1978 240 Weekender

[MoleTwin]

Hello Everyone,

I just found a 1978 240 Weekender for sale that appears to be in excellent condition. I'm new to power boating and have a few questions for you guys. First, the engine has just over 1,000 hours on it. If properly maintained (and I plan to have a mechanic friend check it out) how well do these engines tend to hold-up. I'd hate to buy the boat and have the engine go out on me. I realize that that's a subjective question as it depends on use and care etc. But could you share your experiences with me? I fully expect to have a few repairs pop-up but would hate to have to buy a new engine.

I plan to use the boat on lake Michigan and some smaller nearby lakes and rivers. How does she do on a big lake if it gets a bit wavy? I'm not looking to go out in foul weather but would be curious to hear your thoughts on how one of these does on the great lakes in general?

Also, I see that the boat has back to back seats that go flat and an aft seat that looks large enough to lie on. We are a family of 4 and once in a blue moon might want to all sleep aboard. If my wife and 2 daughters squeeze into the bow are the outside seats comfortable enough for dear old dad to sleep on.

The boat has a bimini, but not a camper back. As the boat is going for 3 grand I wouldn't want to spend a fortune on a camper back (assuming I could find one) but can you have camper backs made for these? If I do wind up sleeping outside it might be nice to be covered. But I'm guessing having one made would cost more than it's worth.

Finally the boat has a toilet onboard. Are these the kind where, like in my RV, you can just pump them out do they have a removable tank that you have to empty?

I'm pretty excited to have found this boat as it has more or less been fully restored. New upholstery etc.

Well, thanks for your help with this everyone,

Mark

 

[dvx216]

I have a 230 weekender which is set up like this 240 last spring had camper top made for my boat which include new bimini top on existing frame new windows new frame for the back part and it cost $1.700.00. Toilet could be a pump out tank or portable style.The Back to back seats you can fold down and sleep on but my 6'3" tall son says that they are not very comfortable.Don't forget the condition of the trailer's brakes, bunks, rollers and tires all add up also to repair.If you are handy with a wrench or know someone that is a boat like this is affordable to own. But if you plan on a marine mechanic to do all the maintenance and repairs then this boat is no cheaper then a boat that is much larger and you would be further ahead to get something a little newer. Remember the only reason boats are costly to own is a lot of people do not maintain them and when something breaks it damages other part along with it.If you were a experienced boater then you could be the judge but you are not by the sounds of it. You could be buying a good boat if it was taken care of.If it wasn't taken care of you could be buying a $3,00.00 pile of fiberglass and rotten wood.If you are willing to roll the dice and not mind risking $3,000.00 then go for it but if you are not pay someone to survey it for you they will check everything and give you a bill of health.I think in your case this would be a good idea and in the end the survey will save you a bunch of money if there is something wrong.

 

[MoleTwin]

Thanks very much for the information on the camper-top and advice. I will plan to have it thoroughly checked out before buying the boat. I should have mentioned that my friend that I'm bringing along is a retired mechanic who has been restoring boats for many years. Although this is my first boat purchase, I grew up in a family of sailors and have seen how expensive repairs can be and the importance of staying on top of maintenance. And although I'm decent with a wrench and don't mind (actually enjoy) a bit of tinkering, I'm not looking for a rehab project. If there are any issues, I'll take a pass on this one. My sense after talking to the owner, who went on at length about the engine maintenance, new upholstery, teak etc. is that this one was well maintained. The seller is an older gentlemen not well enough to use the boat anymore. Fingers crossed that it is, as it appears, a well cared-for older boat.

Your camper-top looks great, by the way. I'll let you know how it pans out

 

[dvx216]

The cost of having my two back to back seats redone was $700.00. Sounds like you have a good game plan and are covering all the bases Good luck

 

[moparlvr4406]

AWESOME BOATS !!!
will take anything you throw at them within reason

 

[MoleTwin]

Thanks Guys! I bought the boat today!! :grin:

The engine checked out and overall it's in very good shape for it's age. You can tell that this guy babied the boat. But.. The rear left and right seats were removed by the original owner and are missing. So there are two very nice back-to back front seats and there is the seat over the engine compartment but nothing to the left or right where the two aft seats usually are.

I'd like to put some seats back in there however. I realize it's darned near winter, but any chance when it warms up you could snap a picture of how the rear seats are attached? Or even what the supports for them look like? There are just a couple of screw holes in the fiberglass where the seats would normally be. Were they permanently affixed or removable? I'd like to replicate them, And have cushions the same height made, so that we can seat three across in the back.

Thanks very much,

Mark (A very excited new boat owner)

 

[dvx216]

It will cost a little more but a good upholstery shop can make them and then they will match the rest of the boat

 

[MoleTwin]

Here are a few pics of the boat. As you'll see the aft left and right cushions are missing somewhat of a mystery as to the exact size of and how the original cushions were mounted. I can guess but if anyone has the dimensions and could tell me if there is a bracket or anything attaching the backrests that would be awesome!

 

[MoleTwin]

I had trouble uploading my other pics... Let's see if this link works:

Please see a few more photos here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/photos/album/list/gAZb3ipiSciuNP0YsNlQlA

 

[El Capitan]

1. AWESOME BOATS !!!

will take anything you throw at them within reason

Is is there an official SRV240 thread?

 

[El Capitan]

I know this boat. Only reason I didn't purchase was OMC drive w 240hp vs 5.7L mercruiser set up but it is a nice boat.

I was was about to go look at one w twin 4-bangers but got sold fast.

have fun w her.

 

[MoleTwin]

Hi Everyone,

As I shared previously, I bought the 1978 Sea Ray SRV 240 over the winter. Thanks everyone for your advice and patience answering my questions. Well, the boat went in the water for the first time this weekend. Getting it there the previous weekend was not without a few hiccups (I'll explain shortly the dumbest thing I hope I ever do involving my boat) and I also had a few glitches once she was in the water. But I am extremely happy with the boat. We found a beautiful harbor on the Saint Joseph River in Michigan, just 20 minutes from the campground where we have our Travel Trailer all summer. What's nice about the location is that you can either cruise the river or head out on Lake Michigan. And it was sooooooo reasonably priced compared to harbors right on the lake.

Okay, first the the "oops" I had on my way to take the boat to the harbor. Mind you, the weather that day started with Snow (yes in April!) and ended with Rain. It was the only day my friend (whose truck we were using) had free for the next few weeks so off we went. Now, before leaving I took stock of where the gas tank cap was etc. Ok, just next to the marine radio antenna.. easy!

So we stop at the gas station on the way to the harbor and I start pumping the gas and then I look to my left and realize that there is cap that says "Gas" on it. And that's not the one that the gas is going into. I'd put several gallons of gas into the Waste Tank!! How did I do that, besides the fact that it was raining sideways and hard to see? Well, with the antenna folded down, there are two sides to the antenna. One cap is by one side.. the other is by the other side. Duf!!

Now I'm pretty sure that the gas millage will improve once I start putting the gas in the right tank! I pumped the boat out and it smells less like the Exson Valdez but ... not exactly daisy fresh.

Okay, On to the first weekend:

- Saturday Sunny and in the low 70's Check!
- Engine Fires up and purrs like a kitten Check!
- I realize that there's some water on the floor of the cabin - Hmmm better check the Bilge pump... The one in the engine compartment is humming but nothing's coming out
- The switch for the one in the cabin wasn't on (my bad)
- More water appears to be coming in... not just rain water.. Un Check!
- I notice water was squirting out of one of the winterizing Petcocks... Hmmm Not good.. I tighten it... It starts shooting out even more. Un Check!

Yep, the bilge pump was worn out and one of the Petcocks was defective / worn out. The guy at the boat shop was nice enough to take one off of an old engine he had lying around and clean it up for me. Then he recommended a bilge pump with built-in float.

Okay, we're back in business Check!
Only no matter what I did the pump only would come on... when it was out of the water and turn off when in water. I thought it was my lack of electrical skills, but a friend checked and sure enough... it was wired up correctly. The switch inside the replacement pump I'd bought was backwards!!

Oh well, time to put the new Petcock in! (2 hours later I manage to get the old fitting out and new one in) Check!
Back to the boat store (now closed... It's Sunday) Harrumph!

...

Long story short, I didn't wind up taking my kids out for a ride as planned, but they enjoyed making new friends at the harbor and Fishing (see my 11 year old in front of the boat with her new fishing pole!)

And I added to my list of things in need of fixing:

- Fresh Water Pump (I still haven't figured where it's located.)
- Fuse Holder (I broke off a fuse that was stuck in the holder for the one for the bilge pump after shorting it out.)
- Drip from bathroom ceiling (I think it's a bolt above it that may need to be sealed.)
- Slightly loose alternator belt

But she's a beauty! See pic:

http://clubsearay.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=44196&d=1460996485

The good news:

- GPS / Fishfinder installed
- Stereo Installed
- Interior Cabin Lights fixed
- Wood supports built for missing aft right and left cockpit seats

Still to be done:
- Making cushions for missing outside seats.
- Making replacement V-birth drop-in cushions for cabin


I know it sounds as if I'm grumbling... I'm truly very happy with the boat, and expected some glitches, given what I paid for her. I also have learned that I'm not as handy as I'd like to think I am and that sometimes it's worth hiring a technician, vs. stumbling along trying to fix things yourself.

I do have a few Newbee questions for you more seasoned boaters:

1.) Until now I've only ever driven a sail-boat with an inboard diesel. Let's just say the first time I tried to dock the boat at the pump-out must have been amusing for others to watch! Moe responsive and way more horsepower. It took me by surprise.
- I figured out that to prime the engine you move the throttle back and forth. But one thing I'm not clear on is if you can increase the RPM (to avoid stalling) while in Neutral. It seems like when I move the throttle forward it immediately goes into forward. My Dad's sailboat had a neutral setting and you could also give it some gas (the throttle was separate from the forward/reverse lever.) Any tips? In the cool morning weather the boat kind of sputtered when I'd start her up at first.

2.) Has anyone added a cleat for a spring line (mid ship?) I was surprised that the boat only has fore and aft cleats. Is it hard to install one?

Well, thanks again. The next time I post, I'm hoping that it's to say that the maiden journey went well!!

Happy Boating,

Mark

 

[cmount1]

There should be a button at the pivot point of the throttle lever to keep the boat in neutral and allow you to work the throttle(carburetor) only. Depress the button and move the lever forward, please note the button should stay depressed once you move it forward. At that point you can pump the lever as needed to start the engine and find a position to keep the rpm up until she’s warm enough to idle. To engage the trans simply pull the lever back to the neutral position which will allow the button to pop out. Once the button has popped move the lever forward or backwards to propel the boat in the desired direction. Be careful not to move the lever into gear to aggressively which will cause a quick response from the boat. Also there’s a point in which the engagement can be too slow, you’ll be able to recognize when that’s the case.

When docking move SLOW, bump her in and out of gear just enough to control the boat, speed is your enemy.

 

[Bob78]

I also own a 1978 Sea Ray 240 Weekender with tilt-out windshields that I bought for $3K a number of years ago. Will post pics soon of upgrades, but project now is the windshield and I could use some help if anyone has done a windshield restoration. Are there any part #'s or specs for the weatherstripping? How is the frame assembly attached to the hull? How many screws? Between hull and frame is there a bedding gasket? Or glued down? Experimented with part of the frame - applied original formula EasyOff to remove anodizing, multiple sandpapers to a satin finish, then rouge and buffer - came out like a mirror, then aluminum wax and sealer, holding up very well. It's removing and re-installing the glass I need help with along with new weather-stripping. Would appreciate any suggestions.