New Boat

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

Ok we just got a 1988 Malibu Skier with a chevy 350 in it. It has 463 hrs and the hull is in perfect shape, a few scratches in the clear coat, but overall all it looks pretty good. It has not been used frequently and just has been sitting on land. It included a boom, nice sony deck with infiniti speakers, good condition prop, nice dulley trailer. It was 8,000. How does this sound to people, good or no?

jvanick · Posted: Jun 10, 2003 6:58 pm Post subject:

sounds amazing that it only has 463 hours on it for a 1988... we put over 200 hours per year on my boat.

Very great deal.

-J

gusthecat · Outlaw Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 183

Wait a minute, a Chevy 350? I thought that Malibu didn't start putting the Chevy in their boats until the mid-'90s. Anyone out there know for sure?

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

I do not know for sure whether or not Malibu was in the practice of putting the chevy in, in 88. But I do know for sure that that is what it is.

gusthecat · Outlaw Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 183

No, no I believe you - I'm just saying that you may want to check with Malibu & find out what your boat originally came with. Reason being that I'm pretty sure that Malibu didn't start putting that motor in their boats until around '95 (& they were one of the first at that). Before that, it was mostly the Ford 351 Windsor. If it's what I suspect, then your motor has been swapped out at some point. (Of course, I could be wrong.)

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

Yeah I was wondering about whether the engine is original, mainly becuase of the hours. I didn't know about the Ford thing actually, but supposedly the engine is original. I am interested now as to what may be the true story. Thanks for your comments gusthecat.

gusthecat · Outlaw Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 183

The only reason that it could be a problem is if you need a part. If it's not OEM, you could have some difficulty. I'd make a go at finding out more about the history of the boat & what came on it originally so that when you do get faced with that situation you'll be prepared. Aside from that, it sounds like a decent deal - have fun with it!

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

Where might be the best place to find that info gus. I have looked all over but can't find any specs for 88 skiers. If you have any advice I would appreciate it. Thanks for the help so far. Oh and I do plan to have fun with it, I have so far, and hope to for alot of days to come.

Jay Dutton · Posted: Jun 12, 2003 2:32 pm Post subject:

I know a guy w/a Chevy 454 in his 87 or 88 Malibu Skier, it came that way from the factory. I wouldn't see why someone would switch engine brands. Go www.malibuboatowners.com if you need more insight. Have fun w/the new ride.

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

Wow, sweet site. Thanks for the link Jay, I had no clue that the site existed. Looks like I may be able to able to find what a lot of the things im looking for. Thanks again.

gusthecat · Outlaw Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 183

IIRC, the 454 was a barefooter option on a lot of tournament boats back then, the standard engine was a Ford (don't ask me why). Why someone would change brands, who knows? Some guys are that crazy about one or the other, & if he blew up the Ford it would just give him an excuse to get the Chevy. (It chaps my brother-in-law that there's a Ford in his Nautique. Very Happy

) Anyway, MBO can probably help, that is a great site. I would just contact Malibu directly, either call or email - just make sure that you have all of the info ready, like the hull number, engine ID#, & anything else that you can find that would be pertinent.

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

Ok, it looks as if I have found the answer. The 1988 Malibu Skier was manufactured with an engine that malibu had not used before. The Chevy 350 5.7 Litre. Thanks for everyones help, it appears that the engine is original. Very Happy

Dave W · Posted: Jun 12, 2003 5:17 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a decent deal. Give it a test drive, talk him down a little, and have fun with it.

Wakeboy551 · Posted: Jun 12, 2003 10:17 pm Post subject:

i'm pretty sure he already bought it

JER

gusthecat · Outlaw Joined: 28 May 2003 Posts: 183

My bad. Sorry to add so much confusion to your life gryffin. I was mis-informed on my end (not the first time, sure won't be the last). Have a great time with that boat. (I like your signature - my MB Sports has the GT-40 engine & I too know the joy in putting the throttle to the stops. Mr. Green

)

gryffin · Criminal Joined: 10 Jun 2003 Posts: 89 City: SoCal

Hey thats ok Gus, if it wasn't for you I would not have learned half the stuff that I now know about my boat. No harm was done. You actually helped me, now I know all kinds of stuff about malibu and more about boats in general. Thanks again everyone for the help.

driftwood · Posted: Jun 16, 2003 4:10 pm Post subject:

Yes in 88 they used mercruiser chevy 350's