Will it live, Doctor?

I feel as if I am missing a part of me since my boat broke. A while back I wrote that my Playcraft pontoon boat had engine trouble. After looking it over, I realized it was way beyond my limited mechanical abilities. I am fortunate to be near Jordan Point Marine Services, a full service Mercury Marine Premier facility. Justin, the owner, has extensive experience and plenty of factory training to go along with a great reputation among boaters in the area. Justin came over and looked things over in the very cramped engine compartment. Sure enough, the block was cracked. The engine was ready to become an anchor.

Justin said he and his shop was certainly up to the job, but it would not be easy. Tight confines and an old engine in an older boat could mean some hidden problems, like frozen or broken bolts or bad seals. I wanted the estimate to be a “worst case” scenario, assuming just about everything went wrong. Financially, I wanted as few surprises as possible. This was going to cost – a LOT!!! But, my family and I really love our time on the water. We would swallow that bitter pill (or should I say, bill?) when the time came.
Still, repowering would be MUCH less than a new boat, even a recent used model.

We hauled the boat out and got it back on its trailer. Its pretty easy to get on and off the scissor trailer we have, but its just for boatyard and maintenance work. The trailer is just not up to hauling this beast all over and the weight is too far aft to make it tow well.



So, off it went to get an engine transplant. I wish boats had health insurance!!!