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Been a while, possibly 251 convincor fix up questions/opinions

nick22

nick22

Member
It's been a while since I've visited the site. Sold my 84 sportfire about 3 years ago and looking to get back into something. I have Been looking into the 251 convincor. Long story short there is a hull of a 88' near me with no engine or drive. I could probably get it for 500-800 bucks. Has no trailer. The interrior is in decent shape from the looks of pictures but I will have to take a look when I return from Florida. The paint seems to be cloudy and dull. What would a new engine run me 454, 502? Others? New bravo drive price?Looking to get some ideas and see If it's worth wild to get into a project like this any info or opinions would be greatly Appriciated! I will try to upload pics when I get a chance. Thanks again
 
i run a gm 500hp 502 in my 251, they are around 10k new. a bravo drive is around 5k. i am sure you could pick up a rebuilt merc motor for resonable....good luck
 
You can find used bravo setups on craigslist for under 3k with outdrive and gimbal assembly. You can find take-out running 330 hp 454's for anywhere between 2-5k depending on your luck. Another option would be to buy an older beat up or rotten cruiser with 454 and bravo for under 4k and part it to your needs. I think you have a worthwhile and possible cheap project if the hull is solid and interior useable. If you wanna go faster than 55-60 mph, a base 454 and bravo would get you that) it will cost you much more. The hull should come back with some wetsanding/buffing or just heavy cut compounds. Post some pics of the hull up here for better opinions.
 
The boat was parted out for a reason. The bad part about fixing up a boat like you are describing is that when you spend countless hours and dollars fixing it, you could have gotten a turn key boat for less money and aggravation. The initial low cost for the project is appealing but rarely worth doing. Those boats can be purchased for very little $$$. Here is an example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/251-...00807?pt=Power_Motorboats&hash=item2ec10c3ec7
 
I agree with oldnavy. You could have 12K into referbing it and still have an avg looking boat. These boats in premo condition go for 12K or less most of the time. But then again... projects are always fun. :cheers:
 
Starting to sound like I should just buy turn key and go. One less headache. There's one in my area for 11
 
nick22 said:
Is the boat http://longisland.craigslist.org/boa/3202129382.html
And the project for sale
http://longisland.craigslist.org/boa/3208645843.html
Click to expand...

i would not pay 11k for that boat....looks clean but from what i paid for mine no way. how many hours on the motor? external steering? not that its needed with that motor..... and whats the condition of the drive? thats a breaking point for me. negotiate him down to around 9k maybe 9500 and its a go! stay away from the project:cheers:
 
Nick, another problem w- the project boat is that it is set up for a trs. I could be wrong but a bravo drive will not match up without filling the transom. I would buy the first boat, it looks nice for the money.

Good luck-
 
Everyone here will have a different opinion, but it's up to you. Personally I'd try to steer clear of a boat that's spent a good amount of time in salt water, but the first boat looks much better than the second in terms of asthetics. What should you pay??..don't know, depends on your area and how bad you want the boat. I bought mine for $13,750...probably a little high, but he was originally asking $15K. Regardless, there were few if any 251's around my area...and I had to factor in the cost to travel to look at a different one. My boat is in very good condition for a '91 stock boat. Some guys have paid significantly less in other areas. Don't miss out on a great boat because the guys is $1,000+ more than someone on here or otherwise says you should pay.....it's really up to you and what you want.

As far as project vs. turn key....again depends on what you want. If $$ is the only thing determining your purchase, stick with turn key. By the time polish the turd you'll have at least as much, I'd guess significantly more, money in it than the turn key. Advantage=you built it the way you wanted, disadvantage=time & $$. Even if you can build a project for less than turn key murphys law will dictate you'll have some issues with all the used parts you'll buy to stay under cost (motor, drive, etc.) one big problem and out goes the budget.

No matter what you do, best of luck, and post pics of the new ride when you find her. :thumb:
 
atc250r said:
Overpriced, yes. POS, why?
Click to expand...

I'd say at that price its a POS. Even at a lower price the seats are terrible looking, the gages are old, the teak is nasty, and the trailer is all wrong. Look at front mount. The hull looks pretty nice though.

I am finding myself more and more picky as time goes on.

I think they guy is trying to squeeze some of his resto money back out of it.
 
Tough crowd. Old gauges and the wrong winch mount turns a really clean hull into a POS. It is overpriced but for half that price it still is what it is. In my book the price does not change the condition. A POS is a POS at any price.

Sorry for the thread derailment.
 
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