260Dancer
New Member
Hello,
Purchased first boat last month, 2001 Sundancer 260 with 540hrs has Merc 5.0/Bravo II. Not the best power option I wanted for a 6k lb+ boat but after looking for 3 months I settled on it for $23K with a 2009 trailer. Prior to sale dealer replaced gimble bearing, transom assembly, and shifter boot. Great first few times out besides replacing the starter. Cruising a week ago, all gauges reading normal and then the motor just shut off and wouldn't start. Decided to find out the cause myself and started with draining the oil. Full of sea water so I pulled the spark plugs, saw a damaged plug and decided to pull the head. It had broken a valve which then knocked a hole in the head causing the engine to be filled with gallons of salt water, also cracked the piston and broke the connecting rod. Best investment I had that day was getting Sea Tow (highly recommended) when I purchased the boat so I was towed in. With a 14yr boat I took the risk of buying a older boat and I should have started with re-building the heads, then bought new manifolds and risers since I didn't know when the last time they were replaced. Really enjoyed the boat in the Florida panhandle the short hours I put on her and now getting quotes on the re-power. Hope to be back on the water soon and enjoying it.
Just dropped it off at shop and complete turn key 350 5.7 Merc is around $6.5K with 3yr warranty for engine, was quoted just over $2K for labor. If any have re-powered your Sea Ray please let me know if this is about the norm you spent.
Purchased first boat last month, 2001 Sundancer 260 with 540hrs has Merc 5.0/Bravo II. Not the best power option I wanted for a 6k lb+ boat but after looking for 3 months I settled on it for $23K with a 2009 trailer. Prior to sale dealer replaced gimble bearing, transom assembly, and shifter boot. Great first few times out besides replacing the starter. Cruising a week ago, all gauges reading normal and then the motor just shut off and wouldn't start. Decided to find out the cause myself and started with draining the oil. Full of sea water so I pulled the spark plugs, saw a damaged plug and decided to pull the head. It had broken a valve which then knocked a hole in the head causing the engine to be filled with gallons of salt water, also cracked the piston and broke the connecting rod. Best investment I had that day was getting Sea Tow (highly recommended) when I purchased the boat so I was towed in. With a 14yr boat I took the risk of buying a older boat and I should have started with re-building the heads, then bought new manifolds and risers since I didn't know when the last time they were replaced. Really enjoyed the boat in the Florida panhandle the short hours I put on her and now getting quotes on the re-power. Hope to be back on the water soon and enjoying it.
Just dropped it off at shop and complete turn key 350 5.7 Merc is around $6.5K with 3yr warranty for engine, was quoted just over $2K for labor. If any have re-powered your Sea Ray please let me know if this is about the norm you spent.
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