Sea Ray 390 Express Cruiser

J

Joseph Parker

New Member
Aug 10, 2019
11
Boat Info
Boatless
Engines
Boatless
I am thinking about purchasing a Sea Ray 390 with twin cat diesels. I just read a review on Yacht Survey Online by David Pascoe in which he lists a number of problems including windshield leaks that get into the cabin below causing major damage. I don't know anything about the reviewer or the site. I figure asking Sea Ray owners is the smart way to go. It's a 1989 boat.
Thanks in advance

Joe Parker
 
I owned a 1988 390EC for 10 years and loved every minute of it. They are great boats, particularly the diesel versions. The boat you are looking at will have Caterpillar 3208's which are mechanically bullet proof as long as they have been maintained properly.

390's had several design/construction changes during their production run and the 1989 will have most if not all of the important revisions. The site windows on all 390's tend to leak because the glass is set in a soft rubber gasket that tends to settle over time. Windshields never were an issue for most owners and I think this was yet another area where Pascoe just disagreed with Sea Ray's manufacturing methods. Any boat this age is going to have a few issues, but I think you will find the 390 to be a very solid boat. Just pull up the couch cushions and pull back the curtains to looks for water stains........if. there are some, the world isn't going to end. Your surveyor should be able to identify thecae oil the leak and estimate the extent of the repair.

This is a sold hull boat, but the deck is cored so you need to have a hull survey, including moisture testing, done by a qualified SAMS/NAMS surveyor. Additionally, you need to have a mechanical survey done on the engines and generator.....include fluid sampling on engine oils (3), coolant (3) and transmission fluid (2).

Hope it works out for you, the 390 may be a tad dated in design but they are great boats.
 
Thanks for your input. At this point I am relying on pictures which we know can be deceptive. I'm working with a broker and she says that the listing broker has not responded yet. I have watched a restoration series on a 1989 and I saw some of the areas that has for from leaks not being addressed, and have also read through the Sea Ray Club Official thread on the 390's. The threads mainly dealt with newer boats. I had considered a Carved 38 which also had the second storeroom bunk bed arrangement which I liked, but it required ladder access for the bridge. This would be a problem because my "crew member" has 4 legs and wouldn't be able to negotiate it.
As for the layout being dated, I actually like it. Everything is in one level and there appears to be enough room to move about without bumping into guests--plus the separate shower instead of the wet head on the 330 seems big enough to accommodate my 6'3" , 300 pound frame. The diesels are one reason that I am willing to drive 6 hrs to see it.
I will definitely have a surveyor and a marine mechanic go over the boat with a fine tooth comb. They might miss some small stuff, but hopefully nothing major. The surveyor I will be using tests for moisture visually and with infrared.
I just hope that I get to see it while it's still available. It's the only diesel that I've come across.
 
There's a diesel '89 on my pier in Ohio. Rebuilt engines and I think always fresh water. Looks good, at least from the dock. I've never been aboard her.

Space wise? Oh yeah - few other 39 footers will have the elbow room of a 390EC.
 
I decided to go around my broker and contacted the listing broker directly. Unfortunately the boat is under contract and will sea trial next week after Dorian passes.
The search continues, thanks to all for the input.
 
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