Thinking of getting an older sea ray as a 2ed boat

J

jones20992

New Member
Jun 8, 2014
14
wyoming
Boat Info
1996 230 Signature bowrider
1994 k3500 cc drw 7.4 tbi my current towing rig
Engines
5.7 Alpha I with SE116 upper
Would like one just for fishing so I would like an inboard and not a stern drive
Overnight stays so a cuddy is a must a stove for eggs and a fridge for beer would be nice, whats the shortest older sea ray that fits the bill?
 
Ive been looking a lot at those
 
How about a completely rebuilt 340 Sundancer? Check ad in Clubsearay classifieds.
 
Small is relative I guess. 300 is large to me lol...

My first thoughts were a 210 or 245 Cuddy Fisherman or an Amberjack like a 255. But I don't think any came with stoves. Those are the models that I think of when I think of Sea Ray fishing boats. Have to bring along a Coleman stove. But inboards probably don't go smaller than the 300?

Those models in the 82 brochure. http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNJ8G368.pdf
 
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fwebster said:
Don't know about the shortest, but the best small Sea Ray inboard for fishing is the 300 Weekender.
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When I was searching the classics, it was rare to find an inboard in models smaller than the 300, so I'm with Frank. The WE has great creature comforts for sleeping/cooking, but more cockpit space than the same era/size DA so better for fishing. (Had I not had my heart set on the extra sleeping space of the DA, there'd be a WE in my slip right now!)
 
Whats the overall hight of your boat when trailered?
 
jones20992 said:
Whats the overall hight of your boat when trailered?
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Keel to top of the very short mast light is over 11', so I think on the low boy trailer we were 13' or slightly lower, but on the transport trailer it might have been nearing 14'. I've seen some without the hard arch, though, which saves a foot or so.

How often do you plan to trailer? If you're truly looking for a smaller boat you'll trailer frequently, a 300 may not work well. My 89 has an 11' beam; even if you have the right rig to haul it, it's a LOT of boat to pull and splash, and you may be limited on what ramps can accommodate it. Sea Ray narrowed the beam slightly in later years, but it's still a lot of boat!

Hopefully some others can chime in about smaller boats that have inboards....if not, maybe widen your specs on engine type?
 
I Routinely tow 15k lbs with my current tow rig, and as long as im not over 15ft high and 12'6" wide permits are not much of an issue as well as ramps for the 7 local lakes I frequent. And at 33ft iam about 30ft shorter then towing my boat behind my 5th wheel camper and I could back up at the truck stops along the way without dropping the boat. I would like an inboard due to the issue with the sterndrive / deadrise issue with side imaging sonar and I would like to be able to stand at the transom to fish I would like a larger beem as my current 8'6" gets a little crowded with 4 down riggers and 9 total poles
 
Perfect--helps to know what YOU consider manageable. Sounds like a classic 300 WE may be a great fit, after all.
 
Look around for an early 80's 270 with inboards. They are rare these days, but there may be one or two out there.
 
Have an '81 245 we have been fixing up for weekend fishing trips. Sleeps 4 and very functional as a fish slayer. High deck in rear so lots of room for landing them. Have seen similar models in the 22' size but would imagine they are a bit tighter. This one is a nice size for trailering and pretty efficient on the water. We pack an 8' skiff on the roof for shore trips and has lots of extra storage in the engine compartment. Double + V berth, fridge, stove, gas and bus heaters, sink and a porta potty. We do most of our cooking with a portable bbq on the deck. The kicker is on a swivel mount and is kept tucked in when not fishing. The 2 coolers in the back are both full
 

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Thornton69 said:
Have an '81 245 we have been fixing up for weekend fishing trips. Sleeps 4 and very functional as a fish slayer. High deck in rear so lots of room for landing them. Have seen similar models in the 22' size but would imagine they are a bit tighter. This one is a nice size for trailering and pretty efficient on the water. We pack an 8' skiff on the roof for shore trips and has lots of extra storage in the engine compartment. Double + V berth, fridge, stove, gas and bus heaters, sink and a porta potty. We do most of our cooking with a portable bbq on the deck. The kicker is on a swivel mount and is kept tucked in when not fishing. The 2 coolers in the back are both full
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thats a really cool boat.
 
Is the a hard to or was the bridge removed? This is a cool looking boat and seems to be very versatile.
 
This was a custom build by Sea Ray in 1981 I was told. They have no build info on it. The model is a 245SDC. It never had a bridge. I had the arch built. I have seen similar style tops on 22-24's on some late 70's models. Their cabin and window layout was a bit different though. If a person can find one in great shape they make a great weekender and fishing boat. I also updated it with a 5.7 Vortec/Bravo 2. It's pretty efficient or at least better than similar sized boats we go out with. We normally cruise around at around 21 knots (3200-3300 rpm) for between 8-9 gph. Thanks for the compliments!
 
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jones20992 said:
Would like one just for fishing so I would like an inboard and not a stern drive
Overnight stays so a cuddy is a must a stove for eggs and a fridge for beer would be nice, whats the shortest older sea ray that fits the bill?
Click to expand...

Well I have the sv220 high top stove was a option



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Thornton69 said:
Have an '81 245 we have been fixing up for weekend fishing trips. Sleeps 4 and very functional as a fish slayer. High deck in rear so lots of room for landing them. Have seen similar models in the 22' size but would imagine they are a bit tighter. This one is a nice size for trailering and pretty efficient on the water. We pack an 8' skiff on the roof for shore trips and has lots of extra storage in the engine compartment. Double + V berth, fridge, stove, gas and bus heaters, sink and a porta potty. We do most of our cooking with a portable bbq on the deck. The kicker is on a swivel mount and is kept tucked in when not fishing. The 2 coolers in the back are both full
Click to expand...

Yes that's a calendar picture for sure nice looking boat


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