2008 Sea Ray 350 - Very low hours: Concerns?

[saltydogz]

I am planning to look at a 2008 Sea Ray 350, but have a concern with the very low hours on the engines and generator. The boat has Twin Fresh Water Cooled Mercruiser 8.1 Horizons with V-drives hours are 115 and the Kohler generator has less then 100 hrs. The broker says the boat was lift kept and is owned by a gentleman in he's 80's and its just too much boat for him. All work on the boat has been completed by the marina. After I get a chance to see the boat planning to have a surveyor do his thing which would included a sea trail.

So is the saying that boats like to be used and sitting boats rot something to be concerned with?

Also, any 350 owners with thoughts on things to look a little closer at for problems that you might have come across.

Thanks...

 

[fwebster]

My concern on a boat that is almost 10 years old with such low time on gas engines is the exhaust system. Even on a lift stored boat, ambient air is in the exhaust system all the way up to the heads and valves. That means there could be rusted manifolds and elbows as well as surface rust on the valve faces and seats. Neither problem is a deal killer but I would want t he seller to "own" those issues. To protect yourself, have the engines surveyed and insist on a compression check and a visual inspection of the exhaust castings. It will add a couple of hours to the survey, but is worth the expense since a valve job and replacement manifolds and risers will be several thousand $$.

 

[mnm99]

Last year I bought a 2004 with 260hrs. I did change the original Aluminum manifolds and water pumps just because they were never done. It was a fresh water boat owned by an old couple also. I've had no problems so far.

 

[saltydogz]

Thanks guys for the reply...This boat has been in saltwater.

 

[TheBigb]

I am planning to look at a 2008 Sea Ray 350, but have a concern with the very low hours on the engines and generator. The boat has Twin Fresh Water Cooled Mercruiser 8.1 Horizons with V-drives hours are 115 and the Kohler generator has less then 100 hrs. The broker says the boat was lift kept and is owned by a gentleman in he's 80's and its just too much boat for him. All work on the boat has been completed by the marina. After I get a chance to see the boat planning to have a surveyor do his thing which would included a sea trail.

So is the saying that boats like to be used and sitting boats rot something to be concerned with?

Also, any 350 owners with thoughts on things to look a little closer at for problems that you might have come across.

Thanks...

My flags would go up too... you don't want too light of usage and that is light. Figure 12 hours a season or so which is nothing and probably of lot of sitting. The funny thing is the genny will probably have most of the issues from the start. If you can chop the price up for all the wearables you'll need to replace it can be worth it. Pumps, impellers,spark plugs etc...does he have all records? Was a 100 hour servicing done?


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[Sous]

Off topic, but on topic. My buddy has his 08 350 for sale if you like that model and want to look at other options. Nice boat and well maintained, I know that he just did both CF3 modules to get in front of the paint delamination issue and both (I believe) water pumps were replaced as well as some other wear and tear stuff. Not sure of the hours exactly but I'd say its in the 400s. I can get you in touch if you like.

 

[saltydogz]

Off topic, but on topic. My buddy has his 08 350 for sale if you like that model and want to look at other options. Nice boat and well maintained, I know that he just did both CF3 modules to get in front of the paint delamination issue and both (I believe) water pumps were replaced as well as some other wear and tear stuff. Not sure of the hours exactly but I'd say its in the 400s. I can get you in touch if you like.

Thanks, just sent you a PM for more information on your Buddy's boat...

 

[Motora33]

As Sous says, the cool fuel module on these engiens are a BIG issue. Check to see if and when the manifolds were replaced, the risers are SS and usually last quite a bit.

Best of luck, you'll love the torque of these engines.

 

[j98052]

2 years ago I purchased a 2008 330 DA with less than 150 hours on 8.1 Horizons, and less than 100 hours on the generator. I hired a mechanic to do a full baseline service on all 3, and I used the boat for about 20 months (I upgraded to a larger boat). The only problem I ever had was a sensor that sometimes would go off.

My recommendation is to hire a good mechanic to check out the motors, and have oil samples tested.

 

[scooper321]

If the marina has done all the service, get the records and scour them. If you're ok with that, get the survey done. A surveyor will point out wearable items like hoses, etc. Many of the others you'd replace anyway as part of buying a used motor (fluids, filters, plugs, etc.). And yeah, do the impellers. But I like what Frank said about the compression tests on the motors - that's IN ADDITION to the oil test and the survey. I bought a 2003 three years ago with 250 hours. So not unlike your situation. I did everything recommended here except the compression test. I was a newbie. I got lucky. Turns out, the marina HAD serviced the boat well and she's a peach. Yours might be too. But verify it. And look for real reasons to walk away. The numbers alone aren't a reason. If your tests don't find a reason, buy it!


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[saltydogz]

Thanks for all the information, but the boat was sold to someone else within a week from going on the market. Tough part was it was not close for a quick drive to see.

Back to looking around the sites...

 

[Escape22]

may I ask about how much they are going for today $$ ?

 

[Ethan's Tank]

I purchased a 2009 3 years ago, it a gorgeous boat, but I've had my issues with it. Of course, I've started to outgrow the size 39.6" LOA, but that is really up to preference. And the fuel consumption on these cruises can be devastating .7MPG at 3300 rpms cruising at 25mph on average.
Here are my gripes for the boat:
1. I am now dealing with the Cool fuel module, still waiting on mercruiser to do something with it, I have lost about 3-4 weeks on this and still haven't got much word yet. If you are buying from a dealer or at a merc dealer, address the issue asap, parts on this alone is $4000 per motor and they don't cover the labor cost. I'm thinking this would run be about $400-600 per engine
2. Low hours on kohler 5e. When I bought mine, I had about 14hrs on it. I was thinking in my head, nice! Barely used genny, its practically new. Here is the thing, the more hours it got, the better it runs. I've learned that these generators need to be run at least 30mins each week. Here my caveat, mine doesn't work. I will probably need to clean or replace the carb on it, $250.
3. check the shower sump box, check the bilge area under the access in front of the head doorway at the bottom of the stairs that leads from the cockpit. There is a box for the shower sump, make sure its working properly. Fill up the shower drain, watch it drain properly and make sure there is little to no water in the bilge area where the 2nd pump sits behind that box. As you watch the pump in the box work, listen to see its not back flushed and constantly running. I've changed out 3 pumps and just replace the sump box last week.

Here are some of the minor issues I've had,but could be due to previous ownership or even my negligence.
-The bow topside speakers never worked.
-The music control module by the berth bed doesn't work or I don't know how to use it.
-The main TV [vizio] is hard to take off, in case you ever needed to replace it.
-The old promariner battery charger actually caught on fire, don't know how to test it, but its mounted on the firewall that sits behind the 225 fuel tanks.

Here are some things to consider now that I've owned it for a few years and came off a 28' wellcraft.
At first, I loved the beam size, 2 adults can walk past each other without being in the way, but the galley takes up most of the port side cabin and if the table is being used, it does get cramp. So I don't like the design much anymore.
The other thing is, its an open design, meaning no doors to separate rooms/beds. When I have a few ppl in the cabin, some ppl tend to sit on my bed...sometimes with wet clothes on and I sleep on that bed, grrrr. When my son turns the TV on in the early AM, it tends to wake me up since the sound is unfiltered. The curtains on the berth don't do any justice.
One more thing to consider, since this is pretty much the top of tier for the sport cruiser class, its still uses gasoline. Its a heavy boat, the bravo 3 outdrives help it pop out the boat hole, but it can be inefficient to on fuel consumption. Its a boat and i know it cost a fortune to run, but its tips the tier before you hit diesels. I want bigger, so I definitely need the diesels.
Also its mounted with outdrives, so that is extra maintenance compared to straight inboards. Anodes, outdrive lube maintenance, painting and maintaining outdrives from barnacles, etc....

I hope that helps!

 

[Michael C Dombai]

Ethan In may of 2021 I purchased a 08 350DA and am just now getting familiar with the cool fuel module / engine paint delamination issues. I purchased her with 250 hours and ran her about 80hrs last season with no issues. I’m looking for some advice on how to get ahead of what seems to be a issue I will certainly encounter. What was the outcome with Mercrusier, how did you approach?

I purchased a 2009 3 years ago, it a gorgeous boat, but I've had my issues with it. Of course, I've started to outgrow the size 39.6" LOA, but that is really up to preference. And the fuel consumption on these cruises can be devastating .7MPG at 3300 rpms cruising at 25mph on average.
Here are my gripes for the boat:
1. I am now dealing with the Cool fuel module, still waiting on mercruiser to do something with it, I have lost about 3-4 weeks on this and still haven't got much word yet. If you are buying from a dealer or at a merc dealer, address the issue asap, parts on this alone is $4000 per motor and they don't cover the labor cost. I'm thinking this would run be about $400-600 per engine
2. Low hours on kohler 5e. When I bought mine, I had about 14hrs on it. I was thinking in my head, nice! Barely used genny, its practically new. Here is the thing, the more hours it got, the better it runs. I've learned that these generators need to be run at least 30mins each week. Here my caveat, mine doesn't work. I will probably need to clean or replace the carb on it, $250.
3. check the shower sump box, check the bilge area under the access in front of the head doorway at the bottom of the stairs that leads from the cockpit. There is a box for the shower sump, make sure its working properly. Fill up the shower drain, watch it drain properly and make sure there is little to no water in the bilge area where the 2nd pump sits behind that box. As you watch the pump in the box work, listen to see its not back flushed and constantly running. I've changed out 3 pumps and just replace the sump box last week.

Here are some of the minor issues I've had,but could be due to previous ownership or even my negligence.
-The bow topside speakers never worked.
-The music control module by the berth bed doesn't work or I don't know how to use it.
-The main TV [vizio] is hard to take off, in case you ever needed to replace it.
-The old promariner battery charger actually caught on fire, don't know how to test it, but its mounted on the firewall that sits behind the 225 fuel tanks.

Here are some things to consider now that I've owned it for a few years and came off a 28' wellcraft.
At first, I loved the beam size, 2 adults can walk past each other without being in the way, but the galley takes up most of the port side cabin and if the table is being used, it does get cramp. So I don't like the design much anymore.
The other thing is, its an open design, meaning no doors to separate rooms/beds. When I have a few ppl in the cabin, some ppl tend to sit on my bed...sometimes with wet clothes on and I sleep on that bed, grrrr. When my son turns the TV on in the early AM, it tends to wake me up since the sound is unfiltered. The curtains on the berth don't do any justice.
One more thing to consider, since this is pretty much the top of tier for the sport cruiser class, its still uses gasoline. Its a heavy boat, the bravo 3 outdrives help it pop out the boat hole, but it can be inefficient to on fuel consumption. Its a boat and i know it cost a fortune to run, but its tips the tier before you hit diesels. I want bigger, so I definitely need the diesels.
Also its mounted with outdrives, so that is extra maintenance compared to straight inboards. Anodes, outdrive lube maintenance, painting and maintaining outdrives from barnacles, etc....

I hope that helps!

 

[Mauler34Rod]

Ethan - In may of 2021 I purchased a 08 350DA and am just now getting familiar with the cool fuel module / engine paint delamination issues. I purchased her with 250 hours and ran her about 80hrs last season with no issues. I’m looking for some advice on how to get ahead of what seems to be a issue I will certainly encounter. Can you share what the resolution was between you and Mercursier and how you approached?

Thanks in Advance,
Michael

Welcome to CSR! FYI….thread is from almost five years ago. You may or may not receive reply.

 

[Michael C Dombai]

I saw that, thanks. Here’s hoping!

 

[Nick70]

I saw that, thanks. Here’s hoping!

Talk to Mercury and figure out if the cool fuel modules have already been replaced. If they have a record of of work done on your boat (give them your engines serial numbers) maybe they can tell you if the fuel rails and injectors have been checked and cleaned as well.
On my boat, 496 mag..the cool fuel module had been replaced but, no service on the fuel rail or injectors. This resulted in poor performance and ultimately having had to tear down the engine and needing a complete re power.
The paint de laminated from the original module and had collected in the fuel rail/injectors..unbeknownst to me and eventually killed cylinders 1 and 8..clogged injectors, starved of fuel and froze the rings. 38# psi in 1 and 60 in 8..
Pulling the fuel rail and injectors to check/clean or replace is not a big deal.
Wish I had known all this a year ago.

 

[Michael C Dombai]

Talk to Mercury and figure out if the cool fuel modules have already been replaced. If they have a record of of work done on your boat (give them your engines serial numbers) maybe they can tell you if the fuel rails and injectors have been checked and cleaned as well.
On my boat, 496 mag..the cool fuel module had been replaced but, no service on the fuel rail or injectors. This resulted in poor performance and ultimately having had to tear down the engine and needing a complete re power.
The paint de laminated from the original module and had collected in the fuel rail/injectors..unbeknownst to me and eventually killed cylinders 1 and 8..clogged injectors, starved of fuel and froze the rings. 38# psi in 1 and 60 in 8..
Pulling the fuel rail and injectors to check/clean or replace is not a big deal.
Wish I had known all this a year ago.

This is extremely helpful! Thank you very much Nick70

 

[techmitch]

This is extremely helpful! Thank you very much Nick70

Please gat back to us and let us know how you made out with your problem and Mercury.

 

[Michael C Dombai]

I spoke to Mercury this morning and they do not have a record any work being done on my engines, unfortunately. They were very quick to point out that the engines were out of warranty but did mention that I should have the regulator checked by a mechanic for any paint remnants. I will also take Nick70’s recommendation and have the fuel rails and injectors checked. Since I’m a newer boater and not a mechanic I have to ask…How involved is it to have the regulator checked. Is this a multi hour/day/week project? Does the boat have to be pulled to have regulator checked?

Thanks to the forum members…Extremely great resource!