Repair, Replace, or Ditch this Campion 602

[ziggy]

I have a 2000 Campion 602 and it’s decision time. Just recently she started losing power on my return from fishing. I took it in and it appears it has one cylinder with only 40 pounds compression. The current engine is a Mercruiser 4.3 and this is the third longblock from Mercruiser, professionally installed in the last 10 years.

So my options appear to be
1) have it rebuilt if it is rebuildable
2) look at a new crate engine if available and if it would even fit
3) look at a complete package including stern drive if necessary ( big bucks) and the stern drive is relatively new.
4) get a price to pod it and put on an outboard
5) sell it as is an look for another boat
6) give up boating

Looking for advice from anyone who has been through this. The guesstimate it $10 k to be assessed once the engine is opened up for rebuild, 25k for new package.

 

[sly_karma]

#4 is the most expensive.
#5 will yield the least value out of the boat. You'll be ground down mercilessly on a hull with blown power.
I'd lean toward rebuild and sell, buy something with outboard power.

 

[kaelc]

I’d check closely for any water damage rot, if none, call and post everywhere looking for a 4.3l that someone is selling. Check compression obviously before buying. Switch it out and sell.

If you love the platform will keep for 10 years and trailer/hull electronics are in good condition spend the 60-70k. If you buy a used engine still under warranty with controls and prop you might do it a lot cheaper.

 

[brutus]

I have a 2000 Campion 602 and it’s decision time. Just recently she started losing power on my return from fishing. I took it in and it appears it has one cylinder with only 40 pounds compression. The current engine is a Mercruiser 4.3 and this is the third longblock from Mercruiser, professionally installed in the last 10 years.

So my options appear to be
1) have it rebuilt if it is rebuildable
2) look at a new crate engine if available and if it would even fit
3) look at a complete package including stern drive if necessary ( big bucks) and the stern drive is relatively new.
4) get a price to pod it and put on an outboard
5) sell it as is an look for another boat
6) give up boating

Looking for advice from anyone who has been through this. The guesstimate it $10 k to be assessed once the engine is opened up for rebuild, 25k for new package.

Your never going to end this cycle with IO, every one I’ve owned Nickel and dime me to the verge of bankruptcy , only one lasted 7 years before blowing up(motor) the leg I did 3x, all the other ones where in the shop or at my yard getting worked on multiple times a year, that’s my experience with IO, never again, I have an outboard now and love it. It’s your dime so what you think works for you

 

[trophywife]

get it running and sell it.

 

[SpringVelocity]

get it running and sell it.

Second that....

 

[Zuktaylor]

Leakdown test it and see if the loss of compression is coming from the valves, might just need a head job, not as bad as you think

 

[brutus]

get it running and sell it.

If you can

 

[scott craven]

There's a point where you're throwing good money after bad.
I would cut your losses and sell as is rather than throw another $10k(or more) at it.
Put that money into another package (with outboards)
Someone mechanically inclined might grab it and rebuild.