1985 searay 260 sundancer... 1000 dollars. Was this a good deal???

L

LakerMatt

New Member
Sep 9, 2013
30
Fresno, CA
Boat Info
1985 Searay Sundancer 260. TRYING to pull with a 2007 ford Expedition!!
Engines
Mercruiser 260 5.7 litre
Hello All, I am very excited, as I just bought my first Searay 260 sundancer. Paid 1000 dollars for the boat and trailer. it is missing the original motor, which was a 260 mercruiser. still has the mercruiser outdrive. so eventually I will need to find a new motor. but I am very excited, as I want to take my family of four out to the Delta and bay areas to do some boating and overnighting. I have had many open bow "ski" boats but never have had a LARGE boat with full sleeping capabilities. do you think that I got a good deal at 1000 dollars? I don't know how to check anything to see if it works with out a motor, but I want to see about plugging it in through the shore power hook up to my house. any special things I should know going through the inspection of this new buy?? any tips would 20130831_144939.jpg20130831_144939.jpg be AWESOME!! thanks!!
 
sorry for the double picture.... I am definitely a "newbie" at this attachments thing!!
 
Welcome!
Browse the classic's for ideas and helpful experiences and be sure share pictures of your progress.
Oh and ask to join in on the "Hole in the Water Club", I'm sure you now meet the requirements. :smt101
 
Got trim tabs and everything. Nice purchase. With the motor out take your thumb and push on the transom from the inside. If it's solid and the inner layer of fiberglass has not detached itself from the core then you should be in good shape. If the floor mushy or solid. These are repairable but you need to have a good working knowledge of fiberglass repair to fix them. Motors are not hard to get or install.
 
Nehalennia said:
Did you check for rot?
Click to expand...

Like OldSkool said now is a great time to check for transom rot.
Lightly tapping around on the inside of the transom, floor areas, etc with a small hammer is an easy way to tell if there is any rot.
DO NOT do that on the gelcoat side of things though.
With soft spots or rot you can hear a clear change in the tapping sound.
Moisture meters work too but not in areas that may now be dryrot.
 
I will go out there this weekend to check that transom. But i know the floors are super solid. Its been under cover all its life.
 
Nice project! I love restoring stuff like that. Have fun.
 
Looks like a very nice score...
Your getting great advice, have the transom and stringers checked out before you invest any further monies.

Good luck!
 
Pulled all the interior recently. Having it all redone!! Pics to follow

CAM00487_zps30cf7105.jpg
 
The floors and transom are solid as a rock... just found out though that they put on a " pre alpha drive". So i am now in the market for a motor AND outdrive.... big $$$$$$..... not looking forward to that. Been talking with a marine shop in missouri though, and he seems to get some good used motors. We will see.... anybody out there in my area selling a motor package!!! Give me a shout!
 
I would very highly recommend a fuel injected big block and bravo III. At the point you are at, it is a simple conversion that will make it perform beautifully. That boat is GREATLY enhanced by the big block... see my sig...
 
Oh, and you will NOT use more fuel with the big block, and yes, it should bolt in. You have to drill two holes in the transom for a BIII transom plate. The wiring harness to all of your gauges will plug in, and they will work. An 8.1 MIGHT require moving the gas tank forward an inch or two.

You will get a boat that will handle much better at every speed including docking, be quieter, plane much, MUCH easier, and cruise faster at lower RPM's.
 
I would LOVE to put in a big block... I don't think my budget would allow it though... LOL. I think it is going to be a 5.7 and a alpha drive for me. I have seen some big block drop ins that are carbureted for around 3-5000 around California. but then you need to get a bravo drive, and those are 2-3k as well. my dream is a 7.4 mpi with a bravo III !!!
 
The newer 5.7 are same setup and have 300hp, that works with an Alpha Drive and much better performance than older stock 5.7. Vortec in my opinion is the way to go. You will def need the HP with a decent load. Thoughts on this welcome. Just my 2 cents, rob
 
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