[aohkay]

Thank you all for your coments and advice...I will certainly take it all under consideration, as you are experienced Sea Rayer's

I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Will let you know the final outcome!

Lisa

 

[stephens013]

Just my 2 cents but I will never again have a boat with Alphadrives. Just got rid of a really nice 31 foot Chaparral and the Alpha driveswere a big reason I wanted it gone. Stronglysuggest your deal provide for the total rebuild of the torpedoes and all theshifting mechanisms.
Have a friend who is running V-6 motors on a 28 foot Sea Rayand he says it dose just fine. Of course you can load up almost any boa to apoint where the performance is anaemic.

 

[Jersey Mike]

5.7 EFI's are the least you want with Alpha or Bravo I's. 5.0 EFI's are ok with Bravo III's, 5.7's are a bonus

 

[Bucit]

5.7 EFI's are the least you want with Alpha or Bravo I's. 5.0 EFI's are ok with Bravo III's, 5.7's are a bonus

I didn't think the Alpha's were rated for anything over the 5.0's?

 

[Jersey Mike]

I think Alpha's are ok to 300HP...plenty of them bolted to 5.7's...even a few 7.4's, but they didn't fare well

 

[Bucit]

JM - that's what I remember now, 300hp, but you're right, anything over that and they didn't last.

 

[aohkay]

UPDATE:

Thank you all for the advice and recommendations. In the long run, we decided to go through with the deal. After 30 days of sea trials, mechanical checks, survey and a lot of 'back and forth' we finally brought her back to our marina last weekend.

I am SO VERY EXCITED to finally be a Sea Ray owner! I think I mentioned in an earlier post, we have been looking for a 29' Sea Ray for well over a year. It's so nice to have that part of the process over and done with.

Thanks again everyone,

Lisa

 

[John_Gault]

UPDATE:

Thank you all for the advice and recommendations. In the long run, we decided to go through with the deal. After 30 days of sea trials, mechanical checks, survey and a lot of 'back and forth' we finally brought her back to our marina last weekend.

I am SO VERY EXCITED to finally be a Sea Ray owner! I think I mentioned in an earlier post, we have been looking for a 29' Sea Ray for well over a year. It's so nice to have that part of the process over and done with.

Thanks again everyone,

Lisa

A long overdue congrats on your boat!
Got pics?



Laurence

 

[itsabowtime2]

Suggestiuon on the Alpha drives. Try a 4 blade prop. I have Alpha drives on my boat and switched to a 14.75 x 15 (4) blade prop and what a difference in hole shot, less bow rise and lower speed to hold plane.

 

[susanandlance]

I want to try this as well, what kind of 4 blade wheels did you get and where?? Thanks

 

[alwhite00]

I have a 5.7 with a Alpha - Switched props & love it - See this thread for results. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/46571-3-blade-to-4-blade-The-results-are-in

LK

 

[itsabowtime2]

I want to try this as well, what kind of 4 blade wheels did you get and where?? Thanks

I went with Solas. Got them from: www.iboats.com They seem to have the best prices.

 

[JimFromMD]

I went with Solas. Got them from: www.iboats.com They seem to have the best prices.

My father has a 1987 270 Dancer with Twin 4.3s and Alpha drives. He switched to 4 bladed props and I also noticed a quicker hole shot and smoother ride. You dont feel the vibration from the prop biting as much as you do with the 3-bladed ones he had on. That said, he made the switch as part of an insurance settlement from hitting a 3" diameter branch which cracked the cavitation plate on one of the outdrives. He had an aftermarket leg put on that drive which also gave true counter-rotating drives. Not sure it would be worth the investment "just to do it" although I have considered it for my 300DA.

 

[Bucit]

My vote is WAY underpowered! If you plan to overnight or extended stays and load it you will probably be disappointed. I feel my 280 is under powered and mine have more horse power!

I agree. I looked for the 5.0 motors and the BIII's but couldn't find one. It seems like this set up was used in the northern states and down south they were set up with the 4.3l and Alpha setup. Our 4.3l's have additional horsepower than what your looking at since they are fuel injected and I think it's sluggish. If fully loaded with fuel, water, gear, beer and people (who will all sit in the back of the boat) it takes a while to get on plane. Once there it's fine but getting on plane seems to take an eternity sometimes. My boat is lift kept, no bottom paint and props are in good shape so no fouled bottom or water logged boat here. If this doesn;t bother you then the boat itself will be fine. I enjoy my boat but wish for more power.

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

Enjoy your boat. I'm sure that with the help of the good folks on this forum you will be able to keep her in tip top shape.
George

 

[aohkay]

Enjoy your boat. I'm sure that with the help of the good folks on this forum you will be able to keep her in tip top shape.
George

Thank you; everyone has been very helpful and very friendly.

Lisa