1981 Sea Ray Vanguard 31'

A

ACNETCOM

New Member
Nov 23, 2009
17
Plymouth, MA
Boat Info
1981 Sea Ray Vanguard 31'
Engines
Twin 454 Inboards
We purchased a Vangaurd 31' a few months ago. In the process of gutting the cabin and re-upholstering, just for personal preference reasons. There was nothing really wrong with it that we could tell. It really seems like a lot of boat, can't wait to finally get it into the water. I just don't see a lot written or talked about on the site. What are the pros and cons with this model? Anyone familiar with the boat that can give us any heads-up. Thanks
 
Kybishop, Thank you for letting us know about the Sea Ray link. That was pretty cool to see the photos of the day. A little dated, that is why we're re-upholstering ours! Even though the boat is sort of old she still looks pretty good.
 
I'd like to find one of those
 
I sold my 1979 300 Express to purchase a 1981 310 Sundancer with twin 454 V drives. I think its very similiar to the Vangaurd. My Sundancer has an aft cabin so there is alot more room than my Express that had strait drives. The archive was a big help cause there's not alot of these left to look at out there. It was already gutted when I got it so its been a challange getting it ready for next year. I have to put fur and carpet in the cabin and I'm still looking for some cockpit seating and some engine parts. Good luck with your project.
 
liftbridge said:
I sold my 1979 300 Express to purchase a 1981 310 Sundancer with twin 454 V drives. I think its very similiar to the Vangaurd. My Sundancer has an aft cabin so there is alot more room than my Express that had strait drives. The archive was a big help cause there's not alot of these left to look at out there. It was already gutted when I got it so its been a challange getting it ready for next year. I have to put fur and carpet in the cabin and I'm still looking for some cockpit seating and some engine parts. Good luck with your project.
Click to expand...


Sea Ray made the Vanguard in a Sundancer model, with a berth under the helm seat. You can tell if it is a Vanguard if it is 31' and has an integrated fiberglass bow pulpit.
 
Thanks for the reply, liftbridge, It is exciting to hear that you are interested in this model. It is also encouraging to see that you have taken on such an aggressive project. We just really needed to clean ours up a touch, but decided to update the cabin. All other systems checked out fine, hopefully thats the case once it hits the water. I'll try to post some pictures of our project. I hope that I can ask you occasionally for some first hand advice. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the info Crispy! Looking forward to some pics on your Vangaurd Acnetcom. Do you have a aft cabin? Mine has no cusions and I'd like to know how they cut them up. One big one or several smaller ones.
 
I'll post some photos of the 31' Vanguard the day we purchased it as soon as I figure out how to do so. No, there is no aft cabin in our model. It does technically have sleeping arrangements for seven down below, might not be the best configuration, we'll have to see. I have the cabin pretty well stripped at this time, all cushions (12) are out. Most of all carpet has been removed. We just have to make some final choices on the fabric, then we can start to put back together.
 
I've had one for over 15 years now. Keep it in the inner Mystic minutes away from Boston Harbor.

Great boat with a great look. I did a lot of work on the cabin and cockpit area over the past few years. I've received a comment or two on it.

Boat
NewBoat102.jpg


NewBoat092.jpg


Boat
 
Last edited:
PaulFM, those pictures are really sharp of your Vanguard! I can only hope to have ours look as good as yours in the future. I have it pretty much torn apart at this time, once the guy is done with the interior cushions I'll be able to piece it back together. Looking at the way you have yours restored I'm getting really excited for the weather to break.
 
Beautiful boat!

Boats hold up so much better in the frozen north. I swear some of the 30 and 40 year old boats I've seen from the Great Lakes region look like they've been in a time warp and just left the factory.

'Course, you can't use them year round...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,228
Messages
1,428,949
Members
61,119
Latest member
jingenio
Back
Top