Parker IO Diesel

[Cichlidgeek]

Hey Guys,
I am brand new here, so I am sorry if this topic has been beaten to death. I tried searching for it, but it seems that the threads are a bit old. I am hoping for some new input.

I recently found this boat while searching the Internet for Parker IO boats.
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1993/Parker--2189387/Portsmouth/United-States-Minor-Outlying-Islands

Here is my situation. I am not a speed freak, in fact I am quite a slow poke to be honest. I really don't mind the engine cover box, either. I would like to know if this boat is even worth looking at, and if so, what types of things do I need to know about this model.

I am also thinking of the gas-powered IO model, which is what I was originally looking for when I came across this thing. What I would really like is a nice 35-foot Novi lobster boat, but I am realistic

Thanks in advance for your time.
Cheers,
--Brian

 

[CaptainJim]

the boat you posted is a 7.4L Gas engine, yachtworld mistakenly lists it as a diesel.

As with all boats, get a survey on the vessel and motor, it's money well spent.

I have heard the IO versions of these boats are both good riding, reliable, and fuel efficient.

that being said, with my experiences in the past with I/Os, I'll stick with my outboards thanks =P

 

[Bryan 2530]

Big block carbed, get out the gascard.

 

[Megabyte]

I/O Parkers are rare, tunnel hull inboards are rarer still.

Of the two designs, most are a mix of small and big block gas power.
The diesels are the rarest of them all. Parker went strictly to outboards in the latter part of the 90's.

If there is a certain model that you are looking for, continue to search online and be ready to move quickly when you find what you want. Many models are highly prized and do not stay on the market for long.

Good advice on getting a survey. In fact, any boat, no matter how it is powered should get a survey before purchase.

Good luck in your search!

 

[Cichlidgeek]

Hey guys. Thanks for the great replies. It goes to show just how little I know about boat engines, as I did not even pick up on the fact that it is a gas engine and not a diesel. How embarrassing!!

Anyway, now that we have that all figured out, I have another Parker (25-foot) close to me that is a gas I/O. It was listed at 10K because I believe the engine is junk. I would think that just the hull is worth that much, though, right? If it doesn't leak of course. Thoughts on that???

Also, what model(s) were the diesel I/O or the gas I/O for that matter?

Thanks again for the replies.

Happy Easter!!
--Brian

 

[Megabyte]

$10k would seem to be a great price for the hull if she surveys well.

I haven't priced a crate motor lately, but they are cheap compared to a new outboard!
Figure in the cost of the out-drive rebuild and you could have a sweet ride for less than $20k. 8)

 

[Cichlidgeek]

$10k would seem to be a great price for the hull if she surveys well.

I haven't priced a crate motor lately, but they are cheap compared to a new outboard!
Figure in the cost of the out-drive rebuild and you could have a sweet ride for less than $20k. 8)

Thanks for your reply, Capt.
Now, if that hull surveys well do you think it would be a good platform to install a diesel I/O in?

 

[Megabyte]

$10k would seem to be a great price for the hull if she surveys well.

I haven't priced a crate motor lately, but they are cheap compared to a new outboard!
Figure in the cost of the out-drive rebuild and you could have a sweet ride for less than $20k. 8)

Thanks for your reply, Capt.
Now, if that hull surveys well do you think it would be a good platform to install a diesel I/O in?

For your intended purpose? Oh hell yea!

 

[Cichlidgeek]

For your intended purpose? Oh hell yea!

Ok, cool. Now, what does a survey typically cost? I should know tomorrow if the boat is still for sale. It had a For Sale sign on it all last summer and into the fall. Sometime over the winter it was taken off or fell off. Not sure which.

It's been at a marina for two years on blocks in the storage area, so I am thinking there is probably some sort of problem with it. The For Sale sign last season had a phone number and $10,000 listed on it in black marker.

My intentions are to recreational lobster fish with it and fish inshore/offshore for fluke, bluefish (commercial), blackfish, ling, and some other assorted species. Should be good for that, no?

Thanks for all your help!
--Brian

 

[CaptainJim]

a good survey is often by the foot...i would say anywhere from 250-400$ would be reasonable. it's money well spent.

a volvo penta diesel or a mercruiser/cummins would drop fabulously right in there. Your initial investment might be higher but a diesel will not only pay off in fuel savings but in high resale value and desirability.


if the boat has been for sale for a while you can often leverage that to a good price - especially if they are looking at another year of storage fees and insurance to NOT use the boat.

A boat with a blown motor is a lawn ornament until someone wants it as a project boat. And project boats can be leveraged cheap - even desirable ones.

 

[Cichlidgeek]

a good survey is often by the foot...i would say anywhere from 250-400$ would be reasonable. it's money well spent.

a volvo penta diesel or a mercruiser/cummins would drop fabulously right in there. Your initial investment might be higher but a diesel will not only pay off in fuel savings but in high resale value and desirability.


if the boat has been for sale for a while you can often leverage that to a good price - especially if they are looking at another year of storage fees and insurance to NOT use the boat.

A boat with a blown motor is a lawn ornament until someone wants it as a project boat. And project boats can be leveraged cheap - even desirable ones.

Captain Jim,
Thanks for the reply. Your information is very helpful, too! Finally a quote for something that is a little cheaper than what I expected! I was thinking around $500-600 for the survey.

Well I am off to go have a look at this thing. Fingers crossed!
Cheers,
--Brian

 

[Cichlidgeek]

Ok, here's the scoop..........

The boat is a 1988 25-foot w/pilot house.
It has a 5.4L gas "equivalent to a Chevy 350 small block" engine.
Boat has been serviced by same guy since 1990 (I spoke with him actually, not the owner).
$3K in upgrades two years ago.
Windless anchor (electric).
Some electronics, no GPS.
Operates and runs great and has very low hours for the model year.
Some other little things ("rocket launcher" etc...)

$10K firm.

Thoughts???

PS----I initially thought the price was for just a hull, as it seemed too low for a functional boat. Seems pretty low.....too good to be true???

 

[CaptainJim]

hmmm its either a 350 or its not...mercruiser has almost exclusively used GM block engines - its either a 305 or a 350 cubic inch, unless he bored and stroked out a 305, which is basically a 350.

if you like the boat get it surveyed

 

[Cichlidgeek]

hmmm its either a 350 or its not...mercruiser has almost exclusively used GM block engines - its either a 305 or a 350 cubic inch, unless he bored and stroked out a 305, which is basically a 350.

if you like the boat get it surveyed

Yep, it's definitely a 350. I am not sure where I pulled the 5.4 from...maybe a buddy that I was talking to right after I stopped by. The mechanic definitely 100% positively said 350 from what I wrote down in my notes.

Price is in line for being 22 years old you think?

 

[Megabyte]

If it surveys as well as it was represented to you, sounds like a good deal.
It gets you on the water in a great hull for short money.

Have the surveyor go over everything (including the outdrive) and you might be able to dicker a bit on price when holding the survey document.

Every surveyor finds something wrong, but most items they note aren't enough to cause you to walk away. It does give you a little leverage tho.

Still, $10k sounds like a good deal, even if he remains firm.

 

[Cichlidgeek]

Ok, so next step is to fork out the loot for a survey. I can digest that, no problem. A quick question, though.

Can this gas engine be sold off and a diesel be installed in its place? I want to do some off shore stuff, and to be honest I am a bit PARANOID about fire. I really like the reliability of the diesel as well, which is why I even started this thread in the first place!!!! :lol:

Thoughts on that?

 

[CaptainJim]

yeah you can transplant a diesel in there...find a quality shop that has experience in this task - its not a small project, but it's not an uncommon project either. ask for estimates, photos of completed projects, and references.

From what I understand, you will probably need the following:

new motor & outdrive, control cables & gauges, & prop, wiring harnesses
new engine mounts (maybe)
new transom hole (maybe, if the new motor and outdrive require different holes, sizes, or locations)
new fuel fill, fuel neck, fuel lines, and fuel tank (fuel tank must have a return line)

depending on the boat, it might require cutting a hole in the deck to replace or modify the existing fuel tank


in most cases the gas engines are so much cheaper to just keep rebuilding/replacing than to repower diesel. mercruiser crate engines are CHEAP and parts are easy to find. There are 29 million searays and bayliners out there that sit and sit and sit in the water and just eat parts because they arent used enough.

dont be afraid of a gas engine though in my opinion - they are very reliable if taken care of properly and run often. Shamrock Towing in Ocean City NJ uses exclusively shamrock center consoles with big block 496 inboards in them. They generally get 6000+ hours out of a gas block with minimal parts issues, pulling heavy boats under extreme situations. The fuel economy and engine longevity does not pay off for them over the lifespan of the vessel. It is far cheaper over the lifespan to use gas motors and just rebuild them. I only learned this because an old chesapeake deadrise single screw headboat I was delivering blew an oil line, and I needed a tow in. I teased the tow captain about the owner being too cheap to buy him a diesel boat, and he explained why.

Never forget - not running a marine engine is the worst thing you can do to them, gas or diesel