Sea Ray 210BR Interior

[boater2018]

Curious if anyone has redesigned the interior of their 210BR? My dad bought a '01 210BR Signature new and it has been in the family ever since. My brother has it now, but wants to sell it as he has a Cobalt R7 Surf and the 210 sits in storage. I have a '00 210 Sundeck with the 5.0. I love the layout of the Sundeck, but can tell a difference in hole shot vs the 210BR with the 5.7L. Has anyone modified their 210 to have more of a deck boat style layout? Mainly thinking about the wrap around bench seat.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Which of the (3) optional seating plans does the 210BR have? Great boat, buy the way - I used to have a '98.

I haven't done it, but from doing similar projects... Any way you look at it, it's going to be a big project - even bigger if you want it to look at least half decent

Yeah, the one downside of the 210SD is the hole shot - especially with a little weight sitting on that back bench. It's simply due to the actual layout - people can sit further aft in the SD than in the BR.

But the flipside of that is because you won't be able to sit ON TOP of the engine in the BR like you can in your SD, I really don't think you're going to be able to, realistically, add any type of wrap-around bench. There just isn't enough floor space. I mean, you could do "L"-shaped wrap around on the port side, but you don't really gain any seating surface that way.

Consider... add a set of trim tabs (or even just the simple Smart Tabs) to the SD - they will make a VERY noticeable difference in hole shot! It'll feel like a whole new boat!

 

[boater2018]

The BR has the bench and 2 captain chairs layout. I was thinking along the lines of removing the passenger chair and wrapping the seat, but the side panels are curved and would probably be a difficult job to do and may not be worth it. I was just curious if anyone had done anything like it in that model before. I figure it’s a long shot, but modding almost anything is so popular now. Love our SD and I did add some trim tabs this year that did help.

 

[techmitch]

Outside the box. I'm thinkin, buy/obtain (Family and all) the other boat from your brother and either sell them both and buy or trade them in on your dream boat.

 

[boater2018]

Outside the box. I'm thinkin, buy/obtain (Family and all) the other boat from your brother and either sell them both and buy or trade them in on your dream boat.

The reasons for buying the BR would be knowing the history of it and it has the 350. I wouldn’t buy it to resale and get something else. I’ll probably hold onto the SD until we get something newer. Just reaching out to see if anyone had modified theirs. Someone locally has a 2015 Monterey 218ss with under 400 hours for a really good deal, but there is more support for Sea Rays, such as this forum, it seems. I like my Sea Rays. I haven’t ever been on a Monterey, but 15 years newer is tempting. It has a deck boat style layout as well.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I've been on this forum for a while - I can't honestly ever remember seeing someone talk about doing what you're after. If I did - I definitely would have read that thread. I've rebuilt a few things over the years, so it would have been something I'd have remembered. Don't get me wrong - it's all doable - but you'd have to be able to do it all yourself as the cost to pay someone (it's a labor intensive job) wouldn't be worth it. You'd actually save money by buying a new boat that is setup the way you want it.

Or... you could swap the engines - but there really isn't THAT much power to be gained. A little bit of torque and only 20HP if the other engine is an EFI... 60HP if it's the MAG - which would be more noticeable in the power improvement.

Did you add something like Smart Tabs? Or the kind that offers more control like hydraulic or electric?

Increase the chord of your tabs - it will be another big improvement.

 

[Scott06]

Curious if anyone has redesigned the interior of their 210BR? My dad bought a '01 210BR Signature new and it has been in the family ever since. My brother has it now, but wants to sell it as he has a Cobalt R7 Surf and the 210 sits in storage. I have a '00 210 Sundeck with the 5.0. I love the layout of the Sundeck, but can tell a difference in hole shot vs the 210BR with the 5.7L. Has anyone modified their 210 to have more of a deck boat style layout? Mainly thinking about the wrap around bench seat.

What not swap the 5.7 out of BR and into the sundeck? would be easier than modifying the interior , swap engines in the two would be relative drop in…

5.0 is a little light for that size loaded with people. Also get a lower pitch 4 blade for hole shot. what prop is on the sun deck now and what does it get for wot rpm

 

[boater2018]

What not swap the 5.7 out of BR and into the sundeck? would be easier than modifying the interior , swap engines in the two would be relative drop in…

5.0 is a little light for that size loaded with people. Also get a lower pitch 4 blade for hole shot. what prop is on the sun deck now and what does it get for wot rpm

My brother owns the 210BR or that would be an idea. I would hate to take the original engine out of it also, but it would be a down-grade for him and probably affect what he could get for it also.

I have posted before about the power in the 210SD. From recommendations, I went to a 17P 4-blade prop and added trim tabs. I plan to lower the angle on the tabs and test that out when we get back on the water in a couple of months. wot is around 5000 rpm, haven't been able to get above 39mph. I've seen other owners get about the same results and I saw one owner get 45mph at wot with a 4-blade ss prop, same pitch. Maybe mine would get a few more mph with a ss prop? Either way, I ran into some unexpected expenses, so I'll keep the same prop for now. I have the original 19P ss prop. I thought about getting it pitched to 17p. It's a 3 blade vengeance.

 

[Scott06]

My brother owns the 210BR or that would be an idea. I would hate to take the original engine out of it also, but it would be a down-grade for him and probably affect what he could get for it also.

I have posted before about the power in the 210SD. From recommendations, I went to a 17P 4-blade prop and added trim tabs. I plan to lower the angle on the tabs and test that out when we get back on the water in a couple of months. wot is around 5000 rpm, haven't been able to get above 39mph. I've seen other owners get about the same results and I saw one owner get 45mph at wot with a 4-blade ss prop, same pitch. Maybe mine would get a few more mph with a ss prop? Either way, I ran into some unexpected expenses, so I'll keep the same prop for now. I have the original 19P ss prop. I thought about getting it pitched to 17p. It's a 3 blade vengeance.

Tabs could be slowing your top speed, which is too often the focus as you cant got WOT much...

The prop you have assuming you have a 1.62 drive ratio and accurate numbers would 22% slip so yes you probably could benefit from a prop that has more grip. I dont think repitching the vengance would do much for you as they are not a great prop.

is this a carbed 220 hp or 260 hp MPI 5.0?

I have a similar sized 04 200 sport that I did a 4.3=> 5.0 repower (4 bbl carb 260 hp, kept 1.81 drive) . Your boat is 300 lbs heavier and 6" more beam. Most of my use sounds similar to yours - loaded down watersports. I get best all around performance with a Revolution 4 prop. I tried 6 different props High 5, Vensura, Enertia, Rev 4 , Spitfire Aluminum, Michigan Vortex 4 bld aluminum.

Best hole shot was with the vensura. Its smaller in diameter, blade size and cup so it lets the engine spin up to 3k easier than the Rev 4 but had high slip at WOT 43-44 mph.

The Enertia was decent holeshot 46-47 mph top end

The rev 4 actually gives highest top speed and lowest slip (I think 11 or 12%). Due to how it bites I can fully use all the trim up and this gives and extra 3-4 mph when you go beyond where I could trim with Vensura or Enertia.

The two Aluminum props are really distant in performance to the SS ones, usually only use them in early spring if there is a lot of wood in the lake. All the other props I bought used on ebay over a couple years.

So yes a SS pop could give more satisfactory performance but you are trying to overcome the need for more power in a boat that size and will probably end up trading hole shot for top speed.

If you like the boat long term would benefit from a 5.7 swap and upgrade to 4 bbl carb when money timing is better. I know easier for me to spend your money than you ....

In the end if I did my repower over (knowing what I know now) I should have done a 5.7.While the 5.0 is fine, now that the kids and their friends are bigger when I have 6-8 in the boat and pulling a skiier I wish I had done a 5.7

 

[boater2018]

Tabs could be slowing your top speed, which is too often the focus as you cant got WOT much...

The prop you have assuming you have a 1.62 drive ratio and accurate numbers would 22% slip so yes you probably could benefit from a prop that has more grip. I dont think repitching the vengance would do much for you as they are not a great prop.

View attachment 158910

is this a carbed 220 hp or 260 hp MPI 5.0?

I have a similar sized 04 200 sport that I did a 4.3=> 5.0 repower (4 bbl carb 260 hp, kept 1.81 drive) . Your boat is 300 lbs heavier and 6" more beam. Most of my use sounds similar to yours - loaded down watersports. I get best all around performance with a Revolution 4 prop. I tried 6 different props High 5, Vensura, Enertia, Rev 4 , Spitfire Aluminum, Michigan Vortex 4 bld aluminum.

Best hole shot was with the vensura. Its smaller in diameter, blade size and cup so it lets the engine spin up to 3k easier than the Rev 4 but had high slip at WOT 43-44 mph.

The Enertia was decent holeshot 46-47 mph top end

The rev 4 actually gives highest top speed and lowest slip (I think 11 or 12%). Due to how it bites I can fully use all the trim up and this gives and extra 3-4 mph when you go beyond where I could trim with Vensura or Enertia.

The two Aluminum props are really distant in performance to the SS ones, usually only use them in early spring if there is a lot of wood in the lake. All the other props I bought used on ebay over a couple years.

So yes a SS pop could give more satisfactory performance but you are trying to overcome the need for more power in a boat that size and will probably end up trading hole shot for top speed.

If you like the boat long term would benefit from a 5.7 swap and upgrade to 4 bbl carb when money timing is better. I know easier for me to spend your money than you ....

In the end if I did my repower over (knowing what I know now) I should have done a 5.7.While the 5.0 is fine, now that the kids and their friends are bigger when I have 6-8 in the boat and pulling a skiier I wish I had done a 5.7

Valuable insight here. I appreciate the response. After previous threads that I had, I feel like the engine is performing as it should. Mine is a 5.0 efi. The original block cracked due to a bad winterization from a previous owner. I bought it as a project. The guy I bought it from said that he installed a vortec 350. After taking many pics of the engine and researching, the block has a Mercury badge with a serial number on the side that verifies it is a Mercruiser 5.0 block with the OEM parts installed on it. A couple of years ago, I removed a valve cover and posted the cast number on this site. I originally thought the heads might have been truck heads and not OEM, but then found a company selling marine heads with the same cast number, so idk if they are OEM or not. Anyway, We love the layout of the Sundeck and I have thought that is we keep it long enough to need an engine swap, I would definitely go to a 5.7. Honestly, though, I probably won't unless we have problems. I checked the compression 3-4 years ago and had good results. I tried to check it again last year when I changed the plugs, but for some reason, just couldn't get the test tool to tighten in the plug holes and I was not wanting to spend any more time on it than I had already. The prop that I have is a cheap Solus aluminum prop, if I remember correctly, so upgrading that to a better prop would probably benefit some. I may look into a Rev 4 prop. I do prefer good holeshot over top end, but getting into the 40s would be nice. I don't push the boat hard on the top end side unless I'm trying to beat a storm.

 

[Scott06]

Valuable insight here. I appreciate the response. After previous threads that I had, I feel like the engine is performing as it should. Mine is a 5.0 efi. The original block cracked due to a bad winterization from a previous owner. I bought it as a project. The guy I bought it from said that he installed a vortec 350. After taking many pics of the engine and researching, the block has a Mercury badge with a serial number on the side that verifies it is a Mercruiser 5.0 block with the OEM parts installed on it. A couple of years ago, I removed a valve cover and posted the cast number on this site. I originally thought the heads might have been truck heads and not OEM, but then found a company selling marine heads with the same cast number, so idk if they are OEM or not. Anyway, We love the layout of the Sundeck and I have thought that is we keep it long enough to need an engine swap, I would definitely go to a 5.7. Honestly, though, I probably won't unless we have problems. I checked the compression 3-4 years ago and had good results. I tried to check it again last year when I changed the plugs, but for some reason, just couldn't get the test tool to tighten in the plug holes and I was not wanting to spend any more time on it than I had already. The prop that I have is a cheap Solus aluminum prop, if I remember correctly, so upgrading that to a better prop would probably benefit some. I may look into a Rev 4 prop. I do prefer good holeshot over top end, but getting into the 40s would be nice. I don't push the boat hard on the top end side unless I'm trying to beat a storm.

Best way to hone in on props is either find a shop to work with you on try before you buy or be prepared to buy a bunch and then sell off what doesn't work. The same boat with two different owners and use patterns will prop it differently.

typically you get what you pay for in props, cheaper aluminum ones are just that value priced. At some point you end up just kicking around the end of the power available.

I bought by 200 sport as a handy mans special - had 37 hrs on it at 11hrs old . Original 4.3/190 hp V6 was cracked by PO, rest of boat was immaculate. I realized that the 4.3 in that boat had the same power to weight as the boat I had at the time (91 sea ray 170/3.0 LX) which was under powered. the 200 was not offered new with a 5.7 - biggest power was a 260 hp 5.0 MPI so I put in a Michigan Motorz 5.0 partial engine had an edlebrock 1409 an upgraded manifold t make 260 hp. I kept the V6 drive ratio and went from a 19" pitch to 21" pitch. The whole project went toghether wella nd for what I have into it worked great for the last 8 seasons. Had I had the experience of doing this project then I would have done a 5.7 and gotten a new upper drive with the correct ratio and enjoyed the extra grunt when there are 6-8 people in the boat.

You boat is a little bigger and heavier so a better prop will probably next you 3 or so mph on top end, just make sure you stay low enough pitch to keep hole shot where u want it.