The L-drive-gctid401681

[Guest]

I am considering buying a 1991 capri with a 120hp L-drive, the boat measures about 18' at the waterline. 1st, I have read a bit of negative press on this engine drive combo?, 2nd how can you tell if it is seaworthy? 3rd what is an approximate value of this boat in very poor condition, definitely a fixer upper, all vinyl shot, sum damaged, must be replaced, foam good. All carpet shot, must be replaced, hull & deck needs 600 - 1200 grit stepped series dancing, the Orange rubbing compound, swirl remover & wax. Some decale & fittings replacement (plastic louvered vent covers for blower/engines vent). Engine supposedly run, starts easy, has no leaks, hydraulics ok, engine was disassembled, upper with new rings, lower bearings checked w/in spec. Plastic prop. Needs water pump impeller kit, but claims never overheated or warp heads or blown gaskets. With the upper having been torn down (visible signs on bolt heads), I don't believe that claim, but it appears to be repaired from observation. No idea how many hours. Comes with decent trailer from slightly larger boat, good electrically, tires, hitch & bearings. I can perform all repairs including engine, drive & upholstery. Hull is structurally sound, no signs of previous damage or repairs. All electrical works, radio & speakers missing. Steering & throttle operate fine with about 2" play in steering & throttle is tight, works well including electrical choke & linkage. Again, definitely a project, so what would it be worth in this condition & if full repaired after I'm done?

[Guest]

The vinyl has SUN damage, not sum. The hull needs sanding, not dancing, etc, etc

[2850Bounty]

mjo998 wrote:
I am considering buying a 1991 capri with a 120hp L-drive, ................. definitely a project, so what would it be worth in this condition & if full repaired after I'm done?

Man oh man......, do you want an honest opinion?

[Knotty_Time]

I had one back in 1990. Performed great, got up on step right away. Down side is the L-drive combo didn't catch on so parts are limited, and hard to obtain. The hull is unique to the L-drive so your stuck with the setup unless you are really good with fiberglass and not scared of a project. Pep

[plumbob98]

I actually had this boat. It was fast on get up and go. The only problem with it was I melted a piston!!! I bored and honed the cylinder and installed a new piston and sold it A.S.A.P. If you do a search on these force motors, they are nothing but trouble!!! The drive was fine, but the powerhead is where the problem lies. Hope this helps!!

[Guest]

I'd say the trailer in good shape may be worth $400 IF it's in good shape. Get it for this price, part it out and sell the trailer. Then buy a boat.

Worth fully repaired with everyone aware of the engine problems? Close to nothing.

[Guest]

Knotty Time wrote:
I had one back in 1990. Performed great, got up on step right away. Down side is the L-drive combo didn't catch on so parts are limited, and hard to obtain. The hull is unique to the L-drive so your stuck with the setup unless you are really good with fiberglass and not scared of a project. Pep

+1.

AFAIK drive parts may be hard to find, but the engine itself shared almost all parts with an outboard as that's pretty much what it was, so engine parts are still relatively easy to come by.

I'd steer away from the L-drive boats IMO.

[driz]

I had the 1989 85 hp version for 3 years. Do yourself a BIG FAVOR and take a walk. Otherwise all you will end up doing is plowing money and time into something that wil still be junk when you are finished. The big hassle is parts and their availability not to mention price. If the guy gave you this boat you would still be getting robbed. Look it up on the net and ask yourself," does anybody have ANYTHING good to say about this rig? That's enough reason to flee right there. Just don't go thinking you can "make it better" because you can't improve on things like this. A guy once summed it up really well " Like Pouring Perfume On A Pig". Say oink!!!!!!!!!!;raseberry;raseberry

[2850Bounty]

Well, some of you said what I would have said earlier.

I've not owned nor worked on an L drive, but I've poked my head in around them at my friend's salvage yard, and I've spoken to him about these. These were short lived, not a good scenario to begin with....., and definitely not easy to find parts for today.

You'd end up with a boat that would be problematic, and one that no one else would purchase.

I too would walk away, and look for another project!

.

[Guest]

I really appreciate the input. The seller is asking $2200.00, but I told him I saw them online (texas) for 1700 in better condition. Short of redesigning & rebuilding the transom (not an option for me) for a outboard (another $8k for an engine?) It suddenly becomes a waste of time. I offered him $1000.00, but he thinks he'll get 1900. I would love to give it a go for 1000, but seems too risky. Thanks again, sounds like I should keep looking elsewhere...

[2850Bounty]

mjo998 wrote:
I offered him $1000.00, but he thinks he'll get 1900. I would love to give it a go for 1000, but seems too risky. Thanks again, sounds like I should keep looking elsewhere...

Yes, I would keep looking.

Even if FREE, this is no-win scenario for you. Trust us!

[dktool]

I offered him $1000.00, but he thinks he'll get 1900. I would love to give it a go for 1000, but seems too risky. Thanks again, sounds like I should keep looking elsewhere...

He is delusional and you would have wasted $1000.00 that could have been spent on a MUCH better platform for a project.

My advise............RUN before he reels you in !

[Guest]

It sounds like a mess. For $1,000 you can get the same boat with an I/O that is running.

[driz]

You know what I can't figure out, how come so many boat wrenches won't touch them. I had the factory manuals and found it pretty easy to work on, not all that much different than a mercruiser outdrive in many ways. The big thing is that for such a seemingly well laid out and easy to work on system how it manages to be such a HUGE POS. For that matter I would keep far away from Force motors as well though at least you can ditch a regular Force outboard and mount a good one without throwing away the boat.

[Download_Complete]

Its not even worth a grand, even in GOOD condition...which this boat is not.

Walk away. Quickly.