New member looking for input on my 78 inboard
 

I have been fishing SeaCrafts for 25 years. My Brother has an 84 Sceptre and I have a 78 inboard. I am at a cross roads. My boat needs to be re powered. I am in the Foodservice business on Cape Cod so my Summers are crazy busy with limited time to use the boat. Do I spend the money to re-power and keep the boat or do I sell as is and walk away. If I re-power what do I re-power with? The boat has been restored by previous owner - new transon, gas tanks, stringers etc. and is in good shape - all original teal still on boat including swim platform.

What's in the boat now?
What do you do with the boat?
Shop doing the work or DIY?
What do you have in mind for budget?
What are your expectations of the finished product?

Boat currently has a Jasper 4bolt main block with Mercruiser parts attached - have put $10k in her over last 10-12 years including pulling to fix an oil leak 2 years ago
Used mainly for Fishing - Bass, Tuna, Cod, Sea Bass
Shop doing the work
Budget is not an issue - if I am going to do it, I will do it right - figuring $15-$20K
To make it worth it - the engine has to last min 15 years - by then I will get to use it more often

I would keep it - nice inboards are hard to find. On the other hand in 10 to 15 years it will most likely need a new tank and potentially deck repair. Tough choice. Worst thing for a boat is not using it.

Keep it, you know the boat. Anything else you buy wiil have new and unknown problems that will bite you at the worst posible times. Plus, there isn't anything else in its size range that works as well for what you do.

Thanks for the input - it is why I signed up for this site - bigger question - if i decide to repower - what do I repower with and how much should I expect to spend to do it right.

Bingo.

A big block wont give you much more performance wise.

Pay special attention to the oil pan.
Coal tar epoxy or a similar coating.

Sounds long term so I would go with a drop in and start fresh.

there are some very interesting blocks slightly bigger than a 5.7, about the same weight, 6.2 for example. Check out their fuel economy for your application. Big blocks(454ci) were notorious for bad fuel economy, at least that used to be true, fuel injection might have changed that.

I'm planning to go over to Miami to the boat show and get some more detail on those egines. I'll pass on what I find out.

My first choice would be a Yanmar diesel but that might push the window on cost.
My second choice would be an Indmar, Volvo or Marine Power 6.0L with FWC; not for the 370-380HP at WOT but for the low end torque and great efficiency at cruise. That is the Gen IV small block used in lots of trucks and tow boats. The IB won't really be able to use the high end power because the pocket will keep it from getting to high speed but the engine will really be loafing at cruise and it wouldn't surprise me to see over 4mpg at cruise. The Gen V marine 6.2 just came out from GM but it is 420HP and pretty pricey for a gas motor.

Merc has a 6.2L that I heard is nice now that it just had some mods implemented (early 320HP ones had issues w cooling); it now has a 300 and a 350HP model but it is not a GM block and I'm not sure about the part prices.

Sage advice.