Adding to the family, hoping for advice

CapnSkippy

New Member
Aug 16, 2018
20
Mighty Columbia River, Tri-Cities, Wa
Boat Info
1989 Carver Montego 2557 (Hoping to grad-G-8 to a Sea Ray in the future)
1990 Maxum SR2100
Engines
5.7 Mercruiser Thunderbolt w/Alpha 1 Drive
4.3 Mercruiser w/Alpha 1 Drive
Hi, we've boated a bit on and off for years, most recently with our bowrider to tow the grandbabies up and down the river.

We'd like to add to family a cuddy/cruiser/cabin style boat and have been looking a while now. Choices/preferences are narrowing to the following (in preference order):

1) '93 Sea Ray Sundancer 270
2) '90 Carver Montego 28ft (?2757?)
3) '88 Sea Ray Weekender 300
4) '90 Four Winns Vista 235
5) '91 Carver Montego 525

Came here as Sea Ray is my prefered brand. Any insight/warnings/bravos greatly appreciated!

Mark
 
Without commenting on any of the boats I would like to hear more about your intended use before offering advice. You also mentioned "adding" - does this imply you are keeping your bowrider?

-Kevin
 
Hi Kevin, thanks for responding. Yes, will be keeping the bowrider or upgrading it eventually. Uses may range from socializing atthemarina to overnight/weekender water camping, short excursions to near (~100miles) by marinas and anchoring it as an island for the bowrider to tie up to between drowning-oops, dragging grandkids around on thetube.
 
I would add to the list early 90s 280 Sundancers. Very wide beam for size, twin engine in most.
 
So twin engine a preference? I have zero experience with twins.... the 300 on my list does have twin 7.4's and I think velvet? drive
 
How many people on the overnights? The 28 foot size is comfy for two but quickly get cramped. Also as mentioned above the wider beam will certainly be better. My 260DA (8-6 beam around 9K lbs) rocked getting on and off - My 340SDA (12 beam around 18k lbs) bearly moves.

I am guessing this is fresh water? If so B3's sterndrive would good - if in salt and go v-drive take that option for long term maintenance (although you probably will not see that until you get above 30).

Twin engines tend to be easier to dock once you get the feel for them (especially inboards).

-Kevin
 
Well HELLO Skippy from another Tri Cities boater. Welcome to CSR.

I won't add any comments yet but will add some advice. Many people, when out shopping for boats, fall in love with one and buy it without giving consideration to how the boat is going to work for them in the future. Those grandbabies tend to grow up fast, their legs get longer and they want to invite friends along. So with those comments being said, make sure you choose a boat that will be big enough for the kids as they grow so you don't outgrow the boat in a couple of years.

What marina are you in now? Does it have slips big enough to handle the boat you're going to end up with? I had to change marinas when I started looking for a bigger boat, but it was worth it.

Also, consider whether or not you're going to be trailering your boat. If so, keep that in mind as you look at boats. We had a 330 Sundancer and trailered it to Portland twice and to Anacortes once. It's not that difficult to trailer a bigger boat, just some things to make sure of. There are a LOT of great lakes around here to trailer it to, plus all of Puget Sound, the San Juans and Canadian waters. Tons of places to visit if you can plop your baby on a trailer and head out.

If you want any specific info just ask away or PM me and I'll get right back to you.

Again, welcome aboard.
 
On your list I would only consider the two Sea Rays. The 88 weekender, while a nice boat (and my preference) may not work as well for you. No aft birth, so no cave for the grand kids to crawl around. Really only an overnight for 2. If you're more into day boating, it would be nice -- wide and good cockpit.
 
Well HELLO Skippy from another Tri Cities boater. Welcome to CSR.

I won't add any comments yet but will add some advice. Many people, when out shopping for boats, fall in love with one and buy it without giving consideration to how the boat is going to work for them in the future. Those grandbabies tend to grow up fast, their legs get longer and they want to invite friends along. So with those comments being said, make sure you choose a boat that will be big enough for the kids as they grow so you don't outgrow the boat in a couple of years.

What marina are you in now? Does it have slips big enough to handle the boat you're going to end up with? I had to change marinas when I started looking for a bigger boat, but it was worth it.

Also, consider whether or not you're going to be trailering your boat. If so, keep that in mind as you look at boats. We had a 330 Sundancer and trailered it to Portland twice and to Anacortes once. It's not that difficult to trailer a bigger boat, just some things to make sure of. There are a LOT of great lakes around here to trailer it to, plus all of Puget Sound, the San Juans and Canadian waters. Tons of places to visit if you can plop your baby on a trailer and head out.

If you want any specific info just ask away or PM me and I'll get right back to you.

Again, welcome aboard.
Thanks for the advice. We've looked at a few here in town, talked to some folks out of town but haven't visited. Another aspect I didn't mention was the unlikely, today anyway, possibility of a live aboard. We currently don't have moorage... but have inquired. Port Authority seems most likely, but entertaining the "Club"

As to trailering, I like the idea but don't have a vehicle worthy of the weight involved (currently Tahoe, 6900# +/-) nor the room to store such a beast for the bigger boats, however, I'd be happy to putter around here in the near term. My in-laws, prior to going full snow-birding, have done the trip down and back to Portland on occasion. That intriques me a bit.

I'm sure it's blasphemy on here... but gotta ask anyway. Assuming the Sea Ray's I've been considering don't pan out, would a Carver be a decent replacement? the 28 footer in my OP has some options that appeal to me... large swim platform and on board 3kw generator.
 
On your list I would only consider the two Sea Rays. The 88 weekender, while a nice boat (and my preference) may not work as well for you. No aft birth, so no cave for the grand kids to crawl around. Really only an overnight for 2. If you're more into day boating, it would be nice -- wide and good cockpit.
Interesting Golfman. Haven't seen the cabin on the weekender yet, appointment next week. Maybe try and find a 280... mix the size of one with the interior of the other?
 
Hi all! First, thanks to all for your responses previously! So we did a short sea trial - results are mixed. Visual inspection appears to warrant shaft seal replacement on both sides as it doesn't appear there's any room to tighten down more. Shifting in gear creates more noise than I anticipated... thought it would be a whine or hum, had more of a grind noise. I also think there was an issue (says head was just replaced) with waste system as toilet had (yuck!!!!) nasties in it!

Cabin seemed sound as no water stains on any side panels or header, although 2 cushions in bow berth had old stains (maybe someone spilled a drink or 3?)

Crunch time says ask the experts - how hard would it be to self-install shaft ?packing? (right term) as for the tranny noise, Id have a mechanical survey done.

In other words, help Mr and Ms Wizards!!

Mark
 
Concerning a live-aboard or even extended cruising, bear in mind that boats tend to shrink a few inches every day. They start out long and wide, but by the time you've spent a few nights on board, you find that they are much smaller than when you started. Adding family members tends to increase the shrink rate exponentially.
 
Hi all! First, thanks to all for your responses previously! So we did a short sea trial - results are mixed. Visual inspection appears to warrant shaft seal replacement on both sides as it doesn't appear there's any room to tighten down more. Shifting in gear creates more noise than I anticipated... thought it would be a whine or hum, had more of a grind noise. I also think there was an issue (says head was just replaced) with waste system as toilet had (yuck!!!!) nasties in it!

Cabin seemed sound as no water stains on any side panels or header, although 2 cushions in bow berth had old stains (maybe someone spilled a drink or 3?)

Crunch time says ask the experts - how hard would it be to self-install shaft ?packing? (right term) as for the tranny noise, Id have a mechanical survey done.

In other words, help Mr and Ms Wizards!!

Mark
I assume your talking about the weekender with the straight shafts. Replacing the packing is a piece of cake (I have a similar setup). You can actually get to it and see it. "Pros" can do it in water, but I would do it on the hard. I use the gore dripless, which you only need to tighten by hand.

Tranny noise could be more involved, but relatively easy to remove and repair.
 

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