New/Old Seville II 5.6 CC (1986)

So, I got this boat as a bit of a restoration for the kids and I. It was a lovely little cuddy in her day but she's been a fisherman's hole in the water so has gotten little more than gas for the last few years. We'd like to bring it back to a little cuddy for the three of us (single dad and 2 kids) and there are some things we can't figure out. I'm hoping other owners can fill us in.

1. The Seville II is supposed to have "dash visors". What are these and are they replaceable?
2. The seats are supposed to be adjustable and lay flat. Previous owner just screwed in new seats but how were these supposed to work? Can they be upgraded?
3. Was there ever back cushions for the two rear seats? If not, there may be soon
   
4. The cuddy looks like it was supposed to have an area for a portapotty and a cushion over top. Mine has three cushions (in fashionable nearly "garbage bag" upholstery), one "D" shaped at the front and one on each side, each resting on wood There are two short wood runners under the front cushion but I don't understand what they're for and don't see how I'd put a cushion over the spot that I assume is for the head. Can someone send me a pic of how this "over potty" cushion is supposed to work?

Exciting times. So far the main structure seems sound so it's just some dry rotted upholstery wood and vinyl along with some rock incursions to deal with. I'm sure it's worse than I think but we can all dream, right?

Cheers!

Bluebeard, I am very familiar with this model as I refurbished a 1984 5.6 Seville for a friend a few years back. Can you post some pictures to go along with your questions?

But before you get too wrapped up in whether it has a potty you need to find out some other very important things. Again, pictures of the boat would be good and you stated the boat has been somewhat neglected for a number of years. The Sevilles were Sea Ray's "entry-level" boat and while they were still a good boat there were some corners cut to make them more affordable. Before proceeding to dump a lot of money into a 32 year old boat you need to find out if the floor, stringers and transom are solid and free of rot. The best way to do this is to find a professional Marine Surveyor and have him "sound the boat" and check it with a moisture meter. this service might cost you a few hundred dollars but you do not want to proceed with your plans only to find out later the boat needs a transom or stringer rebuilt costing thousands of dollars.

I am not trying to dampen your enthusiasm but operating this boat with bad stringer or transom could be putting your family in danger.

Once that is out of the way I would like to know what engine your boat has. It may need the outdrive serviced and I can help you with that. The Seville I refurbed had been sitting uncovered in a field for about 2 1/2 years before I started on it.

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures and seriously, get those items checked. You can do an online search for a surveyor in your area. Just search, "Marine Surveyor." Good luck
Shawn

I missed the 5.6 in your title... We owned the 6.3 same year it was the first boat we ever purchased bought it brand new from the Sea Ray dealer in Toronto.

I came across it a few years ago up in the Trent Severn and took these pics



On ours the potty had a triangle shaped cushion over it. There were two teak rails running along side the walkway where you would put in two planks across the walkway and two rectangular cushions would cover it....so the cuddy ended up being one big bed

Not sure what you mean by dash visors

Yes the seats folded flat and there were back cushions on either side of the engine cover

NorCal Boater said:

Can you post some pictures to go along with your questions?

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Of course, posting them here now.

NorCal Boater said:

Before proceeding to dump a lot of money into a 32 year old boat you need to find out if the floor, stringers and transom are solid and free of rot. The best way to do this is to find a professional Marine Surveyor and have him "sound the boat" and check it with a moisture meter. this service might cost you a few hundred dollars but you do not want to proceed with your plans only to find out later the boat needs a transom or stringer rebuilt costing thousands of dollars.

Click to expand...

I have tapped a lot (I found a few rotted boats before this one) and will likely drill to look for rotted wood directly or ask for a survey. I expect that it will need a transom and maybe some stringers/floor at some point but maybe not for a few years yet. Previous owner used it regularly last year and it's been stored in a dry garage so there's hope.

NorCal Boater said:

I am not trying to dampen your enthusiasm but operating this boat with bad stringer or transom could be putting your family in danger.

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I really appreciate the advice and warnings--it's why I asked. Thank you . What's the danger? I can see leaks. In extreme cases, I imagine it could sink but I'd think there would be *some* warning. Break-up should be pretty unlikely if there's no soft spots when tapped, no?

NorCal Boater said:

Once that is out of the way I would like to know what engine your boat has.

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Mercruiser 3.0 140 HP with an Alpha One outdrive and stock prop (according to the prop chart). Ran fine last year, turns over but doesn't start at the moment (winterized). I expect to change all fluids (engine oil, outdrive oil, power steering fluid, trim rams), cap, wires, plug, and filter in the spring when its time to try starting it. The engine control has a shifter button that is very 'soft' and has a nice detent but doesn't seem to keep it in neutral. I think I can take that apart and see if something can be adjusted to make it lock more firmly

NorCal Boater said:

It may need the outdrive serviced and I can help you with that. The Seville I refurbed had been sitting uncovered in a field for about 2 1/2 years before I started on it.

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What would I look for to know if that needs to be serviced?

NorCal Boater said:

I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures and seriously, get those items checked. You can do an online search for a surveyor in your area. Just search, "Marine Surveyor." Good luck
Shawn

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Thanks!

Blueone said:

I missed the 5.6 in your title... We owned the 6.3 same year it was the first boat we ever purchased bought it brand new from the Sea Ray dealer in Toronto.

I came across it a few years ago up in the Trent Severn and took these pics

Click to expand...

That's a pretty boat. The 6.0 must be fairly roomy. The 5.6 is really just meant to be for messing around with me and the kids and, honestly, I'm looking forward to the projects to dress up this particular pig. Not sure if she'll be as yar as yours but we can try.

Blueone said:

On ours the potty had a triangle shaped cushion over it. There were two teak rails running along side the walkway where you would put in two planks across the walkway and two rectangular cushions would cover it....so the cuddy ended up being one big bed

Click to expand...

I see two teak rails under the bow cushion so I guess the wood slid on those. Hmm, I'll have to look at that some more. Seems like a simple piece, maybe 1/4 inch would do for this since it's a short span?

[

Blueone said:

Not sure what you mean by dash visors

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Me neither. It was in the brochure:

Blueone said:

Yes the seats folded flat and there were back cushions on either side of the engine cover

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Perfect, I'll plan to do all of that. Having a really hard time finding how the folding seats reclined. I'd be happy to order a mechanism or fab something up but it's best to know what I'm looking for.

Back cushions seemed likely. Sewing is easy winter/rainy day work so it's good to have the queued up when I can. Thought cushions can be recovered whether I'm replacing the transom or not and will certainly be an upgrade from "bin liner" (actually black vinyl but certainly upholstered as if it was just plastic).

Thanks, Gents.

The photos:


Ugly upholstery and missing cushion



Engine:



yes, I know it needs carpet and vinyl but that's the point of this project but see where it seems to want a back cushion

I found a couple of pics of the one I refurbed a few years ago. They really don't show what you needed to see. Sorry, I don't have any of the inside.



This one is an '84 and also had the 3.0L, 140HP and it was pretty rough when I started on it. It had a very solid floor, stringers and transom.

Your first post describes your boat as pretty rough and neglected. In my mind I would assume everything was bad and be happily surprised if anything wasn't. If you don't know when the outdrive was last serviced I would plan on doing the water pump, bellow (drive shaft & exhaust), changing the gear lube and the lower shift cable and then taking a hard look at the gimbal bearing. These are all items that are often done at semi-annual service.

You didn't indicate in your first post that you had boating experience so that is a great plus. We so often get people that get a boat like yours as their first boat and have no clue what they're doing. You don't seem to be one of those guys.

The sliding back-to-back seats were mounted on an aluminum track. Each seat had an oval knob down along the side that was just a friction lock but loosening it allowed the seats to slide for and aft and even lay flat. I don't remember too much about the cuddy cabin and the head as the one I had was in good shape so I just left it alone. Sorry.

For me, Craigslist and eBay were my best friend. I found so many parts and even new Seville emblems.

Sounds like you will do fine. Keep us posted with pics of your progress.
Shawn


























So you asked what could happen if you didn't

Well, I don't have boating experience, just have read enough not to be over-optimistic. Survey planned ($200) for when the weather warms up but I'll probably drill test holes (1/4 inch from the inside, using 5200 to reseal) in the transom and stringers before then to be sure. Magic black boxes that read moisture through fiberglass don't give me full confidence. I'm sure it'll need stringers and transom at some point but will look to the surveyor's experience for the "when".

Weather is warming starting to warm up (not enough for resin work for another month) so the kids and I will drain gear oil, take off the outdrive, inspect bellows, check gimbal bearing, check alignment, replace the water pump, and lube it all up before putting it back and moving onto the engine. Lots of shiny components on the engine so I'm developing some optimism there and I really appreciate the advice.

Been trying to gather manuals and brochures and study other people's boats but there's only so much you get from photos so, much as I hate it, I think I'll be reinventing the wheel several times here.

From what I can tell, it has a bilge pump, but it's up on a flat, above the low point in the floor, does that make sense to anyone? I thought it'd be in the lowest spot.

Previous owner said it doesn't have a bilge blower (yup, you read that right but he also said it didn't have a bilge pump, so I guess we'll see). Any idea how these were installed if I need to install one? (reuseable info even if I have to tear the transom and stringers out eventually).

Love the photos of the boats you guys fixed up. They can really be pretty and that makes me very happy.

Check YouTube. There is sooo much useful info there. I rebuilt the Mercarb for the one I had by watching the video and following along. It's a great reference.

Hey folks

The mechanicals are generally sorted and the hull is intact so I'm looking to take it for a spin soon as a motivational tool for the rest of the work. However, there is no vinyl in the centre panel of the windshield. Taylor says they can get me the vinyl if I can give them a model number for the windshield, but I don't have one. Does anyone know what kind of vinyl it needs or have a part number for the windshield for these boats?

I recently got some window parts for my 1985 Cobalt from TaylorMade. I sent them close-up pictures of what I was trying to assemble and their customer service person hooked me up with one of the designer-engineers. Keep digging with them.