Considering 1974 srv 240 weekender w/twin 165's

T

TerryD

New Member
Sep 1, 2009
13
SOUTH CAROLINA
Boat Info
BOATLESS
Engines
BOATLESS
Hello all, I am considering a 1974 SRV 240 Weekender open boat not hardtop not fly bridge not sedan bridge. Comes with twin 165 Mercruisers, 520/526 hours respectively. Bimini top. Galley equipment is suppose to work, refrigerator, alcohol stove, fresh water supply. Head has been exchanged for a porta potty, pluming is still intact for marine toilet. Shore power hook-up. Hull is in very good condition as is the deck. Has some good options such as spot light, compass, ship to shore etc.. No GPS/depth finder. Has had an older restoration. The interiors are in good shape, a little dirty in the cockpit area but should clean up well. Engines are free, haven't started them yet. 2 new batteries. The boat has been out of the water for 4 years. Floors are solid. The boat resides on the original triple axle Moody trailer, rated 9000lb. Tires good. Negotiated price $1500. My first Sea Ray, looking for opinions on value and about the 165's if they are good preforming motors for this vessel, of course providing they will crank. Stringers solid tansom too.
 
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first thing you'll need to do is get a mechanical survey completed. This will let you know just how good the engines are, as well as the condition of your outdrives. Repair of these items is quite expensive, and I'd be suspect of a boat that sat for 4 years. You most likely will require some maintenance on the outdrives at the very least.

Gregg
 
I just bought the same boat off my Dad only it's a 78, same configuration thou. He's had it since 82. Love the boat and very solid. It's been in plenty big weather all around the Great Lakes. Still very solid after all these years. The 165's do very well, run around 55mph. Run nice and smooth. Gimbal bearings and sloppy steering need a look at. Just a very fun and practical boat. Only thing bad, some people might not like how much it leans over while in a tighter turns. Maybe common on earlier Sea Rays?? I seam to like it actually.

Sounds like a deal to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's mine!!

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22948
 
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The port gimble bearing has been replaced and the starboard exhaust manifold has been replaced as well.
Thanks for the replies and support.
 
ghuskin said:
first thing you'll need to do is get a mechanical survey completed. This will let you know just how good the engines are, as well as the condition of your outdrives. Repair of these items is quite expensive, and I'd be suspect of a boat that sat for 4 years. You most likely will require some maintenance on the outdrives at the very least.

Gregg
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So how much would a mechanical survey cost on average? Never had one done.
 
Terry,

I'm not really sure. I bet it depends on the amount of time involved, number of engines/drives, etc. Best to contact some mechanics in your area that are certified for your power plants.

Whatever the cost, it will surely be cheaper than the potential repairs.

Gregg
 
Those are bad engines, avoid them if you can. Parts are hard to find and they run rough even when they run good. Try to get something with a current motor, or at least one that they still make like the chevy 4.3 or 5.7 litre.
 
The best answer I can give you as to value is to ask a question: how much work are you willing/able to do yourself? You are going to want to go thru the engines and outdrives, as well as assessing the condition of all systems, upgrading where necessary.
 
berth control said:
Those are bad engines, avoid them if you can. Parts are hard to find and they run rough even when they run good. Try to get something with a current motor, or at least one that they still make like the chevy 4.3 or 5.7 litre.
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your thinking of the 4 cylinder 165
in 74 they would have been the 250 chevy in-line 6 and they ran like sewing machines. great little motors

you are correct about the 470-165 hp 4 cylinders however
 
The boat resides on the original triple axle Moody trailer, rated 9000lb. Tires good.
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really tough to tell how good trailer tires are by looking. need to look at date stamp to be sure. don't want any thing older than 5 years. not a deal breaker but figure on 6 new tires and if you don't need them--then a + later.
if you can, jack up each wheel and spin. look for wobble and noise. should spin easy with a slight rubbing sound from brakes and no play if pulling and pushing with one hand on top and one on bottom of tire.
 
Again, thanks for all the responses. Another question, would it be worth while to put a macerator head back in
or leave the porta pot?
 
terry; we have a porta pot and looked for a boat set up that way.
if you boat where you have pump outs available the tank set up is great.
we however don't have access to pump out and need to be able to carry the pot to a dump.
i don't think there are any rivers or lakes you can dump raw waste into, directly out of the pot.
 
Well wanted to provide an update on the boat since so many responded to try to help with my decision. I went to inspect the boat yesterday. It appeared to be in good structural condition until I ventured into the cockpit and cabin area. The boat has apparently had 10-12 inches of water in it for some time which was recently pumped out. Still wet and water lines 10-12 inches up in the cabin floor and bathroom door. Floor in the cabin area soft step to bow. Apparent transom rot by evidence of the swim platform pulling away from the transom. This also leads me to believe that with this much water in the boat at one time that it probably has reached the stringers as well. Trailer needs 3 axles. Easier to replace axles than to replace hubs and wheels and tires all on the original axles. One of the engines did turn over the other isn't getting fire to the starter probably due to a short because of the water damage. So needless to say this has turned into a project expected to consume $2-4k to bring back looks more like $6-8K now in addition to the $1500 purchase price of course. The seller did offer to reduce the price by another $500 to help bringing it to $1000 total purchase price. Very nice of the gentleman. More than I want to spend on a project since they are going for $4-6k in excellant condition everywhere right now.
 
There should be plenty of boats on the market now in that price range after Labor Day; you might check Craigslist in your area. It does sound like this one is a good one to walk away from, and yet you've still learned something from the investigation.
 
The boat has apparently had 10-12 inches of water
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surprised_baby_2.jpg
 
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