Newbie - Joining the Club '80 260 Weekender

[G2_CLE]

Not sure if this is the right section, but I am about to join the party with my first boat purchase. I am scheduled to take delivery of a 1980 Sea Ray 260 Weekender on Thursday. I have always been a fan of Sea Rays but up until recently haven't had the means to buy and more importantly take care of one. I am a little bit hesitant buying a boat that is a few years older than I am, however she is a real beauty and rides great. My rule ( read: the wife's rule) has always been not to finance toys. So we saved up and bought something that we think is both good to look at but has also been well maintained for the last 35 years. Our process has also taken into account budgeting for dockage, maintenance, and other recurring costs. Anyway, I have been creeping around this forum for a while, but this is my first post. Any words of wisdom, things to think about, etc. would be much appreciated! Cheers!


Pictures

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rjppo3ym7gydbt9/SR1.jpeg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/wzp6a48mznddlde/SR2.jpeg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/24jrszpenshsyol/SR3.jpeg?dl=0

 

[Buckeye Boater]

G2,

Welcome to CSR! As I am sure you know, this is a great place to get advice.

Where on Lake Erie will you be keeping the new boat?

Enjoy!

 

[G2_CLE]

G2,

Welcome to CSR! As I am sure you know, this is a great place to get advice.

Where on Lake Erie will you be keeping the new boat?

Enjoy!

Still up in the air at the moment. Looking a few options but leaning toward Vermilion area as its only 40 min from home and also a reasonable distance from the islands. I might trailer it for the first season (remainder of 15), but I'd prefer to get it docked to make getting out easier. Any recommendations on marina/club?

Re: CSR. Absolutely. I've already gained some valuable knowledge creeping around for the past few weeks.

 

[Mike Blake]

Welcome to CSR, I had an 81 260 nice boat. I added A/C to it and made it better.

 

[Buckeye Boater]

G2,

Vermillion is a nice area. However I am biased to the island area. There are several nice marinas in the Sandusky, Marblehead, Catawba Island, Port Clinton area. True, it is a little longer drive from home, but once on the boat, you are in an area that offers many options. We still trailer our boat and like the ability to get to different locations. That will change when we make a move to a bigger boat.

If you are interested, a group of us will be getting together for a weekend later this month at the Paper District Marina in Sandusky. We would love to have you join us for a day or two or three! It would be a good opportunity to meet some fellow CSR members and have a good time. Here's a link to the thread - http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/71216-2015-Lake-Erie-CSR-Rendezvous-%28Sea-Ray-New-Year%29-Paper-district-Marina-Sandusky-Ohio!

 

[G2_CLE]

G2,

If you are interested, a group of us will be getting together for a weekend later this month at the Paper District Marina in Sandusky. We would love to have you join us for a day or two or three! It would be a good opportunity to meet some fellow CSR members and have a good time. Here's a link to the thread - http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/71216-2015-Lake-Erie-CSR-Rendezvous-%28Sea-Ray-New-Year%29-Paper-district-Marina-Sandusky-Ohio!

Thanks for the invite! I saw that when I first joined CSR and really wanted to go however I will be spending that weekend at a bachelor party floating around Lake Cumberland with a bunch of college buddies on a house boat. 12 middle aged dudes trying to re-live the good old days... I keep trying to remind myself that I can't recover like I did 10 years ago so hopefully we all make it through the weekend.

Anyway, are there any other planned meet ups? Or local Lake Erie based groups? If not, I will certainly plan to attend next year.

Thanks!

 

[G2_CLE]

G2,

Vermillion is a nice area. However I am biased to the island area. There are several nice marinas in the Sandusky, Marblehead, Catawba Island, Port Clinton area. True, it is a little longer drive from home, but once on the boat, you are in an area that offers many options. We still trailer our boat and like the ability to get to different locations. That will change when we make a move to a bigger boat.

If you are interested, a group of us will be getting together for a weekend later this month at the Paper District Marina in Sandusky. We would love to have you join us for a day or two or three! It would be a good opportunity to meet some fellow CSR members and have a good time. Here's a link to the thread - http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/71216-2015-Lake-Erie-CSR-Rendezvous-%28Sea-Ray-New-Year%29-Paper-district-Marina-Sandusky-Ohio!

Well, we ended up getting a slip in Huron. It was just too bulky to trailer and we really liked the idea of having a place to call home and hang out even if we didn't want to start it up. Love the location so far. We made a run to Kelly's this weekend and it was exactly 60 min from dock to dock. Still wish I could go to the meet up at the end of the month. Do you know if there are any other local Lake Erie based sea ray meet ups planned this summer?

Thanks!

 

[Buckeye Boater]

Congrats on finding a home in Huron. Nice location, lots of things to do. The boat basin and amphitheater are great places.

As of now, there are no other "formal" get togethers planned. However, keep watching for posts. Typically, there might be some impromptu meetings either at Kelley's or Middle Bass later in the summer.