1973 Sea Ray project

[cowboytuff66]

Okay I am new to this site and to boat restoration. I bought a 1973 Sea Ray for $300 it appears to be a srv 220 overnighter could possibly be a 240 it has a ford 351 with mercruiser outdrive. The motor runs the outdrive is good needs transom seal kit, Bellows, one trim cylinder and the deck needs replaced. The cabin is in really good shape and all controls work(lights,bilge,etc) transom was redone in 2005 and appears to be okay. My questions are these should I restore this boat? Will it be worth it in the end? The hull seems to be solid the trailer is in okay shape needs to be wired. I know it will take me a while and a lot of labor but it seems like a pretty fun/cool project any info or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1973 Sea Ray project

Probably. What 'evidence' do you have the transom was 'redone' in 2005?



Welcome to the forum.

 

[cowboytuff66]

Re: 1973 Sea Ray project

I contacted the owner that did the repair (not the person I bought it from)and that is what he told me.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1973 Sea Ray project

you know what shop or did he do it himself?

 

[greenbush future]

Re: 1973 Sea Ray project

If you're doing the floor and stringers, I'm gonna bet you will most likely want to consider the transom too. The transom usually ties right into the stringers and floor. and if you are tearing it down, that is when you would do that portion of the rebuild too. You will be able to see everything once you remove the outdrive and engine, but inspect that transom well. It would suck to need to rip it all apart in a year or two because you didn't do the transom the first time. Lot's of guys who claim they replaced the transom may have, but many of them are sub-standard replacements so inspect his work and test drill the transom low and everywhere else there is a hole, swim platform bolts, transducers, anything bolted to the transom is likely suspect water entrance location.
Floors stringers and transom will run ya $1500-$2000 just for materials, that's if you do all the work. That could double if anything else is bad or needs replacing.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1973 Sea Ray project

You should remove the decking and have a look at the stringers, they're more than likely rotten too.

You should plan on a full structural restoration for this boat.

Will it be worth it? Go look at the prices for a new boat the same size and decide for your self.