1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

[carlfarey]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

I'm about to order a winter cover for the boat and I'm a little confused as to which size to go with. Would a cover made for boats 21' to 23' with cuddys and 102" beam max work for this boat? I know the swim platform accounts for almost 2 feet of the overall length, so I'm thinking this cover should work.

Here's an Ebay link to one I'm looking at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...kparms=algo=SI&its=I%2BC&itu=UCI&otn=10&ps=63

Thanks....Danny

These boats are nearer 24 feet than 22, you are better being oversized than undersized.

Carl.

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

These boats are nearer 24 feet than 22, you are better being oversized than undersized.

Carl.

Yes, I found that out the hard way. I ordered a cover from Cabela's, and it was too small. The cover was for a 23' 6" boat. The 220 is 23' 8". The real problem is that it's considered a "high profile" cruiser, and the standard cruiser cover won't cover enough of the sides. I bit the bullet and ordered from a different source, and spent 100.00 more, but now I should have a cover that will fit this boat.

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

I finished my helm seat modification. I bought a seat originally made to be used in a pontoon boat from http://veada.com/index.html
Came out to about 250.00. I was able to mount the seat-back to the original flipped helm seat. It was easy, once the four screws were removed to release the rear facing seat-back. The new seat is a bit of a tight fit, and I'll decide if I will move the entire assembly rearward an inch or two. On problem is that if the seat is moved as little as an inch, it will prevent the engine hatch from openning from the front. Of couse you can still flip the hatch and open it from the rear.

 

[carlfarey]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Hey that looks like a great job. well done.

Carl.

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Thanks Carl. I also raised the rear seat a bit, and hopefully it will feel safe enough when underway. If not it will be easy enough to cut the PVC legs down until it does. I actually keep the PVC adapter screwed into the galvanized fitting, and just push in the leg when I'm using the seat. Quick and easy! I had to sand down the inside of the PVC adapter so the leg would fit snugly, but not so tight that it couldn't be easily pulled out when folding the seat. Hopefully, you understand that explanation.

BTW, the legs are actually longer than the left leg in the photo. That was what the prior owner had installed. That was more or less the original leg height. I supposed the original legs were damaged, so he replaced them with PVC. (got everything from Home Depot)

 

[carlfarey]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

The upholstery looks in great shape, mine is due for an overhaul I think. Its looking great, well done.

Carl.

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Well, believe it or not, the prior owner bought an extra set of vinyl for the seats, thinking he would use them when the old became worn. He even visited the factory in TN to see his boat being built. I was lucky to find such a seller. Now, my job is to see that they remain in good condition, cause I'm not about to recover these seats. I already spent over 3k in upgrades for the boat, and it hasn't hit the water yet (just added a camper canvas for 2k+).

 

[roc2178]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Hi folks! I own a 1989 Sea Ray 220 DA 5.7ltr 350 which seems like it replicates 1990 version thats depicted in this post. I have been searching threw the threads looking for advice on a prop selection as it currently has the stock prop and does about 38mph @ 4300rpm (this is an estimate as its by the gauges on the dash). I am looking to get the boat up on a plane quicker, not really concerned with the top end. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

I just took the following from a site, after doing a quick Google search. Seems on the money. I have a Merc HighFive 5-blade prop on my 220. I'm a new owner and only had the boat out once so far this season, so I can't comment on how quick it gets up on plane. No idea of top speed yet either. Hopefully the prop will be adequate, cause I'm not about to replace it. First impressions with the power/speed are good though....
===========================================

Boat Propeller Advantages/Disadvantages

Aluminum Boat Propellers:
Advantage- cost.
Disadvantage- blade flex and poor durability.
3 blade propeller vs. 4 blade aluminum propeller:
4 blade Advantage- better hole shot and increased stability.
4 blade Disadvantage- Top end speed.

Stainless Boat Propellers:
Advantage- overall performance, no blade flex, durability.
3 blade propeller vs. 4 blade stainless propeller:
3 blade Advantage- performance, good acceleration, best top end.
4 blade Advantage- best hole shot, increased stability and fuel economy.
5 blade stainless propeller:
Advantage- good hole shot.
Disadvantage- mid-range, top end and fuel economy.

 

[bar bender]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

first reply; just bought a 1990 220 da w/ 5.7L.. it's in beautiful condition, never been in salt.. it's my 17th boat, and my first Sea Ray. i'm excited to get it out.. i have a dock on the Snake Ri. in Washington.. the engine has approx 600-hrs, is that a lot? it runs and idles great, no smoke on start up.. it's FWC'd... would like input from anyone out there about this modeh............ thanks Bar Bender

 

[Begester]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Hey Bar Bender,

I've got a 1989 220DA and its been a great boat. I'm on Lake Washington in Seattle but have been doing more trips out to the Puget Sound this summer and I've had great luck with mine.

I've got a 5.7l Alpha 1 with 1050 hours and it runs like a champ. Aside from a few minor things, I've been extremely happy with this boat. Keep the preventative maintenence tip-top, oil fresh, and it will run great. You can also join the Sea Ray owners club for free, check out their website at SeaRay.com for more info on that.

Noticed youre from Eastern WA..What's your favorite Lake in Eastern, WA? I've done Lake Chelan a couple times, but I'm looking to do another trip later this summer to Yakima and would like to try and squeeze in a boat day or 2, any suggestions?

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Bar Bender, I think you made a good choice. I've been enjoying the heck out of mine, and appreciate the easy maneuverability. I have several 28 - 30 footers around my slip, and most never take the boats out because they have trouble backing in the small slips. It's a breeze with the 220! Or maybe it's because they are all Bayliners

Check out my little web page, describing some mods I did since I bought it. I also had a great boat to start with also, so I didn't mind doing the extra work. As far as engine time, everything I've heard is it's an unreliable indicator of the condition of an engine. An engine with low hours that has been abused and not maintained correctly, is a lot worse than a well maintained engine with high hours.

http://dannyrussomusic.com/boat-mod-page.htm

 

[bar bender]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

thanks to all for the input. i'm excited to get the boat in the water. What does the "DA" stand for in "220 DA" ?? ....... and, all canvas was included w/ boat, and in very good condition, but, from previous messages i've read, it sounds like figuring out how the canvas installs may be a bit challanging.. i'm sure I'll figure it out, but may have some questions.... as for lakes in Washington, Chelan is hard to beat. The reservoirs along the Columbia and Snaker Rivers are great cruising with lots of parks with moorage; docks and buoy moorage. Yacht clubs too along the way. Locking thru dams is kinda cool too. later Carl Bender

 

[bar bender]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

u made some great improvements to your 220, definitely food for though. I?ll probably use the boat for the remainder of this season then put it in my shop this winter and do some similar things to what u did. The purchase was kind of a quick decision, sort of my retirement boat for on the Snake River behind Ice Harbor dam. I certainly have no regrets and can't wait to get her out. About the only thing I need to do prior to put'n her in the water is a little cleanup on the outdrive, got a few spots of cancer that need touchup. I'm also knee deep in a rebuild project of an old Butt-Liner that I always liked; 20 ft Admiralty, the old square nose lap strake. It was so rotten I gutted it to the bare hull inside with a shovel... Raising the deck 6 inch to make it self-bailing and foaming it with 4 pound closed cell polyurethane foam; gunna b bullet proof. Jerked the 4-cylinder I/O, plugging the transom hole and hanging a Honda 150 on a bracket, gunna b a center console... Its gunna b the guys [my sons] and my salmon chaser for the Washington coast. Love re-doing boats that way, better than new... If Bayliner had just sprayed a little bleach in the sub-frame and underside of deck before closing it up it would have still been a sound hull. I guess most boat builders don't have biologists on their design teams though... I swore I?d never own a bayliner but hey, the price was right.. later Bar Bender

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Barbender, looks like you are enjoying your retirement too. Hey, we don't need brand new big $$$ boats to have a lot of fun. The funny part is, even if I bought a much newer boat, I'd wind up doing a lot of what I'm doing to the '89 anyway.

As far as cleaning up the outdrive, I've heard of guys taking it down to the bare aluminum, and completely repainting, starting with the primer and finishing with several coats of lacquer. Mine wasn't very pretty either, and once I got the crusty barnacles off (it was in brackish water prior to me buying it) and sanded it relatively smooth, I used the recommended base coat, and finished it up with Quicksilver lacquer. It came out great. Especially considering that no one will ever see it when it's in the water!

My present project is installing the Bennett Auto Trim Tab system, added to the existing trim tabs. Once you set the tabs where you like them, the computer handles all the adjusting of the tabs for the rest of the season. At least that's what the literature says! Hopefully I will complete the installation tomorrow.

Have fun with the 220 on the river

 

[bar bender]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

just a little food for thought on the auto bennet trim tab system. I've installed bennet tabs on every boat i've ever owned, they can't be beat, no matter what the reason u r using em 4.. the 220DA i just bought came w/ the bennet auto trim tab feature; the previous owner said they drove him crazy, said every time u hit a wake or anything that changed the side 2 side attitude the trim tabs would over compensate then go back and forth to the point he quit use'n them... The first thing i'm doing is putting the double bevel swithches in to manually trim for what ever atitude i'm trying to achieve.. I had the joy stick type switch on the dash on a boat i had about 20-yrs ago, it was ok till i was fighting a hog down at buoy 10, mouth of coumbia ri; I sorta fell back and sat down on the bennet joy stick and broke it.. real pain in the butt, no pun intended.. After that i always went with the double bevel or levers switches, not sure what that type of switch is called... Anyhow, when u push the top of the right switch down it lowers your left tab and pushes your bow down and to the right a bit; push both the top switches down and it dives your bow down equally. Same with lower side of switches, push them simitaniously and the bow goes up, or levels the boat at what ever attitude u need to be at... Long story short, the previouse owner was not happy with the bennet auto trim system, and i can kinda see why... Every boats a little different and avery sea condition and the way u have your boat loaded is different.. always had the trim tabs down for taking off, with the engine trim down too. just kinda depends on how your boat is powered... i found coming in to westport with a following sea i could run my tabs down, trim my engine up to level for the best thrust or push on the boat.. cool thing is that u can plane at a way slower speed. Would plane way slower than without the tabs... also i always used the widest trim tabs i could fit, full width between the keel and the chine at my transome... I'm a true beleiver in big trim tabs; they add to the effective length of the boat and when used correctly allow for your motor to not work so hard.. well i've probably said enough about trim tabs, but like airplanes u want everything u can get in your favor.. On one old Glaspar boat i had i bought trim tabs that were intended for a 30 ft boat and used them on an 18-Seafair model.. had to actually cut the inner portion of the tabs so i could get the full turning range of my 85-hp evenrude.. but i can assure u, that was one canyon screaming wave bust'n fish'n boat.... don't be afraid to experiment.. happy boating Bar Bender...........

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

I don't think my boat is one adversely affected by the auto trim tab system. The system has been working as advertised, and I'm really enjoying not having to mess with the tabs while underway. I did have to re-adjust them one time, but they seem to be at the "sweet spot" now. One thing I have to remember, is to turn the auto system off just before entering the dock area, and manually give the tabs full-up, so I won't be fighting uneven tabs when backing into the slip.

 

[camlee79]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

I have owned my 1990 220 DA for about 6 months now. I have had a great summer with it. It is the first boat that I have owned and have been very happy for the most part. I have the 5.7L 260hp motor with a 14" x 17p prop. I feel like I am not getting full power sometimes. If I have more than 2 people on board the boat takes forever to plane. Also, if I am trying to pull a skier the boat just doesn't feel like it wants plane. Very slow acceleration... I don't know if this is normal or not. About how long would be normal to plane? My parents had a 98 180 bow rider with the 3.0L and it used to plane very quickly. I also have developed a leak somewhere in the power steering lines. I have been unable to track down the source of the leak, but can see the PS fluid in the bilge. Any advice on the plane time or speed and the Power steering leak would be greatly appreciated. Minus these two issues, I have greatly enjoyed this boat so far.
Thanks!

 

[Danny Troy]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

Yes, I've been enjoying the heck out of mine, for the second season with the boat. Of course, I'd love to go a little bigger. We slept on the boat last night, just with my wife and two small dogs, and we were stepping all over each other. Still, the economy of a smaller cruiser is nice, especially with what gas prices are these days.

My boat, with a 5-blade stainless prop gets on plane pretty quick. I'd say in less than 10 seconds. Late last season I was having some trouble getting on plane quickly, and having the prop repaired (one blade was slightly bent) really seems to have done the trick. I didn't do any engine work to attribute to the regained performance, so I'm betting it was the prop.

As far as the bilge leak, I had a similar leak, and it turned out to be the plastic reservoir on the power-tilt/trim unit had deteriorated over the years, and had hairline cracks. I was able to get a replacement reservoir for about $35.00 online. Of course, if you've checked and are losing power steering fluid, that's not your problem.

Hopefully you will find solutions to your problems, but it is nice that you are enjoying the boat in the meantime!

 

[62jpod]

Re: 1990 searay 220 DA 5.7L

I've got a 1990 220 DA with the 5.7 & Alpha One. The best prop I have found is a 16x16 which makes the boat jump out of the hole. Looking for a solution to the helm seat. I'd like to mount a seat for the helm with the existing seat flipped to the stern. I've seen a few pictures out there so I see others ave the same idea. Any tips where to buy or how to attach this?