1980 Searay - First boat

[ormjgrouch]

Guys,

Well, I did it again. I bought something that was dirt cheap, in hopes I will be able to restore it (winter project). here it is 1980 Sea Ray, for a WOPPING $250 bucks. The seller just wants it out of the yard its been sitting uncovered for 9 months. I jumped around the deck and cabin and the floor seem solid, there is a some stand still water in the cabin area. Needs a lot of cleaning. Has a 260 merc and don?t know the outdrive. Can anyone tell me what these boats came with (drivietrain)? I?m going to try to get the engine started this weekend, remove all plugs, squirt some oil and try to hand turn the engine first before I try to fire it up. I am noticing a lot of spray cans of carb cleaners and starter fluids in the boat. Looks like the owner tried to get it started but couldn?t. What can you guys tell me about this boat?

Yes this is my first boat and I?ve rebuilt several jeeps and classic mustangs so I?m not afraid to take this on. Please don?t? hesitate in giving me some pointers/advise/Criticism on the boat. If I can?t get this thing running good then oh well, I just lost $250, no big deal. I?ll just sell the parts of the boat,

I will load more pictures tonight.

 

[rbh]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Congrats, nice looking find!

Is it a sundancer, weekender or ?
Now its time for you to do a personel survey on the craft to see what the issues are.
Sea ray makes a pretty bullit proof boat for the most part, "BUT" the transom, and the roof of the cuddy are areas you need to check thuroghly.


And you got the trailer with it, yippee!

 

[greenbush future]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Any boat is only as good as the person who cares for it. If left uncovered and open to the elements, you can expect some work, but start checking your sturucture items, engine, outdrive, transom, floors, stringers. It will help you understand the items needing repair, and cost and effort involved. You can spend thousands, chasing a negelcted boat, not all are worth it. You have a great suspect for a nice result, I always enjoyed Sea Rays, never owned one though.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

WOW $250???? You made out like a bandit. The trailer alone is worth that. Looks to be a 240 Weekender.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

rbh - The PO states it's a 240 weekender but how can i confirm it. Thanks for letting me know about the roof cabin and transom. I still haven't taken it home yet, want to wait for daylight (freaking 9 to 5 job, gets in the way). I know trailer comes with, pluscomes with title.

greenbush - thanks for the reply, will definetly inspect teh whole boat before getting out. for now i just want to get this engine running first.

r.j.dawg - can you believe it $250, sure am happy i bought my wifes iphone 5 for her. she says, "its cheaper than my phone"

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

1980 Sea Ray brochure. http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1729/1C1_27_74DERNJ2A306.pdf

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

r.j - you da man!! i guess they stripped my cabin, they removed the sink and

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

You say you want to try and get the engine running - check a few things first!
Drain off old fuel and replace with fresh.
Check oil
Check/clean plugs
Check choke is working
Run water through it (muffs)
Lower drive - don't run engine if drive is in the trailer position.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Anotehr retired guy.

thanks for looking at my post.

I checked the oil and looks really clean, thats one of the big reasons i bought it

how do i drain the old fuel? I need to go purchase the manuel for this boat. anyone know which was i should get?

What do you mean "Lower drive - don't run engine if drive is in the trailer position. "


Also anyone know where a boat store/shop is in Northern VA?

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Here is the Sea Ray owners manual. Post your engine/drive serial numbers and someone can point you in the right direction for those manuals.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Anotehr retired guy.

thanks for looking at my post.

I checked the oil and looks really clean, thats one of the big reasons i bought it

how do i drain the old fuel? I need to go purchase the manuel for this boat. anyone know which was i should get?

What do you mean "Lower drive - don't run engine if drive is in the trailer position. "


Also anyone know where a boat store/shop is in Northern VA?

Fuel would have to be siphoned out.

When the engine is running the drive gears/shafts/uj's are also turning. When the drive is up in the trailer position the universal joints are at an extreme angle and can be damaged.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

got it, thanks

Also, what if i can't get this engine running what should i do about winterizing it before snow gets here?

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

got it, thanks

Also, what if i can't get this engine running what should i do about winterizing it before snow gets here?

All you "have" to do is make sure the block is drained, and the drive is down (to drain).
There are other recommended actions such as changing engine and drive oil and adding stabilizer to the fuel. Before putting it in water service the water pump ( new impeller).

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat



Finally got the boat back to my house this past weeekend, that was scary. 1 battery is dead fully dead the other was able to charge but some liquid is bubbling on top of the battery. Connected the battery but can't get the outdrive to go down so i can test the engine, see if it turns.

But I was to anxious and jumped teh solenoid and alli hear is click click click? oh oh.

 

[rbh]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Now its time for a google search for a survey sheet and what to look for.

You will find things like the trim motor and light switches, ETC to not work very well do to "not" being used on a regular basis.

Use a fully charged battery (is the an onboard charger??) when testing the electrical system.

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

rbh, sorry for my ignorance but whats a survey sheet?

Was i not suppose to charge a marine battery with a car battery charger?

 

[rbh]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

rbh, sorry for my ignorance but whats a survey sheet?

Was i not suppose to charge a marine battery with a car battery charger?

Basicaly a survey is a check list of the good and bad points for your vessel.

Here is an example I found, there are many more, once you do one it will give you a place to start or a reason not to

http://www.allinson.com/Gemini.pdf


As for the battery, follow the MFGs guide lines (never had an issue myself doing a trickle charge)

 

[ormjgrouch]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Alright finally got some time last night before the sun went down. I tried to get my serial number for my motor but looks like 2 digits have disappeared, can anyone help me out here? Here is a pic of the sticker

I'm trying to lower my drive (to try to kick my engine) but i have not luck, when push any of my 3 buttons, nothing is happening. Ahah looks like the PO were trying to fix this issue as well, i beleive i'm suppose to have a resevior of some sort on the bottom of this. I found some good information on the web on how to troubleshoot the pump and motor. But figured i'd ask you guys as well. Any advise/tips on what to do here, what model/make this is?.

 

[Stevens520]

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

Nice project!Love those older Sea Rays.There should also be a plate on the top of the block in the rear with the serial # on it.All the info you need for the engine/drive: http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser3.html#/2

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1980 Searay - First boat

If you don't have a title, stop until you do. The title will give you info about what you have.

same with the trailer.

Love the way he screwed the trailer license on to the swim platform.

get your hull checked out before spending any $$ on it. While soft spots on a floor can be a tell-tale about the stingers and transom, on a boat that big, the floor is a long way from the potential trouble spots.

Good luck! That's quite a boat for a first boat.