Cant beat an 80s era sundancer

88dancer300

88dancer300

New Member
Feb 14, 2010
653
new england coast
Boat Info
1988 Sundancer 300, Heat/AC,gennie,central vac,Ice maker stretched swim platform, monster stereo sys
Engines
Twin 5.7 liter 260hp closed cooling system Mercruisers with Alpha one drives.
Just wanted to see if there were any other certifiable classic sundancer lunatics out there !

I've had two, and just think they are great. This era dancer had a lot of bang for the actual size and money.

My first one was a mint 1987 268 Sundancer, one owner lake boat. We ran it for 5 years, put 500 hrs on it, and really enjoyed it.

Since the first year we had it though, I had been eying the 300 sundancer. I thought that boat just had it all ! Length, 11 ft beam, twins, ETC.... We finially found a real nice one with great bones on lake Erie in Feb. I am in the process of a major restoration, and cant wait till she is done! Any other stories?
 
My wife saw a 1989 300da about 4 years ago and fell in love with it instantly. We then looked for 2 years for one that had every thing. She found one in the states that had almost every option and we were making plans to go and see it. Well an 88 came up for sale 45 minutes away, it has every option that Sea Ray offered, heat/air, generator, central vac, electric head and even the European lounger rear seat. The teak is in perfect condition and the interior has been fully re-done even the headliner was replaced. The people that owned it were in the middle of a messy divorce she didn't want the boat but then 2 weeks before the hearing she wanted half of the current appraised value $56,600.00. The guy got a broker and said sell it he listed it at $39,000.00 and dropped it every day. We offered $22,000.00 cash and got it for $26,000.00. We talked about a buying a 2009 310 but after looking at it we will keep our 88. The fit, finish and quality of the materials is far superior to a new one even 22 years after it was built.

Ken
 
I got my 87 300 Sundancer about three years ago at the begining of the 2007 season.
The budget was limited because although I had been a boater, I got out of it many years ago just before I met my wife.
She was never a boater, and wasn't interested in becoming one. She relented only because the kids really wanted to get a boat, and she decided that we could give it a try as long as we didn't spend a fortune on it.
I couldn't be too pushy, because I had just bought myself a loaded brand new Corvette convertible, and kept the 68 GTO I had restored years earlier. Even I know that I can only have so many toys.
I tell my kids all the time that if mom isn't happy, none of us are happy.
I was looking for a 270, but really wanted the AC/Heat for the sleepovers. I was also looking for one that had issues that were fairly easy to correct, but would make the price more negotiable. I've always thought that the 270 was a great family boat. I liked the 300's even more, but thought it would be out of the budget.
I saw this one advertised, and took a look at it on a lark.
It had a few issues, but was a good boat. The previous owners had bought it in 2003 from a dealer for 39K. While it was under the warranty, the port motor went, and the dealer replaced it for them.
The owners were going through a messy divorce. It seems the husband started paying more attention to the lady down the street than he was to the boat, or his wife.
The wife was anxious to sell it. They had left it in the water over the winter because they were feuding. It had a big 8" scratch or gouge on the side of the cabin below the emblem, was filthy, the AC wasn't working, the motors were running hot, and a few other minor details.
She wanted 18K for the boat. I offered her 12K, and she took it. She called him with the offer at his "new residence" and he said no way, but she said screw him "I want the money".
I immediately had it hauled for a week, and since it was in a boatyard, I had to let them do a lot of the work. They power washed and painted the bottom, and serviced the drives and water pumps. The impellers had seen better days, and were obviously not moving enough water.
I cleaned, polished, and waxed it while it was out of the water. I was also able to use this time to take care of most of the other little issues.
The fabric in the V bunk was shot, but the cushions were mint. My wife bought a nice fabric and we paid a friend who does upholstery work a very reasonable price to recover those cushions. He did them before the boat went back in the water, but didn't have time to do the cushions in the aft berth that week. I took the fabric off the aft berth cushions, machine washed it, and re-attatched it myself. My friend covered these cushions for me with new fabric that first winter.
I had a carpet cleaner come down to do the carpets and headliner.
I had a fiberglass guy repair the damage ($200), and changed the name on the back. I also replaced the boot stripe tape while it was out.
I got the boat back in the water the next week. Once it was back in, I was able to get the AC/Heat working. The strainer was completely clogged, and fell apart when I went to clean it. I put a new one in, and it's still working great.
There was also a suspicious water leak off of one of the motors once I got it back in the water. I found that the threaded plug in one of the heads was steel instead of brass and was leaking, so I pulled all the manifolds off and replaced the plugs on all four heads with new brass ones. That cost me about $12 for the plugs at a plumbing supply store, a new set of gaskets for the manifolds and risers, and a day of my time.
The previous owners had the canvas, manifolds, risers, and bellows replaced the summer before I bought the boat. All are still in good shape.
I put a new electric windlass on last year because the original one started to slip, and I couldn't get parts for it. I used the opportunity to replace it with a vertical type that also takes chain, so now I have 12' of chain on my anchor line.
This spring I replaced the boot stripe tape again, mostly because I didn't really like the color of the last one I put on, and I replaced the Sea Ray emblems on the side.
Someone had previously removed all of the stripes along the side of the cabin, and I decided to leave them off for a little cleaner and more modern look. I also put a new set of stainless steel props on it this year, in a different size and pitch. I can't wait to try them out.
The boat doesn't have a generator or electric head, but we don't sleep out on the hook so the genny is no big deal, and I've never had an electric head, so I don't miss it. The manual head gets the job done for now.
I'd still like to replace the carpet in the cabin, but I don't do carpet work, and the prices to have it done are crazy. It will get done one of these days though.
There have been other little things that have come up, but most are maintenance type things, or things that would have gone on a new boat too. Nothing major though.
The boat turned out to be a great deal for us. I'd really like to move up to a sedan bridge though. My wife still could take or leave boating. She doesn't mind a day trip here and there for a few hours, but isn't too crazy about the overnights. That's OK though. My son, who will be ten in a couple of weeks, loves it, so he and I get to spend some quality time together. Sometimes my daughter, who will be 13 soon, joins us on the overnights too. You can't put a price on these times.
Last year I convinced my wife that we should buy a little piece of property on a canal to keep the boat on.I had been looking on this particular canal for a while, and when the piece came along I persuaded my wife, and we bought it.
She liked the idea that we don't have to pay for dockage anymore, and that now I can store the boat up on land there for the winter and I can do the maintenance and winterization myself now that I'm not in a boatyard anymore.
Now all I have to do is figure out a way to convince her that we would be better off with something bigger. She has said in the past that she would probably like it better if we had a seperate shower stall. Hmmm....... That's a good angle!
But in the meantime, I love my 300.
 
We moved up from our '82 SRV260 SXL, a very sporty and stylish boat ahead of its time. Only a big cuddy cabin though so we need a larger boat. We looked at 340s but they wouldn't fit in our slip (slips in our area are VERY hard to come by) so when I saw a 300 I realized it had almost the same cabin layout as the 340 but in a size we could put in our slip. I looked for months for one in good shape and finally found one in MD. We made an offer and the owner who already had another boat took the offer in a heartbeat. BTW this was in early 2008 and the economy was already tanking so he was a motivated two boat owner! My family loves the "new" boat and all its room. I've done some minor things like bellows, gimbal bearings, risers and manifolds and alot of cleaning and polising. We plan to keep her for a long time so I'm thinking of removing the cabin carpet which is getting tired, and replacing it with hardwood like some others have done. We don't have a generator or central vac. but do have AC/heat and hotwater and microwave. We don't overnight on the hook so it works fine for us. I like the manual head, less stuff to breakdown. The interior is origional as far as I can tell but in like new condition. The teak is excellent. We are very happpy with this boat.
My wife tells me I'm stuck in the 80s and maybe I am but it was a decade of great music, cool gadgets, and great Sea Rays. I prefer our old '89 300 to a newer 300/310 mainly because of the beam and the fact that you don't loose any useable boat length to a molded in swim platform. We fish and the seating arangement on these boats makes that a very easy thing to do. Newer boats have too much molded in seating to make fishing practical, other than the Amberjacks.
 
Yea, you are right about the great music in the 80s! and ditto on the 80s rays. We looked at the newer ones as well, and as you have said, you dont really get a 30 ft boat in a newer 30 footer. And you have to move up to a 35 footer in a newer boat to get an 11 ft beam. We like the flexible floor plan of the cockpit, you can flip down all the seats ad seat 6 back there... or fold em up, and presto ! Instant dance floor. Me and the wife grew up in the 80s, and are both music nuts. The wifes a music guru with the I-POD, so she has about 6000 songs on it. Good thing I got her, cause I cant figure it out! I just finished installing two new stereo systems... Down in the cabin is an Alpine unit with two Pioneer spkrs. Up in the cockpit is an Alpine marine head unit, Allpine PDX 1000 watt amp. for the 12" R series subwoofers, and a PDX 400 watt amp that runs the four 8" Pioneer speakers. Cant wait to fire it up!
 
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I guess I'll step in here and represent the West Coast! It's a great boat and I think we should make this the official 80's 300 DA thread! We'll need some pictures, especially of the remodel jobs!! We trailer our boat and have had it all over Washington State, Idaho and Montana! I'm getting her ready tomorrow to start the season and I can't wait!
 
Wasn't there a link to Photobucket on here recetly? I can't seem to find it now.

88dancer300, your stereo system sounds like it should rock the boat :) If I had one that nice, my kids would be jaming their music at 120 dB and I'd never get to listen to mine LOL. We have a Sony marine unit in the cabin and a set of Poly Planar speakers in the cabin and cockpit. This head unit has the I-pod connector and remote so you can use it from anywhere on the boat. I've held off the subwoofer and amps for the reasons mentioned. The 100 watts this unit puts out makes rap and current pop music PLENTY loud enough!

I'll post some pics if I can find that photo bucket link.
 
Well, mine is not a sundancer but surely is a classic SR from the ‘80s. I love it and the more new models appear on the market, the more I like it’s lines and lay-out.
It’s a boat designed with common sense and practicality in mind. Thick gel coat and solid hull.
I bought it some 18 years ago and I have lots of memories with it and never a spoiled vacation.. I tried to make up my mind and trade up but I never found the nerve or a better lay-out boat.
So I decided to restore it completely...included the audio system...you will see it once the restoration is over :grin:
 
I've thought about the hardwood floor too, but I think the contour of the floor up by the V bunk would make installation difficult.
Another Mod I've though about is a filler for the step area up near the V bunk. The one thing I don't like is the sideways V bunk, and I think a filler would make it more comfortable for two adults to sleep in.
I'd like to make it small enough that it can be removed and stowed when not in use.
We aso removed all of the privacy curtains to open up the space a little more. They were in bad shape, and difficult to replace anyway. I held on to the tracks, just in case we ever wanted to replace them.
The one question I have for anyone with one of these boats is about a toggle switch and what it controls.
I have an AC vent behind the little shelf on your left as you step down in to the cabin. Alongside the vent is a toggle switch with an indicator light. When you flip the switch, the indicator lights green. I, for the life of me, can't figure out what it is supposed to control. I'm also trying to avoid pulling everything apart to trace the wires to see where they go.
Does anyone else have this switch?
 
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I'm new to this site and excited to see all the Sea Ray boat owners on it. I have a 1985 Sea Ray 210 cc. 260hp. We rebuilt the engine in 2008. We bought this boat new in 1985 and could not be happier with it. I do have a question. I am looking to buy a new mooring cover and am wondering if I need to get a custom built one made, or does anyone know if there is such a thing as a ready made cover for this year Sea Ray. It has high bow rails on it. When I look on the internet, I do see a ton of covers for sale, but all with small rails. Any input would be greatly apprecated.

Markor
 
MARKOR said:
I'm new to this site and excited to see all the Sea Ray boat owners on it. I have a 1985 Sea Ray 210 cc. 260hp. We rebuilt the engine in 2008. We bought this boat new in 1985 and could not be happier with it. I do have a question. I am looking to buy a new mooring cover and am wondering if I need to get a custom built one made, or does anyone know if there is such a thing as a ready made cover for this year Sea Ray. It has high bow rails on it. When I look on the internet, I do see a ton of covers for sale, but all with small rails. Any input would be greatly apprecated.

Markor
Click to expand...
I have a 1984 245 sundancer and have not been able to find canvas other than from a custom shop. It seems that the patterns only go back to 1993.
 
Another very happy owner right here. Like Pietro, mine is not a Sundancer, but virtually the same (sans aft cabin). I love the look, layout, practicality, fantastic build quality, and amenities this boat has to offer. To replace it new in today's dollars would be well over $150k. Hard to believe! I am still a few weeks away from splash time, but plan on a detailed photo shoot to share with my fellow CSR members after i get done with all of my pre-season projects! :smt038
 
Yes I too am a CCSL with a 1986 Sundancer 250. Love these boats after having way to many boats in my time. Once I saw this Boat everything stopped, I knew I finally had found the Boat of my dreams, it's in great shape and the layout is the best I've seen in a Boat this size.....it's my cottage in the summer and a joy to have.........I think we should start a CCSL club to share the in's and out's of these great boats.
 
Is that the Allure flooring from Home Depot? I was thinking about that as well for a few reasons. First its flexable and the upslope at the v-berth would be no problem. Second its waterproof, can be used in bathrooms and thirdly its a floating floor so no glue and it cuts with a utility knife not saws. I'm thinking about installing over the existing carpet to eliminate having to rip it up and grind the floor (read less mess).
Besides, I've done a few Pergo floors and its not that difficult to install floating floors.
Thanks for the link Jim.

I'm getting a login request when I go to the photobucket site, whats up with that?
 
Greta idea Sundancer on the official 80s era sundancer thread. Can we change the name of the thread? I am a true rookie here on the site. Again,I cant thank you enough for turning me on to it !! I have a bunch of high resolution. remodel photos of my completely remodeled and updated cockpit and dash, stretched platform with under mount ladder and under platform lighting, dual stereo systems, stripped bottom to gellcoat, all new stripes, 24 individual indirect LED light pods in the cockpit, Stripped the windshield frame and gouged up rub rail down to the aluminum, doing the dinette upholstery over, and installing a 3/4" teak hardwood floor in the cabin, although, I am very interested in the Alure product as well. and am going to replace the benson windlass with a new Lewmar stainless steel chain gypsy widlass. Ive been kicking ass on this thing since I got it this Feb. Cant wait to get her in the water! I am trying to make this a classy 88 classic dancer with late model amennities. Oh, I replaced and added all new chrome searay emblems badges and 300 insignias, and a mahogany and and stainless steering wheel! Looking for stainless steel bilge vents. Dave
 
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JVM, Mine does not have that switch that you have. I cant imagine what it would be for??? Is it a factory searay switch and green indicator?
 
88dancer, from the sounds of it, you have been busy this winter. I'd love to see the pics especially the lighting as I've wanted to do something about cockpit lighting on our boat.
 
JVM225 said:
The one question I have for anyone with one of these boats is about a toggle switch and what it controls.
I have an AC vent behind the little shelf on your left as you step down in to the cabin. Alongside the vent is a toggle switch with an indicator light. When you flip the switch, the indicator lights green. I, for the life of me, can't figure out what it is supposed to control. I'm also trying to avoid pulling everything apart to trace the wires to see where they go.
Does anyone else have this switch?
Click to expand...

I don't have this switch, my output vent for the AC is in the end of the seat for the dinning table. The air intake for the AC is located in the same seat but close to the hull. My AC unit is under the seat at the dinette because I have the factory vacuum system. Let me know if you find out what that switch is.

Ken
 
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