The owner got a larger boat and doesn't really use this one anymore. He said he doesn't really want to sell it but can't justify keeping it and doesn't want it to sit in at the marina costing $600 a month storage. I don't mind doing some work to make it nice as long as it's structurally sound. I haven't found any others at that price that actually run, much less have nice interior and less than 600 hrs on them.

My experience with fresh water boats that come here have always had corrosion problems with the manifolds, risers and blocks/heads.

Be very dubious about both engines/manifolds if they are originals. For some reason, after years of fresh water corrosion once the old iron is exposed to this warm salt water here...the corrosion accelerates rapidly. I bought my 255 Liberator out of Traverse City MC and in less than a year I had rotted out manifolds and a hole in a water jacket in one of the original 260's. Hours don't necessarily matter once the engines are 30+ years old and are raw water cooled.

To be on the safe side...budget in your mind re-powering very soon...I did !!

Repower is cheap. I have plenty of 350s laying around.

Hopefully it won't be an a issue for some time. He's had it down here for 3 years.

I get it and understand...I'm only suggesting you consider what the boat is worth with no power and no trailer.

Best of luck.

Which would be what? I see many in worse condition selling for 15-18k running. Worst case is 3k for a transom and 4k to build a set of engines. I still see only about 13 in it. I have a trailer so that isn't an issue. What would you guys value this boat at if it needs engines?

NADA Guides can give you an idea what she's worth running and in the appropriate condition. Subtract your engine and structural costs from the total and that should get you in the ballpark.

FWIW this IS a twin 242 configuration. In my mind that is worth a lot. Factor in a good set of healthy SBC rebuilds and a pair of Bravos and you should have a great boat.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. If it boat is still run in mid 60s with no issues hopefully I'll be able to squeeze a few more years out of it before needing to drop some coin on it.

That's exactly what I did with my 255. Bought a pair of strong Vortec SBC's w/zero hours, purchased all new intakes, exhaust, ignition, brackets, hoses, water pumps, starters and accessories....about $10K. I picked up 2: Bravo Transom Assemblies, Couplers, Bell Housings, and fresh late'90's Bravo I Drives plus two 23" Mirage props...about $5K. Bought a new torsion axle, 4 wheel disc brake aluminum trailer for $4250.

I paid $3500 for the boat and an old steel trailer. I ran it for almost a year before the port motor started leaking thru the block. The steel trailer started dissolving like an Alka Seltzer in a glass of water in the salt water here so it had to go.

So for a little less than $23K I have a 37 year old boat that is solid, reliable and will run mid 70's if need be and run 60 -65 for hours at a time....plus it rides good !!! LOL

I have rationalized that the value I have now is in the power and the rigging ....that can be swapped to another boat with ease.

Here's the latest local ad for your boat:
https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/5806143640.html

Hope all of this helps with your thinking...I think you could probably buy for less.

Here's a link to my restoration http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...or-update.html.

Good luck...and if I can help you on this end let me know.

John