Not new to boat ownership (owned a 1978 C&C 29 sailboat for a few years) but new to power boats and just finalizing the purchase of a 1990 Montego 2557. According to the listing, the engine is a Volvo Penta 570, so I`m assuming that is the Volvo AQ271 dual prop that was an option according to the owners manual I found - there were 6 engine options so it is hard to figure out what I am getting!
Boat is in great shape from what I can tell - anything in particular I should look out for with these boats? Anything I should keep an eye on while owning it?
The 570 makes sense as a VP model (5.7L). Most parts for that drive are still available from Volvo but not all. You may however still be able to find those discontinued parts through on-line retailers though in my experience, it comes at a premium if it's a Volvo discontinued item.
The usual applies when it comes to sterndrives; they are maintenance heavy so take a close look at the transom assembly components like bellows and take note of the amount of corrosion that might be present and cost big bucks later. Take a close look at all of the external transom assembly hardware and ensure none of it is broken. Take a sample of the drive's gear lube and check its condition. It should be the colour of fresh engine oil. I also recommend removing the drive to check for water in the u-joint bellows as this would affect the condition of the u-joints. During a sea trial, make sure she shifts properly.
You should also know that unlike newer models, the earlier designs utilized bearings that when need replacing require engine removal to get to them ($$).
A survey is always recommended, you'll need one for insurance anyway.
Good luck, and we hope it all works out in your favour. Keep us posted.
I have recently purchased a 1975 Carver Marina power boat 33'. I have not used the head yet but have been searching for the black water pump off port. Can not find. Hasve had other boat owners in my marina take a look but unsuccessful. Crazy isn't it. Help me out.
Welcome aboard salty. To get better responses, it's best that you start a new thread for your enquiry. Click on the appropriate subject on the main page, then click on the "New Topic" tab at the top left of the screen.
Viper wrote:QR_BBPOST Welcome aboard salty. To get better responses, it's best that you start a new thread for your enquiry. Click on the appropriate subject on the main page, then click on the "New Topic" tab at the top left of the screen.
Viper wrote:QR_BBPOST
The usual applies when it comes to sterndrives; they are maintenance heavy so take a close look at the transom assembly components like bellows and take note of the amount of corrosion that might be present and cost big bucks later. Take a close look at all of the external transom assembly hardware and ensure none of it is broken. Take a sample of the drive's gear lube and check its condition. It should be the colour of fresh engine oil. I also recommend removing the drive to check for water in the u-joint bellows as this would affect the condition of the u-joints. During a sea trial, make sure she shifts properly.
Thanks for the pointers! Unfortunately the boat is in the water so can't see it on the dry, but have a test driving coming up (weather conditions didn't allow for that when I saw it) so will try to take a look from the dock and make sure it shifts well. I won't be able to get a survey before purchase unfortunately as the market doesn't allow it here.
Just one question, how long should it take for the engine to catch when started it up? We did start it but it took a while to catch (but could easily have been operator error since it was his first time starting it on his own -family member showed it since owner couldn't make it).
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