1993 Sea Ray 230 Sundancer

ks65609

ks65609

Member
Aug 30, 2009
342
Ontario Canada
Boat Info
1992 330 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 454 Mercruiser--340hp

V drive inboards
Looking at a dealer's 1993 Sea Ray 230 Sundancer that looks to be in nice condition. Needs a bit of TLC. This would be a move from cuddy cabin style boating to something just a bit larger than we have but still trailerable according to the information I can find. Is is possible to find more specs for this boat, such as trailerable weight, height to top of windshield when on trailer and anything else pertinent. We do not leave our boat in the water and like the flexibility to enjoy various waterways. Currently own a 02 Four Winns 205 Sundowner and considering moving down in age but up in size due to financial considerations. Love the lines of the Sea Ray. Anything I should watch for. All advice and help is very much appreciated.

Thanks
 
I bought my boat for eactly the same reasons.

The condition of the trailer should be a consideration.

Spent more on fixing my trailer than on the boat.

Have a knowlegable marine mechanic check out the engine(manifolds etc if raw water cooled) and the stern leg.

The leg will eat up money if in poor condition.

have hull checked for soundness.

check internal flooring for rigidity, a soft patch may indicate a water leak when it rains.

Speaking from experience here.

make certain everything works.(switches guages etc)

Hope this helps you avoid some of the pitfalls.:smt024
 
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There's no way to find a published "trailerable" weight - too many variables. You'll have to go to Sea Ray for the dry weight, then add options: Bigger engine, water, gas, batteries. Then add for the particular trailer that's under it - try the manufacturer's website.

Ball park: 6,000lbs.
 
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Barlow and Lazy Daze

Thanks for the tips, advice and information. Going to look at the boat tomorrow and I will add your items to my check list.

Very much appreciated.
1993 230 Sundancer (maybe)
2008 Chevy Trailblazer SS AWD--no tweaking---just an AWD corvette----6500 lb tow cap.
 
This boat does not have shore power according to the published specs. Is it possible to retrofit or simply out of the question. Fridge is a 12 volt. I am moving from a runabout to something completely different and some of my questions may seem completely ludicrous. Please bear with me.

Thanks
 
Shore power may have been an option, though. Not sure offhand. What does that particular boat have? Or, by "published specs" do you mean what the owner is listing?

Power can definitely be added. Never done it so I can't give you any thoughts on it... other than I don't think it would be too hard. Especially if you only put the outlets in the cockpit.
 
Viewed the boat yesterday and it is not equipped with shore power. The fridge is 12 volt. I must say for a 1993 this boat is in very nice condition. Surveyed in May of 08, and 50 hrs since the survey. Still has the original canvas which certainly has some good use left yet. On water test was flawless and once trimmed maintained heading even when crossing other vessels wakes.

I am wondering whether to have an new survey. The minor areas highlighted in the 08 survery have all been corrected. All moisture level readings well within the acceptable ranges.
 
Barlow.

Your check list certainly helped. So far everything gets an "A". Including the trailer.

Thanks
 
Okee Dokee. I will check that out. This 1993 Sea Ray I am looking at has a 5.0 L Mercruiser however the specs for this boat on the Sea Ray web site do not specify this as an option to the 4.3L. Does anyone have any additional information that may help ?

Thanks
 
ks65609 said:
Okee Dokee. I will check that out. This 1993 Sea Ray I am looking at has a 5.0 L Mercruiser however the specs for this boat on the Sea Ray web site do not specify this as an option to the 4.3L. Does anyone have any additional information that may help ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm not at work right now to check my dealer books, but I've sold used 230DA's with V-8's. They always had the original engine. That doesn't mean the boat you're looking at absolutely has the original engine, though. It still could be a re-power that was done at sometime. Either way, I wouldn't worry about. Get a mechanical survey and you'll be fine.
 
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I had a '93 230DA with the 4.3 engine. There were several other of the same boat at the marina that had the optional 5.0 engine. I recall that as I always wished that I had the 5.0 because the 4.3 seemed to be a bit underpowered with a full load on the boat.

By the way, we really liked the boat. It was our first "cruiser" style boat and we did many overnighters on it. Ours did not have shorepower and I thought of adding it. I checked into it and it did not appear to be that big of a deal to put one outlet in the boat.

The only real "problem" that I had with the boat concerned the helm seat. Our boat was kept with a cockpit cover on it most of the time before we bought it. One of the attachments for the bimini top was on top of the window just above the right side of the helm seat. Apparently when it would rain, because the cockpit cover did not totally seal around the bimini support piece the water would run down the interior of the window and into the cockpit of the boat and tended to pool around the base of the helm seat. Problem was that the helm seat base is made of wood. All this water pooling around the base rotted the wood and caused me to have the entire helm seat base and back rebuilt less than a year after I bought the boat. The wood is covered in vinyl so it is kind of hard to see. The surveyor did not catch it, but it is really not something that you would typically look at I guess. If I were you, just for the heck of it, I would just get down and take a close look at this area of the seat to see if there is any wood rot to the base. It cost me about $1000 to have it fixed so it might be worth a look. If you do find some rot in this area just adjust the price you are paying for the boat. It does not affect the boat really, but was a large chunk of change to pay out right after buying the boat. Other than this we had not one single problem or complaint with the boat. Anything else I can answer for you about the boat just ask.
 
Lazy Daze. I have actually talked with the marina who have done the service on this boat and "tip top shape" is their comment. Very pleased to hear that. Out of ignorance I must ask what the DA designation refers to e.g. 230DA. Also thanks for your advice and input.

Scottfree. I will certainly have a look in the area you have pointed out. The last survey completed on 2008 did not mention anything like what you have referred to so they may have missed it as well. Hopefully not but better to find out now. You also refer to 230DA so I must be missing something in the model type of this boat.

Thanks
 
Okay Scottfree. Thanks for the info. I am looking forward to closing the deal. I will also say I am pleased with this forum. Quick responses and very good answers.
 
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