'77 260DA Restoration

[SevenTeas]

I am restoring a 1977 260DA with twin Merc 165's. I have the engines under control but need some help/advice on some other issues.

I am currently re-upholstering the interior. Not difficult if you have a staple gun.

I need to mount a swim platform, this is causing some anxiety as I am affraid to drill into the transom and hit something important, any advice on this?

Also looking for mooring cover and camper canvas. No one seens to have the designs for this any ideas? Anyone have one they can send dimensions on?

Any help at all is greatly appreciated.

 

[SevenTeas]

Ok the interior v-berth is reapholstered, in blue instead of the hideous maroon plaid from the factory.

The anchor hatch cover has been replaced.

The headliner has been re glued to the ceiling.

The starboard engine has been swapped with a used engine. it isn't completely hooked up yet but in progress.

Will post picts later.

 

[RichM]

I was getting ready to post "Let's see those pics!".

 

[SevenTeas]

So my engine hatch cover was rotten...


So I went to HD and got some trex decking, stainless steel cariage bolts, lock washers and nuts. And now...


Need to do the ends, after I reattach the power steering...
And some cleanup on the front and back to even things up, but it is solid and looks nice!!!

 

[Matt89GT]

The old hatch looks like wall paneling, the new will look nice, I just priced that stuff and man was it high. I would be concearned about gas fumes, you might get a stationwagon effect and smell a bit of gas fumes with the spaces between each plank, but then again you might not, something to think about.

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Is that hatch water tight? It seems to me that it should not allow any water that may enter the cockpit to pour into the engine room. If you get a large rain or take a wave you could have a flooded engine in a hurry. Just my 2 cents.

 

[alwhite00]

You might want to add another bolt in each plank so it doesn't "rack" - Maybe a diagonal brace?

Looks good so far.

LK

 

[SevenTeas]

My plan was to seal spaces with 5200 from bottom. So i thought about water issue.

Also thought about it shifting hoping 5200 will solve that if not may add something to shore up.

Yea its not cheap but im sick of rotting wood!

Thanks for ideas and support!

 

[Miss Elli]

hey,
i have seen the pics of your engine hatch. Do you really mean it??? i own exactly the same boat as your one, also with the same engines. i had this problem with a rotten wood hatch two years ago with the hatch in front of the egine hatch, where the fuel tank is under. please invest some more dollars. im sorry, your new engine hatch, for me it looks terrible and i feel it is not the right style for this classic sea ray, like our ones. it is such a nice boat. i love the design of it and the hull.
it is an old one. so it is like an old car. if it isn't in a perfect restored condition, it will look like home depot made and our model is like an old sporty lady and we have to care of her. i will post a pic from my interior soon.

steffen

 

[Miss Elli]

hey SevenTeas,

as i promised you, i was on my boat last week and i took a picture from the hatch in front of the engine hatch. it has cost me round about $ 240 and i'm so happy everytime i see it. this winter i will build a new engine hatch like this one.

i think this will give your boat the special note

greetings
steffen