Good timing for this new section

[redneck joe]

I'm getting a bit more serious about buying a Sea Ray and just signed up this morning. I could post int he classic area, but looks like this section needs to get moving....

A bit about me. Boating all my 42 years, just sold my first cabin cruiser that I had for about 3 years (87 Bayliner 2550) which also was my first I/O - prior to that mostly 18-20 runabouts with outboards.

Just moved to TN from MO and will be running the Tennessee River (Nickajack Lake) mostly a few miles each weekend to a cove, occasional 50-100 mile runs for a long weekend.


Looking at a 1987 340 weekender (express cruiser? - no mid cabin). This will be my first boat in a slip - always had a trailer before. Also a first is direct inboards.

Heard a few things about balsa wood in some older Sea Rays but can't seem to find specifics save one place and it didn't appear to encompass this year/model.



What else will I need to know about this particular (of class) of boats?

 

[rondds]

Joe
SR doesnt archive anything for the 87 but found this for the '89 340EC.
http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manuals/Sea_Ray_Archives/1989/26-35%20feet/340EC_SS.pdf

also found this for the '89. Good to have.
http://www.searay.com/Archives_Manu...rts_manuals/1989/1989_340_EXPRESS_CRUISER.pdf

I have no idea how the '87s and '89s differ but it's a start.

 

[redneck joe]

hey ron - thanks - I gave up on this area and went to general.

Update - actually mrs redneck and I gave up on the dream of the big boat (only for awhile). The boat is great but the fixed costs are just not what we need right now for various reasons.

we did find a 1989 200CC that I will be testing on the water tomorrow. We looked at it this weekend but too close to dark to put in. If all good tomorrow I will be bringing home.

much smaller than we had and even more smaller than we wanted, but cash will be paid and no slip fees. We also really like a couple different areas so trailer seems to be the best (for now). We will still be able to do the river runs (from Nickajack) that we love as well as the awesome lakes around here (Tims Ford, Center Hill). May even run to pensacola this winter...


the big boat dream will not die....

 

[rondds]

Good luck Joe!

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

I'm 63 and been boating since I was 10. Grew up on the water and live on the Chesapeake Bay now. I've had about a dozen different boats in my lifetime. The last was a 29' Baha Crusier. Not a go fast boat, a fishing and family boat. Thought that was going to be the last boat. Wife got a bee in her bonnet for one last boat. Had always heard and read(power boats report) that for the money SeaRay had the best fit and finish. Contacted Rick Elliott at Clarks Landing and he and the folks there made it real easy to slip into a 0ne owner SeaRay certified 2004 340 DA. Best thing I ever did. Wish I had purchased one years ago.

 

[redneck joe]

hey george - I've been boating since I was 4 (my first rowboat) and I'm 42 so we are about the same. We WILL get the big one, just holding back for a couple years due to current work circumstances - future is good just not sure how good. May even buy the one we were looking at come this spring if it is still around.

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Good luck Redneck Joe. Happy Thanks Giving