"New" 1999 210SD - What to look for?

[SeaRide]

Trucky,

It is quite possible that SR switched over to LED readouts as the supply of the mechanical version was exhausted during the '99 model year. If you have the 220 HP carbureted version of the 5.0, then it will not be possible to use the scan tool (ask your mechanic to be sure). The scan tool is compatible with the 240 HP EFI version of the 5.0. Quite frankly, I would not be to overly concerned with this aspect, especially if the mechanic gives the engine a clean bill of health.

I hope all goes well during your sea trial and survey.

 

[Trucky]

My first question would be when were the exhaust manifolds and risers last changed. Next, ask if he used OEM or after market parts. Same questions regarding the bellows.

Invaluable insight there! I actually listened to the folks here and had a marine survey performed on the boat. The mechanic said the boat was immaculate, pristine, the steering wheel looks like it's never been touched, the decals are still on the gear selector with no fading. The engine compression was perfect and everything else worked exactly as it should, but found 3 items:

1. The exhaust manifolds were weeping. They had been replaced in 07 with non-OEM parts and they used some kind of paper gasket.
2. The automatic bilge switch was not working.
3. The spark plugs were starting to rust and should be changed before they start to seize.

He told me that due to the space restrictions of the SD model it would be a 3 to 3.5 hour per side job to do the manifold/riser job. The owner was thoroughly ticked since he was told they used OEM parts for all repairs.

The current status is... The owner has agreed to repair all 3 items at his expense, and use only OEM parts.

Am I missing anything here or does this sound like a good outcome so far?

 

[blaster]

Looks like you've covered all the bases. Good luck it sounds like a nice boat.

 

[Dave S]

My 1999 210 Sundeck also had a mechanical hour reading rather than an electronic one. The one on that boat might have been changed somewhere along the way but the advantage of an electronic gauge is the hours are coming directly from the ECM so the readout should be reflecting the correct number of hours on that motor. If a new mechanical gauge had been installed the hours reading would have started off at zero and the engine hours would not necessarily be correct.

 

[Trucky]

My 1999 210 Sundeck also had a mechanical hour reading rather than an electronic one. The one on that boat might have been changed somewhere along the way but the advantage of an electronic gauge is the hours are coming directly from the ECM so the readout should be reflecting the correct number of hours on that motor. If a new mechanical gauge had been installed the hours reading would have started off at zero and the engine hours would not necessarily be correct.

Interesting... would that still be true with a non-EFI engine? This one has the Thunderbolt V ignition. I was under the impression that there are few "readable" codes, and that hours wasn't one of them.

 

[SeaRide]

My 1999 210 Sundeck also had a mechanical hour reading rather than an electronic one. The one on that boat might have been changed somewhere along the way but the advantage of an electronic gauge is the hours are coming directly from the ECM so the readout should be reflecting the correct number of hours on that motor. If a new mechanical gauge had been installed the hours reading would have started off at zero and the engine hours would not necessarily be correct.

Interesting... would that still be true with a non-EFI engine? This one has the Thunderbolt V ignition. I was under the impression that there are few "readable" codes, and that hours wasn't one of them.

Dave and Trucky,

My replacement LED gauges both started at 0. My current reading is about 195 hrs. I can assure that my boat has more than 195 hours. So, the hour reading would not appear to come from the ecm, at least not with EFI engines. Perhaps this may be the case with mpi engines.

 

[Dave S]

I am sure Charlie is correct on this one Trucky and I am probably wrong. I do know what I said is correct for newer Smartcraft equipped boats. Do you know specifically what 5.0 engine you have? There were quite a few engine choices back in 1999 but the name "Thunderbolt" does not appear anywhere in the specs. Is it the original engine? Here is a pdf of the 210SD Specifications which shows engine choices. http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNWXJ982.pdf

 

[Trucky]

I am sure Charlie is correct on this one Trucky and I am probably wrong. I do know what I said is correct for newer Smartcraft equipped boats. Do you know specifically what 5.0 engine you have? There were quite a few engine choices back in 1999 but the name "Thunderbolt" does not appear anywhere in the specs. Is it the original engine? Here is a pdf of the 210SD Specifications which shows engine choices. http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNWXJ982.pdf

Thanks Dave. The specifications show two 5.0 engines for that year model, the EFI and an MCM. I know it's not EFI because there is a carburetor, so methinks it would be the MCM?

 

[Dave S]

Thanks Dave. The specifications show two 5.0 engines for that year model, the EFI and an MCM. I know it's not EFI because there is a carburetor, so methinks it would be the MCM?

Yes that is correct. So that does bring into question exactly how many hours there might be on this engine if your gauge was swapped out in place of a mechanical one. I guess if it were me I wouldn't worry about it because your Survey shows good compression in the engine.

 

[SeaRide]

Congrats. on the pending purchase. Have you found a trailer yet?

 

[Trucky]

Thanks SeaRide. I'm not excited or anxious or anything (hah).

I couldn't find any suitable used trailers so I'm getting a Peterson aluminum & stainless tandem with torsion axles, LED lighting, spare tire. Now I'll know I've got good axles, tires, hubs, etc. and won't have to worry about the 12 hour drive back home next week.

 

[troyzstang]

Sounds like you found a winner. How long were you looking?
We just upgraded from our 1997 19ft Sea Ray Signature to a 2008 200SD. We found a local couple that had one in excellent condition and it was only an hour down the road. It's a freshwater only boat with 30 hours and just about every option Sea Ray offered. We love it and spend just about every weekend enjoying it. I just hope my body can hold up to the abuse of wakeboarding. " I ain't gettin' any younger ya know"

Keep us posted and post a few pics if possible.
Troy & Bridgette

 

[SeaRide]

Trucky,

Make sure your draw bar has enough rise or drop so the trailer will ride level. This is more important with torsion axles as they do not have an equalizer shackle between the leaf springs.

Also, your trailer will probably have a 5 pin pig tail for the reverse lock out solenoid. So, check with the individual who sold you the trailer to see if this is the case. If so, make sure your tow vehicle is peoperly set up. If you are buying the trailer in FL, the dealer should also help you get the trailer bunks adjusted for your 210 as well.

 

[Trucky]

Trucky,

Make sure your draw bar has enough rise or drop so the trailer will ride level. This is more important with torsion axles as they do not have an equalizer shackle between the leaf springs.

Also, your trailer will probably have a 5 pin pig tail for the reverse lock out solenoid. So, check with the individual who sold you the trailer to see if this is the case. If so, make sure your tow vehicle is properly set up. If you are buying the trailer in FL, the dealer should also help you get the trailer bunks adjusted for your 210 as well.

I spoke over the phone at length with Jason Peterson, owner of Peterson Trailers. He was very helpful and took the time to patiently answer my every question. I asked specifically about ride height, and the distance from ground to top of ball for a level ride. He says his trailers are at 18" for this measurement. My old boat and a 2 horse trailer my daughter has are both 15" so a new ball hitch and ball are in order. I would have to replace mine anyway due to the weight of the new boat.

On the power plug he asked what year, make and model of tow vehicle. I told him it's an 02 Ford F250 4x4 crew cab diesel with a 7-way and a 4-way. He is building the trailer with a 7-way plug, using the center pin reverse to trigger the surge lockout for backing.

Between the trailer mfg and the broker they have both agreed to properly fit the 210 to the trailer.

 

[Trucky]

Sounds like you found a winner. How long were you looking?
We just upgraded from our 1997 19ft Sea Ray Signature to a 2008 200SD. We found a local couple that had one in excellent condition and it was only an hour down the road. It's a freshwater only boat with 30 hours and just about every option Sea Ray offered. We love it and spend just about every weekend enjoying it. I just hope my body can hold up to the abuse of wakeboarding. " I ain't gettin' any younger ya know"

Keep us posted and post a few pics if possible.
Troy & Bridgette

Troy, Nice looking boat there!

I had been looking for about 3 months. At first i was convinced I wanted a deck boat until I rode in a Monterey 220 deck and could stand the rough ride from the mostly flat hull, then I started looking around for V/decks and came across the Sea Ray. Then I plugged in what we figured we could afford and the 210 came into the radar. I had actually bid on one and made an offer on another before this one popped up. It shows a few more hours than the others but the previous owner's obvious pride of ownership and overall condition turned the key for me.

So, wakeboard? My kids are taking one to try out next week. I must be much older than you cuz I haven't had any thoughts of trying that thing. I'll get up on 2 skis now and then, but I'll have to see how easy it looks before I give it a whirl. Do bones still heal well after 50?

 

[Trucky]

Back to the topic...

I searched and read as much as I can about sea trial but didn't find much to point a basic landlubber as myself to how to do this, and not look like a total novice. I can go over the dry inspection, much as the surveyor already has, and turn everything on and off, open doors and hatches, etc. Once in the water I plan to check starting, warm-up, time to plane, cruise, WOT. A few tight figure eights to feel the turning and chop handling... what else?

 

[troyzstang]

Thanks for the compliment
We love our SD
As far as bones healing after 50. I hope so because I am almost there I did the ski thing first & found wakeboarding was actually easier once I learned how to get my fat ass up. How old are your kids? If there like most kids your going to be spending a fair amount of time wakeboarding. We spend the first few hours playing & then break out the magma grill for lunch and then were right back on the boards. It's a great way to enjoy a day with the family.
Have a safe trip to Florida.
Troy & Bridgette

Troy, Nice looking boat there!

I had been looking for about 3 months. At first i was convinced I wanted a deck boat until I rode in a Monterey 220 deck and could stand the rough ride from the mostly flat hull, then I started looking around for V/decks and came across the Sea Ray. Then I plugged in what we figured we could afford and the 210 came into the radar. I had actually bid on one and made an offer on another before this one popped up. It shows a few more hours than the others but the previous owner's obvious pride of ownership and overall condition turned the key for me.

So, wakeboard? My kids are taking one to try out next week. I must be much older than you cuz I haven't had any thoughts of trying that thing. I'll get up on 2 skis now and then, but I'll have to see how easy it looks before I give it a whirl. Do bones still heal well after 50?

 

[SeaRide]

Trucky,

I think you have it. The engine should turn up 4,400 - 4,800 rpm at wide open throttle trimmed up about a quarter on the trim gauge. While turning left and right, you should not hear any unusually loud noises from the u-joint or gimbal bearing. Also, start with a dry bilge. The bilge should remain dry during the sea trial. Do you know how old the bellows are? I trust the mechanic pulled the drive and had a look at the belloes and u-joint.

 

[SeaRide]

By the way, if you have the factory snap on bow and cockpit covers and the are in good shape, i would suggest using them for the ride home, but do not exceed 60 - 65 MPH. Use the bimini poles as well. Otherwise, you will need to pull the bow and aft bench cushions out and place them in your truck or your bed assuming you hace a tonneau cover. Otherwise, they may fly out. Iwould also tape the engine hatch down. If you can lay the bimini top down without stressing the supports, i would wrap the supports with large foam float noodles as well.

 

[Trucky]

Trucky,

I think you have it. The engine should turn up 4,400 - 4,800 rpm at wide open throttle trimmed up about a quarter on the trim gauge. While turning left and right, you should not hear any unusually loud noises from the u-joint or gimbal bearing. Also, start with a dry bilge. The bilge should remain dry during the sea trial. Do you know how old the bellows are? I trust the mechanic pulled the drive and had a look at the belloes and u-joint.

I don't know the age of the bellows, only that the surveyor said "great shape". Gotta love those scientific terms.

By the way, if you have the factory snap on bow and cockpit covers and the are in good shape, i would suggest using them for the ride home, but do not exceed 60 - 65 MPH. Use the bimini poles as well. Otherwise, you will need to pull the bow and aft bench cushions out and place them in your truck or your bed assuming you hace a tonneau cover. Otherwise, they may fly out. Iwould also tape the engine hatch down. If you can lay the bimini top down without stressing the supports, i would wrap the supports with large foam float noodles as well.

Supposedly the covers are in like new condition. By bimini poles do you mean the poles that hold the bimini up at an angle when it's closed? Does the bimini need to be laid all the way flat to the deck? If the engine hatch is under the cockpit cover would it still need to be secured? I've got a topper on the truck and was going to put the snap-in carpets, bow and aft filler cushions in there for the ride home, and use the factory bow and cockpit cushions to cover up the rest.

Thanks so much for all yours, and everyone else's good advice here. I feel like I have first class "support" team here.