looking at buying a 84 34 SEARAY

[rob83srv225]

The boat is located up in Port Clinton, ohio. She is 84 34ft e.c. with twin 330 dig block tunnel drives. The boat has 750 hours on each, and she is spotless!!!!! and loaded with all the toys. Going up tommrow for sea trial and to have a survey done on her. Is there any thing i should be looking for on the type of boat to be careful of??????
Robert.

 

[tobnpr]

Good luck. Do a search, plenty on the '80's EC's.
Stringers- check limber holes for rot.
Cabin windows- leak like a sumbitch. Look for signs of water damage below them...
As with any twenty-five year old boat, aluminum fuel tanks and water tanks are past their lifespan and if they haven't been already, will likely need replacement.
Check the deck and gunnels for soft spots, and the coring in the bow for the windlass (if equipped).
In a nutshell, aside from the mechanicals, you're looking for rot in the stringers, decks, swim platform and cabin top from water intrusion into the balsa coring.
Your surveyor will know how to sound or use a moisture meter to check these areas.

 

[rob83srv225]

After we do the sea trial there going to hull her out of the water, so he can do his work.....
robert

 

[sprink56]

Wow...we have much info on that boat. WileyCoyote has posted a bunch of stuff on the "Pre Clinton Era" thread that covers many things he has encountered with his restoration. You would do well to read his adventures.

It's a wise move to have a survey done and it would be wise for you to plan a day to stay with him A~Z. Take pictures...lots of pictures...of everything he does.

On a 25 year old boat from that part of the country look for rotted stringers and de-laminated hull and deck areas. Your surveyor should have a moisture meter and he will be able to quickly find the wet spots. Also ask the surveyor about hull blisters below the water line. It is very common to have them on boats from the '80s due to the fact that fiberglass technology had not advanced to the level that we had even in the mid '90s. Blisters appear and must be repaired. Look for slop in the steering linkage and rudder bushings, condition of the thru hull seacocks and fittings. Observe the headliner in the cabin especially the area below the windshield, around port lights, side windows and deck hatches....any water stains indicate current or previous water leaks. Lift the salon and berth floor hatches and look for signs of moisture...if there is standing water in these areas there is a leak some where allowing water intrusion...usually from above.

A very important thing to ask for is a maintenance log. You want to be able to know as much as you can about that boat and what was replaced and or up-graded and when. That is a good running and handling boat. the EC configuration balances that boat nicely and makes for a good stable ride. The 454 Chevys at 750 hours is not a problem but the exhaust manifold and riser replacement schedule is crucial. Thes engines are hopefully cooled with a closed system as opposed to raw water cooled. That means that there has probably been anti freeze and corrosion inhibitor in the blocks and heads during winter lay up. same gos for the generator. Ask about when the last raw water pump service was performed and in the bilge at the front of the engines look for signs of water leakage from the raw water pumps. A lot of corrosion on the engines and surrounding area is a sign of piss poor maintenance and would be a deal breaker for me.

If the engines are strong and clean and the generator and A/C/Heat work you might have a boat. If the engines look rough and you don't like the way the bilge looks...walk away. There are a bunch of these boats for sale and it is a buyers market.

Boat US has that boat at between $17K & $22K...don't pay more than that...good luck:thumbsup:

 

[rob83srv225]

Ok guys here we go, sea trial went well, boat performed well, there are some small isues with here though. First the stuffing boxes around both prop shafts started leaking after about 15 minutes, i was told i need new packing. Engine bay was spotless!!!! Everthing was neat, clean, and in order, all connections were clean and no rust. There was also no oil under either engine. There is a water leak in the port side window, but there is no other leakes in the cabin, and no water stains. Headliner is clean and free of stains. The carpet in the cabin is super clean, the cockpet carpet is a year old, but nice and clean, dash and guages are all in super nice shape and all are in working order. When the boat was hauled out there was some moisture found around the swim platform mounts, and around the windless......all else checked out fine.......Please let me know what you think????
Robert.

 

[tobnpr]

Sounds like nothing unexpected in a twenty-five year old boat. The backing/coring for the windlass can be replaced (pain in the a**, but I had to do mine), swim platform NBD either.

I'd replace the old stuffing boxes with dripless seals, depending on the price maybe you can get some of the cost back from the owner.

Nothing there that should cause you to reject the boat, so congratulations!

 

[rob83srv225]

Going back up to port clinton tommrow morning to run here again, there putting in new dripless seals today, if all goes well i'll bring her back by water to my dock!!!!! Ill post up some pics thursday morning!!!!!!
robert

 

[ghuskin]

Robert,

So, looks like congratulations may be in order? keeping the cuddy as your dinghy?

Gregg