Current conditions of the vessel

[Mike Sibrava]

hello I’m really green

I have newly come into possession of a 1987 sea Ray Sorrento 23

I’m looking to revamp the vessel as best I can on a budget
Please don’t hate on it or me too much I’m reaching out because I’m clueless and looking to learn

 

[Blueone]

Everything you’re showing in the pics is cosmetic and easily cleaned or redone
You need to determine what condition the engine and outdrive is in and how is the integrity of the hull, floor and topside.... that’s where the money is
You might consider a survey of the boat before deciding..... Good luck and welcome

 

[SkiPharmer]

How much did you pay for it? was it stored inside or out? it looks pretty trashed. Like Blueone said, if the hull is solid, and engine/outdrive is ok then it will take a lot of elbow grease and probably a full tune up, replacing all belts, fluids, etc.

 

[Creekwood]

That boat looks like it has had moisture in it and those early Sea Rays were known for having their wooden transoms, hull stringers and decks rot. You should watch at least the first few of this guy's videos about his experiences with what he thought was a very good condition 220.

 

[JimG]

I voted a "Maybe"... don't know what you paid for it, and no information about the motor and drive.

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!

 

[SkiPharmer]

That boat looks like it has had moisture in it and those early Sea Rays were known for having their wooden transoms, hull stringers and decks rot. You should watch at least the first few of this guy's videos about his experiences with what he thought was a very good condition 220.

OMG.....I just watched that video..that poor poor dude. ugh!

 

[M Prod]

Just watched that video as well. That's my nightmare scenario. As much as it rains here, I'm due to re-inspect all the hardware connections on my topside. How awful for that guy though.

 

[Golfman25]

Just watched that video as well. That's my nightmare scenario. As much as it rains here, I'm due to re-inspect all the hardware connections on my topside. How awful for that guy though.

Yeah but he put it back together better than new. It's all online. A pretty good job. But lots of time and money.

 

[M Prod]

I'll check it out. I'm sure he did a great job, but how terrible for him at the time. "Wanted a lake ready boat and not another project". That's enough to ruin your year for sure. Big $$ indeed.

 

[sbw1]

I'll bet it has black plywood and mushrooms growing in all the structural plywood.

 

[Creekwood]

I'll check it out. I'm sure he did a great job, but how terrible for him at the time. "Wanted a lake ready boat and not another project". That's enough to ruin your year for sure. Big $$ indeed.

Its a great series to watch to see how major repairs can be done. And if you watch the whole series, you will NEVER take on such a project or buy a boat with rot. It is a fantastic reality check for anyone that thinks that a cheap boat won't be too bad to bring back to life. In the end, that boat was like a new boat. But if you factor in the cost of the time he spent and the real $$, he ended up paying for a new boat, but only got one that was "like" a new boat.

 

[Mike Sibrava]

It was a andmedown from family bought brushes and soap to start cleaning up
From what I understand the power tilt has an issue

 

[techmitch]

It was a andmedown from family bought brushes and soap to start cleaning up
From what I understand the power tilt has an issue

Post some more pics. Best of luck and welcome aboard.

 

[Blueone]

It was a andmedown from family bought brushes and soap to start cleaning up
From what I understand the power tilt has an issue

Glad you brought the thread back on track... good luck!

 

[NorCal Boater]

It was a andmedown from family bought brushes and soap to start cleaning up
From what I understand the power tilt has an issue

Just from the pictures and over 50 years of experience that boat has more problems than a power tilt.

Even if it was free, before you spend a dime on it or do any cleaning, hire a professional marine surveyor and have the boat inspected for rot focusing on the stringers, transom and floors. If any of those areas are found to not be good....part the boat out! If by some miracle it passes the survey remove the spark plugs and try and turn the motor over by hand....not with the starter. If it will turn over squirt a bit of Mystery Oil or similar into each cylinder and turn the motor over and then check compression. IF....the compression is good you can count on the fuel in the tank to not be. You will need to find a way to remove it. If there is very little in the tank you could dilute the bad bay adding fresh fuel and a stabilizer but I would try and start the motor from a small 3 gallon can. You can also plan, on the very least, on replacing the water pump in the outdrive so if the engine does start you do not damage it by running it without water. Remember....you should do all of these steps BEFORE anything else.

But I doubt you will listen to any of us because you've already blown off the suggestion to watch the YouTube videos. So go ahead and buy the soap and do the cleaning and at least it will look better when the transom falls off and it sinks.

 

[Blueone]

So go ahead and buy the soap and do the cleaning and at least it will look better with the transom falls off and it sinks.

Seriously?.... He asked for help. Offer it or don’t .... it was his first post...nice welcome to CSR

 

[duffman04]

My last boat ('87 300 Twin 350 Dancer) was a repo that a dealer just wanted to get rid of. 1 bad motor for sure and one questionable. When we were looking at cheap boats, we brought a hammer. Tap all around the stringers, transom, and deck. Ting is good, thud is bad. Ours tinged in the areas that I was comfortable, we fixed the mechanical, and ran the boat around for 7 years with our kids. I invested allot of $$, but it made us realize that we are boaters.

For what it is worth, I bought a cheap Ryobi moisture meter when we went boat shopping again and it gave us a good baseline on what to expect from a surveyor.

 

[Mike Sibrava]

Just from the pictures and over 50 years of experience that boat has more problems than a power tilt.

Even if it was free, before you spend a dime on it or do any cleaning, hire a professional marine surveyor and have the boat inspected for rot focusing on the stringers, transom and floors. If any of those areas are found to not be good....part the boat out! If by some miracle it passes the survey remove the spark plugs and try and turn the motor over by hand....not with the starter. If it will turn over squirt a bit of Mystery Oil or similar into each cylinder and turn the motor over and then check compression. IF....the compression is good you can count on the fuel in the tank to not be. You will need to find a way to remove it. If there is very little in the tank you could dilute the bad bay adding fresh fuel and a stabilizer but I would try and start the motor from a small 3 gallon can. You can also plan, on the very least, on replacing the water pump in the outdrive so if the engine does start you do not damage it by running it without water. Remember....you should do all of these steps BEFORE anything else.

But I doubt you will listen to any of us because you've already blown off the suggestion to watch the YouTube videos. So go ahead and buy the soap and do the cleaning and at least it will look better with the transom falls off and it sinks.

No I actually read this and will follow up I’m not sure where to hire a surveyor the attitude is amusing though

 

[Carpediem44DB]

Have some fun cleaning the boat up a bit and have a mechanic give it a good look over and give you an Idea as to the condition. I would not think it would be worth having a marine surveyor inspect it. If a mechanic you think you can trust gives you a quote to make it seaworthy that is in your budget that enjoy it. If not sell it as is to someone who can restore it themselves. The key is not to get upside down in a free to you boat.
Just my two cents
Welcome Aboard
Carpe Diem

 

[Phasma]

I bought my 360 from a repo deal. I bought it cheap. Looking back ......she was a mess. Many many hours and $$$ and I have a fine boat that I spend most every summer on. If boating is your passion, dont shy away from the project. As already stated a decent survey making sure the hull, stringers, transom and decking is solid. Batteries, water pump, oil, gas and fuel lines must also be replaced. Past that everything is a project. Just cleaning and buffing will put a twinkle in your eye. Good idea to hold off cleaning until after a survey. If she is clean you may make an emotional decision rather than an intelligent one. A hand-me-down boat has an emotional value. A boat will create amazing memories during the project as well as on the water.

Don’t let a couple of grouchy old farts give you a bad impression of CSR. This forum is a huge resource for all things Sea Ray. Almost all are kind generous boat owners that are more than happy to help.