Should I buy $1,000...1979 SRV 260 Sundancer

W

wortloch

New Member
Apr 21, 2016
9
United States
Boat Info
1979 sundancer srv 260 with the windows that flair outward.
Engines
(2) mercruiser 170/460 engines w/alpha one outdrives
c0e33e6b4e92aa2ba67a45c3f8db70b6.jpg


6e5e80b1279c812ebf10e010be3e34a7.jpg


I'm looking for help to make a decision on buying a new to me boat. 1979 SRV 260 Sundancer with 2 Mercruiser 170/460 engines with Alpha 1 outdrives. $1,000.

The boat seems like it's in good condition. The hull is good and the interior looks good. No signs of rot.

The Mercruiser engines are currently out of the boat being rebuilt. And the outdrives need to be serviced.

The problem. To get the newly rebuilt engines out of the shop it's going to cost me $1,300 and I still have to pay a mechanic to install them.

The outdrives need to be serviced and u would have to pay for these too.

When the engines and outdrives are done and installed it should be a sound boat. I would still have to buy batteries.

I'm only thinking mechanical at this point. Should I run? Or should I stay for the long haul?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
When my wife's dad was alive he owned a 200 slip marina and there were always a few boats like this laying around. My FIL referred to them as "throwaway" boats and every year after giving up on getting the owner's storage fees, he'd get some kind of legal order somehow that allowed him to use his forklift to smash the boats up and dump them into his dumpsters for disposal.

This looks like one of those, except some of those were nicer, newer, and more intact.

Just sayin'.........
 
sfergson727 said:
Time spent on the water with family is priceless, and will form life long memories with the kids, and teach your kids responsibility, and even self confidence. So there's that.....
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more! But in this boat's case.....how long will it be before that can happen, and I think your well-stated analysis of the boat is great advice. There are just far too many good deals out there to consider anything so far gone.

That said, as electricaldoctor asked, if the trailer is included, and is in good shape, maybe the price can be negotiated down to say, $500-600 bucks, and he could dump the boat and just take the trailer home. It would be a GREAT deal then!! And I can't even begin to tell you, when I shopped all Fall and Winter and the first couple weeks of Spring, before I found "my" boat, how many really NICE boats I came across that said in big BOLD letters at the beginning of the listing, "NO TRAILER!" That makes buying a boat all that much harder, whether it's 1/2 way across the country or a couple hours drive from home. So if this is about the size boat he wants, maybe buying the trailer at a good price is a great start to finding a good boat to take home on it! (CAVEAT: It's not as simple as I am making it sound.......just because another boat is a similar size doesn't mean the boat will just fit right on it. Adjustments may have to be made to make it work as it should, but still.....worth a thought, I think!)
 
RichardS said:
When my wife's dad was alive he owned a 200 slip marina and there were always a few boats like this laying around. My FIL referred to them as "throwaway" boats and every year after giving up on getting the owner's storage fees, he'd get some kind of legal order somehow that allowed him to use his forklift to smash the boats up and dump them into his dumpsters for disposal.

This looks like one of those, except some of those were nicer, newer, and more intact.

Just sayin'.........
Click to expand...
Richard S. - this is the first time I've heard of throwaway boats. I guess I'm tying to understand what the boats value is and how much I would have to put into it to make it a good running boat.

My father and I when I was younger built hot rods together and it never mattered what the base value was because the goal was to make it one of a kind (last hot rod was a 1950 Chevy Panel)....I know almost nothing about boats and was wondering if this is the kind project that would be like building a classic hot rod.

From what is seems like. It may take me $4,000 to get the boat and trailer in good condition.

Thanks for your relpy!

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
sfergson727 said:
Looks like that $1000 boat has about $10,000 worth of work that needs to be put into it. If you can afford it, and the boat is solid (I'd have the transom and stringers checked for moisture and rot) and you don't mind doing the work yourself....Well, I'd probably buy it as a project, but go into it with your eyes open. You are not looking at a $1000 boat, you are looking at a potential hole in the water, to which you will toss your hard earned money into, never to be seen again.

Time spent on the water with family is priceless, and will form life long memories with the kids, and teach your kids responsibility, and even self confidence. So there's that.....
Click to expand...
Sfergson727 - how can I check the stringers? I looked at the transom because the engines are out and it looks strong. The edges of the transom hole are a little moist but are not even close to deteriorating from rot. I did notice that the transom does not have any fiberglass on it and almost looks like bare wood. I was thinking I could remove the parts bolted to the transom and gel coat it along with the entire engine bay.

Back to the question....how can I check the stringers myself? I saw a cut out in the cabin floor near the front room. I pulled it up and noticed fiberglass hull and some expandable foam. I didn't really know what that was. I was looking for stringers.



Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
Take your estimate and double it: this is boating. Now, take that figure and look for boats that are available in your area and sea worthy, well maintained and meet your needs. My 2 cents...
 
RichardS said:
I couldn't agree more! But in this boat's case.....how long will it be before that can happen, and I think your well-stated analysis of the boat is great advice. There are just far too many good deals out there to consider anything so far gone.

That said, as electricaldoctor asked, if the trailer is included, and is in good shape, maybe the price can be negotiated down to say, $500-600 bucks, and he could dump the boat and just take the trailer home. It would be a GREAT deal then!! And I can't even begin to tell you, when I shopped all Fall and Winter and the first couple weeks of Spring, before I found "my" boat, how many really NICE boats I came across that said in big BOLD letters at the beginning of the listing, "NO TRAILER!" That makes buying a boat all that much harder, whether it's 1/2 way across the country or a couple hours drive from home. So if this is about the size boat he wants, maybe buying the trailer at a good price is a great start to finding a good boat to take home on it! (CAVEAT: It's not as simple as I am making it sound.......just because another boat is a similar size doesn't mean the boat will just fit right on it. Adjustments may have to be made to make it work as it should, but still.....worth a thought, I think!)
Click to expand...
Richard S - I've thought that the trailer might have a great value as opposed to the boat. Let's just say....if the mercruiser 170/460 engines are running and the outdrives are also operable then, what would the value be of this boat? And...would it be the type of boat that would be in demand?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
Unfortunately, that boat will never be a classic "hot rod". The bottom line in my opinion is that you will pour a ton of money into it just to get it on the water, a ton more to keep there, all the while the value of the boat will be waaaay less than that. I doubt it will ever be worth what you put into it. While every boat depreciates and we lose money . . . you will be losing a bunch before you even enjoy it.
 
wortloch said:
richard s - i've thought that the trailer might have a great value as opposed to the boat. Let's just say....if the mercruiser 170/460 engines are running and the outdrives are also operable then, what would the value be of this boat? And...would it be the type of boat that would be in demand?
Click to expand...

I'd pay about $500 for the trailer if it's in good shape, but i am assuming it's nowhere near as old as the boat. I'd buy it "on spec" because as I said, there are so many boats for sale without trailers that it might make it easier to buy a boat once you find one.

To answer your questions about what would the value of the boat be if everything is running right? Not a lot. Not a lot at all.

To answer your question about how in demand the boat would be once it's running right?
Not a lot. Not a lot at all.



cincy aquaholic said:
unfortunately, that boat will never be a classic "hot rod". The bottom line in my opinion is that you will pour a ton of money into it just to get it on the water, a ton more to keep there, all the while the value of the boat will be waaaay less than that. I doubt it will ever be worth what you put into it. While every boat depreciates and we lose money . . . You will be losing a bunch before you even enjoy it.
Click to expand...

agree 10000%!
 
Last edited:
Everybody...thank you for your input. With all the knowledge and experience in all your answers I can definitely see that I might be getting myself into a bigger mess than necessary. I have to say..it makes me kind of sad to know that this may not be a good deal or project as I was hoping to work on it with my son. And I can see that he's excited too.

Im California and always dreamed of having a sea worthy boat that I could drive to Catalina.

Any suggestions on how to look for a boat of this size?

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
Ryobi makes a moister meter that plugs into your iphone you can get it at home depot for about thirty bucks. Theres nothing wrong with projects or great deals, but getting a boat with twins and your new to boating can be overwhelming at times if you have nobody to show you the ropes. for about 3-4k you can get a 22ft that's running in the water already and its great size for a first boat.

Saverio
 
Saverio said:
Ryobi makes a moister meter that plugs into your iphone you can get it at home depot for about thirty bucks. Theres nothing wrong with projects or great deals, but getting a boat with twins and your new to boating can be overwhelming at times if you have nobody to show you the ropes. for about 3-4k you can get a 22ft that's running in the water already and its great size for a first boat.

Saverio
Click to expand...
Saverio, thank you for the pointer. Agreed that a set of new twins could keep give lack of sleep...in a bad way. Since I opened this tread I've been looking across the country for a better understanding of the market.

I now know there are better deals. I just may have to go on a long drive. But then that's scary too.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk
 
I have learned in life that some things can not be purchased cheaply enough...even if nearly free.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
almostenuff said:
I have learned in life that some things can not be purchased cheaply enough...even if nearly free.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
In a word..if you cant spend 20k in renovation costs and then enjoy the boat, then when your done using it sell it for 2 or 3k, ...then Dont buy it.

most people who do buy this kind of boat spend what they have, end up frustrated, and give it away. My advice, get some help buying as much boat as you can afford, that somebody else has already fixed. The road is littered with Searays that are seriously underpriced.

Buying a boat is an expensive proposition that gives back to the right owner more than you will ever spend..but spend you will! Buying the wrong boat is an expensive proposition that will never leave the dock. Trust me. Ive experienced both scenerios.
 
There are a lot of 15,000 to 25,000 SeaRays for sale in this size. Mechanical items are a small part. If there is rot it will get very expensive to repair. A boat this old stands a good chance there is some rot. One surveyor told me to walk around on the decks in my sock feet and I would feel the soft areas. Try it and if it is not firm all over you probably have rot. Stringers, hull, aft end and all exposed areas if you tap on them and any sound different you may have rot in that area. A real surveyor is a must before you buy but it will cost you close to the value you are paying for the boat.
 
Wort,

You've received a lot of advice and probably none of it what you wanted to hear. What concerns me for you is your apparent lack of experience with a project of this size and I mean no disrespect. First, the outdrives are not Alphas as they were not made until the early 80s which means they are "pre-Alpha" or "M" or "MR" drives. They were OK but not as good as the Alphas. I'm restoring the 1985 23' Cobalt in the picture below and doing most of it myself. But I have owned boats since I was 16 (now 66) and even worked in/managed a boat repair shop. This boat is a boat that I owned with a partner for 12 years and know it intimately. Even with all of that said, I am still several thousand $$$ over what I thought it would cost me.

The best advice you've received is to do an estimate of how much it would cost to get that boat running....safely, double it and look for a boat in that price range. You don't say where you are in California but there are many boats here for sale. After determining how much you can spend, decide how you want to use it (fishing, watersports, cruising/overnight, etc.) and start looking on Yachtworld or Boat Trader. For a project with your son I would find a boat that is mechanically and structurally sound(get a professional survey) but maybe needs some cosmetic work such as cleaning, waxing, polishing. Then teach you son how to properly maintain a boat and all the systems.

You really don't want to bite off more than you can chew. If you buy it and for some reason are unable to finish it, it, and boating, will become a negative to you.

Best of luck with your decision.

Shawn
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,247
Messages
1,429,216
Members
61,125
Latest member
Bassinbradw
Back
Top