dgparks

You dont say whether the slop in the steering is just at idle--which is typical of sterndrives, especially old ones. If its at cruising speed, your looking at new U-joints, gimbal bearing, etc. I dont know where you are located, but shop rates run 70 to 125 per hour. So, including parts your quote doesnt see out of line at all.

But the question is should you puy $800 into a boat that, lets face it, might be worth what.......$2,000 dollars? Makes no financial sense.

However, its still cheaper than buying either a new, or newer used, boat. so you gotta ask yourself: how bad do I want to be on the water? You wont "get back" your 800 bucks if you sell your boat. But you will get more time on the water. Besides, you just rebuilt the engine. In for a penny, In for a pound.

G'Luck
Kevin