1985 Regal Ambassador 255 XL

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Some might remember me, some might not... I've had a few boats in the past, my most recent was chronicled here: https://forums.iboats.com/forum/boa...ilverton-34c-remodel-update-upgrade-pic-heavy

Life changed, I sold the Silverton after many years of great use. Moved out of CT for my wife's schooling. I caught the itch and decided to grab another project.

I was hell bent on a 1983-1989 Sea Ray 245, 250 or 260/268 (most desired). I looked at a ton of them, as well as some other boats. A few occasions I drove 2-3 hours, with expectations of towing the boat home. Almost all of them had their issues (mainly stronger/transom rot). One fresh water 268 was "the boat". Until I saw the cracked/hollow transom and the starboard stronger I could have broken apart with my hand. It was bummer after bummer.

I stumbled on a 1985 Regal 255 on CL, with a brief description. It was only 45 minutes away. I drove down and was happy with what I initially saw. Good solid trailer (disc brake roller from early 2000s), messy dirty boat. Cabin layout was good, cockpit a mess, but seats were salvageable, mooring cover was there, but in a ball in the corner. Boat came with 4 stands, and not much else. Tapping around the bilge and transom and it sounded good. No major signs of concern. Put a wrench on the motor and it spun by hand (I've had a few completely locked up). Needless to say I paid less than the trailer is worth alone, and the boat itself actually seems to fit my wants/needs.

This project won't be as intense as my Silverton was, but I still plan to get it looking presentable, running well and hopefully using it with the wife and kids often. I will upload photos in the next post, and show some of the work I have done in the few days I have owned it.
 

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Hopefully images will upload. These will be the before, from when I saw it originally and picked it up the next day:
 

Attachments

  • photo314535.jpg
    photo314535.jpg
    2 MB · Views: 1
  • photo314536.jpg
    photo314536.jpg
    1.8 MB · Views: 1
  • photo314537.jpg
    photo314537.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 1

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Turns out there is a size limit and my phone takes photos at too large of a size. Hopefully I can figure it out and keep them coming.
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,924
I recommend the Compress Images App to reduce your pic sizes on your phone.
 

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
I'll look into it, I have a ton of updated and before photos and can't share yet!
 

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Fingers crossed the photos load and show now.
 

Attachments

  • photo314554.jpg
    photo314554.jpg
    124.5 KB · Views: 1
  • photo314555.jpg
    photo314555.jpg
    116.6 KB · Views: 1
  • photo314556.jpg
    photo314556.jpg
    125.5 KB · Views: 1

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Started the cleaning process to see what I actually had to work with. The cabin came first, so the kids had a playhouse to jump around in. There are no cushions, however I most likely would have replaced them anyway. The rest of it came out fairly clean I still need to go after the hull liner on the ceiling.
 

Attachments

  • photo314557.jpg
    photo314557.jpg
    82.3 KB · Views: 1
  • photo314558.jpg
    photo314558.jpg
    78.5 KB · Views: 1
  • photo314559.jpg
    photo314559.jpg
    85.7 KB · Views: 1
  • photo314560.jpg
    photo314560.jpg
    61.2 KB · Views: 1
  • photo314561.jpg
    photo314561.jpg
    86.3 KB · Views: 1

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Then the cockpit got scrubbed clean to see how good/bad that was. Seats are in ok shape. The rear bench is missing so I need to fabricate something there. Rear deck hatch is soft, but usable for now.
 

Attachments

  • photo314562.jpg
    photo314562.jpg
    99.3 KB · Views: 1
  • photo314563.jpg
    photo314563.jpg
    86.4 KB · Views: 1

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Cleaned up the bilge as I started to test systems. Just grabbed new batteries, so don't mind the lone car battery in there. Bilge is very roomy, better than almost every Sea Ray I was on. However the engine hatch design is horrible... far too large and heavy.
 

Attachments

  • photo314564.jpg
    photo314564.jpg
    87.7 KB · Views: 1

25thmustang

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,849
Even the mooring cover the PO thought was junk cleaned up well!
 

Attachments

  • photo314565.jpg
    photo314565.jpg
    109.2 KB · Views: 1
Top