Sea Ray SRV 240SB

[Michael Thorburn]

Hi all, just purchased what looks like a 1975 SRV 240 not 100% sure of the year. I've discovered wet rot in the transom, has anyone ever attempted this type of repair, the repairs I find on you tube are or have been for outboard types and they do the repairs from the outside, I'm thinking repairing from the inside would be simpler and not require too much attention to finishing details. boat has a lower deck with a 255 merc, I'm not sure of the outdrive since it is huge, alpha 1??

 

[Michael Thorburn]

As well does anyone have this deck layout, I've seen most with deck over the motor, I'm looking if anyone has one like this with the original cab for the motor, I could use some measurements to build a new one and if a picture would be available I'd be greatly appreciative. I'm also tinkering with the idea of just building a deck over the motor , giving me a less cluttered aft deck with more space for fishing, and increasing storage.

Something like this

 

[Fahrphrompuken]

I have done a few transom wood replacements on sterndrive setups, it's not as bad as it sounds as long as you have some basic skill using small power tools and are willing to learn a few things. The most important thing is to do research on it and do it right. I am just getting started doing the same thing with my 250 Sundancer. I'll be posting pictures of the whole process from start to finish. One thing you will want to find out is how far does the rot actually go. if it has soaked into the styrofoam between the stringers it will be a much bigger job and worth considering if it's still worth persuing.

 

[Michael Thorburn]

Ive been doing residential and commercial renovations, for 30 years so skills with wood etc are not missing nor are the tools. Laying glass is not something I've done much except for the occasional body repair on an old vehicle. I'm willing to dump around $10k CAD into repairing the boat to make it seaworthy not including the Power plant. I only paid $1000 for the boat, the glass looks nice on about 95% of the boat. If all tolled it costs me $15 k boat in the water 7m OK with it. Boats of this style are not plentiful in my neck of the woods and I really like the sleek hull specially for the purpose I have in mind for it. FISHING. LOL

 

[Thornton69]

Our 245 has been a pretty rewarding project for us. Our transom only had one bad section where it appeared water got in and worked its way up from the starb trim tab. The stringers and bulkheads were another story though. They were toast from the transom to well into the cabin. There did not appear to be anything to stop the water between the transom and stringers. Hopefully that's not the case with yours. Our boat has the high rear deck. Great for storage and nice not to have to work around the dog house while fishing. Post some pics of your progress as you go along. Lots of helpful members on here. Good luck!

 

[DaveKamp]

The outdrive you have there is a TRS. It isn't uncommon, but it's nowhere near the production volume of the Alpha or Bravo... it was the much heavier big-brother to the Alpha, it was most often used in large cruisers, houseboats, and commercial workboats. A high-performance/high speed flavor called the TRS is in the same family. The entire family is brutally strong... they'll easily take big-block power.

IF you were considering repowering, I recommend going to a Bravo.

Three reasons:

1) You'll be removing the entire drive system to rehabilitate the transom. You will also be locating and cutting a new transom hole as part of your repair, so the opportunity to change systems is right at your fingertips.
2) Bravo systems (engines, transom assemblies, and drives) are not difficult to find in wrecked boats.
3) Bravo parts are well-supported in the aftermarket, so the maintenance will be very easy.

The 240 SedanBridge is no lightweight. You could power it with a 350 and an Alpha, and it WILL plane and cruise in the mid-high 20mph range, but going to a 454 with a Bravo will enable you do same with much less strain on driveline and engine, and have no significant LOSS of fuel economy. IF you run without the boat heavily laden, it will likely swing a higher pitch prop, at lower RPM, and achieve a higher state of plane, yielding better fuel economy at a planing cruise, as it will NOT need to run at WOT to stay up.

 

[El Capitan]

Once you finish getting her all dolled up it would probably bring $30k US in Florida.

 

[Thornton69]

The outdrive you have there is a TRS. It isn't uncommon, but it's nowhere near the production volume of the Alpha or Bravo... it was the much heavier big-brother to the Alpha, it was most often used in large cruisers, houseboats, and commercial workboats. A high-performance/high speed flavor called the TRS is in the same family. The entire family is brutally strong... they'll easily take big-block power.

IF you were considering repowering, I recommend going to a Bravo.

Three reasons:

1) You'll be removing the entire drive system to rehabilitate the transom. You will also be locating and cutting a new transom hole as part of your repair, so the opportunity to change systems is right at your fingertips.
2) Bravo systems (engines, transom assemblies, and drives) are not difficult to find in wrecked boats.
3) Bravo parts are well-supported in the aftermarket, so the maintenance will be very easy.

The 240 SedanBridge is no lightweight. You could power it with a 350 and an Alpha, and it WILL plane and cruise in the mid-high 20mph range, but going to a 454 with a Bravo will enable you do same with much less strain on driveline and engine, and have no significant LOSS of fuel economy. IF you run without the boat heavily laden, it will likely swing a higher pitch prop, at lower RPM, and achieve a higher state of plane, yielding better fuel economy at a planing cruise, as it will NOT need to run at WOT to stay up.

What makes you think that is a TRS? They require a transmission. It looks just like the old R drive we scattered a couple times with a 260 (5.7) in front of it in our 245. It spun a 16x16 prop and would break 40 mph. Slightly faster than the current B2 in the boat now likely due to it's slimmer profile. The Bravo was a big upgrade for us. It mounted in the same hole. Just had to drill out the top 2 holes.

 

[DaveKamp]

You might be right, Thornton- When I looked at it, the upper case appeared to be the large square blocky housing, not the skinny R-drive... really, a better photo (without the trailer light blocking) would be better.

There's been quite a few 240's of that era in my area, and the TR was frequent... and yes, transmission on the flywheel cover, not in the drive. In Michael's 2nd photo, the engine appears to be set a bit farther forward than the R/1R series... the elbows look like they're substantially farther forward of the transom... but it may be an optical delusion... I've actually got three engines (or I had... I MAY have given one away) that came from TR setups... and they aren't a whole lot further forward... IIRC the forward set distance was only about 4". I still still have a pair of 250hp 327's with Velvets on 'em... and they're about 7" longer than a R/1R housing with coupler.

The TR is a much more svelte drive than the R, and the OP did note that it was 'huge'.

Michael- can you get us a better picture of the top of that drive, and a picture of the back of the engine, looking down 'tween it, and the transom?

Regardless, I'd still go with a Bravo and a big-block... even strong small-blocks have to work so hard to keep these gals up on plane.