1979 Sea Ray Windows...why some flair outwards and some tilt back?

W

wortloch

New Member
Apr 21, 2016
9
United States
Boat Info
1979 sundancer srv 260 with the windows that flair outward.
Engines
(2) mercruiser 170/460 engines w/alpha one outdrives
I can seem to figure out exactly what model 1979 Sea Ray I'm thinking of purchasing? The title says it's a 26' boat.

I keep seeing that some have windows that flair forward and some tilt back. Why are they different.

The one that I'm looking at has windows that tilt forward.

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I had the same boat except with a single 350. it was easer to clean the windshield, I rarely saw them on the waer
 
I've never been in one of those boats. But would it cut down on glare by having the window angled forward?
 
That is the same question I have. I have a 1979 SRV 245 or 260 Sundancer (I'm not sure what the exact model is). The one I have does not have a separate cabin seating area, just the table that goes in the v-berth. What year is yours?
 
Do you have pictures of your 1979 Sea Ray 26 Sundancer? I would love to see it. I just inherited at 240 sundancer/SRV 245.
 
I owned a new 26 foot, '79 Express Cruiser. A friend had a '79 Sundancer. The Expresses of that era had the conventional windshield slanting aft. The Sundancers had the Venturi style windshields.
 
Two great projects. Restoring a 1970's SR....AND......finding a leisure suit to wear while driving it!

I'm feeling an Eric Estrada moment coming on!!!!!

On a serious note. Please check parts availability for the engines prior to purchase. That may prove to be an issue.
 
dpmulvey said:
On a serious note. Please check parts availability for the engines prior to purchase. That may prove to be an issue.
Click to expand...

The engines were mostly 350 cubic inch 260HP GM blocks. I don't remember what the outdrives were, but parts for those could well be an issue. My neighbor just sold an older Chris Craft that ran fine, but used a impeller for cooling that is apparently no longer manufactured.
 
sbw1 said:
The engines were mostly 350 cubic inch 260HP GM blocks. I don't remember what the outdrives were, but parts for those could well be an issue. My neighbor just sold an older Chris Craft that ran fine, but used a impeller for cooling that is apparently no longer manufactured.
Click to expand...

I was under the impression the OP "bio"...Join date, location,,..... was referring to the SR he was looking at purchasing. I read that as 4 cylinder 170's. Old marinized Chevy Vega engines? I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
 
The mere 470's were a Mercruiser 4 cylinder block with a ford 460 head.
 
dpmulvey said:
I was under the impression the OP "bio"...Join date, location,,..... was referring to the SR he was looking at purchasing. I read that as 4 cylinder 170's. Old marinized Chevy Vega engines? I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
Click to expand...

Yep. You are right. I missed that. Not sure about the Vega engine part although I owned a new '73 Vega. That car alone should rule out using its engines in a boat as it was one of the all time worst engines ever sold to the public. Believe it or not, there was a 26 foot Express sold in West Michigan with twin 260s in it. Easily spotted as its water line was always under water in the aft end when tied up. Must have been a really fast boat.
 
Had a buddy that had an '84 260 'Dancer with twin 350's. It was fast, but my '83 with a single 502 could still out run it.

Totally agree with you about the Vega. I drove a '76 Pontiac Astre (the high class version of the Vega). It was a complete POS. At least it was simple enough to keep running relatively cheaply. Gaud-awful car, though... The engine had a completely flat torque curve (none at any RPM). You had to time it to 60 with a calendar, it only got about 18mpg, and always burned oil. But at least the engine was unreliable, and noisy with a lot of vibration.
 
I would like to know how you could even fit a pair of V8's into an 8' beam and have room to work on them. My 1980 260 has twin 470s and getting to the heat exchanger and PS cooler on the starboard engine is...lets just say interesting. God forbid I ever have to replace a starter on it or a fuel pump on the port engine. I am going through replacing lower shift cables right now on it and to reach down to them you have to lay across the tops of the engines.
 
I have a 1980 the windshield slants aft and has a hard fiberglass roof, someone before me added a alaskan bulkhead with a nice door so it is great when the weather is bad but wish there was a way to easily remove it in the summer. Mine came with a mercruiser 260 chevy 350, parts are readily available for it and I believe it is an alpha drive and parts for that are easy to get also.
 
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