Rebuild Repower

[Slightly_Twisted]

Well it's about that time. My family is has been extremely lucky to get the last two seasons out of the boat with out much needing to be done. This season ended a few weeks ago when I F^#@ed up. The 86 seadrive was overheating, and I couldn't find the problem. After doing everything I could think of, I pulled the head covers to look at the cooling channels. Well two of the piston sleeves had small cracks at the very ends. Ok well I knew the engine was on its last life, but I killed it when I broke a bolt off in the cooling head cover. I tried to drill it out and some how punched a hold though the the head cover. Yeah I messed up hard.

So I'm going to start the rebuild next week.
I have a flotation stainless steel marine 30 in setback bracket I'll pick up in Dec. The transom is mush so I will start with that. Putting in an order at US composites for 5 gallons Vinyl ester, 25 yards of 1708, 1708 tape, and micro balloons.
The engine is where I still have a lot to decide. There are three main options I'm looking at. a newer used optixmax, a new mercury 4 stroke, or a new Suzuki df175. All are 500-550 dry weight so it really just depends on what i can get.

you guys have any thoughts before!

pic to follow.