Official 215 Express Thread

[diverjp]

I am new to boating and picked up 1999 215 express cruiser earlier this summer. I am glad that I did, and that I found Clubsearay. One thing that is driving me nuts is the transom door keeps coming open even though it is latched. I have noticed it when towing and once while out on the water. Every time I find it open the slide latch is still in the closed position. Any idea what to look for? The hull wouldn't be flexing that much would it?

I doubt its flexing like that or you would have a huge problem with rot and cracking. I would put a piece of tape on the latch holding it down to see if it may be popping open then closed again. Also you may want to put a piece of tape across the top of the opening and look at it while your running to see if it gets slack and tight (to show if its flexing) my 2 cents
JP

 

[Rgory]

I appreciate everyone's advice. Cliff, I did find the screws were loose on the piano hinge, those are now tight to eliminate that as a possibility. I also am going to take Dennis & JP advice and secure the latch bolt in the down/locked position. Looking back it seems foolish to think that it could flex open, it was just perplexing to always find he slide bolt closed and down.

Thank you for the help.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Gory, that wasn't a foolish thought at all. Boats do, indeed, flex. But that area would have very minimal flex due to the short opening. So while it's unlikely, it certainly could happen if the bolt only inserted a small distance into the hole. But you likely would have noticed that before. Another quick solution: put the jump seat in place as it's usually tall enough to at least keep the door from swinging wildly... Or stuff a rag in the crack between the door and jump seat.

 

[DjNiki4]

Hello everyone from NJ

so my gf and i bought a sea ray 215 express 5.7 v8 for a very good price. this is my first boat however her pops use to have one few years ago and is a mechanic. Engine is running little rich so i was just wondering what else beside rebuilding the TBI (Throttle body Injection) would you do. She starts right up but i constantly have to play with the throttle so it stays running. Checked the timing on it and its good. spar plugs are good as well. We are currently waiting on the TBI rebuilt kit to come in once we do it i will post an update but i was wondering if anyone else could recommend anything else.

also is there a way to pump out the portable bathroom with out disconnecting it or going to the station. Boat is currently in my driveway. Hopefully after the rebuilt of TBI i could take her to the lake. (previous owner had the boat on the ocean)

Thank you

Nick

 

[H2ONUT]

Just sold my 88 300 Weekender and bought a 2001 215, will pick it up on Sunday. Can't wait!!!


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[H2ONUT]

Her she is. Needs a good cleaning but pretty much good to go.

The switches on the right side of the helm are faded, can anyone tell me what each switch is?


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[Lazy Daze]

I don't remember well enough from when I had mine, but the owner's manual has the layout (downloadable from SR's site). Or, just switch them on and see what accessory turns on? Just don't turn on the one that controls the self-destruct feature. :smt001

 

[H2ONUT]

I don't remember well enough from when I had mine, but the owner's manual has the layout (downloadable from SR's site). Or, just switch them on and see what accessory turns on? Just don't turn on the one that controls the self-destruct feature. :smt001

There are 2 that I don't know. The others I figured out. I'll check out the owners manual online. Thanks!


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[CliffA]

Her she is. Needs a good cleaning but pretty much good to go.

The switches on the right side of the helm are faded, can anyone tell me what each switch is?


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[H2ONUT]

Got to run it around a bit tonight. WOW!!! I am impressed. 3200 rpm got me 32 mph. WOT got me 44 mph. LOVE IT!!!


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[CliffA]

Got to run it around a bit tonight. WOW!!! I am impressed. 3200 rpm got me 32 mph. WOT got me 44 mph. LOVE IT!!!


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if I remember correctly the top end speed was rated at 49 mph for the 215EC but I'm not sure if this was just for the 5.7 engine or not....but that is with ideal conditions and empty boat.....

cliff

 

[lawndoctor]

Here's what I got last week. (Note the 225WE is 725lbs (19%) heavier than the 215EC, and I think that's because of the extended platform, so the additional weight is in the stern.)

Conditions
Fuel tank full
FW tank empty
1 person aboard
Light load of gear aboard
Bimini closed
Drive trimmed up slightly at WOT, trimmed full down otherwise
Zero trim tabs
Wind and current negligible

4400 RPM (WOT)
43.5 MPH (37.8 KN)
19.31 GPH
2.25 MPG (1.96 NMPG)

3200 RPM
27.8 MPH (24.2 KN)
8.60 GPH
3.23 MPG (2.81 NMPG)

3000 RPM
25.1 MPH (21.8 KN)
7.93 GPH
3.17 MPG (2.75 NMPG)

 

[Lazy Daze]

I don't recall, off hand, what my top speed was with my 215EC (5.0L EFI). I just remember that I was always impressed with it - I want to say somewhere around 44-ish on GPS. VERY stable hull - got me through some pretty rough stuff and never let me down.

According to the "book", though, the speed range for an '01 is anywhere from 40 to 47. With the lower HP engines having a 4mph range at the bottom end of that scale and the higher HP with a 4mph at the stop end.

As a side note, the 225 was actually an entirely new boat/mold. But you really can't tell unless you have them side by side. The hull/deck, themselves, were a little heavier - and, of course, the standard extended platform added some weight, too. The 225 ranged from 43 to 54.

 

[H2ONUT]

I am very happy with the boat. It sucks that I have to put it away shortly for the winter. Next summer we are moving to Bluffton SC, so no more of this winter BS!!!


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[CliffA]

. Next summer we are moving to Bluffton SC, so no more of this winter BS!!

unless you keep the boat in the water full time you will still need to winterize it when you move down this way.....we can get some very cold temps in the winter....when I had my 215EC I trailered it so I had to winterize it each year.....I just drained all of the water out of the engine and exhaust and fresh water system which took about an hour or so to do....I did not use antifreeze......

cliff

 

[H2ONUT]

unless you keep the boat in the water full time you will still need to winterize it when you move down this way.....we can get some very cold temps in the winter....when I had my 215EC I trailered it so I had to winterize it each year.....I just drained all of the water out of the engine and exhaust and fresh water system which took about an hour or so to do....I did not use antifreeze......

cliff

I'll keep it on the trailer, no slip. And it can be kept inside at work on the cool nights/days.

Where are you located?


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[CliffA]

I'll keep it on the trailer, no slip. And it can be kept inside at work on the cool nights/days.

Where are you located?

we boat on Lake Norman which is near Charlotte, NC.....we live in Lancaster, SC which is about 30 miles south of Charlotte across the NC/SC state line......

cliff

 

[H2ONUT]

Great! I have a friend that rents a cabin for a week on Norman. We plan on getting there at some point and explore. My in laws live near Hartwell, so we will get to spend time there also.


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[H2ONUT]

Is there a fuse somewhere for the bilge pump? It no workie...


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[diverjp]

Is there a fuse somewhere for the bilge pump? It no workie...


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The bilge pump is wired straight to the house battery. No fuse. I added a second small pump to keep the bulge more dry and as a safety feature