1989 Sea Ray 160 Bowrider

Hey everyone.
Extremely new to the boating scene in general. Currently have a 14' Jon Boat and I'm looking to upgrade to a 1989 16' Sea Ray. I've found one for sale for $1500. Motor seems to run fine, started right up. It's a 3.0L. I know that I'm going to have to do some repairs to the boat as the floor boards are rotted through in places and much of the vinyl needs replacing.
Question is in two parts.
1. Assuming the motor is, indeed, alright. Is the replacing of the wood floors and the vinyl worth it?
2. I'm going to be trailering this boat pulling it with a 1999 Dodge Dakota with a 3.9L V6. Do y'all feel that that's enough truck to pull it?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Welcome to CSR!

This question gets asked a lot here and the answer varies greatly. The motor and condition of the hull need to be determined. If the motor is sound and has good compression the next step is the hull.

If the floor is rotten in some parts then it's likely the stringers are also rotten in places. Once you get in this deep it gets expensive to do it right. You might be able to cut some corners and save some cash if you're just trying to get a few seasons out of the boat.

Vinyl replacement is very expensive. To do a whole boat could cost you upwards of $3k if you wan't a nice looking boat. Once again, you could probably save some money by cutting corners if you're only looking to get a few seasons left out of a dying boat.

As far as the truck, you've got plenty of power to tow the vehicle and I believe that chassis is rated for at least 6,000 lbs so you should be ok there.

Figure out your long term goals, are you keeping it a long time or for a few seasons? If you wan't a boat that's going to be around for a while I'd look for something newer, around the same price as all the cost of this boat plus repairs. You'll be a happier boater in the long run.

If you're looking to just slap some more plywood over the rotten floor and get busy boating for a few seasons till the floor is rotten again look further into repairing this boat.

Sounds like you’re going to be putting way more money, work, and time than the boat is worth.
It’s really hard to save money by buying a project as opposed to buying a good boat.
I picked up a 2005 18’ Maxum Bowrider with a 3.0 for my kids a couple of years ago with an older, but serviceable trailer, for 4K. The boat doesn’t have an hour meter, but it was used very little by the previous owners. At this point I’m probably in to it for another 1500 after two full seasons of the kids using it.
Sounds like you may wind up with much more in to yours before you get done.
The Maxum was all there, motor ran good, but it was cosmetically neglected with some deferred maintenance. It needed a good scrub down, polish, wax, plugs, wires, a few connections under the dash cleaned up, and bottom painting to get in the water a week later. Basically, mostly work with little money.
Before the second season I proactively did the exhaust and bellows, and spray painted the vinyl. That was more money than work because I did the exhaust and spray painting with my son, but paid someone to do the bellows.
I’ll probably do the steering cable this year ($120.00) with my son.
If you can swing it, look for a closer to turn key boat for more money. You’ll likely save in the long run.

Well ,as it turns out, the floor wasn't rotten!! It was just an access panel! Piece of cake to fix! Now I just have one question. Where the heck does one attach an anchor?

FelixTCat said:

Well ,as it turns out, the floor wasn't rotten!! It was just an access panel! Piece of cake to fix! Now I just have one question. Where the heck does one attach an anchor?

Click to expand...

You’ll probably have to install a cleat centerline up on the bow if you don’t have one.

FelixTCat said:

Now I just have one question. Where the heck does one attach an anchor?

Click to expand...

Doesn't that model already have a single cleat on the bow?

Make sure the motor mounts are sound and push up and down on the out drive to see if the transom flexes. Either would be a very bad omen.