Buying older 240 SRV. Help, please!!

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I Fish

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Jun 10, 2015
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Hello. New to the forum, so I'm not sure if this is the right place for this request. I've been offered a 1981 Sea Ray 240 SRV. I'd just like to hear from anyone with experience with that or a similar model/year.

More specifically, the title says it's a 1981 240 SRV Cuddy Cruiser. I looked through the Sea Ray brochures from the time, and as far as I can tell, it doesn't appear after the 1980 brochure, but the title says it's a 1981. It has a single Chevy 350 and Merc outdrive. The boat spent all of it's life on freshwater or in heated storage in the winter. The couple have owned it since 2002, and a buddy of mine has done the service every year since. Everything is original, but, I don't know the total hours yet, but I do know she hasn't made but 4 or 5 short trips per year since '02. Although I've never been on it, I've seen it from the dock. She looks almost like new. It has a 2003 tandem axle trailer with surge brakes, and less than 50 miles on it.

The wife and I plan to go see it this weekend, so I will know more about it then. My questions are:

1) Are there any problems these hulls are known for, as in problem areas I should definitely check out?

2) I know prices are all over the map, and I know the difference between asking price and selling price. They are asking $7000. I'm having a hard time convincing my self to spend that much on a 35 year old boat. They are family friends, so I don't want to insult them with a low ball offer, so, what offer should I consider reasonable?

Thanks for your time, and sorry about my first post being a long winded question, lol.
 
Welcome aboard.

First question. Do you have any boating experience?

First piece of advice. Get a survey. Most here will say the same thing. Unless you are very experienced in boats it might be the best $300-400 you could ever spend.
 
NADA shows a 1981 245 SRV, maybe it's a 245? We've been having a discussion on the accuracy (or lack of) of NADA values, but just as an idea it shows $5,000 average retail. If the trailer is in good shape and the boat passes a survey with no major problems then you might be in the neighborhood. If the boat is in outstanding condition cosmetically then it could bring even more, who knows?

It all depends on condition, prices of similar boats in your area, and how bad you want that boat. Only you can decide how much to offer.
 
I've owned and been around boats all of my 41 years, but, this would be my first Sea Ray. My friend who has been servicing this particular boat owns the marina she is in, and I trust his word when he says she's a cream puff. I have to say, after searching around the web for particulars, it seems there are more older Sea Rays out there still going than most other brands. I know of problem areas of other brands of boats, and I'm wondering if these have anything commonly known to fail.

http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNJ2A306.pdf Page 15. That looks exactly like it as I remember. I'm thinking maybe it was a hold over from 1980, but sold as new in 1981? I know they do that with outboards sometimes.

Thanks.
 
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$7000 seems a bit high for a 35 year old boat. Even one in excellent condition. Regardless of how it was used and maintained be sure and get a survey. Only you can determine if the price is right. In this case I would be more concerned about the lack of use over the years. Boats need to be run.

Also you are correct about there being a lot of old Sea Rays out there. They hold their value and you don't see too many old Bayliners or Rinkers being restored. Just go into the deal with your eyes wide open and try and keep emotion out of it. That's hard to do because 99.9% of boat purchases are emotional.

Post some pics after the purchase.
 
Yep, Id like to see some pics too. The boats on Pg. 15 of the brochure link look really nice. Hopefully the survey reveals minimal problems for such a classic.
 
As a pricing reference... I just sold my 78 srv240 weekender with new flooring, interior and a less than 40hr engine for 4000 bucks to a friend. It was for sale for 2 years at 6000 and no bites.
price is regional but seems a little high unless it's a real cherry
 
Condition is everything [/B]in a older boat. If the condition is a cream puff and fabulous there can be a lot of benefits for you. You can also look at it as $5,000.00 for the boat and $2,000.00 for the trailer. If this is a do nothing immaculate boat it would be hard pressed to find the fun factor for this cost. But as others said if it needs any type of major work it can be a major mistake especially if you have to pay to have it done.

Good luck
 
Thanks everyone. I've been doing as much reading and researching as I can on this boat. I posted a thread on another forum I'm a member of, and one question has me a little concerned, and I can't seem to find an answer, and that is, does this year model have a balsa cored hull? I know a lot of boats had it in the 60's and 70's, but thought the failure rate pretty much stopped it's use in the hull. It turns out Sea Ray was still using it as late as the late 90's.

So, does anybody know if they used balsa coring on boats that size and era?
 
I Fish said:
Thanks everyone. I've been doing as much reading and researching as I can on this boat. I posted a thread on another forum I'm a member of, and one question has me a little concerned, and I can't seem to find an answer, and that is, does this year model have a balsa cored hull? I know a lot of boats had it in the 60's and 70's, but thought the failure rate pretty much stopped it's use in the hull. It turns out Sea Ray was still using it as late as the late 90's.

So, does anybody know if they used balsa coring on boats that size and era?
Click to expand...
no coring in a 240.. wood stingers and transom but no balsa
 
This looks like an earlier version of my boat, minus the Stand up head and galley. Click on link below to see other pix. I paid $8K four years ago for one in almost mint condition, with a newer 2004 trailer. She is a heavy, solid boat. Rides nice, but is not a speed demon!
 
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Well, I got to see her today. She does need some work, but, not terrible. The teak needs redone and a little bit replaced. She's still under shrink wrap, so I didn't get any good pics. She has all original vinyl, but, it's tired. The instrument panel is cracking/peeling. The wiring looks good, engine looks clean, outdrive has a little corrosion. The bilge is so clean, it almost looks like it's been cleaned, but, I'm sure that's not the case. Didn't see any mold or water spots. It has 2 bimini tops and the side curtains to make a full camper enclosure, and it looks like new. No hour meter, so that's an unknown, however it hasn't had many in the last 12 or so years. Trailer doesn't have a speck of rust.

I can't seem to figure out what model she is. Like I said, the title says 1981 Cuddy Cruiser, 24'4", but, she doesn't match the Sea Ray brochures. The layout/hull design/inside looks like the 1980 brochure, but, she has the windows of the '81 models.

They offered us a lower price @ $6,000. I probably could get it down to around 5500 if I tried. Still just leery of a 35 y/o boat. The wife doesn't like the colors, lol, but, everything is complete, and really appears to be in better that expected shape for 35 years.

I'm thinking I will try to make a deal that I will pay for the survey, but, if it shows any deal breakers, try to get them to pay half and I'll give them a copy. Does it make sense to try that?
 
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You want to make them an offer subject to sea trial (test ride) and survey. I would offer $5000 and offer a 10% deposit. The deposit should go into an escrow account pending sale. If they don't like your offer they can counter your offer. If you approve you move to the next step.

Next, go for a boat ride. How does it feel? Does it start right up? Does it get to 4300-4600 RPMs at wide open throttle? If you're happy with everything, schedule a survey. If you don't like the way the sea trial went, ask for your deposit back and the deal is dead.

If you move to the survey you will get a written report detailing everything wrong with the boat. You can ask the seller to correct everything. All he can do is say no and the ball is then in your court. However, more than likely the seller will offer to fix this but not that. You can agree or not. It's all about the negotiation of what is acceptable to both parties. Be patient, this process can take a few days or even weeks. Now is not the time to let your emotions get in the way.

As for your model....somewhere on outside of the transom is a number molded into the fiberglass. That number will tell you the model, serial number and the build month and year. Copy it down and contact Sea Ray. They will tell you the model.

Good luck.
 
NorCal Boater said:
You want to make them an offer subject to sea trial (test ride) and survey. I would offer $5000 and offer a 10% deposit. The deposit should go into an escrow account pending sale. If they don't like your offer they can counter your offer. If you approve you move to the next step.

Next, go for a boat ride. How does it feel? Does it start right up? Does it get to 4300-4600 RPMs at wide open throttle? If you're happy with everything, schedule a survey. If you don't like the way the sea trial went, ask for your deposit back and the deal is dead.

If you move to the survey you will get a written report detailing everything wrong with the boat. You can ask the seller to correct everything. All he can do is say no and the ball is then in your court. However, more than likely the seller will offer to fix this but not that. You can agree or not. It's all about the negotiation of what is acceptable to both parties. Be patient, this process can take a few days or even weeks. Now is not the time to let your emotions get in the way.

As for your model....somewhere on outside of the transom is a number molded into the fiberglass. That number will tell you the model, serial number and the build month and year. Copy it down and contact Sea Ray. They will tell you the model.

Good luck.
Click to expand...


very good advice.
 
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