Hello everyone. I am a longtime lurker and a newer member. I have a 1991 VIP Vindicator 23ft boat with a 454 merc that I managed to break last summer. I am currently having the motor rebuilt and will be installing it here in the next few weekends.
I am on a budget with this project and have some money left over. Since I have never really done much work on boats I am not totally sure what else to replace while I have it all apart. I would like to hear from you guys what is a must and what is a good idea to replace even if it isn't broken. I am trying to have a reliable boat this summer if there is such a thing. I am planning on all new belts and an exhaust gasket kit as well. Also I have read about rebuilding the sea water pump as good maintenance too.
So let me here your thoughts on what else I should replace.

Thanx a bunch!!

Sean

If you have it out of the boat I would pull the Transom Assembly off the boat and replace EVERYTHING - bellows, bushings, swivel seal, etc.... It would be a couple hours work that would provide maintenance free (if there is such a thing) boating for years to come.

Oh - and welcome to OSO - you'll enjoy it here.

Another item you will need is an alignment bar. With out that your gonna go through gimbal bearings. Real quick like.

Make sure to install a new starter, new sending units and a new bilge pump while you have the engine out....it's much easier then!!!

Add an oil drain kit at the pan.

All of the above, Including the donkey dick.I'm a big fan of the Vindicators. I was a dealer for VIP and sold lots of them. Biggest I ever put in them was a 496 mag b/c the 525 was too pricy. At that point I could put them in a 27 Fountain for a little more. Good luck with the project. And welcome to OSO

check the splines on the coupler,if they are sharp like a knife replace it..

Or more likely U-Joints!!!

YES - I had to do that after they fact and it was a nightmare to say the least.

Oh - assuming it is a Bravo boat I would put the Gimbal Bearing in backwards so you can remove it with ease.

Yeah U-joints and a new coupler gonna be in the future without it. And when you replace them and don't use the alignment tool. You'll be wondering why your replacing them again

All new Gimbal Bearings can not be taken apart or greased.

You will never get the outdrive to mate with the coupler without an alignment tool.

Welcome to OSO and good tips above. I like the oil drain advise, cheap and easy to drain oil.