1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

[Randal McSandal]

Considering picking this boat up from a family friend that's trying to open up some garage space. He's the second owner, bought it from a friend of his and has only used it maybe 5 times, last registered in 2004 I believe. It's been kept in a climate controlled barn it's whole life under cover, the interior needs to be cleaned of mildew and dust but it wipes right off with minimal effort. It has the 3.0L 4 cylinder I/O. I'm not sure on the hours of it but they seem to be low, any clue what it's worth? The trailer is included as well with good tires and a new spare.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

Several things come to mind:

1. The boat looks great in the pictures. If the bones of the boat are equally good, it's worth pursuing, IMO.

2. Price guides are notoriously inaccurate for boats this old, so what comparable boats are going for in your area is your best guide.

3. The fact that it's been sitting for most of a decade is of concern. The motor needs to be checked out, and, at minimum, all rubber parts will need to be replaced.

 

[cpubud]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

its worth whatever someone is willing to pay. sitting is sometimes just as hard if not more than excessive hours. but it does look clean.

 

[Randal McSandal]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

It's been a fresh water only boat in louisville ky. Should I do a compression test before purchasing?

 

[Randal McSandal]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Update: let's say I purchase the boat for $1500. Is there enough room to make a small profit or at least break even after a month of use?

 

[SDSeville]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Wow. That boat looks like it is in great shape. Yes, in theory, you should definitely be able to at least break even at $1500 ...as long as nothing major goes wrong. Definitely get the motor checked out and check the deck, stringers, and transom for rot. It does not look like rot will be an issue based on the overall condition and how it was kept indoors, but it is very common for boats that old. All bellows will likely need to be changed after sitting for so long.

 

[jkust]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Is that sun damage I'm seeing on the bow cushions and other places or just the picture? That engine almost looks new. As to price, where are you located. At that age it's not going to depreciate any more very fast. If it is as nice as it looks and hits the market...it won't last long.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

make sure you can find someone who will A- work on an older OMC and B- any parts you need(there will be some) are avaliable. As OMC has been out of business for 10+ years some things are getting tougher to find, not impossible but tougher. Looks like a nice rig are you buying it to flip or to use? If for flip make sure on the above stuff..

 

[Randal McSandal]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Excellent; there's a SeaRay dealer about 10 mins from my house, I'd hope they work on OMC! There isn't any sun fading, the pics only show dust/mildew on the seats. I cleaned a small area with no effort at all and the vinyl looks great beneath other than a rip or two which ill just patch up.. I should be able to go over and start the boat today on muffs. Ill keep everyone updated.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

The OMC is the issue. They went out of business well over a decade ago and their stern drives are not being fully supported with parts. If it's an OMC Cobra it might not be too bad but if it's a Stringer (which it looks like) it could be a real issue. $1500 isn't much of a gamble though so I'd still pursue it. You won't be flipping it for any major profit though (at least not to someone familiar with the OMC situation).

 

[jkust]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

I hope it works out. I literally never see an original 84 in that good of condition...unless its been restored. I'd love it as a collector piece.

 

[Jayboat66]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

I saw a Searay about the same year but not as nice as the one you show in the pics. and was sold for $2800. I was thinkig to buy it and the next day was sold.

 

[Randal McSandal]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

The plan is to fire it up tomorrow and make sure everything checks out there. I think I'll be able to get it for a touch under 1,500. I plan on using it for a month to see if it's something I absolutely love and if not throw it on the market to make a little coin. I kinda hopped around all over the deck and didn't find any soft spots that I've been reading about, the rubber billow appears not to be cracked and looks like it's in great shape.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

...the rubber billow appears not to be cracked and looks like it's in great shape.

That means it's an OMC Stringer. Those OEM boots last quite a while (mine is probably near 20 years old), so if it's not leaking don't sweat it. That drive should be Tru-Course steering and mechanical shift on the drive.

Tru-Course is nice because of how steady the steering is, and the lock to lock turning radius on the steering should be rather tight.

Check the tilt and trim - neither are deal killers, but they are typical culprits in "ease of use" on a Stringer. Trim on that drive will actually be at the front of the engine block not the rear (like on a Merc), but some units didn't have it.

It should be a pretty quiet drive. Because of the way the stringer mounts, the sound absorption through the hull works a little better and keeps things more quiet.

Good luck!

 

[jgl1962]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

I sold one Identical with Mercruiser 3.0 a couple of years ago to a friend for $2K. We were both happy with the deal and they still use it weekly in the Summer. I second the OMC thing but again condition means a lot and that one seems well maintained.

 

[Randal McSandal]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

The battery in it was shot, so I put the battery from my Jetta in there to start it, fired right up with some starter fluid and I let it idle for 15 mins, sounds great to me, the tilt works and everything looks normal. The fuel line is pretty ugly so I plan on replacing that, getting a new battery (any recommendations?) and taking her out for a spin.. Is it necessary to get it registered before that or will law enforcement understand that it is merely a 15 min test float? I ended up paying $1,200.

 

[Randal McSandal]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Here she is all cleaned up with a new battery, hopefully get her on the water tomorrow morning!! Woo hoo!

 

[NYBo]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Looking good!

Is it necessary to get it registered before that or will law enforcement understand that it is merely a 15 min test float?

I wouldn't count on the largesse of the law enforcement community to give you a pass on an unregistered boat.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

The fuel line is pretty ugly so I plan on replacing that, getting a new battery (any recommendations?) and taking her out for a spin.. Is it necessary to get it registered before that or will law enforcement understand that it is merely a 15 min test float? I ended up paying $1,200.

Did you change the engine oil and the drive oil? I wouldn't be driving around a boat with 10 year old oil in it.

 

[Randal McSandal]

Re: 1984 Searay Seville Bowrider 18.5' - What's it worth?

Did you change the engine oil and the drive oil? I wouldn't be driving around a boat with 10 year old oil in it.

Engine/Drive oil was changed before he re-winterized it in 09, the oil looks very good and is at the proper level, I really want to get the boat in the water to check for any other problems I may have (bellows etc.) just so I can tackle all the problems at once.