94 Searay 200 Fixer Upper

[Dalyph]

Afternoon,
I'm thinking of buying a 94 searay 200 bowrider fixer upper and in need of advice. This is my very first boat ever I checked it out without a surveyor and found the floor completely rotted out. 5.7 motor runs with no issues or signs of bad parts just needs fluids flushed. Boat has been sitting since 2019 so owner just let the boat get weather damaged without a cover. I was able to talk owner down to 800 dollars I know its alot of work but there aren't any issues with the hull I can see. No cracks or holes in exterior hull or visible stress cracks. Inboard Mercruiser Alpha One. Transom is strong on the back did a weight test on the back to see if transom wood is rotted no signs of rot but not sure if its rotten. Boat is in fairly decent condition I want to know if it's worth spending 800 dollars on? It's a 20 ft boat which needs inside completely redone. I don't mind spending the time on fixing it but want to know if it's truly worth it. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Want to work on a project with my son that won't take to much time. Thanks in advance

 

[JASinIL2006]

I would not place any stock on the 'weight test' to evaluate the transom's integrity. Mine was pretty badly rotted and showed no flex when putting weight on it. (If the transom flexes, it's REALLY far gone.)

You likely are looking at a full gut-and-restore job, which would require several hundred hours of your work (if you're handy; more time will be required if you're not) and probably $3000+ in materials, PPE, and any tools you might need. More if you need to replace upholstery. If you're wrong about the engine and outdrive, it could get really expensive.

In the end, you will have a boat that may (or may not) be worth your cash investment (purchase price plus repair materials), and you'll never recoup any money for the time invested.

All that discouraging stuff being said, if you like doing this sort of project, and if you have the time and finances, you may end up enjoying it and you could have a decent boat when you're done. You and your son would likely learn a ton, about boat construction, fiberglassing, etc. It mostly likely won't be a quick project, though, so it is entirely possible you won't splash the boat until next year.

Many of us have done restoratations, often on the first boats we ever owned, so it's definitely possible. I found it very rewarding and I'm glad I did it, but the project was not without it's struggles.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... The motor, or the drive, is worth what ya paid for it,....
If it's on a wagon, it has value too,....

 

[hugh g]

The best way to find out if the transom is good or not is to drill test holes from the inside & see what the shavings look like. If their wet or punky the transom is shot & like the other poster said you're in for a major restoration which requires removing the engine, transom mount, drive etc. They rot from the bottom up. Good luck.

 

[Commander_47]

If the floor is rotten, it probably sat for years full of water with the drain plug not removed. It probably means your stringers are no good.

Replacing the floor and stringers for the floor is not that hard a job. And quite honestly, not that difficult if you are at all familiar with fiberglass. Like the kind you get at Lowes. But I suggest you buy a roll of the fiberglass fabric and cover all the pressure treated lumber.

I like this chopped strand stuff. It's a little messy but does a great job.
https://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-C...t=&hvlocphy=9010892&hvtargid=pla-835535821904

A bigger problem would be the motor stringers. This involves pulling the motor and realigning the out drive. Fortunately, this really isn't that hard a job. Pulling a boat motor is way easier than pulling a car motor. The hard part is finding a hoist, big shade tree, crane, etc to reach over the stern and lift it high enough.

You boat should have the 5.7 Mercruiser. This is a small block 350 chevy and the work horse motor of all time. The motor and drive are easily worth the money the seller is asking for the Sea Ray.

I would take the risk if you are at all handy. It is my experience that the Transom is more than likely ok. But the stringers under sitting water for years, and the evidence of a rotten floor are pretty strong indicators that they probably need replacing.

 

[Dalyph]

If the floor is rotten, it probably sat for years full of water with the drain plug not removed. It probably means your stringers are no good.

Replacing the floor and stringers for the floor is not that hard a job. And quite honestly, not that difficult if you are at all familiar with fiberglass. Like the kind you get at Lowes. But I suggest you buy a roll of the fiberglass fabric and cover all the pressure treated lumber.

I like this chopped strand stuff. It's a little messy but does a great job.
https://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-C...t=&hvlocphy=9010892&hvtargid=pla-835535821904

A bigger problem would be the motor stringers. This involves pulling the motor and realigning the out drive. Fortunately, this really isn't that hard a job. Pulling a boat motor is way easier than pulling a car motor. The hard part is finding a hoist, big shade tree, crane, etc to reach over the stern and lift it high enough.

You boat should have the 5.7 Mercruiser. This is a small block 350 chevy and the work horse motor of all time. The motor and drive are easily worth the money the seller is asking for the Sea Ray.

I would take the risk if you are at all handy. It is my experience that the Transom is more than likely ok. But the stringers under sitting water for years, and the evidence of a rotten floor are pretty strong indicators that they probably need replacing.

I'm more than likely going to buy it because I'm not on a time restriction, I have plenty of time. Just depends on how soon I want to put it on the water I guess. Calculating all the material needed since I have all the tools already. Thanks for the feedback

 

[Lou C]

I would not.
Its going to take forever, and will be about the nastiest job you have taken on unless you flip houses that really filty people lived in. You will learn how to rebuild a boat, yes. You will not be using that boat, for at least a year, unless living in a Tyvec suit is your idea of a good time. Save your money, buy a late model boat with a 4 stroke outboard and enjoy boating.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the floor is rotten, the transom and stringers rotted years prior.

Calculating all the material needed since I have all the tools already. Thanks for the feedback

for this year, estimate $4500 for a hull restoration and about $3500 for upholstery restoration (up from $3000 and $2000 from 2019)

if this is your first restoration, expect about a year plus