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Buying a 1983 Enchanter

SneakyPete

SneakyPete

Member
Hey everyone, I am new here, I want to say hello and a post a question for everyone. I am looking at buying a 1983 Enchanter, all new interior (by checkmate told me he called up the factory, gave them the hull #, and they built another interior exactly the way it was built in 83), new "Target" 350cid crate motor (260hp), stainless prop, full stereo, bow docking lights, and closed loop cooling. It also has all stainless hardware, and the cast iron parts of the cooling sys were replaced with stainless. He wants 8K for it. Is this a good deal, and is it a good boat? What were the available motors from the factory (type and power rating). He told me it has 260 horse, but from what I have seen, these boats came from the factory with 140hp. BTW it is and I/O (obviously). I greatly appreciate anything you guys could tell me. Thanks in advance, and this place rocks!!!
 
Hey everyone, I am new here, I want to say hello and a post a question for everyone. I am looking at buying a 1983 Enchanter, all new interior (by checkmate told me he called up the factory, gave them the hull #, and they built another interior exactly the way it was built in 83), new "Target" 350cid crate motor (260hp), stainless prop, full stereo, bow docking lights, and closed loop cooling. It also has all stainless hardware, and the cast iron parts of the cooling sys were replaced with stainless. He wants 8K for it. Is this a good deal, and is it a good boat? What were the available motors from the factory (type and power rating). He told me it has 260 horse, but from what I have seen, these boats came from the factory with 140hp. BTW it is and I/O (obviously). I greatly appreciate anything you guys could tell me. Thanks in advance, and this place rocks!!!
 
Sounds like a great boat, but my concern would be the engine. If it is a marine engine, then that sounds like a deal on a desireable boat. I love Enchanters.

The problem would be if that is a basic automotive engine it will not hold up in a boat (the basic GM crate engine is a 260hp 350, retail $1200 to $1400). There have been other discussions on here about the differences between auto and marine engines. I came from the car world and really previously never considered the differences. Very few automotive engines are capable of 4000-6000 rpms for extended periods of time (NASCAR being the exception!!). Any Marine engine should be capable of this (may vary a little depending on engine specs, prop, etc), and would cost much more to build. Check out the details on that motor.

Otherwise....that could be a great boat!
 
they came with 5.7 liter (350 c.i.) 260 horse among other various i/o's. (4.3 V6, 5.0 V8)But it sounds to me like that is an automotive block, if it is a "target" motor. And he changed the cast iron parts. Still, if it has f.w.c., a small block chevy will run a long time...I've beaten the snot out of alot of them.lol.
 
just put a 350 create motor [not marine] IN A 85 ENFORCER ALSO A 327 CORRVETE CAM, HAVE NOT RUN ENGINE,SHOULD I be consernd.
 
Hey azk4536, welcome aboard!! Sounds like a pretty good deal, last summer i bought and I/O 350/260hp powered '86 Enchanter, i absoulutly love the boat! Great performer, but could be a touch faster, handles great, just a good fun boat! Yup definatly look into that motor, make sure it's a marine block! If ya get the boat be sure to post some pics!! Good luck!
 
Hey guys, I boght the boat for $7750. It is literally 99 points out of 100. The boat and interior are absolutely perfect. Stainless steel everything, right down to the stainless braided hydralic lines. It has SS trim tabs, closed loop cooling, and docking lights. The only draw back is that it is a car motor, not a marine motor. If it blows, it blows, hopefully it will last at least a few seasons, until I can save enough to buck up for a hipo marine motor.
 
You will be fine on the motor just don't push it hard for to long. If you cruise at 3500 or less and only push it +/- 4500 to play for short runs you won't have any problems. If you run straight 30 synthetic oil you will be better off. Watch your oil presure to make sure it's not dropping when running hard.
 
Congrats man!!! Nice to see another I/O Enchanter owner on board!! Just outta curiousity, where do you do your boating?? Post some pics of your new rig somtime!
 
Thanks everyone for the help. I have a couple of pics of the boat, but it is in is plastic shrink fit, so it looks a lil funky. The boat will be mostly for cruisin with my friends, I do plan to open it up on occasion, but I dont plan to run it at 65 mph for extended periods of time. I will be using the boat mostly in VT, on the Canadian border (lake memphramegog)and Lake Winnepesauke in NH. CMFever, I will be definately hitting you for tips and recomendations if you dont mind. How do you change your oil, do you snake a catch pan under the oil pan or do you have one of those funky pumps. If you can give me any tips on setup and maintainence, I would relly appreciate it. Thanks
 
I can imagin changing the oil on your Enchanter could be a chore. I installed a remote oil filter and put a quick connect drain plug on my Convincer. I can put a hose on the drain plug with the quick connect and run the hose right out of the hull drain plug.
 
azk4536,

I have a 1979 21' Entertainer with a 1996 5.7 EFI (260 HP) attached to a Bravo 3 and my top speed (GPS) was 70MPH.

I had totally went through the entire boat and replaced everything (I Mean Everything) and totally customized the boat five years ago. I used the boat for three years and now it is sitting covered in my backyard waiting for me to find time to install the custom new interior I spent tons of money on.

I love my Checkmate and hopefully will find time this spring/summer to put here back together.

What did you do for a system in your Eluder? I see that you stated that you had a LOUD system? I installed eight 6 1/2's and two 12" Eclipse Aluminum Subs powered by Phoenix GOld amps in my Checkmate and that was LOUD!
 
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