capt tom-
where are you based out of? looks like you have a salvaging operation by the description of your equipment
most of my cousins are older than me on my dad's side of the family, so we got to do some interesting adventures growing up. my best memories was when the cousins were into houseboating on the Sac/San Joaquin delta system and we had skiboats tied up to the houseboat. one year we managed to stay out on the water for two months. we docked for fuel and food and sit-down meal every now and then. I think the older cousins knew it was going to be the last run, the following year, many had to go take on real jobs and make a living. we're down to one cousin who still boats like it was the last thing he will do on this earth. he's got a boat collection like my gun collection
fortunately, he had income to support the habit and a wife who is into boating as much as he is.
gotta question....
I'm looking at a Vista 258 cabin cruiser with twin 454's and two twin-prop outdrives. the outdrives need overhauling due to galvanic corrosion and they look expensive. is it possible to put in a single prop outdrive or should I continue searching?
Yeeeup, I do salvage, towing, some HAZMAT and repair in San Dawg. I'm an independent, not affiliated with any brand names. I actually own four boats, two are down with the economy. I've had up to six at once.... boat rich and cash poor!! DOH! I hate that part!
Here's one thing to remember about most boats, it isn't the brand name so much as it is the maintenance. Oh sure, there are some hulls that just makes one wonder... WTH were you thinking when you designed, then had the gall to build it?? If the hull and style looks similar to another brand or there's a lot of them around, pretty much ok on the hull....barring damage etc.
Boats are powered pretty much the same throughout the brand names. There are basically two out drive builders these days, Mercruiser and Volvo. Anything else.... run like Hades!! It's CR@P!... PERIOD!! Except for Konrad, a bullet proof Mercruiser...not affiliated, just compared, basically a very expensive, yet worth it commercial drive.
The engines are all pretty reliable, not a whole lot different than anything you'd recognize automotive, just make sure the Carb, Dist, Starter and Alt are all marinized on gassers.... or you will not have the beautiful face any more.... I know, a bit extreme commentary, but I'm adamant about that... remember, I'm a salvor and have seen both vessel and human damage from CR@P installs! Usually owner DIY stuff who doesn't know why those systems are over built.
If the drives are Swiss cheese as described, move on. They will end up costing about $7500 each to replace with "rebuilt" units. Remember my comments above... I'm not a fan of Mercruisers? Well, unless you're on top of the in-water maintenance.... they turn to Swiss cheese before your eyes. A Volvo or Konrad will do the same, but the Mercs are very unforgiving. I put the drives in the same category as the Ford 6.0's.... when they work, they run great... just a bunch problems if you don't take "extra" care of them.
See if the engines have fresh water cooling systems with radiator fluid in them. This is a good thing. If not, you must "know", not just ask, but know, if it's been in saltwater. If there's a salt water history, no matter what, the engines will not survive 10 years at best.
Lastly, if the vessel was fueled within the last six months or more, the fuel will be CR@P! Very expensive to dispose of and useless to fix. In other words... get rid of the gas... let someone else wreck their carbs, pumps injectors etc....... don't do it!!! Seriously.... when boating... you don't walk home and towing is over $200.00/hour with the average tow bill around $600.00. Forget the Coast Guard freebie, unless you didn't adhere to my specialties equipment list... only then is it a free ride, but it's the free ride no one wants.
Doing a dual to single conversion is no problem and will work. I'm actually surprised that there are two 454's in a 25/26' boat. There are plenty of single 454's running around in 28' boats. The big deal will be, plugging up both transom bracket holes(where O/D's used to be) and cut out a new hole for the single engine. Then there's the stringer fiber glassing that may be required, and other stuff. If going to a single, salvaging parts between the two out drives may cut the costs waaaaay down for you too.
Here's a little known statistic: a boat with two engines is down 66% of the time, compared to a boat with a single engine being down only 20% of the time.
Most people would think the single would be down 33% or closer to that percentage. It's why all my boats are singles. All my doubles/twins cost me far more to maintain, although they are way kewler to maneuver. Kinda like having two girl friends at once... tough to keep up with the maintenance, but waaaay more fun to maneuver if you can afford it.
There's plenty more, but, this lengthy synopsis is actually a nutshell explanation.
In the case of boats, pay a well known, reputable mechanic, preferably with a shop that has a lit up sign to do an inspection. The hundred bucks spent may save tens of thousands later in some cases.... in the case of two out drives, we're already at $15,000... that's to start.
Thankfully, the reeds acted like a huge mattress.... guess which boat bought everyone beers that night?? I have a friend named Reed now too.... it changed that day.
