Don't know what I got

[jigsawjack]

I just bought a 1984 Sea Ray 26 ft boat with two OMC 3.8 l V6 motors it's not in that better condition it hasn't been ran for 20 years but I only paid $1,000 for it and the trailer I don't know what model it is maybe somebody does but I'm going to get some batteries and try and fire it up

 

[Scott Danforth]

The paperwork and title will tell you what it is

Being a 1984 means it's a project you will spend a large amount of money and time on the boat

Being 3.8 liter motors means you have stringer 800 drives, which means you have a lot of spare time to look for parts that are NLA.

Before firing it up, inspect the drives, service the points

 

[jigsawjack]

Yeah it'll probably be a little while before I fire it up I'm going to change all the oils and try to familiarize myself with the workings how everything works and make sure I don't damage anything that I can damage by cranking it over it ran is supposedly before it went into storage but I realize yeah it is a lot of work if it comes too much I may just part it out but it's not too bad a shape

 

[Scott Danforth]

You will need to see if the drives have the flushing fitting on the trunion cap

Make sure the boat is registered and titled in your name before spending beer money on repairs

 

[jigsawjack]

You will need to see if the drives have the flushing fitting on the trunion cap

Make sure the boat is registered and titled in your name before spending beer money on repairs

Yes sir I will and yeah I came with a clear title

 

[Sprig]

It hasn’t been started in 20 years? I would bet it’s not exactly going to fire right up. There are a hundred things I would check and do before turning the key. First thing I’d do is check the gas tank. Any tiny bit of fuel left in there for 20 years has turned to a gelatinous mess. You likely need to replace the gas tank and that is just the beginning. That is going to be a very very expensive $1000 boat.

 

[jigsawjack]

It hasn’t been started in 20 years? I would bet it’s not exactly going to fire right up. There are a hundred things I would check and do before turning the key. First thing I’d do is check the gas tank. Any tiny bit of fuel left in there for 20 years has turned to a gelatinous mess. You likely need to replace the gas tank and that is just the beginning. That is going to be a very very expensive $1000 boat.

Oh yeah I know it's going to be a lot of work but I'm not in a real big hurry All the hoses and wiring all look pretty good but they I'm going to replace all that there's a lot of things I got to do but just one step at a time

 

[jigsawjack]

 

[Scott Danforth]

You will want a factory service manual for the OMG's

Original outboard product and service manuals for Johnson, Evinrude, Gale, and OMC

Ken Cook Co. sells Original Product Literature Supporting 1996 and Older Outboard Marine Corporation Products, limited supply of original printings of Johnson, Evinrude, Gale, and OMC manuals are still available. On older literature, we may provide a machine copy reproduced from a master file...

outboardbooks.com

Visit searays site and look to see what they have in the customer archive

 

[jigsawjack]

Thank you for the information Yes I'll get one

 

[FunInDuhSun]

That looks like a 268 Sundancer.
It was a popular boat back in the day with lots of interior space for its size.
Look up the David Pascoe review to read his review. He can be brutal!

 

[jigsawjack]

Where would I find that review?

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Where would I find that review?

i don’t want to post a direct link.
Just search “Sea Ray 268 Pascoe“ and you’ll find it.

 

[mr 88]

Yachtsurvey.com

 

[airshot]

Before spending hard earned dollars on outdated engines and drives, do a deep dive into the hull ! Odds are highly in your favor that it is rotted and unsafe to be on the water. To rebuild the hull will take years and big bucks for a boat that no one will want. I hate to say this, and your not alone, but you just paid a grand to haul away someone's junk. Neighbor did the same thing a few years back. Bought a Sea Ray, rebuilt the 350 engine and out drive only to find the hull was waterlogged. After spending a full year replacing the wooden structure and upgrading the electronics, all they could get out of it was 750 bucks !

 

[Ptr.Torch]

Starting an engine after sooo long. (1) clean out fuel tanks, replace any gas with some fresh, new gas. Also ceck the oil, and change it. Even if it is clear now, there could be water from condensation. (2) pull carb and clean out. Spray with carb cleaner and blow them out with compressed air. Ensure all those tiny passages are clear of gum. Then reinstall the carb. (3) remove plugs and introduce penetrating oil into the cylinders. Let it soak a bit. Wiggle the crank by hand at first to see if the rings are free. Slowly try to turn it a full turn without force so you don't break a ring. (4) if it turns over by hand, leave the plugs out and check for spark. Ensure it has ignition. (5) now put the plugs in and try cranking it from the key/switch. Prime the carb with a splash of gas to see if it fires. Do not race the engine right off, let it idle a bit

 

[Scott Danforth]

Being points ignition, there won't be spark without servicing the points.

 

[jigsawjack]

Before spending hard earned dollars on outdated engines and drives, do a deep dive into the hull ! Odds are highly in your favor that it is rotted and unsafe to be on the water. To rebuild the hull will take years and big bucks for a boat that no one will want. I hate to say this, and your not alone, but you just paid a grand to haul away someone's junk. Neighbor did the same thing a few years back. Bought a Sea Ray, rebuilt the 350 engine and out drive only to find the hull was waterlogged. After spending a full year replacing the wooden structure and upgrading the electronics, all they could get out of it was 750 bucks !

Well I hope that's not the case but I am going to proceed with caution and be thorough on my checks and if it is the case then if it is a lot of rot then at least I got the trailer the trailer has brand new tires and rims on it and it's worth the $1,000 I paid

 

[JimS123]

That's classic an awesome boat. It's what I wanted back in the day but had to settle for a 1984 model that was quite smaller.

Superficially from the picture, it looks like its not in terrible condition. I hope it has been well covered or stored indoors for all these years. If not, the cost of hull repair might be overwhelming.

Better get a good OMC mechanic. It's not just parts availability, but finding a mechanic that knows what to do.

 

[airshot]

Well I hope that's not the case but I am going to proceed with caution and be thorough on my checks and if it is the case then if it is a lot of rot then at least I got the trailer the trailer has brand new tires and rims on it and it's worth the $1,000 I paid

I hope that is not your case either, but odds are highly in your favor that the wood structure inside the hull is rotted. Based on age alone there is a 75% chance of major hull work. Most glass boats from that era were made to last 20 years with good care, 25 years with really good care and 30 yrs is about tops. You can do the math.....keep in mind, that wood structure is the skeleton of the hull, without that skeleton support, the glass outside will fail. Just words of caution to a new boat owner, from a boat owner of over 60 years. Good Luck !