1984 260 Sundancer - What Would You Do Next? (Lots of Pics)

DeBlasi

DeBlasi

New Member
Sep 18, 2007
20
New York
Boat Info
1984 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer
Engines
Alpha 1 5.7L
Before anything, I have to thank many of you on the boards who assisted in alot of issues I had with the boat (engine, electrical, etc). I searched and searched and searched the archives and never had a question unanswered. I see so many newbies jump with a question without doing a search first. And I chuckle knowing there's probably 25 answers to their question if they just looked. You guys were directly the result of me finally going in the direction I did this summer with some mechanics.

I got my 1984 260 Sundancer about 18 months ago. For the entire time (up until last month), I had a huge issue with the engine never going over 3400 RPM. Funny thing is that when I got her, cosmetically it was neglected really bad. But I was told the engine was rebuilt. When I went to insure it, they valued it at $3500.

One a**hole mechanic told me a few times to just 'use it as is and enjoy it until she dies'. Im glad I didnt take this idiot's advice and kept her parked most of the time. After changing so many things with no success, I finally had the engine pulled apart last month. Collapsed lifters, heads redone, holes in valve cover, wrong drive ratio, inches of sludge etc. What pissed me off the most was the bottom of the oil dipstick entry was crushed. So last year and this year, when I thought my mechanic was changing the oil, he was just filling it since he obviously couldnt get the tube all the way in. Bottom line is that I had everything repaired last month and she now runs beautiful.

So during this year, little by little, I worked on the cosmetic. I redid the pinstriping, dozens of hours waxing and bringing back the teak, installing many toys, changing some vinyl, repairing a rotted bench seat, the water system, fixed the fridge, installed alcohol / electric stove, portable AC, TV, new stereo, etc. Below are pics I shot this weekend. Its nice to know the insurance company now revalued the boat to $9800 (even though I know Id get maybe 1/2 in a sale). So my question(s) to everyone here is.... what would you do next (cosmetically), and is there anything you would change.

And PS: I know the Dri Dek is hard on the knees and feet. But I never walk barefoot on the boat, and to me I am so satisfied with it.

I appreciate any feedback good or bad. I can take criticizm so if you really dont like something, be honest.

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I see some one else had to do a lot of work to fix up their boat will I am in the same position. My boat needs a lot of work on it but I am enjoying it doing. I like to fix up old thing and bring back to life. Right now I could use some help My boat is a 1985 sea ray sundancer with a 260 engine. There is three thing I need some information on :smt017 1 the trim on the motor only work one way. I jump the soilnoid and by doing that I can make it go both ways.But it does not work by the switch. 2, I a have a wiring problem, can someone give me or tell me where I can get a wiring diagram of the gauges on the control panel, and number 3, I want to put new decals on the boat can you tell me how or what to use to get the old decall off the boat and what type of wax and cleaner you like. Thank you for the help John:smt038
 
DeBlasi said:
...So my question to everyone here is.... what would you do next (cosmetically), and is there anything you would change.

And PS: I know the Dri Dek is hard on the knees and feet. But I never walk barefoot on the boat, and to me I am so satisfied with it.
Click to expand...

Nice job...it looks great.

To answer your question...I'm not a fan of Dri Dek personally. It looks fine but I would look at some new carpet from Snapin Carpet -- www.snapincarpet.com.

Lookin' good....
.
 
Tonka Boater said:
It looks fine but I would look at some new carpet from Snapin Carpet -- www.snapincarpet.com.

.
Click to expand...


I agree looks great and thanks tonka for the carpet info, just what I needed.

I wonder if the Admin could create a folder, then sub-folder it and place all these great websites in it? One folder for parts, another for engines etc....

Then a member can add a website such as this to the folder so others can access it.
 
:smt001 Top off fuel and water and enjoy the work you put into this craft she looks great.:thumbsup: If you want another project new color for cushions,red helm is not my choice...mine is black and I will change to gray to match new mfd and gauges like the new sea rays I also added a radar arch and radar/sonar/gps/charts/dvd/vhf/am-fm,xm-sirus.sat-tv,cockpit lights.:smt038
DeBlasi said:
Before anything, I have to thank many of you on the boards who assisted in alot of issues I had with the boat (engine, electrical, etc). I searched and searched and searched the archives and never had a question unanswered. I see so many newbies jump with a question without doing a search first. And I chuckle knowing there's probably 25 answers to their question if they just looked. You guys were directly the result of me finally going in the direction I did this summer with some mechanics.

I got my 1984 260 Sundancer about 18 months ago. For the entire time (up until last month), I had a huge issue with the engine never going over 3400 RPM. Funny thing is that when I got her, cosmetically it was neglected really bad. But I was told the engine was rebuilt. When I went to insure it, they valued it at $3500.

One a**hole mechanic told me a few times to just 'use it as is and enjoy it until she dies'. Im glad I didnt take this idiot's advice and kept her parked most of the time. After changing so many things with no success, I finally had the engine pulled apart last month. Collapsed lifters, heads redone, holes in valve cover, wrong drive ratio, inches of sludge etc. What pissed me off the most was the bottom of the oil dipstick entry was crushed. So last year and this year, when I thought my mechanic was changing the oil, he was just filling it since he obviously couldnt get the tube all the way in. Bottom line is that I had everything repaired last month and she now runs beautiful.

So during this year, little by little, I worked on the cosmetic. I redid the pinstriping, dozens of hours waxing and bringing back the teak, installing many toys, changing some vinyl, repairing a rotted bench seat, the water system, fixed the fridge, installed alcohol / electric stove, portable AC, TV, new stereo, etc. Below are pics I shot this weekend. Its nice to know the insurance company now revalued the boat to $9800 (even though I know Id get maybe 1/2 in a sale). So my question(s) to everyone here is.... what would you do next (cosmetically), and is there anything you would change.

And PS: I know the Dri Dek is hard on the knees and feet. But I never walk barefoot on the boat, and to me I am so satisfied with it.

I appreciate any feedback good or bad. I can take criticizm so if you really dont like something, be honest.

-------------------------------------

00.jpg


01.jpg


03.jpg


02.jpg


05.jpg


14.jpg


2.jpg


15.jpg


9.jpg


7.jpg


8.jpg


3.jpg


10.jpg


13.jpg


12.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Beautiful boat! I love the mid 80's Cruisers and spent 2 years looking for the right Sundancer before I found my Express Cruiser. Take care of her and she'll treat you right. :)
 
Congratulations!!! She looks beautiful. I love the soft and "library" feel of the cabin with lots of wood. Now...... where are you going to put the microwave? : )hehehe
 
Whats not to like? She's beautiful!

Now questions. Whats the white thing to the left of the fridge? and whats the round white thing to the left of the aft windows on deck?

The ONLY thing I can find fault with is doesn't that Dri Dek stuff trap dirt & debris?

Hope you enjoy.
 
First of all...What a fantastic looking boat! All that wonderful teak and classic lines. Very nice. I'm a big fan of the older Searay's. To be completely honest though, that plastic flooring in the cockpit really takes away from everything. Something people on other boating forums would make fun of you about. Sorry, just being honest. Brian
 
Nice work! Now go out and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
 
KRB64 said:
Whats not to like? She's beautiful!

Now questions. Whats the white thing to the left of the fridge? and whats the round white thing to the left of the aft windows on deck?

The ONLY thing I can find fault with is doesn't that Dri Dek stuff trap dirt & debris?

Hope you enjoy.
Click to expand...


The thing next to the fridge is my antenna amplifier for the TV. I was going to hide it originally, but its not in the way and it allows me quick access to turn it up.

The round opening by the aft window is a vent I made for my portable A/C. I put it there so my vent hose only needs to run about 3 feet. Now with the weather cooling down, the A/C is home and that vent has a sealed cover.

To the post above about the dri-dek, I agree what you are saying. For me, since I do alot of fishing, it helps alot. And when I hose it down, anything underneath can still travel to the drains. It doesnt trap anything. But you do need a high pressure hose to get the sh** underneath to move past the mazed tiles. I really wanted to do carpet, but in NY with the seasons and all the fishing done, I think the carpet would ruin quick.

I went with Burgandy on the Dri-Dek not just because it matched. A few other colors would have matched too. But I went with that cause noone by the marina would steal it. Color doesnt match anyone's setup :)

Thanks to everyone with their compliments and suggestions. I cant seem to stop working on it. I just added the MW1 Clarion Remote and installed it by the gauges. Looks so nice. Just a pain in the ass removing all the trim so the cable could be hidden. Ill post a pic tomorrow.
 
Well done! For not being taken care of, you really pulled it together!!!

I think the flooring looks just fine. I wouldn't have done it, but still, it seems to go with the rest of the interior!!!!

:thumbsup:
 
Amazing.:smt038 that is a beautiful boat. Our first boat was a 260 EC that was neglected horribly. We ended up paying for it three times before we finally upgraded to our current. I am amazed at the cabin layout. It is exactly like ours was with the exception of the mid-cabin.

The main change for our old boat that I never got around to was the aluminum for the camper top. I wanted to re-configure it to allow me to stand up while driving and look through the eisenglass.
 
LOL If I can find a few pics when I first got it, I'll post them. The teak was as white as a walrus. Well not that white, but you get the idea. The fabric was dirty and dusty, even though it wasnt worn out.

The water system didn't work, and the brown hoses looked ugly. Then I realized that they were originally clear. The bench seat was rotted, the circuit box (for shore power) in the cabin was all corroded and didnt work. The gelcoat was good, but the pinstriping was all worn out. No stereo, fridge was burnt out, and the wiring behind the toggle switches were all corroded. Before you ask, the reason why I still got it, was because I was told the engine was rebuilt and solid. And thats with having someone check it out. So I figured the cosmetics would be fun restoring. I just didnt expect it to be so costly. But it was worth it.

The one weird thing I cant explain, is that the boat slightly listed to the right when I first bought it. It was not bad, but noticiable outside the boat. I really didnt do anything as far as shifting any weight. Funny thing even more, is that I put a battery under the cabin sink for my TV, and Cable. So you'd think it would list even more. But now, it doesnt list at all.

The one thing I still need to do, is change the rubber seals for the side cabin windows. I have a very small leak where when it rains, ill find a small amount in the head from the window track. No leaks anywhere else. And, I wish I could find a radar arch for this boat. Thats something I always wanted. If I dont come across a used one by next summer, I'll probably just redo the bimini and outside canvas. Right now the back piece covers on a slant. I'd probably go the square camper route instead.
 
Many many threads on listing. Such a stupid problem to have...

I experienced listing as well and found that keeping the gas tank full, fresh water tank full, both batteries on the left side, my cooler on the left side, 4 packs of gum and a pack of zip ties on the left was the remedy...lol. Seriously was the dumbest problem I ever experienced.

Lastly-when you were describing your boat with the neverending list of problems, I just sat back and laughed. I think you described my boat to a t when I rescued it. I'm almost done with mine, and know your pain!!

Beautiful vessel, kudos
 
you looking for the fiberglass radar arch or an alum one? Someone posted here awhile back with a website that makes alum ones. There prices weren't bad. Under 1000.00 for one if u didn't mind a small ding or scratch in it or 1300 for a perfect one. I'm in the process of redoing our bimini tops and camper encloser myself. I have the factory radar arch as well. I simply used the old peices for the patterns. Everything fits under the radar arch. Which i just found out is some what of a pain in the butt. So when it's complete i might just list it on ebay. Then make a custom setup that snaps into the radar arch. the local canvas shop wanted almost 4 grand to redo the canvas. I bought a singer 15-91 sewing machine off ebay.The sunbrella plus off ebay and the snaps and thread and zippers i got from sailrite.I have about 500 bucks into it. But i can c why canvas shops charge what they do. It's alot of work but fun at the same time knowing i did it myself
 
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