Poor man’s boat - 1988 sea Ray weekender 230

[fibermann]

Hello everybody.
so I’ve got an old weekender boat recently and she is mostly in a bad shape although the hull is good. I have plenty of questions starting from the motor ending with the vinyl side panels and so on. There is a ton of work with her.
I have to begin with something to start this project rolling and since I’m new to any boat related stuff your advice is highly appreciated.
so few first questions:
1.where to look for manuals?
2. Where to look for the parts and trims? Do the junk yards like in a car industry exist?
3. My main concern for now is a drive and parts for it. It was broken for whatever stupid reasons by previous owners - the top of the drive must be replaced. And the part which is attached to the stern is damaged too ( I think it is called a himball) You can see from the picture- I know it’s a mess, but I have neither manuals nor any ideas of how the parts are called.
So, any input or where do I have to start is highly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[alldodge]

The first rule of an old boat restore is "is it worth restoring"?
The cost will mount very fast, only thing that cost more to just own is a air plane. Old boats that had parts removed and sat aside because it got to costly to fix.

Look at the inner transom and stringer first. If the transom is rotten then here goes a lot of money and time

There are manuals but need to know what you have. Looks like a volvo penta and being that old probably be better to replace everything. Hows the motor?

 

[fibermann]

The motor is 5.7 mercury
Boat 1988 sea Ray weekender 230.
The transom is firm.
This boat was on the water 2 years ago. And when pulled out of the water they’ve managed to destroy the drive.
Then the boat was left outside with no cover or any protection. Electrics all work and the motor should start, but didn’t try yet - need to check the batteries and supply the water, but don’t know how since the drive is not there. I’ve seen people plug the hose to the side of a drive, and I don’t have one right now.

 

[alldodge]

The hose coming from the drive goes to the thermostat housing. Connect a garden hose there and fire the motor up

Most all the parts for a Merc can be found including drive parts. Since your just getting into boating I would suggest getting a SEI drive and it comes with warranty.
https://www.sterndrivereplacement.c...-mercruiser/alpha-one-gen-1/complete-sei-106/

Can get a used one but then your taking a chance your not being messed with. There are good used ones out there, its just knowing what to look for

Parts for the transom assembly will be in this link
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/r-mr-alpha-one-transom-assembly-1983-1-1

 

[briangcc]

You might be better off looking at an entire outdrive from SEI.

As for parts, you can look at iboats for some items - cleats, handles, etc.

If you're looking for say a left side bolster....well you're better off making you're own. Or pay an upholstery shop to make it but be prepared to fork over $$$$ to do it as you're paying for their time AND labor. Any interior trim you were to buy is probably going to be worse off than what you have....even if what you have is nothing.

IF you're so inclined you can DIY the upholstery with the correct sewing machine, time, and some patience. A few members have gone this route. Some have turned out some simply amazing work.



For inspiration...

Re-upholstery Job on Cruisers Yacht 338 Bowrider

Greetings, I could easily title this thread 'Here I go again . . .' another upholstery job. This time it is on the new-2-me boat . . . a 2016 Cruisers Yacht 338 Bowrider. The boat is only 5 years old and the cockpit seating is already in need of some serious work. The backstory is that in my...

forums.iboats.com

 

[Scott Danforth]

you will want to make some test drills. I bet the transom is wet, if not rotted

same goes for the stringers

regarding your transom shield, you need a new one.

as far as manuals go, you will need the motor and drive manuals.. boat side manuals do not exist (with a very few exceptions)

 

[tpenfield]

1.where to look for manuals?
2. Where to look for the parts and trims? Do the junk yards like in a car industry exist?
3. My main concern for now is a drive and parts for it. It was broken for whatever stupid reasons by previous owners - the top of the drive must be replaced. And the part which is attached to the stern is damaged too ( I think it is called a himball) You can see from the picture- I know it’s a mess, but I have neither manuals nor any ideas of how the parts are called.
So, any input or where do I have to start is highly appreciated.
Thank you

1) If you can't find anything online, they may not exist. Boat manuals to the extent that they exist are somewhat brief and don't often cover the details of the boat, just some general stuff. like don't bump into other boats

There is a SeaRay owners group somewhere online that may have more specific information.

2) Boat specific parts and trim can be hard to come by, but many of the parts (hardware, fittings, fixtures, instrumentation, controls, hatches, deck plates, etc) are generic and not specific to SeaRay. Most boat manufacturers buy thewir components. Many of us look for some sort of identifying number and then search from there. Some trim items and the the fiberglass stuff will be specific to SeaRay.

3) Gimbal (not himball) . . . For a few years in the 1980's SeaRay 'branded' Mercruiser Engines, and they were white instead of black. I believe the parts were all the same, but you may find specific part listings. If you do not have a complete outdrive/transom assembly, maybe best to buy a used one that is in working condition.

You will have a steep learning curve, but read up on Mercruiser as much as you can - the engines themselves are GM standard engines made with a few minor twists to make them for marine use. Mercury (Mercruiser) then adds all the marine intake, electrical and exhaust components.

As far as the boat itself, there is wood in the stringers and bulkheads, so check to see if those are in decent shape or appear to have issues (wet/rotten).

Post pictures as you go.

 

[airshot]

Yep....check that transom and stringers close....I will bet money they need replaced!!! Feeling solid doesnt mean they are, actual tests need to be performed.

 

[zool]

Heres the 87 230 weekender owners manual, should be basically the same

https://owners-resources.searayweb.com/owners-manuals-files/1987_230WE_230WE Manual.pdf

and heres the 89 230 parts manual, should also be the same

https://s3.amazonaws.com/srweb-pvt-...ic/parts-manuals/1989__1989-230-WEEKENDER.pdf

 

[KJM]

You are calling it a "poor mans boat" and there's a decent chance thats what you'll be by the time you get her sea worthy! Be VERY careful you know what you are getting into before you start spending a little here and a little there and then realize you are in over your head! Don't mean to be negative but that kind of major restoration can get expensive very easily and sorta sneak up on you. I also agree that it would almost be a miracle if you didn't have problems with rot as well as everything else.

 

[todhunter]

The gimbal ring is broken in half. Whether it was damaged pulling it out of the water or because it hit something like a submerged log, breaking a gimbal ring could mean the transom was heavily stressed. Do some careful looking inside for cracks, and I agree - test drill near the drain hole at the bottom and inspect the wood shavings that come out.

 

[fibermann]

This is going to be a long journey… and interesting.
Checked the batteries and although the juice is still there and enough for radios and such the boat seated for too long for them to be able to start the engine.
Started looking over the parts and I’m really grateful for those links. It comes out I could change the top of the drive and get the gimball Gave her a bit of outside shower with a pressure washer. Wood isn’t grey anymore. However has to be cleaned sanded and oiled.

 

[fibermann]

Somehow the whole post didn’t go through.
Few more questions underway:
What kind of plywood is used for the decking?
As I would like to take a drill test do I have to strip her off or there are locations. Like mentioned before, I can go and drill? Can’t wait to get back home and start digging into
Thank you

 

[alldodge]

Use exterior grade plywood and your good