Might be buying a sea ray

cooldude3552000 · Newbie Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 21 City: Seattle

Hi, we might be buying a power boat this winter. We will use it mostly for cruising around and just a little wake boarding/tubing in the summer. We don't have a very big budget so are going used.

A few months ago I found a 1988 sea ray sorrento, it was 23 ft long, 260HP, open bow. Well as I was reading I was not too impressed (I didn't really like old sea rays, I love new ones). But i scrolled down to the pics and my jaw dropped. It looked like the guy bought it new and kept it in a science "clean room". There was not one flaw, it was one of the nicest open bow boats I had ever seen (including brand new boats). Anyway then I looked at the price and saw $14,500, I thought it was worth it but just didn't have that much to spend.

The other day I found another one, (same year and model) it is only $6,800 and its also in top notch condition and looks awesome. I would really like to get it but wanted to know your opinion. Does anyone know about these? I will use it mostly in the Puget sound (salt water and not too rough) and mostly for cruising around, just a little wake boarding. It has 260HP and goes around 50MPH. This is the open bow version.

Thanks!

Mobe789 · Posted: Dec 17, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject:

cooldude3552000, 50mph..doesnt really matter. sounds like a nice boat and a good deal, how many hours does it have on it? was it used in salt water? check those things out.

sea ray is a very well built boat, and if you sac it out, im sure you can get a clean, somewhat steep wake out of it.

cooldude3552000 · Newbie Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 21 City: Seattle

it has 230hrs, pretty low. for 50mph does matter, I want a boat that is fast. I don't plan on doing any serious wake boarding so I will just leave it how it is.

Brit Rider · Posted: Dec 17, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject:

Mobe789, I don't get why speed woulnd't matter.. for cruising speed is a very big plus point! and even for wakeboarding.. in an I/O top end is often a good indicator to how well an older engine is holding up. Very Happy

cooldude3552000, Thats some very low hours.. I would try and find out if its been left for several years without use - not a prob if its been looked after though.

Old sea rays are built well, however you will be in the days before all fibreglass stringers and construction so I'd have it checked over independently and also have the engine checked.. I/O's of that age can develop several issues (such as water in the gearbox) which can be expensive to fix. Do not be afraid to spend a few bucks on having a total examination by a trusted dealer carried out.

If its as tidy as you say it sounds like a good buy.. if a tiny bit pricy (try and work him on a that a bit).

cooldude3552000 · Newbie Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 21 City: Seattle

he said it was in storage for 7 years but he cleaned it all up and got it working good and used it a few times over the summer. here is the link tot he ad, http://seattle.craigslist.org/boa/115211531.html

does anyone have any experience with this model. I can't find too much info on it, just the sea ray spec sheet. I have seen other pics of this model and they seem considerably better than other old sea rays.

Brit Rider · Posted: Dec 18, 2005 5:52 am Post subject:

Laid up for 7 years? Long time... just hope thats 7 winterised years!!!

Looks clean, go check it out and see if its as tidy as it looks, but most boats of that ages are going to need an interior replacement.. this ones still looks clean but check its still supple... if its gone hard or stiff it will crack and blister in its first season out.

Looks great and so long as the engine checks out i'd jump on it.

Mobe789 · Posted: Dec 18, 2005 8:08 am Post subject:

Brit Rider, cooldude3552000, this is true, we had an older boat, and it did 53 mph, i loved it. not the best for wakeboarding. but when we got on it. it was funa nd didnt matter, i see where you guys are coming from. loks like a beautiful boat, looks clean and 218 hours is very low for a 17 year old boat.

Mobe789 · Posted: Dec 18, 2005 8:15 am Post subject:

To add to the well built stuff, the floors could very well be rotted to needing replacement, and on our old I/O we had the outdrive seel rot away, it needed fiberglass work done, not a very inexpensive task so as Brit Rider, mentioned i'd go all out on getting a trusted dealer to check it out, it will be worth it in the run. we spent 1400 bucks on getting our outdrive fixed.

I/O's are famous for thier leaks around seels. (correct me if im wrong.)

Brit Rider · Posted: Dec 18, 2005 11:06 am Post subject:

Mobe789,

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

cooldude3552000 · Newbie Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 21 City: Seattle

does anyone have any experience with this model or have more pics of it? This model seems to be built much nicer and with higher quality than other old sea rays.

boarditup · Addict Joined: 01 Dec 2003 Posts: 731 City: Allendale, MI

I was a dealer when they were first introduced. It is a well built IO. That said, IO quality is not inboard quality. As for stringers, you can typically tell easily if there are problems. Use an experienced Marine Surveyor. If the boat was properly flushed after each use, saltwater should not be too big of an issue. If it was not properly flushed, then it can be a big issue. How to tell, change the impeller and inspect.

Trouble spots: engine rubber (drive seal, impeller, hoses, etc). Spongy floor in rear and near driver seat. Mold in foam. Rub rail. Steering cable and throttle cables may be stiff if it was not used a lot. They may need to be replaced. If you do get it, pull the lower unit, replace impeller and bellows, grease joints. Look for water in lower gear housing. Check function of all cables and replace if there is any evidence of "sticking" or "sliding." For a bargain cruiser, it is a decent boat. Don't expect it to be a great wakeboard boat.

In use, flush motor with fresh water after every run. Use salt dissolver every time if you can, or as often as possible. Change impeller every spring commissioning.

3205lpv · Newbie Joined: 17 Oct 2005 Posts: 34 City: Kennesaw

If it sat unused for seven years then be sure to check all the hoses and engine gaskets. They can dry up if the motor hasn't been run. Also check the belows on the outdrive, because if they are cracked then they will need to be replaced before the boat is put in the water. They can sink a boat very fast. Looks well taken care of, and in nice shape.