My New Toy

Congrats....how about some details?
What is she equipped with?
 
Thank You,

1988 300 Weekender

I am new to boating it was a deal I couldn't pass up. $12,500 has 2 350 inboards No AC or heat but I live in Salem Ma and at this time I don't think I need it. I had it looked at by a marine mechanic and he said the motors are like new very well maintained. I am new to boating like I said I had a 21' Steiger Craft for 2 months this fall and wanted a sleeper and head. I know it has Radar GPS Fishfinder generator and new canvas and 2 new seats in the box for the cockpit.

The boat is in CT and I will be bringing it up to Salem Ma in April I hope May the latest. The previous owner is going to make the trip with me to show me how to handle it. He owned it since new and marina maintained yearly with records. He is just too old and can't handle it anymore.

I think and was told I stole the boat from what my mechanic said.

I cant wait for the weather to change.

Witchhouse

Hope to have a wonderful summer next year
 
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What do you know about the condition of the stringers and the transom? What did the survey turn up? I used to have a 1986 30' Week Ender for about seven years. It was one of Sea Ray's better boats.
 
Mechanic did what he called soundings and visual inspection and he said it was exceptional. I also gained a lot of faith when the previous owner offered to take the trip with me back to Massachusetts from Conneticut. You could eat out of the engine compartments. We took it out for about an hour and he tested everything we could find all in good working order. 700 hours on the motors. We hauled the boat and everything looked great is docked in fresh water in Chester CT.

Witchhouse
 
I think the point made previously is quite valid. Purchasing a used boat without a complete hull survey by an accredited marine surveyor, and a mechanical inspection by a certified mercruiser technician, is exceptionally risky.
This is a 20 year old boat.
Water intrusion around all through hulls, deck hatches, etc is a distinct possibility. Was it ever a salt water boat? Have the manifolds been replaced? Oil sampling of the mains been performed? I could go on.

I appreciate the the thrill of taking a risk. I just don't think it prudent to gamble on something that you will take your family (?) out in.

I encourage you to spend the money on a proper hull and mechanical survey.

My .02.

Good luck with it.

Skip
 
The Mechanic is the head mechanic at the marina where I will be keeping the boat. I do have an appointment with a registered certified surveyor in May before I get the summer rolling. Thank you for the advice I appriciate it. He is going to do a survey for me for my benefit and for insurance. He said he know's the owner of the boat and the boat and is the one that recomended the boat to me. My ex father in law's close family friend. Have known him for years.

Thanks for your concern I do really appriciate it.

I have joined the Map.

Witchhouse
 
Witch, Good buy!! I am down in Falmouth and just bought my 89 30' Sundancer this past Aug. Paid the same as you and feel I "legally stole" the boat as well. I probably put 30 hrs on the engines in just one month! On the dry now and winterized. I am going to try and put a Sea Ray get together next summer either on this side of the Canal or your side. Stay posted and pray for spring!!
 
Capecodcruiser - let me know if you want to put together a Sea Ray gathering next summer....I'd love to attend. I keep my boat at Kingman Marina in Pocasset.
 
Would love to be there. lets work on this over the winter. This side of the canal would be good for me as I am still inexperienced.

Witchhouse
 
The Mechanic is the head mechanic at the marina where I will be keeping the boat. I do have an appointment with a registered certified surveyor in May before I get the summer rolling. Thank you for the advice I appriciate it. He is going to do a survey for me for my benefit and for insurance. He said he know's the owner of the boat and the boat and is the one that recomended the boat to me. My ex father in law's close family friend. Have known him for years.

Thanks for your concern I do really appriciate it.

I have joined the Map.

Witchhouse

If the boat does not have dripless shafts installed on it yet, make the effort to get this done. Assuming the stringers are dry, glass the limber holes. These steps will save you a lot of expense and grief down the line. If the survey turns up moisture and rot, do the above after you have completed the repairs.
 
Thank you I will make sure these things are done if not already. Whatever they are??? lol

Like I said I am new to this and have a lot to learn. I will learn one way or the other but with your help I will hopefully not learn the hard way.

Witchhouse
 
Capecodcruiser - let me know if you want to put together a Sea Ray gathering next summer....I'd love to attend. I keep my boat at Kingman Marina in Pocasset.
Steve, I kept mine at Kingmans as well!! Small world. They stuck me out at the end of the floaters since I didn't come in until Aug. I will keep you posted and maybe we should hook up and have a famous Chart Room Mudslide to discuss a get-together. Look forward to meeting you.
David
 
Congrats Whichouse, I have a 1988 Sea Ray Express Cruiser. Great boat! SB1 offered sound advise re: having the stringers checked, a marine survey will tell you what you need to know. I do not have dripless shafts but plan to have them installed in the spring before launch. You will have a dry bildge and there is a lot to be said about that. The boat is great in heavy seas, very stable. Those 350's in my opinion are the best engines ever made in gassers. My boat runs about 28 mph at 3100 rpm's which is where I run it most of the time. WOT is 4400 rpm's and is about 36 mph. I rarely run the boat at WOT but do for short periods of time to make sure everything is working the way it should. This is my second Sea Ray, first was a 1978 weekender and the boat served me well. You got a GREAT deal on the boat in my opinion and won't have any regrets buying her.
 
Thank You,

Do you know what it will cost to have the Dripless shafts installed? I will do that if it has not been done.

Witch
 

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