Contemplating the purchase of:
1978 Sea Ray
SRV195 - 19-1/2 foot.

Mercruiser 200HP - 305CI engine
Early "Alpha 1" stern drive.

Never seen salt water, no idea about hours on the engine.

I'm slightly hesitant to jump on this (the price is right) for two reasons. The age of the boat/engine, and I know the guy who owns it - He breaks things! My thinking is either it's been torn up and repaired, so things are fresh - OR - there's an impending disaster waiting to happen.

I'll be doing a visual on the engine and drive, probably a compression test on the engine, and the usual things you do when buying a "vehicle", but what are some of the hidden things to look for with a Merc stern drive setup??

elco,

Dont know what the water is like in your area. Here in Southern Maryland, the water is half salt, half fresh, brackish water. The "normal" life for exhaust manifolds is in the vicinity of 8 years .... after that they are rotted out. Depending on how many hours are on the drivetrain, the engine may be close to the same problem. I would take it out for about an hour cruise and carefully watch the oil pressure. If it stays ok once its up to operating temp, and you dont notice any terrible missing or other running problems, then it "should" be ok. I would just figure that it will need an engine in a year or two, along with manifolds, and adjust the price accordingly. The Alfa drives are fairly durable as long as they aren't abused. You might want to ask a local marina to take a quick look at it for you.
Hope this helps,

I'm in Minnesota, so salt isn't a problem (at least in the water ;) , the roads....well :mad: ).

Are there inspection/drain plugs on the manifolds I could pull and get an idea of the condition of the manifolds, or would I have to pull the connecting "boots" and look inside??

Remember, that boat engines spend most of their lives at elevated RPM's compared to auto engines, so a compression check is definatly in order. Since you live in Minnesota, the engine has been used in fresh water its whole life (probably) and corrosion inside the block should not be a problem. However, not knowing the hours on the engine/outdrive is an issue. Ask if the gimble bearing and u-joint (btwn the engine & outdrive) has ever been replaced. Also, pull the lower plug from the outdrive, it is magnetic and will give an indication of gear wear. Also, when you pull the plug, watch the fluid that comes out, if there is any water in it, the water will come out first, indicating worn/dried seals.

check the gimble bearings , check out lower unit very throughly ! In that old of a boat if you go to having lower unit problems in that old of a boat ,you will find yourself upside down very quickly,it will we worth your while to take it to a honest Mercruiser Tech let them check it out for you before you purchase

Actually if you pull the lower plug on the outdrive and there is water in it the fluid will come out looking like coffee with cream in it. The emulsifiers in the outdrive fluid cause the water to mix in to the fluid, not settle to the bottom. Look at the shift cable boot and gimble bearing boot. Separate the folds and look for cracks. If these are in good shape then odds are it has at the seal kit replaced at some time. Figure $250-$300, including parts, to have one installed if it needs it.
Look at the zinc sacrificial anodes, under the unit on the transom and the trim tab. These are easy to replace but may be an indication of how it was maintained.
Can't tell much by pulling the drain plugs on the manifolds because they're too small. You would need to pull the exhaust boot. By all means run it in the water if you can.

I'd be more concerned with condition of the hull. Look for spider web cracks especially on the bottom where it rests on the trailer. Roller trailers are terrible for causing stress crack near a roller if all the rollers are not positioned just right. If there's cracks in the gelcoat then water can get in. Tear the inside apart and look for rot. I mean look everywhere you possibly can. I would much rather rebuild an engine or outdrive than to replace rotted wood. Good fiberglass/gelcoat work on the exterior costs a fortune and there is a limited number of people that can do it right, unless looks are not a concern.

Well, Pass on this boat. He's nukin futs for the $$ he's asking for what it's worth. Lotsa stuff WRONG with it.

2nd option. Another '78 Sea Ray SRV195. Beautiful! No hull damage, never been beached or "rock'd", interior VGC, accessorized... but

It's got an OMC 250 engine (351w Ford), and the "stringer" OMC 800 Drive.

Everything I've ever heard about OMC drives is a quote from Monty Python - "Run Away.... Run Away....". I know they're out of business, but what to look for?