The official pre-clinton era sr sport cruiser thread

[EricW]

I know its not that same boat, but I'll share my experience with my previous 89 220 DA w/ 5.7 sterndrive.

I bought the boat with 400 hrs and added a 17" pitch SS prop right away. The boat would hit 4500 rpms at WOT and 42 mph.

When I sold the boat 10 years later with 1100 hrs, I could only hit 4200 rpms and 38 mph. Same prop and boat loaded the same way.

Also, the oil pressure readings were not quite as high at 1100 hrs as they were at 400 hrs.

 

[Saverio]

hey Guys
can I get in my sea ray is pre Reagan!!!!

i have a 79 express cruiser.
@ 2800 rpm I can hit 28mpg on gps the highest revs i got was about 3300 and it sounds like they will blow up.

I have to take pics of engine.

 

[rondds]

Uh, the Jimmy Carter Era thread is two doors down on the right.

Just kiddin'! You're in. Love the anchors!

 

[JJCOTTE]

hey Guys
can I get in my sea ray is pre Reagan!!!!

i have a 79 express cruiser.
@ 2800 rpm I can hit 28mpg on gps the highest revs i got was about 3300 and it sounds like they will blow up.

I have to take pics of engine.

Hey Ron
Are you making a run up the Hudson this fall?

 

[rondds]

HA! I wish. That's a bit too far for my old gas-powered tub. Been up there a lot as a kid by boat and I do have a buddy (Mark D here on CSR) who's in Rondout Creek. But if I do get up there in the future it's gonna be by car at 75 mph and 25mpg!

 

[JJCOTTE]

Well let me know if you decide to drive up. I am in the Catskill Creek just north of your Buddy. Hell, Run the old gas job up...

 

[rondds]

If I'm going up I'll let you know!

 

[kostond]

Ron thanks for the invitation. I guess, I started the hijacking of the other thread.

Anyway, just got my 86 390 sedan sport fish last month. She is pretty rare I guess. I am pretty sure they only made this particular model between 1984 and 1987.

My particular example is in pretty good shape for her age. I am the 4th owner. The previous owners poured a bunch money into her. The original owner repowered the boat in 1996 with Volvo diesels, ZF transmissions and an Isuzu 8Kw geneset. At the same time she got a custom flybridge dashboard, hardtop and a cockpit helm station. The second owner installed bow and stern thrusters, trolling valves and Nibral 4 blade props. The last owner ordered custom couches for the salon. Pull out on the port side and incliners on the starboard. Don't know what the original interior looked liked but the last owner recovered everything in new white marine vinyl and new carpeting in the salon.

Unfortunantly, due to commitments at work I missed the "window" for bringing her north. She is now resting comfortably in Cape May. Looking forward to the trip next year I guess. BTW Garden State Parkway tolls will bleed you to death!!!

Nick K

P.S. There are more pics in my photo album

 

[Daniel P Thomas]

Nick
What a great looking boat.
Saw your album pictures too!
Dan

 

[rondds]

Nick,
I'm way ahead of you - already looked at the album pix. She's a beaut and we're happy to have her here in the old SR section!

NOt sure if you've seen this...
http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNK5E502.pdf

Or if you have a copy of this...

http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/1C1_23_74DEJAJL30N.pdf

 

[kostond]

Thanks guys. Ron I saw those PDF's and downloaded them to my laptop. Cool thing is, I have the originals.They have made it all these years in fantastic shape. The previous owners were obsessive about holding on to paper work.

Nick K

 

[Pietro]

Thanks guys. Ron I saw those PDF's and downloaded them to my laptop. Cool thing is, I have the originals.They have made it all these years in fantastic shape. The previous owners were obsessive about holding on to paper work.

Nick K

...no leaky side windows on yours, though.

 

[kostond]

Nope. The boat originally had them, but a PO had them glassed over. The fiberglass work is top notch. Not sure what kind of ventilation I am going to get during the summer. The guy I bought it from mostly kept it at the dock with the A/C on. I plan to keep it on a mooring with the large percentage of the summer on the hook.

Nick K

 

[Pietro]

Nick, I think it’s nicer now! Cleaner look. May be you should just replace the original double striping :wink:

 

[rondds]

Nick
You wont need those portlights, esp if you're on a mooring or at anchor with the nose always pointing into the wind. Open the hatch and the aft door and you'll get nice cross ventilation.

I can't think of any boat SR ever made w/o portholes besides mine. I like the look much better and I don't even think about it, esp when others complain about leaks.

 

[kostond]

I am hoping you are right about the bow being pointed into the wind. I agree with you and Pietro I like the sleek look without them. I used to have a 1990 vintage Maxum that had portlight leaks. What a pain! I definitely wont miss leaks from side windows.

Nick K

 

[sprink56]

Hey Gang,

Been a while but thought I would drop in and say hello. I have my eye on a local 390 Sedan Cruiser that has 3208's and some nice amenities.

It's an expanded "layer cake" version of the 390 EC with "refurbished" 3208's. It has 3: A/C units including Bridge A/C.

This boat has been for sale for a while and I am preparing to make an offer...just waiting on final arrangements on a place to keep her.

Meanwhile I have been occupied with this beauty...

My 1979 Formula 255 Liberator is a freshwater boat from Traverse City, Michigan having arrived in South Florida 2: years ago. It's running twin 260 Mercs through No. 1 MerCruiser drives. The engines were replaced with Merc "crate motors" in 2006 and at that time the drives were refurbished.

I have a little "restoration" to do including updating the cockpit, cabin and electronics. I'm getting a lot of help from the guys over on the Formula forum as well as Offshore Only.

She runs a solid 60 GPS with 21" props and cruises at 50 with ease. This is my 5th Formula and it's a keeper...hard to believe it's 31 years old!!

Still miss my 390...I can't wait to get my hands on this 390 SF...it's getting hard to find these boats.

Hope you all are doing well and I hope we all have a better 2010.

 

[rondds]

Sprink
Good to hear from you. The formula is a BEAUT! So is the 390 SF? DB? what is the designation? Is that an '86,'87? Surprised about your choice, taking into account all the stairs to negotiate! Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Pietro]

Welcome back, Sprik!!! I love that Formula. I would also like to restore an old speedboat someday...a Formula or Cigarette!
Do you remember, some time ago, I told you’d be missing your 390? :grin::grin::grin:

 

[kostond]

Looks like a nice boat. Spent hours looking at and comparing it to the boat we ultimately bought from New Jersey. Just couldn't justify the distance. Nice boat though. Good luck

Nick K

BTW, love the Formula. Wish I had the space in the driveway for a screwin' around boat.