Undecided whether or not an interior upgrade is worth it.

[Lujo68]

Alright it's on my mind with my boat right now as being my next project. I tried posting this on another site before joining here and the only response I received is they would be happy with what I have. I agree but I like to play so here is my question.
I bought my boat recently and the previous owner did all the vinyl/leather work which is nice but I was thinking of doing more. First and foremost my boat has a carry on type A/C unit, and I would have preferred having the factory built in A/C option instead. The interior is decent needing some TLC as far as carpeting (the floor carpet is alright but it does have some discoloring so I want to change it), one window shade shows age and needs to be replaced, I also need to replace the snaps to some of the interior screens and replace two roll doors to one of the storage compartments. Other then that the refrigerator is clean but looks aged inside and still works. So far with the exception of the A/C dilemma it's all easy enough but here is where it gets technical..... I see a lot of newer Sea Rays with some gorgeous interiors the same size as mine 27' to 28' and since they seem to mostly all have an 8.5' beam and mine is a 10' beam, I was wondering if I can change my era correct interior including the galley completely for a more modern looking one and have a better layout to utilize space? I was thinking either dealing with a used boat dismantler that sells used parts or maybe even trying to find a parts boat that will cross reference to fit and if I can go this route, I would like to take that boats A/C components and ducts to install in my boat to look and work like a factory A/C option. Has anyone done this or even heard of this being done?

btw for the record, I am no carpenter nor am I a highly experienced fiberglass guy. I am experienced with fiberglass doing some corvettes but worked as a professional car restorer when younger so my specialty was body work, metal work, painting, and I am also a decent structural welder. Knowing my background in auto body would this also be a project that will have me in over my head? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Below are some pics of my interior as of now to get an idea....

 

[moparlvr4406]

Your boat....do what pleases you:thumbsup:

and send me the old stuff you take out so mine can be that nice :grin:

 

[Lujo68]

lol, I hear you but it's not that I do not find my interior makes me happy, it's just looking at the newer boats even though they have a skinnier beam seems to utilize space better. I also seem to have noticed on my size boat a lighter colored wood seems to give a much more spacious look while curved cabinets instead of standard right angle cut cabinets is also another technique used to increase space usage. I have my wife and three kids along with a load of friends and thought maybe it might be a project with some rewards of comfort.

~Lou

 

[jason78]

I think I can sum it up this way. If you plan to keep the boat for many years to come, do what you need to make it comfortable. If you plan to upgrade within a couple years, don't do a thing. You probably won't be able to get your money back out of the upgrades.

Personally, I really like the interior based on the pics you posted. The only thing I would do is add a vac-u-flush.

Nice Boat!!

Jason

 

[mistercomputerman]

I would upgrade my camera first.

 

[Lujo68]

Yeah that was another concern of mine was cost in comparison to resale value. I bought the boat for a really great price and do not want to abuse that buffer zone it gives me to do what is a necessary investment to keep her in top shape and what I will get when ready to sell her. You are probably right, I will look to upgrade in a few years to a different boat more than likely. I also heard a something mentioned to me once before about a macerator pump, is that the same as a vac-u-flush?

 

[Lujo68]

I would upgrade my camera first.

Funny guy, now we are comedians... lol. Actually that was funny but to be honest I took the pics from my phone.

 

[jason78]

I also heard a something mentioned to me once before about a macerator pump, is that the same as a vac-u-flush?

No, a vac-u-flush is a convential looking toilet that uses a vacuum generator to move the contents left in the bowl in to a waste holding tank in the bilge which is pumped out at the marina. A Macerator pump is used off shore (where permitted outside in the waste discharge zone) to empty the contents of the waste holding tank in to the ocean.

I had a port-a-potti on my last boat and it was "for emergency use only" just because of the trouble. Having a complete waste system is nice.

 

[Lujo68]

ok I understand the difference now. I wasn't sure what the deal was because of the word macerator. I was thinking it was more about how the waste was compacted into the holding tank. I will look into it then, I have a 25 gallon holding tank I believe on the boat and a waste removal cap on my port side. So I am guessing it would be just a bolt on installation.

I appreciate the patience and help,
~Lou

 

[DustinL]

Man that is a tough one there cause the interior is nice looking. Like Jason said if you plan to upgrade boats I personally wouldn't do it. I have myself toyed with the idea of doing a more modern interior look. The 270 is and was always one of the most popular ones. I have a friend with one that is stunning. I think I would definatley do the A/C heat upgrade. That would be a great first project to start with first. Then see how much you want to do after. Then just repair or replace things from there and see how far and how much your willing to replace. Good luck and in all of it don't forget to enjoy the ole' girl.

 

[mistercomputerman]

Funny guy, now we are comedians... lol. Actually that was funny but to be honest I took the pics from my phone.

Made YOU laugh...

As far as upgrades...what everyone else said. If it makes you happy, if you can afford it, if you're gonna keep the boat, if your wife won't give you crap, go for it.

You toilet looks like a portapotti. The little tank under the seat holds a couple of gallons of the waste. You take it ashore and dump it in something like a real toilet. In some cases the tank may have been plumbed to a macerator which allows you to grind up whatever makes it into the tank and send it directly overboard. This is illegal in some places. Generally, you must be in ocean waters greater than 3 miles form shore.

 

[Lujo68]

yeah you got by surprise with that comment and put a smile on my face which is cool because I like to do the same with people, I always appreciate good humor... lol
As for the upgrade, yeah I think I will just stick with what I have and just clean up the carpet and do a few of the TLC things and let it be. I am going to look into the vac-u-flush thing because I just checked my boats manual and it says standard my boat comes with a 3.5 gallon tank for fresh water and chemicals and also a 5 gallon holding tank for waste that pumps out a waste plate located on the starboard side of my deck. It says the macerator pump is an option and if I have it I would have a Y switch under my vanity to chose whether or not it goes out to sea or the holding tank. I have to check because I never looked. As you can see I haven't tried to use the head yet. I also see a vac-u-flush option in my book too and operates with a foot pedal on the base area of the toilet which I think I remember seeing... I have to check that too but if I do not have it I will definitely look into getting one. I am confused though because according to the diagrams I have what looks to be a 25 gallon holding tank on my starboard side, forward in the stern area... I am not by my boat now so when I go I will physically check this out.

I really appreciate all the insight guys... without it I would have been lost.

 

[moparlvr4406]

lol, I hear you but it's not that I do not find my interior makes me happy, it's just looking at the newer boats even though they have a skinnier beam seems to utilize space better. I also seem to have noticed on my size boat a lighter colored wood seems to give a much more spacious look while curved cabinets instead of standard right angle cut cabinets is also another technique used to increase space usage. I have my wife and three kids along with a load of friends and thought maybe it might be a project with some rewards of comfort.

~Lou

OK...but if you find the carry on A/C unit somehow offends you in the future I will still sacrifice my own comfort and haul itr away for you :wink:

 

[SCORPIO]

There may be a middle ground, there is a vendor on this forum that sells the laminate for the cabinets that is used on newer boats. They can send you pieces that you can adhere over your old cabinets to give them a facelift. Its not cheap stuff but gives very nice results. I think the site is called "restoration marine", do a search. If it were my boat, I'd let it as it is or upgrade some things but I'd let the basic cabinets alone and just reface.
The AC upgrade will produce the greatest enjoyment relative to cost of any other upgrade. There is a thread running in the general forum about doing this on an 88 300 DA, lots of good info. there.

 

[northern]

Based on owning two boats any money spent will do one of two things. Make your life one the boat more comfortable or help yo sell it. It will not make you any money. Up grages are like going out for a good meal. It is nice at the time but in the end it is all get is Poo.

 

[Pack66Dad]

Nice boat.
AKBASSKING and I have both done total redo's on our interiors (per our Admirals specifications). I would say its well worth it is since once its done the Admiral has time and effort invested so she wants to get out and use the boat........ small price to pay for the extra time you'll get on the water :grin:

 

[Lujo68]

Thanks guys... I think I am just going to just shampoo the carpet and go through whatever TLC is needed and then just go from there with a little project here and a little project there without redoing the whole interior all together in one shot. This way I can just get her looking clean without going the big $$$ and maybe save on some labor if I am happy enough. I am however going to find that thread on the guy who did what I mentioned about the a/c, if it seems do-able for me then Moparlover come an get her... lol. I was on my boat today and checked my head and yes I am now going to look into upgrading to a vac-u-flush, that's for sure... just seems a cleaner and more comfortable way to go. Anyway thanks for helping me decide on a path guys. I really appreciate it. It was a bad day today for me. Seems the kleet ripped from the dock that I had my stern tied to and my boat swung into the opposite dock or the boat that docks there. Not sure because his boat wasn't there. No damage except for what seems like a 2" cosmetic gouge on the gel coat and 1.5" of slightly pressed rub rail... :smt089. I also decided to pull out the enclosure and set it up as I haven't put it on yet knowing it had a tear and needed repair, but what the previous owner failed to realize is that shredded and needs replacing does not fall under the term tear :smt013. Seems it is a 2 piece and the cockpit part is shot... man I am bummed.

 

[stephens013]

Nice boat indeed. Heck; do a supper detail job; fix whateverdamage there might be then go for the mechanical and electronic up grades. I have a few friends that tried rearrangingtheir boat to mimic the newer models. Most times the result just dosen't do theamount of money spent justice. Bottom line; your boat; your bucks.

 

[dicor]

Let's think completely outside the box......lets say you begin to search for a 98, 99, 2000 sea ray 270 or larger. However what you are looking for is one with completely blown out engines, bad electronics, alpha drives. If you find one like this with a nice interior and working AC you should be able to get it for a song. Why not swap out your running gear with the newer model? I wouldn't be surprised if the cost of completely upgrading your present boat's interior, adding AC and a vac-u-flush would be close to doing a swap out like this. Or I could be completely talking out of my butt and 100% wrong. But you have to agree it's a interesting idea.....huh?

 

[Jack380AC]

Based on owning two boats any money spent will do one of two things. Make your life one the boat more comfortable or help yo sell it. It will not make you any money. Up grages are like going out for a good meal. It is nice at the time but in the end it is all get is Poo.

Generally I agree. However, adding the AC and the vacu-flush might raise the value and certainly will make it easier to sell. This is true if the folks with boats in your area typically stay on their boat vs just day outings. You will enjoy these upgrades for sure.

NOTE: I would not even add the macerator. It's illegal to use it unless you are way off shore and the "authorities" sometimes ding you if the seacock is not closed. Save your money on that one.

Finally, my first boat was nearly identicle to your and we loved it.

Finally, finally, with all the incredible boats out there priced RWALLY low to sell, I wouldn't put too much money into her - I'd enjoy her and watch the market for the next perfect boat for your family.