Repair Manual

Lady V

New Member
Nov 17, 2022
4
Boat Info
1983 SeaRay 260 Series Sundancer
Engines
small block 350
HI everyone. I am new here and would appreciate any help I can get please. I have acquired a 1983 SeaRay 260 series Sundancer. Can some tell me how I can get a repair manual for my boat?
 
I have an '85... Sea Ray has been unable to help me. I continue to look. If I find one I'll reach out. Please, do the same!
 
I don’t think Sea Ray published “repair” manuals. Now you should be able to find some info on your engine at the manufacturer site (Mercruiser?)
Other than operators manuals and parts manuals, only dealers had other literature.
 
Welcome aboard LadyV

Or ask here, as many of us already have some repair manuals in PDF form, such as Mercruiser manuals for engines, ignitions, transmissions , V drives and outdrives. Just need to know what specifically you are looking for. Mine only go back to '89.

As far as the "owner's manual" with layouts, electrical diagrams and such, rots o ruck. The manuals for the older boats are unobtanium. The one for my '95 is a unicorn, of sorts, as Sea Ray only lists a parts manual for it.
 
HI everyone. I am new here and would appreciate any help I can get please. I have acquired a 1983 SeaRay 260 series Sundancer. Can some tell me how I can get a repair manual for my boat?
Thank you for the responses. Maybe a 'service' manual is what I am looking for?
Welcome aboard LadyV

Or ask here, as many of us already have some repair manuals in PDF form, such as Mercruiser manuals for engines, ignitions, transmissions , V drives and outdrives. Just need to know what specifically you are looking for. Mine only go back to '89.

As far as the "owner's manual" with layouts, electrical diagrams and such, rots o ruck. The manuals for the older boats are unobtanium. The one for my '95 is a unicorn, of sorts, as Sea Ray only lists a parts manual for it.
My mechanic told me he wants to rig the throttles cables and gear shifters. I am not really sure as I am not really mechanically inclined
 
I have an '85... Sea Ray has been unable to help me. I continue to look. If I find one I'll reach out. Please, do the same!
I will let you know right away if I come across one.
 
Hi V!

As others noted, there's not going to be a 'repair' or 'service' manual for the BOAT, but you can find service manuals for the drive system components.

As far as pulling through new throttle and shift cables, if a mechanic is asking for how to route through new cabling, you should look for a different mechanic... any experienced marine mechanic will have already learned the routine for doing the pull (disconnect both ends, tie a rope to the old ones, pull them out, and pull the rope IN, then measure the old, order the cables, identify the ends and lengths, tie them to the pull rope, pull 'em through, hook 'em up).

The disconnection and connection information is found in componentry service manuals from the drive and controls manufacturers. I.e., if you have a MerCruiser drive, the connections at the drive end will be illustrated in their service manual, and the shifter mechanism will PROBABALY appear in your manual as well, if not, get a part/model number of the shifter assembly, and do an online search for it, to see an exploded diagram... but in most cases, when you pull the assembly out to disconnect the old cables, there's an access cover that, once removed, reveals the cotter pins and connection points in a very obvious way.

But this begs a question... Is there a specific reason why you're replacing the cables?

While they do wear out, corrode, and get troublesome, there's situations where mechanics will suggest a cable replacement to resolve a problem which really isn't the cable, but rather, an adjustment... and if they're unknowledgable, they'll find that the replacement doesn't solve the problem, while if they're unscrupulous, they'll change the cables, charge you for them, then make the 5-minute adjustment that solves the problem. If they're REALLY unscrupulous, they'll charge you for replacement cables that they DIDN'T install, make the 5 minute adjustment, and charge you for the whole works (including 2 guys x 2 hours shop labor) for something they only actually spent 5 minutes on...

So if the cables are very clearly jammed up, it's one thing...
 
I see you state '83 Searay 260 w/ a 350. We can't help with limited info. Some more detail would help us help you.

Pictures?

Is it and out drive or inboard? What drive is behind the engine, transmission or an I/O. If I/O, which one?
Is it Mercruiser, or other?
What controls do you have for the throttle and / or shift?
 
Hi V!

As others noted, there's not going to be a 'repair' or 'service' manual for the BOAT, but you can find service manuals for the drive system components.

As far as pulling through new throttle and shift cables, if a mechanic is asking for how to route through new cabling, you should look for a different mechanic... any experienced marine mechanic will have already learned the routine for doing the pull (disconnect both ends, tie a rope to the old ones, pull them out, and pull the rope IN, then measure the old, order the cables, identify the ends and lengths, tie them to the pull rope, pull 'em through, hook 'em up).

The disconnection and connection information is found in componentry service manuals from the drive and controls manufacturers. I.e., if you have a MerCruiser drive, the connections at the drive end will be illustrated in their service manual, and the shifter mechanism will PROBABALY appear in your manual as well, if not, get a part/model number of the shifter assembly, and do an online search for it, to see an exploded diagram... but in most cases, when you pull the assembly out to disconnect the old cables, there's an access cover that, once removed, reveals the cotter pins and connection points in a very obvious way.

But this begs a question... Is there a specific reason why you're replacing the cables?

While they do wear out, corrode, and get troublesome, there's situations where mechanics will suggest a cable replacement to resolve a problem which really isn't the cable, but rather, an adjustment... and if they're unknowledgable, they'll find that the replacement doesn't solve the problem, while if they're unscrupulous, they'll change the cables, charge you for them, then make the 5-minute adjustment that solves the problem. If they're REALLY unscrupulous, they'll charge you for replacement cables that they DIDN'T install, make the 5 minute adjustment, and charge you for the whole works (including 2 guys x 2 hours shop labor) for something they only actually spent 5 minutes on...

So if the cables are very clearly jammed up, it's one thing...

Thank you all for the responses. I am happy to announce that my shifter cables have been replaced! I found a new 'old' cable on ebay for a discounted price and they were a perfect match. Now my boat is actually in a slip here in Sacramento. Again thank you to everyone for the help and concern. BTW, I have an 350 OMC in my boat, my mech told me. He is actually very trustworthy and doesn't charge much.
 
If your interested in rigging the controls there is a manual for that
and a engine serial number will get you a manual for the engine
 

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