21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and specs

[tony-cruiser]

I have owned boats most of my life. Now I am trying to upgrade to a 21ish boat. The one I have my eyes on is a 1996 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider with 5.7L Merc. Odometer says 380 hours. Used in fresh water. Any comments or things to be aware of? It comes with an EZ loader trailer with tandem axles and drum breaks. I will have to add a swing tongue conversion. Any suggestions?
Anyone knows the specs of this boat, such as weight, best cruising speed, gas tank capacity, etc?
Thank you.

 

[chuck1]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

You do know that you can get all the spec on the boat from the Sea Ray site, don't you? Go to models and then go to past models and download the spec sheets you are looking for.


With that said the your looking at a boat with less than 30 hours a year on it. What type of maintenance records do they have?

 

[tony-cruiser]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

Current owner bought used couple years ago. Winterized/serviced at end of season - have not seen records. Seasons in Wisconsin are short - unfortunately.

 

[tony-cruiser]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

--- Never mind, found the spec sheet --- BTW, the Sea Ray website seems to only go as far back as 2001.

 

[chuck1]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

BTW, the Sea Ray website seems to only go as far back as 2001.

click on the link for models past 2001. It goes way back.

 

[tony-cruiser]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

anything specific to look for on this boat? any known issues?

 

[Nehalennia]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

How long has it been since the manifolds and risers have been replaced. You NEED to know that and have them inspected prior to purchase or you're buying a $2500-$3k problem.
The impeller in the Alpha outdrive may be due for replacement.
Your best cruising speed will be right around 3300 RPM and 26 knots(30MPH). Your fuel burn at that speed should be around 6-7GPH.

 

[tony-cruiser]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

Is the manifold/riser issue critical for boats used in fresh water? Is the problem rust related? Can it be seen on the exterior? How can they be inspected?

 

[Kay Lee]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

Yes. Generally speaking, however, they tend to last longer in fresh water. The problem is rust and gasket failure. By the time the problem can be seen on the outside, it's too late! Inspection can only be performed by removal and then given a thorough visual inspection.

Larry

 

[tony-cruiser]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

ok, so I will remove and check, but will have to do after I purchase. Are there any signs that I can look for. What happens? does the oil gets contaminated?

 

[SeaRay]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

I have a 1999 21' (but only with the 5.0L engine). I have owned it for 4 years and have had no major problems. I bought it with 180 hours and it now has almost 400. I love our boat, I think it is great. But, it is the first and only boat we have owned.

There isn't anything in particular about this boat that I could tell you to look at. Just the normal inspection stuff you would do with any boat.

Here is another link about the 210 boats in general:

http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10022&highlight=trailer

Page 8 has a pretty detailed description about the swing-away hinge I added to my boat.

****Can I get a little more info about the manifolds and risers? I did not know that it was a good idea to remove these for inspection? Is there an issue with the 5.7 engine or is this just something that any Merc engine should have done?****

 

[tony-cruiser]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

Can you post/send pictures of your swing-away tongue conversion. Your description has great detail. Thanks. This will be one of my winter projects. Also, how tall does yours seat from the ground to the top of windshield?

 

[tony-cruiser]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

I read more about the manifold/riser. If the gasket leaks or the metal corrodes/breaks it allows water into the engine, which over time causes rust and damage. From what I read it seems that you should inspect every year. I assume that in fresh water you don't have too often, maybe every 5 (my wild guess, someone may have recommendations?).

 

[Nehalennia]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

ok, so I will remove and check, but will have to do after I purchase. Are there any signs that I can look for. What happens? does the oil gets contaminated?

I read more about the manifold/riser. If the gasket leaks or the metal corrodes/breaks it allows water into the engine, which over time causes rust and damage. From what I read it seems that you should inspect every year. I assume that in fresh water you don't have too often, maybe every 5 (my wild guess, someone may have recommendations?).

Why would you wait until after you purchase? This advice I gave you is to help you save the replacement money in case they're bad. Do it before you buy and make it part of your offer. If they're bad you're in a better position to renegotiate. To wait until after you buy it and find out you get to stick another $3 towards this boat is not smart IMO.

 

[Kay Lee]

Re: 21' Sea Ray Signature Bowrider 5.7L Merc + EZ Loader trailer - general q's and sp

All exhaust manifolds, risers, and elbows need to be inspected periodically. The number of hours of use per year, the type of water you boat in, and engine flushing habits will have effects on how long they last. The more hours your exhaust has on it the more frequently you should check them. My CrownLine still has the original 15-year old manifolds and elbows with 460 hours on them. I checked them when the boat was about 6-7 years old and they still looked very good. The gaskets were beginning to fail by indication of seepage at the joints, so I replaced the gaskets. This year I had to replace the aluminum exhuast Y-pipe because of hole! It should have out-lasted the manifolds but apparently there was a flaw in the casting and it finally corroded through. Some MerCruiser engines come with stainless steel elbows or elbows and risers, which my CrownLine has, and they will last longer.

Larry