Current conditions of the vessel

[DWABoat]

Mike,

I have a 1989 Sea Ray 220 with the same drive package. Very similar size/layout except I have a small cabin in the bow.

You say you are very green in knowing boats. Because you had the wisdom to seek knowledge, you will be okay with this boat. Just be patient and put steps in order.

My boat was in terrible shape. Rot. Engine issues. Vinyl bad. Transom rotted. Manifolds bad. Outdrive oil with water. And more. Took me 12 years and a lot of labor to get it right. Included engine pull and transom rebuild.

I agree with these very knowledgeable CSR members, this boat has much more wrong than some mildew and a trim pump.

Before you do anything, you must make sure it is safe for your family. No amount of washing and polishing will do that. I am talking about fires, explosions, and sinking. If you don’t know about bilge blowers, proper marine wiring, and backfire flame arrestors (it has a Chevy 350 with a carburetor), do the right thing, haul it to a certified Mercruiser Marine Mechanic and ask them to give it a mechanical and safety inspection. You will not regret it. As old as it is and looking at its condition, there is no telling who has modified the wiring, changed out to non-marine carburetor/fuel pump/etc, wired a new high-amp bilge blower with twisted wires and electrical tape (yes, I found that).

A day on the water is no fun when your boat catches fire.

Do that. Keep us posted. Then we will go from there. I would not expect to get my family in that boat until late-summer at the soonest.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Maybe some would take my attitude as bad however, I’ve been in this forum for about 12 years and been boating for more than 50. Every year we get a post or two from a person who got a “....great deal on an old boat.” They ask for advice from the membership and then usually ignore it because emotion takes over logic and common sense. My “bad” attitude seemed to have worked and I think I got the OP’s attention and that was what I was trying to do.

I wasn’t trying to be a dick. I hope I’m wrong about your boat....I really am but, you not being an experienced boater, I was trying to save you some heartache and cash. And I speak from experience. About 7 years ago I had a chance to buy back a boat I had owned and loved. It is a very rare 1985 23’ Cobalt. I had owned it for ten years about 18 years prior. Because I knew the boat so well I let emotion get in the way and bought it sight unseen for $3500. I was going to just put a few grand and a couple of months in it and use it. I won’t go into all the detail but I’m almost finished with it and it’s been 5 years and I have over $25,000 in it. And I did most of the work myself.

Because of your lack of boating experience my goal was to get your attention and be sure you got the important things checked before you spent too much time and money on it. I apologize if anyone feels I was too harsh. I hope it all works out for you and you get sucked into this crazy, expensive lifestyle like the rest of us. As for the inspection, do an online search in your area for Marine Surveyors or better, Certified Marine Surveyor. Ask for , and check, references. You’re really just looking for someone that will inspect your boat for rot. Be there when they do the survey (inspection) and ask lots of questions and learn all you can. As for the engine and outdrive I told you what to do to get started. Search YouTube as there are many how-to videos that will help you. I owned an ‘87 S-24 Sorrento and I am pretty familiar with the boat, if you have questions please ask and good luck and keep us posted.
Shawn

 

[Stee6043]

One thought - before you contemplate spending money on a survey take a shot at doing some "sounding" on the hull and transom on your own.

I think you can find some videos on Youtube that will show how, in principal, a mallet or other tool can be used to find voids or wet spots in the hull. If the transom is as bad as some folks here suggest it might be, I bet the DIY sounding method would find it.

Worth a shot...for exactly $0. Unless you need to buy a $5 mallet, of course

 

[dvx216]

Buy a ice pick and start poking around on the inside of transom down low around the drive mount, stringers around motor mounts, the floor around where the seats are screwed down . Grab the outdrive try to lift the ass end of the boat up with it if you hear anything popping cracking or feel flex then the transom shot. Rack the steering wheel is it smooth and free. Pull the plugs on the lower leg of the outdrive what does the lower unit oil look like. Take a look at the transom where there are connection point are there any tea stains on the fiberglass this is signs of rot.These are things that will sink the project before you even get started and you haven't even looked at the motor.All these things are what some new boat owners know or learn the hard way. If these things don't make sense to you then your going to need help and a lot of it. Now I'm not saying the boats not worth the effort but you will never get your money out of it you put in it. Most people fall in love with boating before they have enough drive to pull off a restore project it's that love for boating that pushes them. Another thing if it's made of rubber like hoses, belts and bellows water pump impellers chances are their shot and have failed or will fail once you get it up and running. There is nothing harder on a boat then sitting some where not properly covered with shrink wrap or under roof not to mention the mechanics. Remember the only cheap boat is someone else's boat that you use good luck finding that deal. The real question is in closing is a free boat in the long run considering there are plenty of good boats out there for sale in the end will it cost you about the same as what you will put into a fixer upper. Your asking people that are boaters to tell you if it's worth it for you to fix a boat before your a boater it's the old cart before the horse so I can't answer that question for. you.

 

[NorCal Boater]

One thought - before you contemplate spending money on a survey take a shot at doing some "sounding" on the hull and transom on your own.

I think you can find some videos on Youtube that will show how, in principal, a mallet or other tool can be used to find voids or wet spots in the hull. If the transom is as bad as some folks here suggest it might be, I bet the DIY sounding method would find it.

Worth a shot...for exactly $0. Unless you need to buy a $5 mallet, of course

That's a really good idea assuming.... He knows what a stringer is and where to access them. He knows what to listen for and what sounds good and what is bad and what's marginal. He has fiberglass experience. He has any mechanical experience.

Its true that the only way to get boat experience is to work on one but you don't want to start with a turd. And you really don't want a shiny turd.

Shawn

 

[NorCal Boater]

One last thing Mike and then I'll stop....

You can take the time to watch some videos and try tapping the hull yourself. If you find some dead spots then take more time finding out the extent of the damage. Then more time looking for someone to repair it for you. Oops....summer's over. That's OK i f you are in it for the long run and not in a hurry. Or you could go to a professional and have them tell you what the problems are and probably recommend a repair shop.

There is also a chance that the boat could be sound and only need fluids changed, deferred maintenance brought up to date and a shitload of cleaning and polishing done....then go boating. Sea Ray makes a good boat. Unfortunately, some of the boats from the late '80s had some issues making them prone to rot issues. I know....I've owned 2 from that period. I had the '87 S-24 Sorrento and an '89 340 Sundancer. I got lucky. Both of those boats were well taken care of and solid. Hopefully you will have the same luck.

 

[Stee6043]

That's a really good idea assuming.... He knows what a stringer is and where to access them. He knows what to listen for and what sounds good and what is bad and what's marginal. He has fiberglass experience. He has any mechanical experience.

Its true that the only way to get boat experience is to work on one but you don't want to start with a turd. And you really don't want a shiny turd.

Shawn

Yowsers....I mean...I....ahhh I suppose not....

 

[sbw1]

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.

At least my comment was concise and to the point.(;-)

 

[Ned]

I was blessed to find a 1973 searay SRV 888 in mint condition. Only needed an alternator an impeller and a few other things. It was in storage 30 years. Somebody took care if her. until I started looking at boats as a technician myself I had no idea the extreme problems there can be. You can leave no stone unturned. When your down the river or in the middle of a big lake you dont want to be stuck. Theres no way I would take on a boat project with what I know now. Id rather spend more money and find something that needs a little work but that is basically sound which is what I did.

 

[duffman04]

One last thing Mike and then I'll stop....

You can take the time to watch some videos and try tapping the hull yourself. If you find some dead spots then take more time finding out the extent of the damage. Then more time looking for someone to repair it for you. Oops....summer's over. That's OK i f you are in it for the long run and not in a hurry. Or you could go to a professional and have them tell you what the problems are and probably recommend a repair shop.

+1 This is what I was talking about in post #17 with the ting and thud.

Link the the moisture meter i bought:

https://www.amazon.com/Ryobi-E49MM01-Moisture-Softwood-Included/dp/B0070YI0JM

Looks like they may not make them anymore though. This thing is pretty close to 3 professional surveys I have checked it against. Again, not perfect but it will give you an idea of what you are dealing with. Good luck!