Jet guy new to prop boats

[74glencoe]

Hello everyone out there in Sea Ray land! I am new to Sea Ray boats and to I/O drives. I have been around them quite a bit but have always owned jet boats. My wife and I usually boat at Elephant Butte lake here in New Mexico, although we also go to Caballo and have visited Powell and Mead.

I just picked up a 1989 sorrento 21ft, 5.7 260hp, alpha 1 gen 1 “sea Ray White drive”, open bow. The boat is in great shape, and I think we will really enjoy it.

Sorry for the bad light, it was almost sunset when I took the pics.

I have always been a jet guy, here are a few pics of my 1974 glencoe 18ft jet, 530 hp (corrected) big block Chevy full roller motor, blueprinted wj jet drive, blah blah blah.

They are very different boats with different uses, I am hoping I can keep from “tinkering” with the sea ray. As I understand it alpha drives don’t handle high torque numbers very well.

 

[blaster]

Welcome to CSR. That's a clean boat for 29 years old! I know you will appreciate the fuel economy of the I/O compared to your jet boat.

 

[74glencoe]

Welcome to CSR. That's a clean boat for 29 years old! I know you will appreciate the fuel economy of the I/O compared to your jet boat.

Thank you, I know the history of the boat pretty well, and it has always been stored indoors and very well kept.

As for the fuel economy, the jet does get “gallons per mile” and I expect better out of the I/O.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Nice boat. Brings back memories of my '87 S-24 Sorento. I had the same engine in my 24 so you should get good performance from your. Your info is correct on the Alpha I. Anything over 300hp can be dicey,

 

[JimG]

Congratulations and welcome to CSR!

 

[Happy Dayz]

Nice, welcome!

i too have a jet boat.. now with fried jet bearing, she sits... need to selllll, LOL

 

[dvx216]

That alpha drive has a lot to offer with the boat you have considering the weight of your boat .Where the alpha had problem was with a big block and a big boat and even then as long as you were not doing hole shots every time it still performed.

 

[Boater420]

Welcome to CSR! Awesome classic! Definitely doesn't look 30 years old.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Welcome. I love the lines of the older boats and like the looks of yours. Welcome to the wonderful world of quiet (albeit a lot slower) boating.

 

[ttmott]

I've always liked the Sorrento series; solid classic boats and great to ski behind. Your boat looks to be in outstanding condition!
Welcome! Many experts here to help with every facet of boating and your new boat.
Your pictures take me back; I campaigned a boat in the IHBA in what is now called the Stock Eliminator class for several years until we moved to Florida. I kept one of the boats and modified it for pleasure and used it here in Florida until a couple of years ago when I finally sold it to a fellow on the other side of the state. I kinda miss sitting in the drivers seat of those machines....

 

[Nick Richen]

What is top speed on your sorrento?

 

[Thornton69]

Thinking he went back to a big block jet.. 2 posts, 2 years ago.