21 ft - 1984 walk around / cuddy / Fisherman early Laguna RARE - Restore ? or NOT ?

alanber

New Member
Apr 17, 2015
21
Florida
Boat Info
2000 28 ft sundancer
Engines
454 mercruiser with bravo drive
I own what I consider a rare Sea Ray .
Potential buyers of the Fisherman, Asking questions on this forum
A few responded ARE U SURE about that ? Never saw a walk around , cuddy cabin Sea Ray.
Never knew they made one . ARE U SURE ABOUT THAT ?
I own one over 20 years .
Speaking with a ( mature ) Sea Ray salesman ( local dealer ) saying I remember that boat.
Was a good boat . Not many sold and most were mid west ? Mine came from Chicago .
Never fails, at boat ramp . Fellow boats would say too me , Nice boat , never knew Sea Ray made a walk around cuddy cabin .
Brunswick wanted a fishing boat in their line up . Styled similar too the Boston Whalers of those years . Early fisherman were a bare fishing boat . Not 100 % I believe nothing larger then 26 ft .
Different power packages . ALL I.O .
Fisherman model name was changed too Laguna .
Early Laguna's had same body style , walk around cuddy IO
Few years later came with outboard / cuddy cabin
At some point cuddy was replaced with center consoles , OB
Still made the same today.

My Fisherman came with the frugal 4 cylinder I.O 488 Mercruiser - Alpha 1.
Lots of negatives on that engine .
I found it fine for my needs . Cheap fuel burn .
Top speed was 35 mph . 21 ft moved boat fine
I live in Florida . Used all the time salt & fresh water .
Lots of great memories fishing with son & 3 grand kids ,
4 years ago original engine was done. At that point I was not sure what I was going too do
Parts expensive . Manifolds & risers alone was cost of an engine. Re build ??
Crate 6 cylinder,
Go Out board ? bracket costly ,OB COSTLY .
JUST SELL BOAT ?
Covered boat until I made a decision
RETIRED - LOST MY HEAD - Wife & I ( really wife ) wanted a cruiser
PURCHAED A 2005 30 foot . cruiser TWIN GAS VOLVO .
Came with a 3 axle trailer .
New Boat takes all my time / finances .
When I purchased new boat it was from a boat consignment shop .
Wife says , let consignment shop sell sea ray? NO
A non working engine in a boat is not worth much . WAS NOT GIVING AWAY .
She does not understand the water sickness ( not sea sick )
Owing a 30 ft yacht I have a new appreciation for a smaller boat .
The 30 footer is my water condo .

Boating tastes changed love marina life, sleeping aboard cruising mini vacations .
I do miss trailering adventures too fishing areas like the Keys or Clearwater areas, areas a 30 ft boat trailer boat can go but a lot of boat too tow
Cant compare boats,
Add in a gallon mile fuel burn I CRY AT FUEL DOCK

At my fishing club a 80 year old gear head was talking too me . I was telling him about Sea Ray and engine issue . HE says I got a brand new old inventory 4 cylinder . Sitting in my garage . My engine decision was made for me . Jumped on that engine .
He was Holding for a project that will never happen . Engine meter 17 hours .
3,7 Mercruiser . HP 165 - Original HP was 185 . Has Wagner bracket , marine alternator with separate pulley, electronic ignition . heat exchanger , brand new everything . Fires up and purrs . Like a new engine .

Weeks ago Got the bug too work on Sea Ray
Pulled old engine discovered transom soft which I never was aware of .
Pulled everything , engine room empty .
Pulled fuel tank Wood one side needs replacing
Started too take apart wood in transom stopped . TOUGH WORK . Parts of wood was falling apart in my fingers. Never worked with glass or did transom work .
Don't want it looking like a crap job .
Calling a few transom guys on CL . THEY SCARE ME .
There are few legit restoration shops but costly .
Sea Ray in turn key not worth more then 5 thousand .
I don't know what stringers look like since they are under floor not soft when I walk on .
Cushions in cuddy worn . Canvas top rats got too and needs replacing . Seats worn
I can go on & on . Outside hull is clean everything else is worn . I did contact a shop and without viewing transom 2500 plus fuel tank area . Once they start a pandora's box of no return .
Time I am done 4 - 5 thousand .
Then I still have too install engine and rebuild alpha 1
When I am done cost will be easily 10 thousand , will have a new boat . Try buying a boat for 10 thousand
Trailer is vg
As much as I want too restore this boat owing 2 boats . Costly too keep . Repairs are part of boat ownership .
Doing all this work cause I have a new engine ?
If I did not have the bigger boat my decision would be easy .
I run hot / cold . One day I want too get rid of big boat cause its too much work .
A weekender with IO stored in cradle when not used is a lot of work cleaning , flushing covering so its clean for next use .
Love hanging at marina, sleeping aboard , talking with others at marina .
Becomes a way of life
Then I want a bigger boat single engine NO GAS , leaving in wet slip .
Following day I am looking at a trawler .
Then I think of that perfect under warranty newer Boston Whaler fishing machine, around 25 ft .
Having every bell & whistle
I can leave home easy too trailer, sleep with comforts etc . outboards
Travel all over FL towing easily . Lots of GREEN BACKS .

Just sitting here having coffee and wanted too share my sea ray with other sea ray owners
 

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