Ciera 2858 Inboard conversion to twin 250's-300's - Need Pod Builders!

[Journi]

Good morning everyone,

To make a long story short. I've run into some issues with my bravo 3 outdrive with our new boat I bought In August. Basically, I have a $18,000 bill if the insurance claim doesn't approve and I have a $9000 bill If they do cover a new outdrive. My 2001 7.4 MPI 454 has about 715 hours on it now and ran great for 35 hours until my leg blew up. We bought this boat knowing that we would want to do the POD conversion within 3-5 years. There may be an opportunity that has come up for me to do the podding now instead of replacing the leg on my current situation.


I have ready all of the past post about pods in the last couple years. But looking for owners who have recently done it and are happy with their work to share their contacts.

1. What do you guys think my current 2001 7.4 MPI 454 has about 715 hours with 160 compression on all 8 cylinders is worth?

2. How do you feel about 2007 Yamaha twin 250's with about 1130 hours on them? Too many hours? Will I run into more problems? Thinking of running these for a year or 2 and re-powering.

3. Also need a glass guy who will build up the transom unless the Pod guy does that too?

4. For those who have done this conversion. How long did it take you? I have my boat out of the water and want it back in by the end of June.

5. How much more length did it add on your boat roughly? Hoping it will still fit in my slip.

6. I need some referrals to Pod Builders on the Vancouver island side from Nanaimo up to Port Alberni & Locally in the Fraser Valley or Vancouver as I live in Langley.


Thanks in advance. I'm looking to exhaust this avenue quick and figure out all my costs involved so I can make a decision. Please reach out if you are someone that can help.



Francis Mai
778 882 3686

 

[kaelc]

#2. If you are looking at the set of Yamis down in WA I would pass, the exchange rate and tax plus instillation will kill you and adding a second steering station for the flybridge gets complicated quickly. There was a dealer down in OR that had used yamis with exhausts changed out for really cheap, I just tried to find my Facebook message from them but I couldn't. If you could find those engines up here in a private deal for 5k cad a piece with props and rigging it might be worth it but the cost of install then swapping in a few years and maintenance cost of old engines might not be worth it. Black Friday and Boat show repower specials might be good, so start calling around now.

 

[Aquaholic]

#2. If you are looking at the set of Yamis down in WA I would pass, the exchange rate and tax plus instillation will kill you and adding a second steering station for the flybridge gets complicated quickly. There was a dealer down in OR that had used yamis with exhausts changed out for really cheap, I just tried to find my Facebook message from them but I couldn't. If you could find those engines up here in a private deal for 5k cad a piece with props and rigging it might be worth it but the cost of install then swapping in a few years and maintenance cost of old engines might not be worth it. Black Friday and Boat show repower specials might be good, so start calling around now.

Bon Chovy has a pair for sale. Sounds like he described them.

 

[scott craven]

How do you feel about 2007 Yamaha twin 250's with about 1130 hours on them? Too many hours? Will I run into more problems? Thinking of running these for a year or 2 and re-powering.

If you're investing in this project suggest spending a little more and get the engines you really want.
The time and cost to rerig new power in a few years isn't worth it.

 

[Journi]

#2. If you are looking at the set of Yamis down in WA I would pass, the exchange rate and tax plus instillation will kill you and adding a second steering station for the flybridge gets complicated quickly. There was a dealer down in OR that had used yamis with exhausts changed out for really cheap, I just tried to find my Facebook message from them but I couldn't. If you could find those engines up here in a private deal for 5k cad a piece with props and rigging it might be worth it but the cost of install then swapping in a few years and maintenance cost of old engines might not be worth it. Black Friday and Boat show repower specials might be good, so start calling around now.

Bei Facebook anmelden

Melde dich bei Facebook an, um dich mit deinen Freunden, deiner Familie und Personen, die du kennst, zu verbinden und Inhalte zu teilen.

www.facebook.com

Jason is a good friend of mine.

 

[kaelc]

Bei Facebook anmelden

Melde dich bei Facebook an, um dich mit deinen Freunden, deiner Familie und Personen, die du kennst, zu verbinden und Inhalte zu teilen.

www.facebook.com

Jason is a good friend of mine.

What's the group? I think the link will only work if you are already a member.

 

[wildmanyeah]

Worked for me bc boat buy and sell

 

[Aquaholic]

What's the group? I think the link will only work if you are already a member.

Go to Bon Chovy facebook page.

 

[trophywife]

send it to breakers in port. local fibreglass guy is really good. pod builder is there and does such good work. . get a couple 350's, lol.

a few friends have now converted there boats through breakers and all the work was top notch.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

This is the same bottom hull as yours. Maybe reach out to them, to see where they had the work done, and which HP they have?

 

[Journi]

View attachment 112446
This is the same bottom hull as yours. Maybe reach out to them, to see where they had the work done, and which HP they have?

Thanks for that. I've actually met Glenn personally when I had my trophy moored there during covid in Ukee. He stored my trailer. I actually had a good chat with him this year about podding. They do all their work in house and explained the hull strengths of the 1990's compared to the 2000's models. I ended up getting a 2001 because of him. He said it ran awesome after they converted it and would do it again in a heart beat. I'm leaving 95% towards buying the motors and starting the process.. Have chatted with with a few people now including port boat house. I was refereed to artisan on the island for the pod work. I may want to stay local for convenience though. Looking to see who I can talk to hear that will build a pod and do the glass work for me. Pretty much will have the verdict tonight to proceed with the pod conversion.

 

[High Time]

You might want to have a chat with Brant Marine in Ladner.They did a great job on my 27 Orca and are a Suzuki dealer.Been doing full conversions for years on a lot of Gradys for the charter boys. Excellent glass work and shop. I had a 7.4 Volvo I/O and went with a 350 Suzuki which is adequate
and a 20 kicker. They can do the full meal deal. PM me if you want to chat. I'm in S.Surrey.

 

[Coyote Spooner]

I have a 2004 2859, with a 350 Mag MPI. I’m hoping to keep the leg and motor going, but one day might be in your situation. If you do it, I’d love to see the build thread. What power does he run on his boats?

 

[Journi]

Well, here goes nothing. Made a decision today and bought the motors. I've chatted with enough people to make it make sense to me. I'll run these motors for a year or two and see how I feel and then I can get new power after that. I'm not going to sink any more money in these ticking time bomb inboards. Time to start the process. Appreciate all the contacts so far and would love for them to continue. Will have a chat with a few of them and see how to get started. Super excited to do this. Haven't seen a Ciera 2858 get converted before. Time to start taking **** apart.

 

[kaelc]

Nice work! They could serve you well for a long time and 10k is a hell of a lot less than 60k, especially when you have all that $ to spend on doing a pod right.