Any known common problems w/ 1981 Sea Ray 260?

[hpcrank]

Greetings

I have just purchased a 1981 Sea Ray 260 Sundancer - Mercruiser I/O and 454 Chevy 330 hp. engine. Are there any common problems with this boat or Sea Rays of this size and/or vintage?

Thanks!
hpcank

 

[SCORPIO]

Not familiar with your model but all the boats of that era have some things to watch out for. Main thing to look for is rotten transoms, decks and stringers/bulkheads. Sea Ray many times just drilled holes in a stringer or bulkhead for drainage and left the core exposed, this allowed water to wick up and eventually rot the core. Seeing as the boat is 35 years old, you want to check all the cored areas for damage. I replaced the stringers and gas tank compartment floor in my old 81 SRV 260 SXL. It was stronger after I was done than when it was built. The old boats have very thick hulls and are very strong.
Sea Ray also had a tendency to use non tinned wiring so corrosion can sometimes be a problem. Otherwise, these are great hulls.

Post some pics of your boat, I don't know that model.