Sundancer 268 Stringers and tramsom

Don Tyson

Member
Jan 28, 2019
48
Boat Info
268
Engines
boatless
Has anyone had these fail on their 80's weekenders and Sundancers. I have a very low budget and need to buy a boat for summer. For what I see the 230- 268's are in my range. In jumping around the net i've seen some scary posts about this subject and would like to hear from owners.
Have any of you replaced Stringers and Transom?
Shall I pay for a survey?
Am I worrying too much?
 
Don, any boat can suffer from these issues however, some models more than ever. Remember, you only hear about the ones that fail and not the hundreds that are fine. The best advice is to ALWAYS get a survey from a professional marine surveyor and don't be afraid to walk away. If the 230-268 is what you are looking for then try to find a surveyor with experience with these models as he/she will be familiar with known issues of the particular model. I have walked away from 2 different boats after receiving unfavorable surveys and sellers unwilling to negotiate repairs. In one case I was looking to buy a 54' Motoryacht when the survey yielded over $15,000 in immediately needed repairs and deferred maintenance. The seller's broker advised the seller to stand firm on the price and give nothing towards repairs. His rationale? We paid $1600 for the survey and we weren't going to throw that money away. We did....along with about $600 in airfare and lodging to go see the boat and sea trial it. It was the best $2,200 we ever spent. We ended up finding another, better boat about 3 weeks later at a better price and from a seller that reduced his asking price by $21,000 to cover all items found in survey.

When buying any boat, and especially the vintage you are looking at, always, always do a sea trial get a survey. One other word of caution on the models you are looking at. The 268 is a great boat however, with a full load of fuel and water this boat is up around 6000 lbs. Some owners have complained about them being a bit under powered with a single engine. Twin engines were an option and one worth looking for.

You don't mention your budget but if you can do it I think many of the early '90s boats were a bit better. Enjoy your search and remember to try and not get emotional about a particular boat in the beginning. Emotions can cause us to do stupid things. For every boat I didn't buy....I later found a better boat. Keep us posted.
Shawn
 
Well written NorCal Boater. Clear thinking. If I mentioned my budget you may laugh hopelessly but I hear you about getting into the 90's.
I would love to hear some more comments on the remediation of issues typical to the 80's and early 90's models. They seem perfectly sized for my wife and I. While I'd love to have twin engines it will be tight financially to maintain one engine. I am looking at the 454.





Don, any boat can suffer from these issues however, some models more than ever. Remember, you only hear about the ones that fail and not the hundreds that are fine. The best advice is to ALWAYS get a survey from a professional marine surveyor and don't be afraid to walk away. If the 230-268 is what you are looking for then try to find a surveyor with experience with these models as he/she will be familiar with known issues of the particular model. I have walked away from 2 different boats after receiving unfavorable surveys and sellers unwilling to negotiate repairs. In one case I was looking to buy a 54' Motoryacht when the survey yielded over $15,000 in immediately needed repairs and deferred maintenance. The seller's broker advised the seller to stand firm on the price and give nothing towards repairs. His rationale? We paid $1600 for the survey and we weren't going to throw that money away. We did....along with about $600 in airfare and lodging to go see the boat and sea trial it. It was the best $2,200 we ever spent. We ended up finding another, better boat about 3 weeks later at a better price and from a seller that reduced his asking price by $21,000 to cover all items found in survey.

When buying any boat, and especially the vintage you are looking at, always, always do a sea trial get a survey. One other word of caution on the models you are looking at. The 268 is a great boat however, with a full load of fuel and water this boat is up around 6000 lbs. Some owners have complained about them being a bit under powered with a single engine. Twin engines were an option and one worth looking for.

You don't mention your budget but if you can do it I think many of the early '90s boats were









a bit better. Enjoy your search and remember to try and not get emotional about a particular boat in the beginning. Emotions can cause us to do stupid things. For every boat I didn't buy....I later found a better boat. Keep us posted.
Shawn
Don, any boat can suffer from these issues however, some models more than ever. Remember, you only hear about the ones that fail and not the hundreds that are fine. The best advice is to ALWAYS get a survey from a professional marine surveyor and don't be afraid to walk away. If the 230-268 is what you are looking for then try to find a surveyor with experience with these models as he/she will be familiar with known issues of the particular model. I have walked away from 2 different boats after receiving unfavorable surveys and sellers unwilling to negotiate repairs. In one case I was looking to buy a 54' Motoryacht when the survey yielded over $15,000 in immediately needed repairs and deferred maintenance. The seller's broker advised the seller to stand firm on the price and give nothing towards repairs. His rationale? We paid $1600 for the survey and we weren't going to throw that money away. We did....along with about $600 in airfare and lodging to go see the boat and sea trial it. It was the best $2,200 we ever spent. We ended up finding another, better boat about 3 weeks later at a better price and from a seller that reduced his asking price by $21,000 to cover all items found in survey.

When buying any boat, and especially the vintage you are looking at, always, always do a sea trial get a survey. One other word of caution on the models you are looking at. The 268 is a great boat however, with a full load of fuel and water this boat is up around 6000 lbs. Some owners have complained about them being a bit under powered with a single engine. Twin engines were an option and one worth looking for.

You don't mention your budget but if you can do it I think many of the early '90s boats were a bit better. Enjoy your search and remember to try and not get emotional about a particular boat in the beginning. Emotions can cause us to do stupid things. For every boat I didn't buy....I later found a better boat. Keep us posted.
Shawn
 
Don, I have been boating over 50 years and never laugh at anyone's budget. We have to start somewhere. One other word of caution. Don't buy a boat with an engine that is too small or under powered because the price is a bit lower. The performance may be marginal now but after you have had it for a while you will hate it and there is no easy or cheap way to make your boat perform better. The only cheap way to make a boat go faster is to buy a faster boat. Look for a boat with the biggest engine in it you can get. And in a boat, the bigger engine will get better fuel economy than a smaller engine. these forums are filled with people wanting their boat to go faster....no one ever wishes their engine was smaller.

One last thing (I promise)….any of the transom/stringer rot issues can be repaired. But unless you have advanced carpentry and fiberglass skills and can do all the work yourself, don't even attempt it. The cost will exceed the value of the vessel and you will still have a 30+ year old boat. I have been restoring a 1985 23' Cobalt that I used to own and doing most of the work myself and I am into the project about $19,000. And I had solid transom floors and stingers.
Shawn
 
My Goodness I hear you there. I restored a 1959 28' Pearson Sailboat. All tabbing, decking and gelcoat. Took 4 years and yet I never got the engine back in. Sailed with a kicker on the back. While I would be up to the task I don't want another project boat. I appreciate your responses. I've been told that the 7.4 makes all the difference in this boat......same fuel consumption (mph), less rpm (less noise).
 
When buying any boat, and especially the vintage you are looking at, always, always do a sea trial get a survey. One other word of caution on the models you are looking at. The 268 is a great boat however, with a full load of fuel and water this boat is up around 6000 lbs. Some owners have complained about them being a bit under powered with a single engine. Twin engines were an option and one worth looking for.
Shawn
I owned a 1989 268DA with a single 7.4L/Bravo Drive. That was plenty of motor for that boat. Some of those boats were sold with the 5.7L/Alpha Drive and that is definitely under powered. My boat cruised nicely at about 3000 rpm and used around 9 gph.
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I owned a 1989 268DA with a single 7.4L/Bravo Drive. That was plenty of motor for that boat. Some of those boats were sold with the 5.7L/Alpha Drive and that is definitely under powered. My boat cruised nicely at about 3000 rpm and used around 9 gph.View attachment 65327
Thanks for the clarification. I thought I had read there were 5.7s in the 268s but when I looked at the Sea Ray specs it did not list it. I thought I was losing my mind. Thanks for helping me maintain what's left of my sanity....
Shawn
 
oh boy, i am getting ready to sound like a total a!! hole.....but please believe me Don, i am only trying to help by offering my opinion and advise....

i can certainly appreciate your financial situation as i have been there myself.....but if you are concerned about being able to pay for the annual maintenance of a single engine boat then i must wonder if buying a boat at this point in time is the right decision....there is always going to be the cost of fuel to consider as well as unexpected repair cost as well as slip fees (if applicable) or trailer maintenance and insurance....i am just afraid that if you are stretching your money that thin then your boating experience may not be a pleasant one...you are looking at older boats that fit into your budget which is fine....but these older boats will more than likely need things done to them that you are not expecting, some of which may render the boat unusable until they are addressed....

boating is not an inexpensive hobby....i have been boating for around 12 years now and like most members on CSR started just where you are by buying older smaller boats and worked up to larger newer boats....so i have some experience backing up my comments about how there will likely be unexpected costs in operating and maintaining an older boat....

i would just hate to see you spend your hard earned money on a boat and then find yourself unable to use it due to unexpected cost....

i know this is not what you asked....i'm not trying to be judgmental....i am just offering some things to think about before you make the decision to buy....

best of luck in your decision...
cliff
 
We all lose our minds eventually. The key is to pass our knowledge on to port lest we start to list. You Guys are doing fine.
This boat, if I can find one that is clear of rot, will do all that I need it to do. The mechanicals are an easier item to keep up as there are plenty of spare parts out there. It is much easier to replace a motor than rebuild a boat.

What boats do you have now and are they doing well, stringers dry?

I keep bringing up stringers and transom because I've been warned enough times now that I may have become a little gun-shy.

Play Dough what kind of seas could she take? I'm trying to piece in some of the Great Loop and, although we all watch the weather, eventually we get caught in weather we hadn't counted on. My thoughts were that, although there is allot of windage on this hull, the hull weight and degrees of entry should be in your favor if you're trying to punch through to your next port. Did you fish the Great Lakes? Would you return from Catalina in an afternoon breeze? Would you sail under the Mackinac Bridge?
 
I guess I should explain better what I'm trying to do here. I am a 60 year young guy with a dream. I don't want payments and luckily I have both income to insure it and skills to repair and maintain a boat this size in an average state. I've been a blow-boater for a number of years and have owned a 238vee Carolina Skiff for many of those years. I plan to use this new boat in segments of the Great Loop. Primary use will be on the rivers and canals of central NY. The Chesapeake is a given. Forays onto Lake Champlain and Erie are likely. Two weeks here and two weeks there several times a year for five to ten years. I will trailer it around a bit. It doesn't have to gleam but it can't be rotted out. I don't see the necessity for twin motors on this size boat except in and around the docks I'm told twins are handy. I'm not in a hurry. I also plan on having a dingy aboard.
I will not be aboard this vessel unless we are going somewhere. No full-time slip, no raft-ups. Then it will be trailered to the next port or back to home base.
 
Play Dough what kind of seas could she take? I'm trying to piece in some of the Great Loop and, although we all watch the weather, eventually we get caught in weather we hadn't counted on. My thoughts were that, although there is allot of windage on this hull, the hull weight and degrees of entry should be in your favor if you're trying to punch through to your next port. Did you fish the Great Lakes? Would you return from Catalina in an afternoon breeze? Would you sail under the Mackinac Bridge?
At a 3' Lake Michigan chop it became a bumpy ride. It's really not that heavy of a boat to plow through the waves. Generally, a forecast of 1' to 3' was OK. Once the news was 2' to 4' it was better to limit travel. The use of trim to keep the boat in the water was effective but made for a lot of spray over the bow. I'm not at all familiar with coastal boating but we traveled the Straits of Mackinac many times with that boat cruising from central Lake Michigan. We salmon fished out of that boat a lot.
 
Survey is an absolute no-brainer. Especially on an older boat.

Rotted stringers can be an issue. I surveyed a 30' sea ray almost 20 years ago and it had softness around the generator mounting brackets and around the weep holes that allow water to run between the stringers to the center of the boat. Repairing that would've been an expensive nightmare.

That doesn't mean they're all like that but you're going to have to do your due diligence. I'd interview the surveyor to get an understanding of his experience and how he checks for these structural issues. I'd also be right next to him while every minute he was performing the survey. I'd make sure he pays particular attention to any area that has pierced the stringers fiberglass encasement. That's weep holes, mounting brackets, joints, screws fastening wiring looms, etc.

Having an outdrive out the back compounds the worry as that opening is a big source of failure. Also any trim tab mounting holes.

And BTW, my '85 250 had a single OMC outdrive. That boat was fast enough but I wouldn't touch another one of those model outdrives. Was a maintenance nightmare and a big cash sink. It's the only boat I've ever owned for so short a period of time, which was 3 years.

Good luck and welcome the the stink-boat crowd.
 
Our last boat was a 1986 250 DA. We boat on the Ohio River so not much chop there but we bought it from the original owner who used it on Lake Erie since it was new until we bought it in 2015. He said it did fine but he got caught out in 5' chop one day. Said the boat handled it fine but he would never want to do it again.
 
I was trying to "Qualify and Quantify" seaworthiness. I know what the lakes look like in a breeze from the shoreline. I know what the Chesapeake looks like mid-stream from the Bay Bridge. But whenever I say to a mate "hey that was a three footer" I get a "no not nearly" . So I go by the Noah forecasts. I assume that when they are talking 2-4' they are not describing the wave hitting the beach but rather the swell in the channels and way off the shoreline........a place I've not been very much. I guess if it can handle the straights it'll get me across the Chesapeake and Erie in an afternoon summer breeze.

I will assume that I need a survey from here on in. What I'm doing, or attempting to do, is to buy an older and much heavier boat for the same or less than any of my others and I need to be very careful or it will be the most expensive cheap boat one could own. If I'd have waited until I could afford to buy late model boats I'd never have gotten out there.

I found a 268 with a 2006 454 and Bravo II and is nice to look at, on a nice trailer and so forth. All Works. Now I need to know if the wooden parts, hidden from sight, are sound. If so I believe I have my boat.
It was mentioned that these 8.5' wide boats are touchy when docking in a crosswind. I hear that. I take it seriously. I believe I have the skill to handle or entirely avoid these dangers and I take nothing for granted. Frankly though I need a trailerable boat that can be used in somewhat a spontaneous manner and the thought of acquiring 4-5 over-wide permits to go away for a weekend has very little appeal. I live in a juggernaut of state lines and what a headache.
I wish I could have a boat with a 10-12' beam but I know better for now.

I would really like to hear about rough water experiences from anyone willing to recite them. Heck I'd love to hear any bits of wisdom you would like me to remember.

Baron
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Sounds like you found your boat. Make an offer pending sea trial and survey and hope for the best. I truly hope it works out for you.
Shawn
 
I loved my 250 (very similar to the 268) even though it fell short in mechanical reliability. It was my first cabin boat and it was an AWESOME adventure.

If that boat checks out buy it and enjoy it. Looking forward to hearing back from you with your experiences.
 
We buy what we can afford...or think we can afford! I say good for you and go for it!

My first boat was a late 70’s era tri hull with a 115 hp Mariner 2 stroke outboard I bought out of a barn for $2k. My inspection was starting it up with muffs on. Seeemed fine.

Once in the water, it wouldn’t get up on plane, had to clean the carbs, but once done it was a rocket ship! Unfortunately, it was also a rotten rocket ship and trying to pull a skier a couple weeks in, the motor pushed through the rotten transom. Almost sank, but got her back on the trailer.

I had a few quotes to rebuild it at $4k, but being young, I had more time than money or brains, so I rebuilt it myself. I bought a book about small boat rebuilding...no YouTube or CSR in those days.

I took the engine off, removed the top, and cut all the old rotten and water logged transom and stringers our. Rebuilt them, glassed them in and reassembled. Added a custom aluminum panel on the transom to spread the load.

After that, she was affectionately known as “Shit Log” for the wonderful mocha and brown color scheme and its water logged nature. We had a couple more awesome years on her, then upgraded to a 20’ cuddly. I sold her for more than I paid for her, but I doubt I broke even.

I learned a lot owning that boat including that I like working on old boats. Also goes to show you can have a great time on a very small budget, if your willing and able to do things for yourself.

One last note...get a survey, you will save a lot of money and aggravation.
 
I don't think you will be disappointed with the low speed maneuverability that the Bravo 2 offers. Sounds like a nice package. Good luck!
 
So how did your boat buying go ? I've owned my 1989 268 7.4 Bravo1 for a full season and into the second now .a broken foot is keeping me ashore Atm but another 4 weeks and I'll be out enjoying her again . I enjoy the ease of maintenance with a single on my bank book and no note to pay the bank with a boat of this vintage.Last year cost a bit doing some deferred maintenance items however now that every hose exhaust tubes and shutter valves and a new anchor rode were replaced at the onset of last season I'm looking forward to a less expensive year.i boat in southern Geargisn bay and dhe handles the rougher stuff fairly well for a narrow beam . This year I opted for a slip that the prevailing wind pushes me on to as last year I was blown off which made for some tricky docking especially since I am mostly single handed . One thing that helped alot with docking on windy days was removing canvass before coming in
Let's see what you got yourself in to
 

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