it means time bomb if it has the alpha outdrive

He just said it has mercuiser aphla outdrive. No hour meater. Seems like most bost I am seeing in the area have the Alpha drive. From what I read online they are "ok", with Bravos better. The boat is rated at 3100 lbs loaded with gear etc. Dry weight is 1800 lbs.

It definitely says 454 on the outdrive. The guy just text me back. He also said it has a govenor on it, which caps the speed.

Just looking for your opinions.

Thanks.

oh boy sounds like this guy does not have to much knowledge about boats better get a survey if you are serious about the boat the old line of low hours just not sure how many? buyer beware and never heard of a governor but i am sure someone with more experience than me will chime in maybe he is talking about the rev limiter

You said it has a 350 / 260 horsepower but has a 454 on the outdrive? Sounds like it either has a new motor or outdrive. The liberators came with 350 small blocks or 454 big blocks. I used to own a 1987 with a 350 and alpha outdrive. Was a great boat. I bought it for $9000 and sold it for 2 years later for $12000. That was 2 years ago. I did put about $3000 into the boat while I owned it and alot of elbow grease. The Liberators with Merc. power seem to be worth about $3000 more than the ones with OMC power. If it has Merc power and the transom and stringers are dry! It sounds like a good deal. If you are not familiar with boats I would consider having it surveyed including checking the hull for moisture and compression checking the motor. If these items check out I would go for it. They are not real fast boats mine did 50mph with the 350 small block. Rode real good for a 21 foot boat. The Liberator is basically a cruiser type hull with a sleek deck put on it to make it look fast

I have had a couple of Alpha drives and they are not much of a brute of a drive, but on the other hand they served me very well.

A 454 is an engine and if the outdrive says 454 it could be an honest error, the original drive and the boat has been repowered, or the outdrive was changed! It might mean a headache, it might mean nothing!

Might want to ask the last the thimble bearing was changed? When was the last time the boot was changed? When was the last the outdrive was serviced? When was the last an impeller was installed? Does he know when the manifolds and risers were last replaced. Has the compression been checked, and has a there been a leak-down test done?

I am glad to welcome you to boating, I think it is wonderful. I would suggest a few things before to "go to sea" for the first time.

Take a safe boating course. See if you can hook up with someone and spend a little time around them and their boat and maybe some time on the water with them. Find some one with a boat similar to yours to show you the touch of trimming the drive for on plane, at the start. A boat really isn't like a car where you get in, start the engine, fasten seat belt and drive away.

Being a decent boater means you must be at least a little bit of a gearhead. Every time you go out, check fluid levels, and on a regular basis service the engine, outdrive, check systems to make sure they are working (bilge pump, blower, lights).

Learn to do most of your own basic work if you can. There are no $19.95 Jiffy Lube places on the water that I am aware of!

It is in your best interest to NOT run ethanol gas in the boat, and it it does not have one, install a Racor style water separator in the fuel line.

Here is another thought, you might want to maybe start with a little bit more basic boat and get comfortable, not with a Corvette.

In your original post you said it had a 260 HP 350 c.i. The Bravo outdrive came out somewhere around 1988. You would definitely want the bravo outdrive ( much stronger for larger c.i. engines ) if the boat did have a "large block" 454. Usually the motor c.i. and horsepower rating were listed on the flame arrestor (carburetor) cover. It's possible the outdrive came off something else. Haven't seen the boat but $6000 seems a little high.

I have an 1988 Cobalt 223 350 Chevy 271hp Volvo Duo prop out drive forsale. it's a great boat great condition. I have owened it for 14 years. I bought a Fountain last fall is the only reason I'm selling it . 10k or best offer. I can email some pic's if needed. I'm located near Cincy.

Craiglist ad.
[email protected]

There are a ton of guys over on" Speedwake". Another boating website with Liberators. They even have a thread dedicated to them. I think a Liberator is a great first boat. Easy to drive and learn on. You wont get in over your head with that big stable hull. It sounds like you might be lookin at a 350 motor with an alpha outdrive which is a great combination. If its the OMC or " Cobra" outdrive they are not made anymore. Which means parts and service are hard to find. If it was me I would not buy an OMC powered boat. Hard to sell when the time comes!

The 454 on the out-drive is just a decal...don't read anything into it.

The price is too high in my opinion....especially if it has the original engine. The fact that it sat up without moving for 5 years is a detriment in my opinion...seals and gaskets tend to dry up with no use.

Show the seller 40: $100 bills and see what his reaction is. I'll bet he takes it. Remember...your in a buyer's market and cash is king.

Good luck.