1987 Sea Ray 250 Sundancer

[donbrynn]

Help once again on opinions and things to look out for. This boat has 380 total hours on 5.7 mercruiser, has always been trailered (never slipped). Motor and drive just serviced/impeller also.Bottom paint is 1 year old. Has GPS, full canvas & cockpit cover. Tandem trailer w/extender and brake flush......listed as running excellent as well as the interior like new condition and overall extremely clean. He said the only thing done to the engine has been a carb clean and normal serviceing. I am going to go and give it a look this weekend. The owner said I will not be dissapointed as everything is as stated. He wants 9500 obo...? The pictures look like it is as stated...? I will be slipping whichever boat I end up with in Santa Cruz harbor in California. Would be nice to be able to put it on the trailer occasionally for service or checking out different locations.....

 

[Sundancer]

They are great boats. Check for leaks below the sliding windows on each side and check the stringers and transom to make sure they are solid and not soft. The teak is a pain, but it's not impossible and looks GREAT when you're done with it. We had a 454 Magnum in ours and I can't think of a single time when I wished I had a smaller motor. The 5.7 should be just fine however and there are lots of 250 DA's out there.

I'm sure you are just in the initial throws, but make sure you get it surveyed to assure you don't miss anything. Test all the systems and make sure they are working. Ask if the alternator is new and check the history of the manifolds, bellows and shift cable. On a freshwater boat I still had the original manifolds at 19 years. The shift cable has probably been done, but could be due for a replacement. We bought ours with 200 hours in 2000 and sold it in 2008 with 480. The carb was rebuilt by last owner, we put a new alternator in and the shift cable was beginning to show it's age.

 

[donbrynn]

Thankyou very much.......that is all great info that I will be sure to inquire about and or check out.

 

[84 SR268]

i agree with sundancer,regular maintence issues manifolds and risers and bellows if your risers , or manifolds fail,,your in for an engine replacement!!!thermastat housing too, so much to look at,, get a little dirty get real low try to rub the oil pan, by feel or with a small mirror with a flashlight they are very thin,,so much to go over,,i am at a marina in Jersey, just about all of us in our area do our own repairs, we trade notes,but u really might be onto a great deal,,good luck Tim