Atlanta.
Dan

Thanks for the information. I'll pass on the info if I buy it.

The notched/pad bottom is the Reggie Fountain bottom, yes they are faster. 10 thousand is a very good price make him take you out in it. Someone is building the Merc tranny and putting 500 horses thru them without a problem, I'm switching to velvets. Zanie I saw pic's of your Excalibur and it is gorgous, really beautiful.

Ok, next round of questions. The clever props that came on the boat just do not seem right. I mean they seem like they are really slipping in the water and even blow out on a launch, from a stop.

I am thinking of changing to cupped props, what's the thoughts on 3 blade vs. 4 blade. Also what size and pitch should I be looking for for this boat? Something like a 14.25" X 14 P? The boat has the stock 454 330's in it.

Thanks

Also will props for a Bravo fit on the TRS?

Standard bravo props will work. I'd starts with a 19-21 pitch Mirage 3 blade. This should be right in the ball park.

Loose the cleavers.

When I had TRS with my worked 330s I could spin mirage 3blade 25s right about 5100 RPM and get an honest 70 MPH on GPS. It was tricky to get on plane if on Lake Michigan in some chop.
I also used a pair of bravo 4 blade 26 pitch. Those have great bite. Easier to coax up on plane but speed was down to 67 MPH right around 4700-4800 rpm.


My 1984 Excal 31 has the pad bottom and notched transom. and never just pops on plane.

I would think you should be able to spin some mirage 23s (3 blade) bravo 22 (4 blade). If you want to throw some 25 mirages at it, I have a pair I could give you a good deal on.


Good Luck,
Dan

CIG3 and Zanie, Thanks for the advise on the props. I have only played around with props on my '88 Baja Sunsport 196 with 350 Mag. A boat this size is kind of new to me.

I was kind of thinking that 4 blades would work best for planing. What should be the Max engine speed on those stock 330's. I was thinking it would be around 4400 to 4600, but I might be wrong.

Zanie, what kind of deal are we talking about here. Email me at [email protected] since I don't think I can do PM with the base membership.

Thanks.

Zanie,

Any idea on those 35 mirages.

Patrick

Sorry I meant 25 mirages.

On mine I have 3 blade 21's I don't know the top end as of yet, but Batty has a twin to mine and he is running 3 blade 23's and I think he is running 65-67. We both have 400 Series his are built bigger. Neither have a notched or padded bottom. Just some food for thought.

David

I have a 79 with no pad or notch just like 79excalibur. I moved up to bravo one 4 blade 24 pitch this year. could spin them at 5200rpm right about 70 mph. I only did it twice then I scattered a motorat 4000rpm!
my Engines are Mercruiser's 400 Cyclone motor. I did some minor mods to it, Cam, Intake carbs, a little work to the heads( Rectangle port) Should be a good baseline for ya if ya have any question give me a shout
Brad

Brad,

Thanks for the reply. We had the boat out on Lake St. Claire yesterday. We ran it with the cleavers, still haven't bought new props for it yet.

I have a knocking noise coming out of the starboard side TRS drive. It is only when the trans is in forward, not neutral or reverse. That is the right hand rotation drive. I need to get that figured out. Other than that the boat ran great.

So some input on that drive issue from anyone would be nice. They are TRS 330's.

Thanks

Patrick

I had a 79 Excalibur,330s worked to 370s, TRS and Velvet Drives. With 23p Mirages it ran 67mph at 4400 to 4500. With a light load at 5000 and chine walking, it got a little loose but it hit 72. I never trimmed it that far again. The bow lift from the Mirages is huge. It would do around 70 at close to 4900 without giving me a scare. Something easy to check on the knocking sound might be the U-joints. If they weren't serviced you could have a sloppy one. I would think that might make noise in both directions.

Well figured out the noise this past Saturday running the engine on the hose. The right prop shaft was bent. The outdrive rebuilder picked it up yesterday, hopefully that shaft is the only problem and back on the water this weekend.