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

[El Capitan]

Don't do it.

"Brevity is a sign of genious" :grin:

 

[Craigalan]

Same here. Fun to find...but I would run the other way.


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[wortloch]

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

Hi Shawn, I very much appreciate the candid experience on your behalf. Thus is exactly why someone like me looks for advise from a group of people that are willing to give honest advise from experince. THANK YOU!

After a lot of considering and talking with my wife I am almost sure that I do not want to get into a project that may end up being more of a headache than in expect. That being said...I am capable of doing majority of the work myself with my background in building hot rods. Cosmetics, wiring, and structural components I can handle and some minor mechanical experience leads me to want to work on a project boat. However major mechanical scares me.

I know I can do a transom rebuild...no problem...Fiberglass no problem...motor work...maybe not! You tube??? Lol!

Experience and knowledge I lack...but with a good relationship with some people that have the experience, my learning curve is quick...

I think I will look for a boat of this size and look for something that my son and I can have fun with. Your absolutely right in having him start with the basic of maintenance. Good call!

Any advice or referrals for a boat that can take me 50 miles to Catalina Island?

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[74HardTop]

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?

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I would not. And when you double the number of motors and drives you double every headache ....no, I would take the $5000 you would spend right away (with more to spend later) and buy something that already has all the work done to it, a single engine. That's my opinion.

 

[NorCal Boater]

Hi Shawn, I very much appreciate the candid experience on your behalf. Thus is exactly why someone like me looks for advise from a group of people that are willing to give honest advise from experince. THANK YOU!

After a lot of considering and talking with my wife I am almost sure that I do not want to get into a project that may end up being more of a headache than in expect. That being said...I am capable of doing majority of the work myself with my background in building hot rods. Cosmetics, wiring, and structural components I can handle and some minor mechanical experience leads me to want to work on a project boat. However major mechanical scares me.

I know I can do a transom rebuild...no problem...Fiberglass no problem...motor work...maybe not! You tube??? Lol!

Experience and knowledge I lack...but with a good relationship with some people that have the experience, my learning curve is quick...

I think I will look for a boat of this size and look for something that my son and I can have fun with. Your absolutely right in having him start with the basic of maintenance. Good call!

Any advice or referrals for a boat that can take me 50 miles to Catalina Island?

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The Cobalt I am restoring has been to Catalina about 400 times....seriously. You are welcome for the advise. Just keep looking, try and keep emotion out of the decision and find a boat with good mechanical integrity. Try and stick with Mercruiser as parts are more readily available and be patient. Check Craig's List and Boat Trader. I'm in the Sacramento area and if you find something up here and you would like me to take a look at it for you, let me know.

 

[LiquidWrench]

FWIW, I just purchased a 1980 260 sundancer last year. I paid $1500 for it. Twin great running 470's, good drives, excellent (but dated) interior, good canvas, and a trailer.