1998 Sea Ray 215 Express Cruiser

MHorn0817

Active Member
May 16, 2021
205
Bowie, MD
Boat Info
1998 215 Express Cruiser
2011 260 Sundancer
Engines
5.7 Mercruiser Thunderbolt w/Alpha I
350 Mag MPI w/Bravo lll
My wife and I are looking at purchasing a '98 215 EC 5.7 We were just curious on some things about the boat. I did a bunch of searching and looking for some answers but there wasn't a whole lot out there so I'm hoping you guys can help us out.

What are the pros and cons of this boat?

How much fuel does it burn?

What is the optimal cruise speed and max speed?

Is this a good boat for pulling one or two tubes or a water skier?

What is the purpose of the dent on the top right side, under the glass, on the outside of the boat?

Are there any places out there to get a cockpit cover or a full boat cover or does one have to be made?

How does the swim deck shower and cuddy sink work, water wise. Where does it get its water from?

Do they all have hour meters or were there some without?

What is an decent average price to pay for this boat? It's been maintained, comes with a trailer, all interior is intact and not cracked.

I hope the questions aren't too dumb, we were looking for a 20 to 25-ft boat with a cuddy for our daughters and came across this 215 EC.
 
My wife and I are looking at purchasing a '98 215 EC 5.7 We were just curious on some things about the boat. I did a bunch of searching and looking for some answers but there wasn't a whole lot out there so I'm hoping you guys can help us out.

What are the pros and cons of this boat? Pro's - it's a fantastic mix use boat. It can handle larger bodies of water and get you out of trouble. You can also pull tubers or skiers, fish etc. It's an okay overnighter. I'm 6'4" and when I sleep on mine, I prefer the aft bench seat vs. the V-Birth. Has a potty. Cons - Cleats are small. On your EC you can't add a bow roller (you can but have to modify the nav light). There isn't a 'self bailing cockpit'. Limited storage.

How much fuel does it burn? I have a 5.0 MPI and is reasonable. I don't remember the gph that displays on my Garmin. IIRC, when I have it pinned its something like 18gph? It has a 50 gallon tank and seems to suit us just fine. It'll depend on your loads of course. (My Weekender is similar to the EC)

What is the optimal cruise speed and max speed? I find around 25-27mph is good cruising tabbed out, and my max speed is about 43-44mph with a 5.0mpi.

Is this a good boat for pulling one or two tubes or a water skier? Yup, large wake for tubers if you take it slow.

What is the purpose of the dent on the top right side, under the glass, on the outside of the boat? ?? Unless it's the spot for the optional wiper.

Are there any places out there to get a cockpit cover or a full boat cover or does one have to be made? Great Lakes Boat Top. They had my template already and I purchased the full camper package.

How does the swim deck shower and cuddy sink work, water wise. Where does it get its water from? I don't have that option, but I believe you can turn the water pump on at the helm. The water tank is located in the center of the boat under the floor . There is a floor panel to access it, with a little storage underneath. I believe the gas tank is there as well. There should be a filler cap on the hull/gunnel where you would add water back at the dock.

Do they all have hour meters or were there some without? They should unless the gauge was replaced.

What is an decent average price to pay for this boat? It's been maintained, comes with a trailer, all interior is intact and not cracked. Market is crazy right now, especially for cuddles and cabin boats.

I hope the questions aren't too dumb, we were looking for a 20 to 25-ft boat with a cuddy for our daughters and came across this 215 EC.Nope, good questions. We love ours. I'd love to go bigger, but then after every Spring my pocketbook thanks me - but someday.
 
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I’m thinking by time you get all these questions answered that boat will be sold.
How much fuel burn? You don’t want to know.
Most canvas needs be custom made, pray you have original frame or it gets crazy.
Every boat I ever seen had a hour meter.
Great boat for skiing as long as you keep people in the boat at minimum, like 2.
Pros - Good small lake or river boat;
Cons - do not take out on Chesapeake with wind warnings.
 
Hi M, I agree with Pirate, boats are going fast in this market. I have a 225 weekender, pretty much same boat as the express cruiser you’re looking at, only a foot longer-love this boat! It’s a great layout, cockpit and cabin areas. Cabin area is great for napping, or overnighting, the head comes in handy. Swim platform is awesome, cockpit area is roomy, it’s just a well designed boat overall. Gets up on plane very quickly, handles nice too. As far as gas goes, if you’re cruising slow, gas gauge won’t move too fast, but if you’re always hauling ass, you’ll be filling up. Hope this helps.
 
I'm liking what I'm hearing. We were looking for just a cuddy and not exactly a express but the if it's a good deal then I'm fine by upgrade, lol

The boat does not have an hour meter. Not even on the gauges. I'm confused by that because hours are unknown.

Is $9000 a good deal?
 
Here is a picture of the gauges.
 

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Welcome to CSR,

We own a 2006 215 Weekender. We have had it on many inland lakes in Ohio and on Dale Hollow in TN. Our home port is now in the western basin of Lake Erie. This will be our 15th season with this boat (time flies). For a 21 foot cuddly, there is a lot of room on this boat. I am always impressed how it wants to get up and go. Because of its size, we pick our days wisely on the big lake. At some point we will move up in size, but we are in no hurry. Will wait for the right deal.

As for canvas, you can check with Great Lakes Boat Top as mentioned by OllieC. I can’t really comment on fuel burn rates. In a boat this size it is minimal (compared to the big boys!). I believe the dent you asked about maybe for a VHF antennae mount. I agree with the cruising speeds mentioned above (we also have the 5.0 MPI). I was able to achieve 51 mph but that was on a lake that was as smooth as glass, early in the morning and I was alone in the boat with minimal gear.

Again, welcome and good luck with your potential purchase.
 
Also how does the porta potty exactly work? How will it get pumped out? How would water flow to it? Could it be removed if we do not want it there?
 
Also how does the porta potty exactly work? How will it get pumped out? How would water flow to it? Could it be removed if we do not want it there?

Not sure which model porta potty you have so I can't comment directly. Most likely it is made by Dometic. See if you can get a model # and check their website.

We never used ours so I removed it to provide additional storage. We have the pump out option. To remove, I disconnected all hose fittings and the hold down brackets.
 
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Mine is set up for the ladies, and emergency use only. It's easier to dump it out than to pump it out and I've done both. Typically I only do the pump out if I'm at the marina for a week and it either gets full or if a #2 happens. :oops:
 
Ah okay, that makes sense. I'll see what model it is. It didn't really look like it was attached or a pump out option so wasn't sure if it was even needed.

Do you think $9000 is a good deal for the boat?
 
I'm liking what I'm hearing. We were looking for just a cuddy and not exactly a express but the if it's a good deal then I'm fine by upgrade, lol

The boat does not have an hour meter. Not even on the gauges. I'm confused by that because hours are unknown.

Is $9000 a good deal?
Look in engine compartment. Every boat I had / have the hour meter is in there. Every boat has one it’s like an odometer on a car.
 
Not sure which model porta potty you have so I can't comment directly. Most likely it is made by Dometic. See if you can get a model # and check their website.

We never used ours so I removed it to provide additional storage. We have the pump out option. To remove, I disconnected all hose fittings and the hold down brackets.
I gotta know. Do your female companions just squat on the swim platform? Why would you remove it?
 
Boats in good shape. No rotted floors or weak spots. Motor and outdrive is good. No leaks. Everything works as it should. It's in good shape for 22 years old. Not perfect but good shape.
 
That's a loaded question. It all depends on the condition. Does it have a wet rotted transom, is the engine running well, outdrive in good condition, a soggy floor, leaks? Honestly, if it was in really good shape, that price is a steal IMO. Here's Boat Trader - this is what they're going for.

https://www.boattrader.com/boats/make-sea-ray/model-215-express-cruiser/
Ollie right. I seen same year model boat go from $100 (no engine, no outdrive, moldy cabin, just get it out of here) to $40k (new engine, new outdrive, redone cabin, new canvas, etc). It ain’t like Kelly Blue Book.
 
I gotta know. Do your female companions just squat on the swim platform? Why would you remove it?

I guess they have strong bladders! Our boating lifestyle - day boaters - limits the need for the head. We are fortunate in that our dock is 30ft from the front door of our weekend home at the lake. If you have ever been on a 215/225WE, you would know that head is tucked in behind the helm in a “closet”. Not the easiest area to access, especially when underway. Much easier to use the heads in the house. We use that area to store life jackets and coolers. Additionally, we spend a good deal of time anchored at the beach, swimming. What happens when they are in the water, stays in the water!
 
Lol yeah, basically it would be the same situation if we got a cuddy or a bowrider. So... Hold it, go in the water, or if it's serious then goto a spot with an actual restroom.
 
Ollie right. I seen same year model boat go from $100 (no engine, no outdrive, moldy cabin, just get it out of here) to $40k (new engine, new outdrive, redone cabin, new canvas, etc). It ain’t like Kelly Blue Book.

Yeah I see they are going for 10k to 13k right now. I'm just assuming boat sales and values have gone up because I seen an old ad from 2017 for the same boat listed for $4, 500. I also see another older ad for the same boat with 20 hours back in 2005 going for $12,500. I started a second guessing myself but then again with my third hunt for the past month I haven't seen any crazy deals like that so I'm just assuming sales and values have gone up.
 
That’s a great price for that boat if it’s in good shape
 

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