88 Sea Ray Sorrento S24 Decisions...

[olds72]

Since I sold my 1990 Seville 200 BR. I started looking for another boat. I had my mind set on a 87-90 30' Sundancer. However since I may be retiring 2014 my wife doesn't want to get into a larger boat yet. Any way, I started looking smaller boats. I thought about getting into another BR, but haven't found one in my price range. Then i found this 88 Sorrento 24. i drove 3 1/2 hours to look at it yesterday. Over all the boat is pretty decent. The interior (seats & sun pad) were redone a 4/5 years ago and are in good shape. Not bright white, but may just need a good scrubbing. It has all the snap in carpet. Which the owner says is still like new. The shifter was replaced. It has a decent Garmin deph finder and Nav system. It has a killer stereo system. 12 inch sub and 8 speakers, 9 channel amp with a alpine head unit and CD changer. The cuddy cabin was decent. The upohstery was original and needed cleaned. But was not torn or frayed. The sink pump did not work. It had 3 batteries. The engine ran very well and was replaced 4 or 5 year ago with a new jasper engine. He said the mechanic at Cabela's did the work. It also had a ne alternator (Marine) and power steering pump. I took it out with him and the trans shifted flawlessly. Hrydralic trim tabs worked. All lighting worked. It has a decent shorelander tandom axle trailer with new lights and surge brakes.

The Blue gell coat needs wet sanded and buffed really bad. The cockpit area seems really small to me. It has the optional seating. 2 swivel seats with the rear bench. I guess I'm just not sure if it's the boat for me. He is asking $5500. If I made an offer it would be $4300. So I need your advice and opinions.

 

[NorCal Boater]

I had an '87 for about 3 years and we loved it. We owned it in Long Beach, CA and it made many trips across the 26 miles to Catalina and it aways rode well. My wife and I even spent the better part of a week in Avalon sleeping on the boat. I think it's a great little boat and you could do much worse.

Good luck with your decision.
Shawn

 

[Chris Nowell]

We JUST bought a boat that I think is the same, a 1989 230 cuddy. The specs on the Sea Ray site are identical for both boats. We love it. Tons of room and storage in the cabin, as well as a small hanging locker. Ours has the back to back seats and the rear jump seats, which gives us plenty of room in the cockpit so we don't get in each other's way on rainy days. Our gel coat is in just as rough shape but buffs out just great without wet sanding. We've got the 260 HP 350 ci standard engine which is all WE need, but some will say it would be better with a big block. Probably half of our upholstery is good and the other half needs replacing. The PO's kid tried to convert the boat to a wakeboard boat so there's a few holes in the deck and the floor that need to be filled. The trailer that came with ours is the original one and is in fair shape, it made the 4 hour trip back up to Canada with no problems. Our boat doesn't have an hour meter but the engine and drive checked out like new and the previous, original owners said that it was only used a few times per year in Lake Roosevelt. We paid $8900.00 US and figure it's about the going rate in this neck of the woods. They do seem a lot less expensive in the eastern parts of the country, but time, travel, and hotels have to be factored into the price too. Not to mention the fact that this was about the 17th boat we had to drive 3 - 4 hours to view. Most of them were completely shot and priced well over 10K. Good used boats in the Pacific Northwest are expensive.

If you can get this boat for $4300.00 I'd say you're stealing it. Oh yeh, and ours needs a full camper canvas job too. And we think we're lucky to have found it. Good luck, you'll love it.

 

[olds72]

I was wondering what type of paint is used to paint boats? I have a 1972 Olds Cutlass Covertible (thus the screen name) that my friend and I are restoring. He is a body man and painter. If I could use the same type of paint as an auto, I could get it repainted cheap. I would eliminate all the blue.

 

[olds72]

So I made an offer of $4300. $5000 will buy it! I countered with $4800. It's not a done deal. He said he has more people wanting to look at it. hmmmm... What to do??????

USAA values the boat at $6,440 + $815 for the trailer = $7,255 This does not include any options.
addtionally I wanted to paint the boat when I got it. So I'm looking at another $1000 for materials and my buddies time.

 

[olds72]

Now it's a done deal! $4800. Bought it!!

 

[Chris Nowell]

I was wondering what type of paint is used to paint boats? I have a 1972 Olds Cutlass Covertible (thus the screen name) that my friend and I are restoring. He is a body man and painter. If I could use the same type of paint as an auto, I could get it repainted cheap. I would eliminate all the blue.

I've seen body shops use automotive enamel on fiberglass boats and the finished product looked really good. I don't know what it would wear like though. We're really lucky to have an awesome boat repair place in town that can expertly apply gel coat to match any color on any boat. The problem with going with the automotive enamel is that you will not be able to apply gel coat to it once the enamel has been applied. I kind of think your gel coat will buff up to an almost new gloss with some 3M marine rubbing compound, marine polish, and an application of Maguires Flagship wax. Metabo's got a good thread on restoring the finish on elderly boats.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Now it's a done deal! $4800. Bought it!!

YAHOO!!!! Congrats!!!! Just got your PM. Try to post pics of your work as you do it. And let us know if you decide to paint or buff!!!! Good luck, and enjoy.

 

[olds72]

Thanks. I'm going to wet sand and buff it for now. I'm hoping to pick it up Sunday. I'll deffinately post up,the picks.

 

[Chris Nowell]

Dude, you gotta go to the "Classic Sea Ray" forum and join the "Hole In The Water Club" if ya haven't already. Tons of benefits,,, like,, you'll be able to read all the posts,,,, and you'll be able to post things yourself,,,,,, ummmmm, wait a minute,,,,, you can do all these things now. Oh well, you'll be able to tell everyone that you belong to the "Hole In The Water Club', and you won't be lying!!!!!!!