1988 Searay 34 express cruiser

V

vat-19

New Member
Apr 12, 2009
7
Jacksonville, FL
Hello, I am a newby and would like some advice and honest advice. We made an offer on a 1988 searay express cruiser with original 7.4 l inboard mercruiser FWC motors, showing 1359 hrs on the motors. The boat appears to be well maintained however I am worred about the amount of hrs. Is this something that I should worry about. I am also in search of fuel consumption numbers at different speeds and rpm. The broker tells me that I should get about 1 mile per gal at 20 knots, so that would equate to about 20 gals/ hr.
Also there are cracks in the gelcoat around the side exhaust for the motors and generator, should I be concerned about this?

Thank you in advance for your support and direction
 
I know my hours keep going up if I forget and leave the key on, even if the engine is off. Maybe it doesn't really have that many hours? Seriously, I have been told that a well maintained engine should last at least to 2000 hours. After that, your on borrowed time. Then again... I had a friend who drove a Yugo over 300,000 miles and never had to fix anything. True story! I guess a lot depends how they treated the engines.
 
If they have seen salt water look out. Fresh water engines (I'm told) should be around 1500 hrs. Also, the '88 was the last year of counter-rotating engines, which makes the re-build of the non-automotive rotating guy a bit pricey.
 
Concern, yes. No way to know how long they'll last, especially if you have no records of their maintenance. IMO, just looking at the boat and the bilge gives you a pretty good clue as to how she's been maintained. Does the owner have complete service records?
You should have at least a minimal engine survey done along with your hull survey which would included compression tests.

As to the cracks around the exhausts, most probably you are referring to cosmetic cracks in the fiberglass putty uses to fair the exhaust tubes to the hull. Do a search here, been discussed before.

Your safest bet in buying an older SR is a good surveyor, with knowledge of the typical problems of the '80's boats.
 
Good morning,
I recently purchased a similar boat with 975 hours on the engine. The mechanic who did the engine survey said the engines in the 1988's should last anywhere from 2000 to 3000 hours PROVIDED they were used in fresh water were well maintained and used over a variety of speed settings.
Fuel usage is about what I am finding but I have only logged 18-20 hours in the boat.
Regarding cracks the surveyor was not concerned as they are not structural and appear on almost all older boats with side exhausts.
 
giff1 how are you getting such a low burn rate.. my 30' with 454s wont burn anyless than 25 on plane... dont worry about the cracks in the side exaust my surveyer said that is common.. check stringers and transom. also check for bow rail and side windows for leaks.. my father has a 270 with a single 454 with 1900 hours that was in salt water the first 5 years of its life.. and it runs just as good as mine with 400 hours.....
 
Tmike, when was the last time you tuned your engines? I had mine out last night and was getting 14-17 21-23 Kts on floScan. Now when you his 25 -> the story changes. The gauges start to head to the roof!
 
i guess i will hafta slow down.. what r's are you turning??? what wheels are you turning????
i can run 25mph on gps at 2700 rpms.. both engines were tuned up last year.. i think it might be in my props... im spinning 19x19 3 blades..
 
Stay out of the secondaries on those Quadra Jets. When you hear those "soup can lids" sucking air you're in for a big gas bill. I think the Q-jet is rated for 750 cfm at WOT. I know on my small blocks, a few extra hundered rpms (from 3100-3400) will make a HUGE difference in burn rate based on fuel flow meter readings. In my opinion, those extra few mph aren't worth the fuel cost, unless you're trying to beat weather back to the dock. Just for fun sometime put her to the pins and take a glance at the number on the fuel flow display, that will make you gasp!
 
tmike- 19x19 are big big props,need a lot of power to push that much water. I have 17x17 w/cup 3 blade,run at 3000-3100 rpm 22-23kts and get 15-17 gph. My engines are MarinePower 454's repowered 1994. I had a '88 300 Weekender with same props, 350's, ran at same rpms- 23-24 kts. Knew other 30 Weekenders with the same set up. Remember I keep a light boat...stocked only with Coors Light.
 
haha... those coronas must be weighing me down.. i sorry they are 17X19 i have a set of 17X17.. i dont think we can spin 19's with the tunnels... but anyway with the 17X17 it was a rocket outa the hole but was alittle slower on crusing speed... always wondered about 4 blades?..
 
giff1 said:
My '87 340 EC uses 15-17 GPH at 3000 RPM 22+/- Kts. I keep a light boat. The 340 is great on gas. But you could stay at the dock and drink beer;you use no gas but still have a GPH problem.:lol:
Click to expand...

Truer words have never been spoken!
 
I have a 1989 SR 390 with 1240 hrs on the 7.4's. Change the oil and keep them tuned. They'll last a while. My Bluewater motors have run in only freash water and show no signs of going south! The compression test I did on the last tune-up showed all cylinders at or near factory spec's. Don't worry about hours if they have been cared for.
 
pierseverance said:
I have a 1989 SR 390 with 1240 hrs on the 7.4's. Change the oil and keep them tuned. They'll last a while. My Bluewater motors have run in only freash water and show no signs of going south! The compression test I did on the last tune-up showed all cylinders at or near factory spec's. Don't worry about hours if they have been cared for.
Click to expand...
The "only in fresh water" part helps quite a bit! Fresh water flushing your engines after use is a good idea.
 
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