Looking at a 87 Sea Ray Seville, Have questions.

alwhite00

alwhite00

Active Member
May 31, 2010
1,809
Michigan
Boat Info
1997 250 Sundancer
Engines
5.7 EFI/ BIII
Newbie here. I am looking at a 1987 Seville with the mid cabin (not sure if that is the correct name) - motor is 2 years old 4 cyl. I am not sure on the size, maybe you can tell by the pics. Outdrive was rebuilt at the same time.
Boat was never left in the water, White is nice & shiny. The brown is not as good but I am going to change it to red if I buy it. Interior is in good shape, Has a ship to shore, depth finder, compass & fish finder.
Trailer has 4 new tires on it. Come with the camper top. Overall the boat looks in really nice shape for being 23 years old.

Anything to look out for on these boats? Is there any way to check the area under the engine where the bilge is? Everything seems to work & look good (other than it's dirty)

Any input is very much appreceiated, Please look at the pictures & let me know.

LK

Engine
DSCF8753.jpg


outdrive
DSCF8750.jpg


overall
red-1.jpg


DSCF8773.jpg
 
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I wonder how a boat that size would handle with a single 4 cyl. Have you test driven it while loaded down with your regular crew?
 
How long is the boat? If you don't mind going 5 - 10 knots, you should be fine. BUT I'll bet that motor was replaced! I'll bet it had a 350 in it and dropping to half the horsepower with a 4 cylinder isn't going to be any fun! It has a V berth up front, is there an aft or mid cabin in the boat too?
 
There is a mid cabin in the boat - Original motor was vandalized while sitting for sale - Insurance replaced it with the same that was in it. When I checked some of the specs online it listed a 4 cyl as one of the motor choices.

I am just getting into boating, I don't need to go 50+ - Just a cruiser. I was under the impression that the 3.7 was a decent motor. The guy said it would go around 40mph - Is he full of it? I have not test drove it yet.
Anything else I should be on the lookout for with this boat?
 
He IS full of it! My 25 foot Sundancer would go 40 mph with a 454 Magnum putting out 330 hp! I'm guessing your boat is 23 to 25 feet long. Does it have a galley and head in it?
 
It's 21' - Has an enclosed porta jon - Realistically what is the speed of this thing? Like I said - Just a cruiser bit I don't want to be able to swim faster than the boat either.3

Does anyone have this size boat with a 4 cyl?

LK
 
If it's only a 21 foot, then you'll probably be OK with the 170 hp 470.

I'd guess mid 30's somewhere??
 
Thanks for your input. I appreceiate it.

If anyone has on of these with this motor I would be glad to hear any input you have.

LK
 
Al,

What about this boat do you like? Are you having a hard time finding other boats in your area? Why not keep looking for one in your price range with a bigger motor. We're not too far from you and they're ALL over craigslist... check out LaCrosse, WI and Minneapolis, MN.

I saw your other post on another thread asking about swapping the engine. This boat should have a 1.98:1 gear ratio in the outdrive. When you jump up to a small block V8 (350 CI) you should have a 1.50:1 outdrive. You could buy an aftermarket outdrive for $1300 that will bolt right up. If you pay someone to swap the engine, it will probably cost another 3-6k parts and labor for a used or reman engine. If you do it yourself, maybe 2-4k. This is my best estimate and others with more experience may chime in if my numbers are too low. Bottom line, if you take it for a sea trial and it just wont perform, keep your eyes open for something that will do the job (not something you have to work on right away).
 
I like the layout of the boat with the mid cabin. I could sleep me & the wife + 2 kids. I need that for what we are planning to do with it. I like the fiberglass floor, I like the length of the boat and the looks of it. (and the price) Only thing I am not sold on is the 4 cyl. I really don't want to travel to another state to look at a boat if at all possible.

From what I can gather the cruise speed is around 25mph with a max speed of 30-35mph, Not sure about that.

I've been checking craigslist daily for more of them but not having much luck, You would think in michigan they would be all over.

Any other brands of boats have that type of layout in a 21'?

LK
 
This looks like a good buy.I have exact same boat and it gets up and boogies! Very quick out of the hole and stays flat w/o squatting because of the extreme lightweight of almn engine and usually almn manifold.Boat is also much lighter then later models,less then 3000lbs.,yet is a very stiff and smooth riding that gets great mpg.This engine is used often in E racing boats and i had offer for mine.It's actually a Lincoln 460 cut in half one' of Merc's occasional oddities.Top end felt like about 38mph,if that's important to you? More hp and lighter then inline 6.Handles many passengers well. Drives like a sports car,quick,swift turning,responsive,cool fun!
This engine Absolutely cannot be replaced by any other w/o huge expense.They have big overheating problems but if you stay on top of it and never let it get really hot you're fine.So water pump etc. a must.Alternator is crazy expensive to replace,it's inside the engine,but there is exterior kit now available, so double check it out.Parts are out there,but fewer then 6/8 cyl.
Layout,interior amenities - standup headroom,berth for 4,dinette, enclosed head,kitchen,are unsurpassed in 21' boat.Great cockpit,flat floor,nice walkthru windshield,sweet sunbathing front deck,big swim platform,waterski too, a boat that does everything well,and trailers just fine.
I bought mine dirt cheap with overheated engine so went thru it all! New outdrive is a plus for you,of course. I removed the garish hull stripes ex. waterline,boat is all white,it gets many compliments.
Cheers, Sandy
 
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I had a 1987 Seville CC and it had the 165 4 cylinder and with only 2 people in it....39mph was max and 30 mph was cruise at 3000 rpm. We used that boat for 13 years and had 1200 hours on it and besides regular maintence, had no significant problems. The boat came from factory (not as I ordered) it came with the closed cooling system and it leaked from day one but other then that.....I would re-buy that set up again tommorrow. The mid-cabin is heavier and I see it has trim tabs so you will be fine.
 
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